What is Spotify Connect and How Does it Work?

The Spotify streaming service provides access to a lot of great music ,but as you go about your day, you don't always want to continue listening on the same device. When you get home from work or wandering around town, it would be great to put down your smartphone and listen to the rest of your favorite song on your PC, home audio system, or even your TV.

With Spotify Connect, you can do just that.

How Spotify Works

Spotify is synced to the Spotify Cloud Server. This means that when you listen to music via streaming; it is sent from the cloud unless you are using off-line mode. The Spotify Connect feature allows you to transfer music from one compatible listening device to another. Not only will a song continue to play on the designated device without interruption, but more music will play until you decide to stop.

What You Need To Use Spotify Connect

• A Spotify Account.
• All your Spotify-compatible devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Make sure the Spotify app is up-to-date on all your devices.

How to Use Spotify Connect with Smartphones and Tablets

1. Open Spotify on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet and start playing a song.

2. Tap Devices Available at the bottom of the screen.

3. Tap the device you want to play to.

4. Your smartphone will return to the play screen and display the new device name at the bottom of the screen.

   

How To Use Spotify Connect with PCs and Laptops

1. Open Spotify on your PC or Laptop and start playing music.

2. Select Connect to a Device on the bottom-right of the Spotify screen.

   

3. Select the device you'd like to play on.

4. A green bar will be displayed at the bottom of the screen with the words: Listening on (name of the device).

   

How to Use Spotify Connect With the Spotify Web Player

1. Open Spotify on your device via a compatible web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera) and start playing music.

2. Select Connect to a Device on the bottom-right of the Spotify screen.

   

3. Choose a device from the list.

4. A green bar will be displayed at the bottom of the screen with the words: You're Listening on (name of the device).

   

Additional Spotify Connect Setup Tips

Using Spotify Connect with Free vs Premium Accounts

Initially, Spotify Connect only worked with the Premium subscription plan (you might still see references to that effect). However, it now works with the free plan, with a catch – Not all Spotify Connect compatible devices work with the Free Service option.

Devices That Spotify Connect Works With

The following includes links to lists of devices compatible with Spotify Connect. Some are compatible with Free and Premium accounts (such as Google devices), while others will only work with Premium-only accounts (such as Alexa devices). Devices with Free Account compatibility are highlighted within the lists.

• Wireless Speakers – Including Sonos, B&W, Bose, and Marshall
• Smart Speakers – Including Google Home, Amazon Echo, Harman Kardon Invoke, and Sonos One.
• Home Theater Receivers and HiFi components – Select models Anthem, Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, and Sony.
• Smart TVs – Select models from LG, Samsung, and Sony.
• Video and Music Streamers – Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Roku

• Game Consoles – Nvidia Shield, Xbox One, and Sony PlayStation 4.
• Wearables – Samsung and Google
• Cars – Select models from BMW, Ford, Jaguar, and Land Rover
• Check out a running list of more possibilities.

The Bottom Line

Spotify Connect makes listening to music more convenient. As you move from location to location within the same network (such as your house or office), you can transfer music from one device to another without losing a beat.

Here are some additional benefits of Spotify Connect.

• You can make and receive phone calls without stopping the music.
• Once you select a device, you can turn off your smartphone or PC/Laptop and the music will still play on the designated device.
• Although Spotify Connect only allows streaming music playback transfer to one device at a time, you can use it with a multi-room audio system, such as Sonos. Once you send music from Spotify to a Sonos speaker, you can then play the Spotify feed on other Sonos speakers you might have at the same time. Spotify Premium subscription required.
• If you have a Premium account and are listening in off-line mode (you have downloaded your music), you can also use Spotify to play music on more than one device at a time.
• Although you can use Spotify with Bluetooth, instead of Spotify Connect, its quality is not as good.
• If you have an iPhone or iPad, in addition to Spotify Connect, you can use Spotify with Airplay if you prefer.