How to Stop Spotify from Playing Automatically

Are you tired of Spotify automatically blasting music the moment you connect your headphones or get in the car? It can be a frustrating experience when you’re not quite ready to tune in. Thankfully, Spotify offers a couple of easy ways to manage this auto-play feature and regain control of your listening experience. Here’s a breakdown of how to stop Spotify from automatically playing:

Method 1: Disabling Autoplay Within the Spotify App

This is the primary setting within Spotify designed to prevent the app from automatically queuing and playing similar content once your current listening session ends. Here’s how to find and disable it:

Step 1: Open the Spotify App on your smartphone or tablet.

Step 2: Look for your profile icon, usually located in the top-left corner of the screen, and tap on it.

Step 3: On your profile page, find and tap the gear icon to access the Settings and Privacy menu.

Step 4: Scroll down the settings menu until you find the Playback option and tap on it.

Step 5: Within the Playback settings, look for an option labeled Autoplay (it might have a longer description like “Autoplay similar content” or “Enjoy non-stop listening”). Toggle the switch next to this option off.

By disabling this feature, Spotify should no longer automatically start playing new songs after your current playlist, album, or podcast finishes.

Method 2: Utilizing Device Security Features (Face ID/Passcode Lock)

While not a direct Spotify setting to prevent all auto-play scenarios (especially with certain car systems or Bluetooth devices), enabling a face ID or passcode lock for the Spotify app can add an extra layer of security and prevent accidental playback. Here’s how to set it up (steps may vary slightly depending on your phone’s operating system):

For iOS (iPhone/iPad):

1. Go to the main Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Find Spotify in the list of installed apps and tap on it.
3. Depending on your device, you should see an option related to security or biometric authentication (like Face ID or Touch ID).
4. Toggle the switch to enable the requirement of Face ID or Touch ID to open the Spotify app.

For Android:

1. Go to the main Settings app on your Android device.
2. Go to Security or Biometrics and Security. The exact wording may vary depending on your device manufacturer.
3. Look for App Lock or App Protection. Find the section related to locking or protecting specific apps.
4. In the list of apps, find Spotify and enable the app lock feature, which will likely prompt you to use your fingerprint, PIN, or password to open the app.

By enabling this security feature, even if your phone connects to a Bluetooth device, Spotify won’t automatically start playing unless you’ve explicitly unlocked the app with your biometrics or passcode.

Important Considerations:

• Car and Headphone Behavior: Keep in mind that some car infotainment systems or Bluetooth headphones might have their own auto-play functionalities that could override Spotify’s settings. Check the settings of your specific devices as well.
• App Updates: Spotify occasionally updates its app, and while unlikely, the location of these settings could potentially change in the future. If you can’t find the options mentioned above, explore the settings menu for similar terms related to playback and auto-start.

Conclusion

By implementing these steps, you should be able to effectively stop Spotify from automatically playing and enjoy a more controlled listening experience. If you continue to encounter issues, consider checking the Spotify support website or community forums for device-specific troubleshooting tips.