Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services globally, offering users access to millions of songs, podcasts, and videos. However, some users have reported issues with Spotify not playing music when the app is not in use or when the screen is locked. This problem can be frustrating, especially for those who rely on Spotify for their daily commute or workout routine. In this article, we will delve into the possible reasons why Spotify won’t play when you’re not on the app and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.
Understanding Spotify’s Background Playback Feature
Spotify’s background playback feature allows users to listen to music while using other apps or when the screen is locked. This feature is available on both Android and iOS devices. However, the feature may not work as expected due to various reasons, including software glitches, hardware limitations, or settings configurations. To troubleshoot the issue, it’s essential to understand how Spotify’s background playback feature works and the factors that can affect its performance.
How Background Playback Works on Android and iOS Devices
On Android devices, Spotify uses a foreground service to continue playing music in the background. This service runs in the foreground, allowing Spotify to maintain control over the audio playback even when the app is not in use. On iOS devices, Spotify uses a background audio mode to achieve the same result. This mode allows Spotify to continue playing audio in the background, but it may be affected by iOS’s background app refresh feature, which can suspend or terminate background apps to conserve battery life.
Impact of Device Settings on Background Playback
Device settings can significantly impact Spotify’s background playback feature. For example, power-saving modes can limit background app activity, causing Spotify to stop playing music. Similarly, do not disturb modes can silence notifications and alerts, including those from Spotify. To ensure seamless background playback, it’s crucial to configure device settings to allow Spotify to run in the background without interruptions.
Troubleshooting Steps to Resolve the Issue
If Spotify won’t play when you’re not on the app, try the following troubleshooting steps:
To resolve the issue, start by checking your device settings and ensuring that Spotify is allowed to run in the background. On Android devices, go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Advanced > Background restriction and make sure that the Background restriction toggle is turned off. On iOS devices, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and ensure that Spotify is enabled.
Next, check your Spotify settings to ensure that the Background playback feature is enabled. On Android devices, open Spotify and go to Settings > Playback > Background playback and make sure that the toggle is turned on. On iOS devices, open Spotify and go to Settings > Playback > Background playback and ensure that the toggle is turned on.
Additionally, try restarting your device and reinstalling the Spotify app to resolve any software glitches that may be causing the issue. You can also try checking for updates to ensure that you’re running the latest version of the Spotify app.
Common Issues and Solutions
Some common issues that can cause Spotify to stop playing music in the background include low battery levels, high CPU usage, and conflicting apps. To resolve these issues, try charging your device, closing resource-intensive apps, and disabling conflicting apps that may be interfering with Spotify’s background playback feature.
Using Spotify’s Web Player as an Alternative
If you’re experiencing persistent issues with Spotify’s background playback feature, you can try using Spotify’s web player as an alternative. The web player allows you to access your Spotify account and play music directly in your web browser, eliminating the need for the mobile app. To use the web player, simply go to open.spotify.com and log in to your Spotify account.
Conclusion
Spotify’s background playback feature is a convenient way to listen to music while using other apps or when the screen is locked. However, the feature may not work as expected due to various reasons, including software glitches, hardware limitations, or settings configurations. By understanding how Spotify’s background playback feature works and troubleshooting common issues, you can resolve the problem and enjoy uninterrupted music playback. Remember to check your device settings, Spotify settings, and try restarting your device and reinstalling the Spotify app to resolve any software glitches. With these troubleshooting steps, you can get back to enjoying your favorite music on Spotify, even when you’re not on the app.
| Device | Settings to Check | Troubleshooting Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Android | Background restriction, Power-saving mode | Restart device, Reinstall Spotify app, Check for updates |
| iOS | Background App Refresh, Do Not Disturb mode | Restart device, Reinstall Spotify app, Check for updates |
By following these steps and understanding the factors that can affect Spotify’s background playback feature, you can resolve the issue and enjoy seamless music playback on your device. Whether you’re an Android or iOS user, these troubleshooting steps can help you get back to listening to your favorite music on Spotify, even when you’re not on the app.
Why does my Spotify stop playing when I close the app?
Spotify is designed to continue playing music even when the app is closed, but this feature may not work as expected due to various reasons. One possible cause is that your device’s operating system is terminating the Spotify background process to conserve resources such as memory and battery life. This can happen when your device is running low on resources or when you have enabled settings that restrict background app activity. As a result, Spotify may stop playing music when you close the app, requiring you to reopen it to resume playback.
To resolve this issue, you can try adjusting your device’s settings to allow Spotify to continue running in the background. For example, you can disable battery-saving features or add Spotify to the list of exempted apps. Additionally, you can try closing other resource-intensive apps to free up memory and reduce the likelihood of Spotify being terminated. If you’re using an Android device, you can also try enabling the “Background data usage” setting for Spotify, which allows the app to continue playing music even when you’re not actively using it. By making these adjustments, you should be able to enjoy uninterrupted music playback on Spotify even when the app is closed.
How do I keep Spotify playing in the background on my iPhone?
