Did you know that before 2019, only premium Spotify accounts could use Alexa?
Now that it’s open to all Spotify users…
More and more are trying Spotify on Alexa-compatible devices.
Curious about what this combo brings?
I got you.
Continue reading to know:
- 5 interesting Alexa features with Spotify.
- Basic Alexa voice commands for Spotify.
- How to link your Spotify account to use on Alexa.
- And so much more…
Is Alexa compatible with Spotify?
You can pair your Spotify account with Amazon Alexa. The collaboration between Amazon and Spotify started in 2016. This feature is available on different Alexa devices. This includes Amazon’s Echo, Echo Dot, Fire TV Cube, and more.
5 things you can do with Spotify and Alexa
#1: Play music on command
Linking your Spotify account with Amazon Alexa can change your listening experience.
With this feature, you don’t have to use the Spotify app on your mobile anymore.
Just yell out to Alexa to play the music of your choice.
Wait for a few seconds, and voila!
You’ll have your favorite songs blasting on your speakers.
However, you need to know what to say when using Spotify on Alexa.
And there are a lot of commands available to personalize your experience.
In the mood for some Taylor Swift? K-Pop? Top Hits?
You can make Alexa play music based on:
- Title.
- Artist.
- Mood.
- Genre.
- Album.
- Activity.
- Playlist.
- Duration.
- Discover playlist.
Just tell Alexa to “Play [title] by [artist] on Spotify.” and it’ll get to work.
Keep in mind that you need to mention playing the music “on Spotify” when commanding Alexa.
For example, say “Alexa, Play All Too Well by Taylor Swift on Spotify.”
Otherwise, the device will be confused about which music streaming platform to use.
Don’t want to keep saying “on Spotify” when playing music on Alexa?
All you need to do is set Spotify as your default music app.
This will make Alexa automatically play songs or playlists using Spotify.
And here’s how to set this up:
- Open the Alexa app on your mobile.
- Tap on the menu on the top-left of the screen.
- Head to the Choose default music services tab.
- Select Spotify.
Note: You still need to add “on Spotify” to your voice commands when playing podcasts on Alexa.
Reading tip: Alexa Won’t Play Spotify: 15 Easy Ways To Fix It
#2: Navigate the app
Spotify on Alexa provides you with remote access.
But aside from playing music, you can also navigate the app using voice commands.
You can:
- Skip songs.
- Adjust volume.
- Play and pause music.
- Mute and unmute music.
- Go back to the previous song.
- Loop song, album, queue, or playlist.
- Adjust music bass, treble, and midrange.
Tip: Liked a song you didn’t know about? Ask Alexa about it. You can learn about the:
- Artist name.
- Song information.
- Song release year.
- Album information.
- Album release year.
This is an amazing Alexa music command.
You can start by saying, “Alexa, play that song that goes like [lyric].”
#3: Use multiple speakers
In 2019, Spotify was also made available on Bose and Sonos speakers.
This allowed Alexa to play music on more than just 1 device.
How? With Alexa’s Multi-room Music.
This feature groups Alexa devices or speakers and provides you access to each one.
Therefore, you can ask Alexa to play Spotify on all grouped devices in your home.
Here’s how to make groups on your Alexa app:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Go to the Devices tab.
- Tap on the ‘+” icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose the Combine Speakers option.
- Mark the devices you want to group together.
- Choose a suitable name for the group.
With this, you command Alexa to “play music on [group name]” or simply say “play music everywhere.”
Recommended article: 7 Best Linkable Bluetooth Speakers That Pair Together
#4: Listen on the go
Always on the move around the house?
Sometimes it could be hard to listen to music while you’re always moving and doing things at home.
So instead of telling Alexa to play music everywhere, you can choose a specific device for Spotify to play on.
Say that you’re in your kitchen preparing for dinner.
While you’re waiting for your casserole to simmer, you decide to fold some clothes in the bedroom.
You can tell Alexa to stop playing music on the speakers in the kitchen.
Then, instruct it to play music on the device you have in your bedroom.
You never have to worry about missing that much-awaited beat drop ever!
#5: Set alarm and timers
Spotify on Alexa also has the concept of time.
What do I mean by that?
It means that you can tell Alexa to play music for 1 hour.
Not only that, you can set schedules and alarms too.
Do you want to wake up to Justin Bieber’s Peaches?
How about some of Don’t Stop Believing from Journey to start your day?
Tell Alexa to “Wake me up at 6:30 am to Don’t Stop Believing from Journey.”
With that, you’re guaranteed a rocking soundtrack first thing in the morning.
How to use Alexa with Spotify?
To use Alexa with Spotify, you need to link your account to your Amazon Alexa device. To do this, you need to:
- Make sure to download the Alexa and Spotify app on your mobile.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Expand the Menu and open the Settings tab.
- Look for the Music & Podcasts page.
- Tap Spotify.
- Proceed to link the account to Alexa.
- Finish the procedure by logging on to your Spotify account.
Need more information? Check out this video:
Why is Alexa not compatible with my Spotify?
Spotify is only compatible with select Alexa devices. According to Spotify support, the app is only available on:
- Amazon Tap.
- Amazon Echo.
- All Sonos players.
- Amazon Echo Dot.
- Amazon Echo Spot.
- Amazon Echo Show.
- Amazon Fire TV Cube.
- Facebook Portal / Portal+.
But if you’re dealing with pairing issues, there are different ways to fix this.
For example, some users experience account linking problems.
A prompt would tell them that the “account needs to be linked first” even though they already did.
When that happens to you, simply reset the link between the two apps. To do this:
- Open the Alexa app and go to Settings.
- Head to Alexa Preferences and select the Music & Podcasts tab.
- Find Spotify among the list of music streaming apps linked to your Alexa.
- Select Spotify and choose to Disable Skill.
This step will unlink Spotify on Alexa. However, you also need to do the same thing on your Spotify app.
- Open your Spotify app on your browser.
- Tap on your Profile and click on the Account menu.
- Open the Apps menu.
- Find Alexa and choose to Remove Access.
This process will reset the connection between the two apps. Then, you can try to link your Spotify and Amazon Alexa again.
If this still doesn’t work, you can factory reset your Amazon Alexa.
Warning: Factory resetting will remove all data and information on your device. This will make your Alexa perform like it’s right out of the box.
To reset your device, you need to:
- Hold the Action button on your Amazon Alexa for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Wait for 1 to 2 minutes for the device to finish resetting.
- Open your Alexa app to set the device like you did the first time you got it.