From Beats to Voice Commands: The Ultimate Guide to Playing Spotify on Alexa

Are you tired of manually searching for your favorite songs on Spotify? Look no further! With the integration of Spotify and Alexa, you can now effortlessly play your favorite tunes with just a voice command. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply relaxing at home, the convenience of playing Spotify on Alexa devices adds a new level of entertainment to your daily life.

In this article, we’ll explore the seamless process of connecting Spotify to Alexa and how you can make the most out of this dynamic duo. Say goodbye to manual searches and say hello to hands-free music streaming with “play Spotify on Alexa”!

Can Alexa Play My Spotify Playlist?

Yes, Alexa can play your Spotify playlist. With the integration of Spotify and Alexa, you can easily access and stream your favorite playlists directly through your Alexa-enabled devices. Once you have connected your Spotify account to Alexa, you can simply ask Alexa to play a specific playlist, and it will start playing instantly. The compatibility of Alexa with Spotify offers a seamless music streaming experience, allowing you to enjoy your personalized playlists without any hassle.

Here is a list of compatible Alexa devices that support playing Spotify:

• Amazon Echo: The Amazon Echo smart speaker is designed to work seamlessly with Spotify, allowing you to enjoy your playlists by simply using voice commands.
• Amazon Echo Dot: The compact and affordable Amazon Echo Dot also supports playing Spotify playlists, making it a popular choice for music lovers.
• Amazon Echo Spot: The Echo Spot, with its circular display, not only lets you listen to your Spotify playlists but also provides a visual element to enhance your music experience.
• Amazon Echo Show: The Echo Show, equipped with a vibrant touchscreen display, allows you to not only hear but also see your Spotify playlists, album art, and music controls.
• Amazon Tap: The portable Amazon Tap is another compatible device that enables you to stream Spotify playlists on the go, making it perfect for outdoor activities and travel.
• Amazon Fire TV Cube: This device combines the features of a streaming media player and an Alexa-enabled speaker. It can play your Spotify playlists and also control your TV and other connected devices.

These Alexa devices provide a wide range of options to enjoy your Spotify playlists conveniently. Whether you prefer a compact smart speaker, a device with a visual display, or a portable option, there’s an Alexa device that suits your needs. Simply connect your Spotify account to your preferred Alexa device, and you can start enjoying your playlists with ease.

How to Play Spotify on Alexa: Step-by-Step Guide

Spotify and Alexa allow you to enjoy your favorite music effortlessly. With a few simple steps, you can link your Spotify account to Alexa and start playing your personalized playlists, albums, and songs.  Here is how:

1. Link your Spotify Account to Alexa

To enjoy the seamless integration of Spotify and Alexa, the first step is to link your Spotify account to your Alexa device. By doing so, you’ll have access to your personal Spotify playlists, albums, and songs at your fingertips. Here’s a guide on how to link your Spotify account to Alexa:

• Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
• Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen.
• Select “Settings” from the menu options.
• Scroll down and choose “Music & Podcasts.”
• Select “Link New Service” and find “Spotify” from the list of available music services.
• Tap on “Spotify” and click on the “Enable to Use” button.
• Enter your Spotify account credentials (username and password) when prompted.
• Once successfully linked, you’re ready to move on to the next steps and enjoy Spotify on your Alexa device.

Now that your Spotify account is linked to Alexa, you can enjoy the seamless music streaming experience between the two platforms.

2. Make Spotify the Default (App and Web)

Setting Spotify as the default music service on your Alexa device ensures that it will automatically use Spotify whenever you ask Alexa to play music without specifying a service. This saves you the trouble of mentioning “on Spotify” every time you want to enjoy your favorite tunes. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to make Spotify the default music service on both the Alexa app and the Alexa web interface:

Using the Alexa App:

• Open the Alexa app on your device.
• Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen.
• Select “Settings” from the menu options.
• Scroll down and choose “Music & Podcasts.”
• Tap on “Default Services.”
• From the list of music providers, select “Spotify.”
• From now on, whenever you ask Alexa to play music without specifying a service, it will automatically use Spotify as the default choice.

By following these steps, you ensure that your Alexa device seamlessly integrates with Spotify as the default music service, providing a hassle-free music streaming experience.

Using the Alexa Web Interface:

• Go to alexa.amazon.com and log in to your Amazon account.
• Click on “Settings” on the left sidebar.
• Under “Alexa Preferences,” select “Music.”
• Click on “Choose default music services.”
• From the available options, select “Spotify.”
• Save your changes.

Once you’ve set Spotify as the default music service using the web interface, Alexa will prioritize playing music from Spotify whenever you ask without explicitly mentioning the service.

3. Command to Play Spotify on Alexa

Once you have linked your Spotify account and set it as the default music service on your Alexa device, you can effortlessly play Spotify using simple voice commands. Here are a few examples to help you get started:

• “Alexa, play my Spotify playlist.”: This command will prompt Alexa to start playing your personal Spotify playlist that you have created and saved.
• “Alexa, play the latest album by [artist] on Spotify.”: Replace [artist] with the name of your preferred artist. Alexa will search for the latest album by that artist on Spotify and begin playing it.
• “Alexa, shuffle my Spotify playlist.”: By using this command, Alexa will shuffle the songs in your Spotify playlist, providing a randomized listening experience.
• “Alexa, play the song [song name] by [artist] on Spotify.”: Specify the name of the song and the artist. Alexa will search for that specific song on Spotify and start playing it.
• “Alexa, play some relaxing music on Spotify.”: If you’re in the mood for relaxation, this command will prompt Alexa to play a selection of relaxing music from Spotify.

