Spotify is one of the most popular streaming music services, with millions of users around the world.
But what if you want to play your Spotify content through USB connected Android phone? Is it even possible?
This article contains all the answers.
Play Spotify via USB Android
Spotify is popular for its wide selection of music, user-friendly app and reliable service. With over 50 million songs on the platform, there is something for everyone. In addition, the app has a clean user interface that makes it easy to find new music.
But can you play Spotify via USB cable on Android? The short answer is yes, but only with the right connection.
The type of cable required depends on whether your smartphone has a USB Type-C port or a micro USB port. For example, if your phone has a micro USB port, you will need a micro USB cable to connect it to your audio system or car stereo. On the other hand, if your phone has a Type-C port (often referred to as “USB-C”), you’ll need a compatible Type-C cable to connect it to an audio device.
Some cables will recognize your Android device as a storage device and only allow you to access the files and music stored directly on the phone’s internal file system.
Play Spotify on your audio system with a USB cable
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- The right USB cable for your device.
- The latest version of the Spotify app installed on your Android device.
Once you have all the necessary items, follow these instructions to stream music from Spotify to your audio system:
- Connect one end of the Android USB cable to the charging port on your phone or tablet. Then connect the other end to the USB on your audio device.
- Open the Spotify app and select a song, album, artist or playlist. The selected item will be played through the speakers connected to your Android device.
- To control playback without opening the app each time, you can use the physical buttons (if available) on your connected speakers/audio device. For even more convenience, you can use voice commands through a virtual assistant such as Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, etc.
Keep in mind that while Spotify works through AUX ports (aka 3.5mm), it must use an AUX output to play sound. Therefore, instead of a USB-AUX cable, you can use an AUX-AUX cable. While you won’t be playing through the USB port on the phone, playing through the 3.5mm port should work.
How to play Spotify in your car via USB Android
For Spotify users, playing your favorite music can be a great way to keep energy up while driving. But if your car doesn’t have Bluetooth or an auxiliary port, how do you get your music on? You can use USB Android devices to play Spotify in your car.
Let’s see how it works:
- Plug the micro-USB end of your phone’s cable into your phone’s port, then plug the other end into your car’s USB port. The exact location of the port may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so check your owner’s manual if necessary.
- After connecting both ends of the cable, you may see a notification on your Android device asking if you want to enable media transfer mode. Tap “OK” to confirm.
- Once everything is loaded correctly, you can start listening. Select a song or playlist you want and press ‘Play’. The music will now stream through your car’s speakers.
As a bonus, all the usual controls – volume adjustments, track skipping, etc. – are still available while listening through the car stereo, so feel free to tweak them as needed. Just remember that all control changes must come from within the app itself; they cannot be created on the radio interface of your car’s dashboard.
If your car stereo doesn’t have a USB port, you can switch to a 3.5mm cable and use the phone’s audio output (headphones) instead.
How to play Spotify in your car via Android Auto
If you’re lucky enough to have the Android Auto stereo system in your car, playing Spotify is a breeze:
- Log in to the Spotify app on your Android device.
- Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using a standard compatible USB cable.
- Open Spotify on your phone and play a song or podcast. If Spotify was already playing when you plugged in your phone, it should continue to play without interruption as long as both devices are powered on.
Make sure your Android phone is running Android 5 (Lollipop) or newer to avoid connection issues.
What to do if you can’t play Spotify via USB Android
Sometimes you experience that frustrating moment when your Spotify playlist just won’t play, even though everything seems fine on the connections front. It can be incredibly annoying, especially when you’re in the middle of a great jam session.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix common Spotify playback issues on Android devices:
Update your devices
Before trying other solutions, it’s important to make sure that both the Spotify app and your mobile device’s software are running the latest version available.
Outdated software can cause compatibility issues that prevent music streaming from working properly. To check for updates, open the Google Play Store and search for “Spotify.” If an update is available, download and install it on your phone.
Check your Wi-Fi
The second thing to do is to check if your Wi-Fi is working properly. A weak or intermittent Wi-Fi connection can prevent Spotify from playing over your USB connection.
Relaunch the Spotify app
Sometimes a simple restart of the app is all it takes to get everything working again. To do this on an Android device:
- Open Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
- Scroll down until you find Spotify.
- Tap “Force Quit”.
- Open the app again and try to connect to Spotify again.
Close any app that is not in use
Running too many programs at once can cause problems with USB playback on Spotify.
To close other programs:
- Open Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
- Select each app individually and tap “Force Quit” if they are open (no need to force quit system apps).
Try another USB cable
If none of the solutions above work, it might be worth trying a different USB cable. Sometimes faulty cables can interfere with audio streaming from external sources such as smartphones or tablets.
Restart your device
If all else fails, try restarting your device. This will help fix temporary issues causing problems connecting to Spotify via USB.
After rebooting, try connecting again and see if it works.
Things to consider when selecting a cable
Even if your audio or car stereo system supports USB connections, you still need the correct USB cable. When choosing the cable to use, there are a number of things that you should take into account in advance.
First check if the cable supports fast data transfer rates (e.g. 10 Gbps).
Second, make sure the cable is certified by the manufacturer or a third party, such as the USB-IF certification or CE certification (for European markets).
Finally, make sure the cable is specifically designed for mobile devices. Generic cables may not be suitable and may cause compatibility issues when connecting smartphones to external audio systems or car stereos.
Share your best Spotify titles or podcasts with friends and family
When it comes to enjoying your favorite music, having complete control over your audio experience can make all the difference. That’s why connecting Spotify directly to an audio system with a USB cable is such an attractive option for music lovers.
This setup allows users to jump from track to track without relying on a potentially unreliable Bluetooth connection and provides much more consistent sound quality than the alternative methods.
Whether you’re jamming in your bedroom or entertaining friends at your next party, using a USB speaker allows everyone to share the listening experience and enjoy their favorite songs.
Have you tried playing Spotify via USB Android with any of the methods discussed in this article? How did it go?
Let us know in the comments below.