Listening to music while driving makes every trip more enjoyable. Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services and works great in the car through CarPlay, Android Auto or Bluetooth. In this article we explain how to get the most out of Spotify in your car, including handy tips for operating it safely on the road.

Why use Spotify in the car?

Spotify gives you access to millions of songs, podcasts and audiobooks. Instead of relying on the radio or a limited collection of CDs, Spotify puts an endless supply of music within reach. The app is optimized for use in the car, with large buttons and voice control that keep distraction to a minimum.

With a Spotify Premium subscription you can download music for offline listening, which is handy in areas with poor mobile coverage. You can also skip as many songs as you like and listen without ads, which makes driving more comfortable.

Method 1: Spotify via Apple CarPlay

If you have an iPhone and your car supports CarPlay, this is the best way to use Spotify in the car.

Setting up Spotify in CarPlay

First make sure the Spotify app is installed and up to date on your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to CarPlay with a USB cable or wirelessly. Spotify automatically appears on the CarPlay home screen as one of the available apps.

The Spotify interface in CarPlay is simplified for safe use. You see large album covers and clear playback buttons. Browse your library by tapping the screen, or use the scroll wheel if your car has one.

In the CarPlay version of Spotify you'll find:

Recent content: Your most recently played albums, playlists and podcasts appear at the top for quick access.

Library: Access to your saved playlists, albums and artists.

Search: Search for music with the keyboard or use Siri for voice searches.

Now Playing: View and control the current song with the play, pause, next and previous buttons.

Using Siri with Spotify

Since iOS 13 you can use Siri to control Spotify. This is the safest way to pick music while driving. Press and hold the voice button or say "Hey Siri", followed by your command. Examples of commands that work:

"Play Discover Weekly on Spotify"

"Play music by Coldplay on Spotify"

"Play my car playlist on Spotify"

"Pause the music"

"Next song"

Method 2: Spotify via Android Auto

Android users can use Spotify through Android Auto, which offers similar functionality to CarPlay.

Configuring Spotify for Android Auto

Download the latest versions of both the Android Auto app and Spotify from the Google Play Store. Connect your phone to your car via USB or wirelessly. Spotify automatically appears in the Android Auto interface.

Google Assistant for music control

With Google Assistant you control Spotify completely hands-free. Say "Hey Google" or "OK Google" followed by your request:

"Play chill music on Spotify"

"Play the Top 50 Netherlands on Spotify"

"Play something by Ed Sheeran"

"Shuffle my favorites"

"Turn the volume up"

Spotify as your default music player

You can set Spotify as your default music app in Android Auto. Open the Android Auto settings on your phone and select Spotify under "Default media apps". Music then starts automatically through Spotify when you connect.

Method 3: Spotify via Bluetooth

If your car has neither CarPlay nor Android Auto, you can still use Spotify over a standard Bluetooth connection.

Pairing via Bluetooth

Pair your phone with your car via Bluetooth as described in your vehicle's manual. Make sure you enable the "Media audio" or "A2DP" option so that music plays through the car speakers.

Controls over Bluetooth

With a Bluetooth connection you mainly control Spotify from your phone, or with the buttons on your steering wheel if your car has them. Many cars support basic functions such as play, pause, next and previous through the steering wheel controls.

Car Mode in Spotify

Spotify used to have a dedicated Car Mode with larger buttons, but unfortunately this feature has been removed. As an alternative, consider using a phone mount and setting up the regular Spotify app with a larger font size through your phone settings.

Useful Spotify features for the car

Make your trips even better with these Spotify features:

Downloading music for offline use

Download your favorite playlists before you start driving. This saves mobile data and keeps your music playing, even in areas without coverage. Open a playlist and tap the download arrow to save all the songs.

Creating playlists for the car

Create special playlists for the road. Spotify also has ready-made playlists for the car, such as "Songs to Sing in the Car" and "Road Trip". Search for "car" or "road trip" to find them.

Using Spotify Connect

With Spotify Connect you can seamlessly continue in the car the music you were listening to at home. Start Spotify on your phone, connect to your car and the music picks up where you left off.

Group Sessions for multiple passengers

On longer trips with friends you can start a Spotify Group Session. This lets several people add songs to the queue, so everyone can contribute to the playlist.

Data usage and tips to save data

Streaming uses mobile data. Here are some tips to limit your data usage:

Setting the download quality

Go to Spotify Settings, then to Audio Quality. Choose "Normal" or "Low" quality for streaming on the road to save data. High quality uses about 150 MB per hour, while normal quality uses around 70 MB.

Downloading over Wi-Fi only

Turn on the "Download using Wi-Fi" option to prevent large downloads from eating up your data plan. Download your favorite music at home before you leave.

Turning off Canvas

Canvas is the short looping video that plays with some songs. Turn it off in the settings to save data, especially since you won't see it while driving anyway.

Spotify Premium versus free in the car

The difference between Spotify Free and Premium is especially noticeable in the car:

Spotify Free: You can only listen to playlists in shuffle mode, there are ads between songs, and you can only skip a limited number of songs. You also can't download music for offline listening.

Spotify Premium: Full control over what you listen to, no ads, unlimited skips and offline listening. For regular drivers, Premium is definitely worth it.

Common problems and solutions

Here are solutions to problems you may run into:

Music stutters: This is often caused by a poor internet connection. Download music for offline use or check your mobile reception. With Bluetooth, removing the connection and pairing again can help.

Spotify doesn't start automatically: Check the autoplay settings in your car. Some cars have a setting to play media automatically when a device connects.

Sound plays through the phone: Check that the correct audio output is selected. In CarPlay and Android Auto this happens automatically, but with Bluetooth you sometimes need to switch the audio output manually.

Siri or Google Assistant plays the wrong app: Make sure you specifically say "on Spotify" at the end of your command. Otherwise, set Spotify as your default music player in the settings.

Using Spotify safely while driving

Choosing music can be distracting. Follow these tips to use it safely:

Set up your music before you start driving. Create playlists at home and download them to your phone. Use voice commands instead of touching the screen. If you really need to change something, wait until you have stopped somewhere safe.

Conclusion

Spotify makes every car ride more enjoyable with access to endless music and podcasts. Whether you use CarPlay, Android Auto or Bluetooth, the integration with your car is smooth and voice control makes it safe to pick music while you drive. Prepare your trips by creating playlists and downloading music for offline listening, so you can fully enjoy your favorite music on the road.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Spotify for free in the car?

Yes, but with limitations. With Spotify Free you can only listen in shuffle mode, you get ads and you can't listen offline. Spotify Premium gives you full control and is recommended for use in the car.

How much data does Spotify use while driving?

That depends on the audio quality. Normal quality uses about 70 MB per hour, high quality up to 150 MB. You can save data by downloading music in advance over Wi-Fi.

Can I use Siri to control Spotify?

Yes, since iOS 13 you can use Siri with Spotify. For example, say "Play my playlist on Spotify" or "Next song". Always add "on Spotify" to your command for the best results.

Why does my Spotify keep stopping while I'm driving?

This is often caused by poor mobile reception or a battery saver mode that interrupts the app. Download music for offline listening and turn off battery optimization for Spotify in your phone settings.