Top 8 Fixes for Spotify Starts Playing by Itself on Android and iPhone

It is quite baffling when your Spotify starts playing music by itself on your Android or iPhone, seemingly without reason. This can happen anytime, such as when you are using other apps, connecting your phone to your car, or even when your phone is idle. Of course, that is not something you would want, even if Spotify plays your favorite music.

While uninstalling Spotify from your phone may be a quick fix, it is not the best solution. This guide will show you some helpful tips to stop Spotify from playing unexpectedly on your Android or iPhone.

1. Turn Off Autoplay

By default, the Autoplay feature is enabled in the Spotify app. This allows the app to continue playing music after you have finished listening to your selected album or playlist. If you do not want this to happen, follow these steps to turn off the Autoplay feature:

Step 1: Open the Spotify app, tap your profile icon at the top-left corner, and select Settings and privacy.

Step 2: Tap on Playback and turn off the toggle next to Autoplay similar content.

2. Disconnect Unwanted Devices From Spotify

Spotify Connect is a feature that lets you control Spotify playback on one device from another. This can sometimes cause Spotify to start playing unintentionally on your phone. Here’s what you can do to stop that.

Step 1: Launch the Spotify app and open the music player. Tap the sound output device in the bottom left corner.

Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu icon next to a device and select Forget device.

3. Check Your Bluetooth Devices

Is your Android or iPhone connected to a Bluetooth earphone? That can cause Spotify to start playing by itself when your earbuds detect that you are wearing them or when you accidentally perform certain gestures. To prevent this, you can disconnect Bluetooth devices you are not using.

Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app, tap on Connections, and select Bluetooth from the following menu.

Step 2: Tap the gear-shaped icon next to the device you want to disconnect. Then, tap on Disconnect.

iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on Bluetooth.

Step 2: Locate the device you want to disconnect and tap the ‘i’ icon next to it. Then, tap Disconnect.

4. Check Your Alarms (Android)

Another reason Spotify may start playing by itself is if you are using it as your alarm tone. Check your active alarms and ensure none are set to play Spotify.

Step 1: Open the Clock app and tap on an active alarm.

Step 2: Tap on Alarm sound and select another tone from the following menu.

5. Modify Android Auto Settings

When you connect your Android phone to a car’s infotainment system that supports Android Auto, music apps like Spotify may start playing automatically. To stop that, you will need to change the Android Auto settings on your phone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on Connected devices.

Step 2: Tap on Android Auto and toggle off the switch next to Start music automatically.

6. Turn Off CarPlay (iPhone)

Apple CarPlay can also cause your iPhone to start playing music from apps like Spotify or Apple Music. To stop Spotify from automatically playing, you need to turn off Apple CarPlay. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Screen Time.

Step 2: Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your device passcode if required.

Step 3: Tap Allowed Apps and toggle off the switch next to CarPlay.

7. Check Recently Installed Apps

One of the apps running on your phone may be causing problems with Spotify playback. Apps you have installed or set up recently are more likely to be the source of the problem. Go through your recently installed apps and uninstall them one by one to fix the issue.

8. Update the Spotify App

Using an outdated version of the Spotify app can also lead to such unusual behavior. Hence, it’s a good idea to update the Spotify app on your Android or iPhone if nothing else works.

Spotify for Android

Spotify for iPhone

After you update the Spotify app, you should not experience any problems.

No More Musical Surprises

It can be very irritating when music starts playing unexpectedly, especially when you are trying to focus on your work or are in an important meeting. Hopefully, one of the tips above has worked, and Spotify is no longer playing music on your Android or iPhone.