In short: Perform a clean reinstall of the Spotify app and revoke Spotify’s permission to nearby devices to prevent Spotify from crashing when connected to Bluetooth.
Does the Spotify app keep crashing (moments after launching) when your device is connected to a Bluetooth device? Here are 4 troubleshooting steps you can do to fix the issue:
1. Perform a clean reinstall of Spotify
You can usually fix common Spotify app problems with a quick reinstall. However, if the Spotify app keeps crashing when connected to Bluetooth, you’ll need a more thorough clean reinstall.
How to clean reinstall Spotify on iPhone and iPad
- Open Spotify.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right corner.
- Tap Storage then Delete Cache.
- Head to your device’s Settings, then tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage.
- Select Spotify from the list of apps.
- Tap Offload the app and confirm.
- Then, tap Delete App and confirm.
- Once the app is deleted, turn your device completely off.
- Wait a couple of minutes.
- Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the display turns on.
- Switch your device back on.
- Install Spotify from the App Store.
How to clean reinstall Spotify on Android
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Select Apps or Applications.
- Select Manage applications.
- Find and select Spotify in your list of apps.
- Tap Clear Data.
- Go to Storage > Android > Data and delete a folder called com.spotify.music.
- Switch your device off.
- Wait a couple of minutes.
- Switch your device back on.
- Open Google Play and install the Spotify Music app.
Remember: After a clean reinstall, your downloaded music and podcasts will be deleted, and your settings will be reset to default. You’ll need to redownload your content again.
2. Make sure your Bluetooth device app is updated
Some Bluetooth devices require a companion app to be able to work properly with the music streaming apps on your device. Make sure the Bluetooth device app is updated.
For example, the MEGABOOM Bluetooth speaker by Ultimate Ears needs an app. The JBL Portable app unlocks more features of JBL portable speakers.
You want to make sure these apps are always up to date.
A few months ago, my Spotify app kept crashing whenever I tried to launch it with my Bluetooth speaker connected. When my speaker is not connected, I can launch the app with no issues.
So I tried reconnecting my Bluetooth speaker.
When unpairing my JBL speaker, I wasn’t able to pair it again. So I reset it, updated the JBL Portable app. and suddenly Spotify works again when connected via Bluetooth to any device.
It turns out, all I needed was a simple app update.
One of the aims of an update is to fix bugs. It’s a good habit to pay more attention to app updates so that you can keep the app running well without problems.
3. Play a song on Spotify before connecting to Bluetooth
This is not a permanent fix but is actually a simple workaround. The trick is to play a song on the Spotify app before connecting to a Bluetooth device.
Turn off your phone’s Bluetooth, start Spotify, then reconnect your phone to Bluetooth. If you don’t mind the hassle, my short-term remedy seems to work every time.
However, I believe that Spotify needs to fix this bug, not its customers.
4. Don’t allow Spotify permission to nearby devices
The most effective solution if Spotify keeps crashing when connected to Bluetooth is to remove Spotify the permission to access nearby devices. Many people have reported their success.
How to revoke Spotify’s permission to access nearby devices (Android)
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Select the Spotify app.
- Tap Permissions.
- Select Nearby Devices.
- Select “Don’t allow”.
How to revoke Spotify’s permission to access nearby devices (iPhone and iPad):
- Go to Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Select Local Network.
- Turn the toggle off if you see Spotify on the list.
Any app that has requested permission to access your local network will appear here. Apps with a green switch have access to your local network, while apps with a grayed-out switch do not.
If Spotify asks for permission again when starting, deny.
Whether you are using a Bluetooth speaker or headset to listen to music from the Spotify app, make sure it does not have permission to access nearby devices. It won’t crash anymore.
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