Spotify is an excellent music streaming service that has millions of songs in various languages. On the other hand, Alexa is Amazon’s digital assistant-powered smart speaker that has outstanding skills for the user to give voice commands to control and interact with a smart home device. But have you ever thought about how to connect Spotify to Alexa? Connecting Spotify to Alexa is a fantastic way of playing your favorite music without the need of touching any device. In this blog post, we will discuss different methods for connecting Spotify with Alexa and answer some FAQs.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before proceeding with the methods, there are some requirements you need to fulfill. First, you need to have an active Spotify premium account. Second, you will need an Amazon Echo or any other Alexa-enabled smart speaker to listen to the music. You also need to make sure that both the Echo and your device running the Spotify app are on the same Wi-Fi network, which is necessary for their communication.
What Requires Your Focus?
To connect Spotify with Alexa, you must have full attention to the instructions given for each method. Do not skip any step, as one skipped step may result in the failure of the entire method. Moreover, you should ensure that both the Echo and the device running the Spotify app are on the same Wi-Fi network, and your device’s Bluetooth is turned on.
Different Methods to Connect Spotify to Alexa
Method 1: Via Alexa App
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone
- Tap on the "More" option at the bottom of the screen
- Select "Settings" from the available options
- Select "Music" from the available list
- Select "Link New Service"
- Tap on the Spotify icon from the list of available music services.
- Enter your Spotify login details and tap on "Log In."
- Accept the terms and conditions, then tap "Okay" or "Agree."
Pros:
- Straightforward and easy setup process
- No technical expertise needed
- Spotify will automatically be recognized as the default music player
Cons:
- Some users may not prefer the process of downloading and using another app to connect like the Alexa App
Method 2: Via Alexa Voice Command
- Start by linking your Spotify account with Alexa through the Alexa app or website
- Make sure Alexa is set up properly and connected to your Wi-Fi network.
- Say "Alexa, enable Spotify" to your Alexa device. Alexa will then authenticate your account and link with Spotify.
- Say "Alexa, play (song name) by (artist name) on Spotify” and it will automatically play
Pros:
- Quick and simple to use
- No need to access your phones or other applications
Cons:
- It can be a bit tricky to accurately convey the song and artist name as Alexa could detect it as a different song if spoken incorrectly
- Not convenient to stop or shuffle the song using voice command
Method 3: Via Amazon Fire TV with Alexa
- Ensure that both the Amazon Fire TV and your mobile device running the Spotify app are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Navigate to the Fire TV home screen.
- Press and hold the Voice button on your Alexa voice remote, and say "Alexa, play Spotify."
- An authentication screen will pop up on your mobile device running the Spotify app. Enter your Spotify login details, which will be authenticated on the Fire TV.
- Access the Spotify app on Fire TV, locate a song, play and listen.
Pros:
- Can use Alexa voice remote to navigate and manage Spotify playlist
- Visual interface for song selection
Cons:
- Requires an access and compatible Fire TV
- Can only be used for music playback without any personalized features.
Why Can’t I Connect Spotify to Alexa?
Q: Why is Alexa saying it cannot connect with Spotify?
A: Here are some reasons why:
1. Inactive Spotify subscription
A: To play music from Spotify through Alexa, you need to have an active Spotify premium subscription. If your account is not a premium version, you will not be able to listen through Alexa.
2. Wi-fi issue
A: You need to make sure that both the Echo and your device running the Spotify app are on the same Wi-Fi network and stable network connection. Otherwise, the connection won’t establish.
3. Device compatibility issue
A: Ensure that your device or devices running the Spotify app and Alexa are compatible to connect with each other.
Implications and Recommendations
Connecting Spotify to Alexa can enrich your music listening experience. It is an excellent way to control music playback hands-free, especially when working or doing chores. If you are an Alexa owner and a Subscriber of Spotify, there is no reason not to link up. Furthermore, make sure that both Echo and the device running the Spotify app are on the same Wi-Fi network to make the process of connecting smoother.
5 FAQs about Connecting Spotify to Alexa
Q1. Can you use Spotify Free on Alexa?
A: No. Spotify Free accounts cannot be used with Alexa. Only Spotify Premium accounts are available.
Q2. Is a Spotify account required to use Alexa?
A: No, Spotify is just an optional service. Alexa has its own default music streaming service called Amazon Music, which will serve as an alternative.
Q3. Can I set up automatic or random playlists using Alexa and Spotify?
A: No, the Alexa-Spotify application does not support this feature.
Q4. Do I need to have an Alexa device to use Spotify?
A: No, but you will need an Alexa app or website. You can also check out supported third-party apps and AV receivers from Spotify.
Q5. Can I stream podcasts via Spotify through Alexa?
A: Yes, you can use Alexa to access your Spotify podcasts, just make sure that everything is linked and set correctly.
In Conclusion
Connecting Spotify to Alexa is a game-changer for music lovers. Listening to your favorite music without touching the phone is a luxury for a busy person. There are several ways to connect Spotify with Alexa, including using the Alexa app or voice command, as well as via Amazon Fire TV. All you need is an active Spotify premium account, an Alexa smart speaker, and a stable Wi-Fi network connection. Lastly, don’t forget to troubleshoot if Alexa says she cannot connect to your Spotify account.