Remember to start your voice command with “Alexa” to activate the device and include “on Spotify” at the end to ensure that Alexa uses Spotify as the music source.

With these simple voice commands, you can enjoy a hands-free music streaming experience through your Alexa device, seamlessly accessing your favorite songs, playlists, albums, and artists from Spotify. Sit back, relax, and let Alexa take care of the music for you!

How to Play Spotify on Alexa From Phone? & Effortless Steps

Playing Spotify on your Alexa device from your phone is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite music. You can control the music playback and select songs using the Spotify app on your phone. Here’s how to play Spotify on Alexa from your phone:

1. Ensure your Alexa device and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network: Both your Alexa device and phone need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for them to communicate with each other.
2. Open the Spotify app on your phone: Make sure you have the Spotify app installed on your phone. If not, download it from your device’s app store and log in to your Spotify account.
3. Tap on the “Devices” icon: In the Spotify app, look for the “Devices” icon. On most versions of the app, this icon looks like a speaker or TV screen with sound waves. It is usually located at the bottom or top of the playback screen.
4. Select your Alexa device: Tap on the “Devices” icon to see a list of available devices. Look for your Alexa device in the list and select it.
5. Choose the music you want to play: Once your phone is connected to your Alexa device, you can browse your Spotify library, playlists, and albums, or search for specific songs. Select the music you want to play.
6. Control playback from your phone: Use the Spotify app on your phone to control the playback of the music. You can pause, play, skip tracks, adjust the volume, or create a queue of songs.
7. Disconnect or switch devices: To stop playing music on your Alexa device from your phone, go back to the “Devices” section in the Spotify app and select a different device or tap on “Disconnect” to stop playback on the Alexa device.

Play Spotify on Alexa From Phone Using Bluetooth

Another way to play Spotify on your Alexa device from your phone is by using Bluetooth. This allows you to stream audio from your phone directly to your Alexa device. Here’s how to do it:

1. Enable pairing mode on your Alexa device: Put your Alexa device into pairing mode. The specific method varies depending on the device. Consult your device’s manual or visit the manufacturer’s support website for instructions on how to enable Bluetooth pairing mode.
2. Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone: On your phone, go to the Bluetooth settings menu. This can usually be found in the device’s settings or quick access panel.
3. Scan for available devices: In the Bluetooth settings, scan for available devices. Your Alexa device should appear in the list of discoverable devices. Select it to initiate the pairing process.
4. Confirm pairing on your Alexa device: After selecting your Alexa device on your phone, you may be prompted to confirm the pairing on the Alexa device itself. Follow the instructions provided on your Alexa device’s screen to complete the pairing process.
5. Open the Spotify app on your phone: Launch the Spotify app on your phone and start playing music.
6. Choose the Bluetooth speaker as the output: In the Spotify app, tap on the “Devices” icon, usually located at the bottom or top of the playback screen. Select the Bluetooth speaker or your Alexa device from the available devices to switch the audio output.

Once the Bluetooth connection is established, the music playing on your Spotify app will be streamed to your Alexa device, allowing you to enjoy your music through Alexa’s speaker.

Remember to keep your phone and Alexa device within Bluetooth range for a stable connection.

Why Won’t Spotify Play On Alexa? 12 Possible Reasons

There could be several reasons why Spotify is not playing on your Alexa device. Here are some possible explanations:

