In short: If Spotify isn’t working on Apple Watch, make sure to turn on Bluetooth on your Apple Watch and double-check you’re using the same Wi-Fi network for both devices.
So, you’re trying to listen to Spotify on your Apple Watch but it’s not working or just keeps on crashing. First, you’ll need to make sure you meet these requirements:
- Apple Watch Series 3 or later
- watchOS 7.0 or above
- Spotify Premium membership
- Paired Bluetooth headphones to the Watch
- A cellular or Wi-Fi connection
If you have one or more of the above requirements missing, then it’s probably why Spotify isn’t working on Apple Watch without your phone. Let’s talk about other possible reasons.
You’re using a Spotify Free account
Are you currently using the free version of Spotify? If yes, then it could be the reason why Spotify isn’t working on your Apple Watch. It’s as simple as that.
According to Spotify, you need to have a Premium account, which would allow you to listen directly from your Apple Watch – online or offline.
Customers using the Spotify free version cannot stream directly to or listen offline on their Apple Watch, although they can use the Apple Watch to control Spotify on other devices.
Spotify Premium users, on the other hand, can stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks from Apple Watch, and also download them to play offline without an internet connection.
Your iPhone and/or Apple Watch isn’t running the latest iOS
To make sure Spotify is able to work on Apple Watch, your iPhone should be up to date running the latest iOS and your Apple Watch should also be up to date.
If you need to update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. To update your Apple Watch, launch the Watch app on your iPhone > General > Software Update.
Often, not running the latest iOS on either the iPhone or Apple Watch is the main reason behind Spotify not working on Apple Watch. Keep both devices up to date to prevent issues.
You didn’t establish a Bluetooth connection
Your Apple Watch uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to communicate with your paired iPhone. When your iPhone is near, your Apple Watch will use Bluetooth to conserve power.
If Spotify isn’t working, it could be that you haven’t established a Bluetooth connection.
To turn on Bluetooth on your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the Apple Watch, and make sure the Bluetooth icon has been highlighted in blue.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth to double-check that your iPhone is connected to your Apple Watch.
Your Apple Watch isn’t connected to the same Wi-Fi network
If Bluetooth isn’t available, your Apple Watch will try to use Wi-Fi. For example, if compatible Wi-Fi is available and your iPhone isn’t in Bluetooth range, your Apple Watch uses Wi-Fi.
Spotify won’t work on your Apple Watch if it isn’t connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Double-check you’re using the same Wi-Fi for both devices and then try Spotify again.
Your network settings need a reset
Often, the best thing you can do if Spotify keeps crashing on Apple Watch is to reset the network settings on your iPhone. It solves many kinds of issues.
This method will clear all your network connections, including Bluetooth, so you may need to reconnect your Apple Watch and any headphones you’re using after the reset is finished.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
A glitch within the Apple Watch app
For some people, there could be a glitch within the Watch app.
I have an Apple Watch SE and downloaded a Spotify playlist to play offline. However, if I turn on my Apple Watch and my phone is not nearby, it won’t play my downloaded playlist.
It will only work if my phone is nearby for a few minutes to “sync”.
Then, I can leave my phone and Spotify will work fine. The thing is, it shouldn’t need to pair with my phone to play a downloaded playlist, but here’s what I did to solve the issue:
First, I removed all downloaded content (albums, playlists, and podcasts) within the Watch App. Then I went to my library in the Watch App and downloaded a playlist from there,
At this point, don’t push to Watch from your phone.
Once downloaded, I listened to the playlist from my phone, then on the Watch and used the icon in the bottom right to change from listening on my phone to my watch.
This might have been a fluke, but for now, I can use this method to listen to Spotify on my Apple Watch without a phone. It’s a simple workaround worth trying if you have the same problem.
If all else fails, make a Genius Bar Reservation
When nothing works, you need personalized tech support. Apple users can get one-on-one tech support from a trained specialist at the Genius Bar for iPods, iPhones, iTunes, etc.
Genius Bar works by appointment. In fact, Apple customers are encouraged to make appointments before visiting the store in order to get quick and personalized service.
You can learn how to make an appointment right here.
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