To keep Spotify playing in the background on your iPhone, you need to ensure that the app is allowed to run in the background. You can do this by going to your iPhone’s Settings app, selecting “General,” and then tapping on “Background App Refresh.” From there, scroll down and find Spotify in the list of apps, then toggle the switch next to it to enable background app refresh. This setting allows Spotify to continue playing music even when you’re not actively using the app. Additionally, you can also try disabling the “Low Power Mode” on your iPhone, as this feature can restrict background app activity to conserve battery life.
Once you’ve enabled background app refresh for Spotify, you can close the app and Spotify should continue playing music in the background. You can also use the Control Center to control Spotify playback, such as playing, pausing, or skipping tracks, without having to reopen the app. If you’re still experiencing issues with Spotify stopping playback when you close the app, you can try restarting your iPhone or updating the Spotify app to the latest version. By following these steps, you should be able to enjoy uninterrupted music playback on Spotify even when the app is closed on your iPhone.
Why won’t Spotify play when my screen is off?
Spotify may not play when your screen is off due to a feature called “screen off detection” that is designed to conserve battery life. When your screen turns off, your device may automatically pause or stop Spotify playback to prevent unnecessary battery drain. This feature can be enabled by default on some devices, or it may be a setting that you’ve enabled manually. Additionally, some devices may have a “power-saving mode” that restricts background app activity, including music playback, when the screen is off.
To resolve this issue, you can try disabling the screen off detection feature or power-saving mode on your device. You can also try adjusting your device’s settings to allow Spotify to continue playing music even when the screen is off. For example, you can enable the “Background data usage” setting for Spotify, which allows the app to continue playing music even when you’re not actively using it. Alternatively, you can try using a third-party app or widget that can control Spotify playback and keep the music playing even when your screen is off. By making these adjustments, you should be able to enjoy uninterrupted music playback on Spotify even when your screen is off.
Can I use Spotify with my screen off and the app closed?
Yes, it is possible to use Spotify with your screen off and the app closed, but this may require some adjustments to your device’s settings. As mentioned earlier, you can enable the “Background data usage” setting for Spotify, which allows the app to continue playing music even when you’re not actively using it. Additionally, you can try disabling the screen off detection feature or power-saving mode on your device, which can restrict background app activity. By making these adjustments, you can enjoy uninterrupted music playback on Spotify even when your screen is off and the app is closed.
To take it a step further, you can also try using a third-party app or widget that can control Spotify playback and keep the music playing even when your screen is off and the app is closed. For example, you can use a music control widget that allows you to play, pause, or skip tracks without having to reopen the Spotify app. Alternatively, you can try using a voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant to control Spotify playback with voice commands, even when your screen is off and the app is closed. By exploring these options, you can enjoy a seamless music listening experience on Spotify even when your screen is off and the app is closed.
How do I troubleshoot Spotify playback issues on my Android device?
To troubleshoot Spotify playback issues on your Android device, you can start by checking the app’s settings and ensuring that it is allowed to run in the background. You can do this by going to your device’s Settings app, selecting “Apps,” and then finding Spotify in the list of installed apps. From there, you can check the app’s permissions and ensure that it has the necessary permissions to access your device’s audio hardware. Additionally, you can try clearing the app’s cache and data, which can help resolve issues related to corrupted files or outdated software.
If you’re still experiencing issues with Spotify playback on your Android device, you can try restarting your device or updating the Spotify app to the latest version. You can also try disabling any battery-saving features or power-saving modes that may be restricting background app activity. Furthermore, you can try checking for any conflicts with other apps that may be using your device’s audio hardware, such as music players or voice assistants. By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue that’s preventing Spotify from playing music on your Android device.
Why does Spotify stop playing when I lock my phone?
Spotify may stop playing when you lock your phone due to a feature called “lock screen detection” that is designed to conserve battery life. When you lock your phone, your device may automatically pause or stop Spotify playback to prevent unnecessary battery drain. This feature can be enabled by default on some devices, or it may be a setting that you’ve enabled manually. Additionally, some devices may have a “power-saving mode” that restricts background app activity, including music playback, when the screen is locked.
To resolve this issue, you can try disabling the lock screen detection feature or power-saving mode on your device. You can also try adjusting your device’s settings to allow Spotify to continue playing music even when the screen is locked. For example, you can enable the “Background data usage” setting for Spotify, which allows the app to continue playing music even when you’re not actively using it. Alternatively, you can try using a third-party app or widget that can control Spotify playback and keep the music playing even when your phone is locked. By making these adjustments, you should be able to enjoy uninterrupted music playback on Spotify even when your phone is locked.
How do I keep Spotify playing when I’m using other apps?
To keep Spotify playing when you’re using other apps, you need to ensure that the app is allowed to run in the background. You can do this by adjusting your device’s settings to allow Spotify to continue playing music even when you’re not actively using it. For example, you can enable the “Background data usage” setting for Spotify, which allows the app to continue playing music even when you’re using other apps. Additionally, you can try disabling any battery-saving features or power-saving modes that may be restricting background app activity.
Once you’ve enabled background data usage for Spotify, you can use other apps without interrupting music playback. You can also try using a music control widget or notification shade to control Spotify playback without having to switch back to the app. Furthermore, you can try using a third-party app or service that can integrate with Spotify and allow you to control playback from within other apps. By making these adjustments, you should be able to enjoy uninterrupted music playback on Spotify even when you’re using other apps.