1. No Spotify account linked: If Spotify is not playing on Alexa, it may be because you haven’t linked your Spotify account to your Alexa device. Open the Alexa app or web interface, navigate to the Music & Podcasts section, and follow the prompts to link your Spotify account. Make sure to enter the correct Spotify account credentials.
2. Incorrect Spotify account linked: Check that you have linked the correct Spotify account to your Alexa device. Sometimes, multiple Spotify accounts may be associated with different Amazon accounts. Verify that you are using the Spotify account you want to access on your Alexa device.
3. Outdated Alexa app: Ensure that you have the latest version of the Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet. Outdated app versions may not fully support Spotify integration. Update the app from your device’s app store to the latest version.
4. Wi-Fi connectivity issues: Check if both your Alexa device and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Ensure that the Wi-Fi network is stable and functioning properly. Weak or intermittent Wi-Fi signals can cause playback issues.
5. Weak Wi-Fi signal: If you have a weak Wi-Fi signal, it can lead to buffering and interruptions during music playback. Try moving your Alexa device closer to the Wi-Fi router or consider using a Wi-Fi extender to improve the signal strength in the area.
6. Alexa device not responding: If your Alexa device is not responding, it may be experiencing technical issues. Try restarting the device by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for a few seconds, and plugging it back in. This can help resolve any temporary glitches.
7. Spotify app not updated: Ensure that you have the latest version of the Spotify app installed on your phone. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues with Alexa. Update the Spotify app from your device’s app store to the latest version available.
8. App permissions not granted: Check the app permissions for the Spotify app on your phone. Make sure it has the necessary permissions to access and control your Alexa device. Go to your phone’s settings, find the Spotify app, and ensure that permissions such as “Microphone” and “Media & Storage” are enabled.
9. Spotify subscription status: Confirm that your Spotify subscription is active and in good standing. Log in to your Spotify account using the app or web player and check your subscription details. Ensure that your payment information is up to date and that there are no issues with your subscription.
10. Spotify service outage: It’s possible that Spotify is experiencing a temporary service outage. Check the Spotify Status page or their official social media accounts for any reported issues. If there is an ongoing outage, you may need to wait until the service is restored.
11. Default music service not set: Make sure Spotify is set as the default music service for your Alexa device. Open the Alexa app or web interface, go to the Music & Podcasts settings, and select Spotify as the default music provider. This ensures that when you ask Alexa to play music, it uses Spotify by default.
12. Bluetooth pairing issues: If you are using Bluetooth to play Spotify on Alexa, ensure that your phone is successfully paired with the Alexa device. Check the Bluetooth settings on both devices and make sure they are in pairing mode. If they were previously paired but aren’t connecting, try unpairing and re-pairing them.

If you have gone through these troubleshooting steps and Spotify still won’t play on Alexa, it may be helpful to contact Spotify or Amazon customer support for further assistance. They can provide personalized guidance and troubleshooting specific to your device and account setup.

Conclusion 

The integration of Spotify and Alexa opens up a world of music at your command. By linking your Spotify account to your Alexa device and setting it as the default music service, you can effortlessly play your favorite playlists, albums, and songs with just a voice command.

Whether you’re enjoying a solo dance party or setting the mood for a gathering, the convenience and versatility of playing Spotify on Alexa devices provide a seamless and enjoyable music streaming experience. Embrace the power of voice control and let Alexa bring your favorite tunes to life. Say goodbye to manual searches and let the music flow with “play Spotify on Alexa”!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play Spotify free through Alexa?

Yes, you can play Spotify for free through Alexa. However, there are certain limitations when using the free version of Spotify. With Spotify Free, you can access a vast library of songs, playlists, and radio stations.

However, you will experience ads between songs, and you have limited control over song selection (e.g., you cannot choose specific songs on demand, only shuffle play is available). To enjoy ad-free listening and more control over your music, you may consider subscribing to Spotify Premium.

Is Amazon Music cheaper than Spotify?

The pricing of Amazon Music and Spotify varies depending on the subscription plan and region. Generally, Amazon Music offers multiple subscription options, including Amazon Music Free (ad-supported), Amazon Prime Music (included with Amazon Prime membership), and Amazon Music Unlimited (paid subscription with a larger music library).

On the other hand, Spotify also offers a free version with ads and a premium subscription that provides ad-free listening, offline playback, and more features. The cost of each service’s paid subscription may differ, so it is recommended to check the current pricing in your region to determine which one is more affordable for you.

Why does Alexa stop playing Spotify after one song?

If Alexa stops playing Spotify after one song, there could be a few potential reasons. Firstly, it’s possible that your Spotify account is set to play only one song at a time. To change this, you can go into your Spotify settings and adjust the playback settings to allow continuous play.

Another possibility is that the “Shuffle” feature is enabled, causing Alexa to shuffle your playlist or library and play songs randomly. You can ask Alexa to turn off shuffle mode by saying, “Alexa, turn off shuffle.” If the issue persists, it may be helpful to check your Alexa device’s internet connection or try restarting the device to resolve any temporary glitches.

Is Amazon Music Unlimited or Spotify better?

The choice between Amazon Music Unlimited and Spotify ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Both services have vast music libraries and offer similar features such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and personalized playlists. However, there are a few factors to consider.

Amazon Music Unlimited may be more appealing if you are already an Amazon Prime member, as it offers a discounted subscription for Prime members. Additionally, if you have other Amazon devices like Echo speakers, the seamless integration with Alexa can enhance your user experience.

On the other hand, Spotify is known for its strong social and discovery features, including personalized playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar. It also has broader third-party app integrations and a larger user base. It’s recommended to try out the free trials of both services to determine which one aligns better with your music preferences and usage patterns.

Why does Alexa play radio instead of a song on Spotify?

If Alexa plays radio instead of a specific song on Spotify, it might be due to the way you requested the song or the availability of the song in Spotify’s catalog. Sometimes, Alexa may interpret a song request as a radio station with a similar name or genre. To improve the chances of playing a specific song, try being more specific with your voice command, such as including the artist’s name or album title.

For example, instead of saying “Play ‘Song Name’ by ‘Artist Name,'” you can say “Play the song ‘Song Name’ by ‘Artist Name’ on Spotify.” If the issue persists, it’s possible that the desired song is not available on Spotify or there may be a temporary issue with the Spotify skill on Alexa. In such cases, you can try asking Alexa to play the song from another music streaming service or check if the song is available in a different format, such as an album or playlist.