Tag: how to

How to Filter Out Explicit Songs on Spotify in a Few Quick Steps

October 4, 2019

When it comes to content, we like to think that Spotify offers something for everyone—and that includes control. Since Spotify is all about delivering the music you want, we built in a quick and easy setting that helps you filter out songs that might not be appropriate for everyone in your house or car to hear. All it takes is one click on Spotify’s Explicit Content Filter. 

All music, including those that are tagged “explicit,” is available to stream on Spotify by default. To change that, you simply have to toggle one specific setting. Here’s how:

On mobile device or tablet

  1. Tap the “Home” icon.
  2. Go to “Settings” by tapping the gear in the upper right corner 
  3. Scroll down to “Allow Explicit Content” toggle
  4. Turn the toggle off (gray).

On desktop

  1. Click the down arrow in the upper right, and select “Settings.”
  2. Under “Explicit Content,” turn off the toggle next to “Allow playback of explicit-rated content.”

If you ever want to go back to unfiltered listening, simply return to “Settings” and turn the toggle back on (from gray to green). And if you subscribe to the Premium Family plan, it’s simple to block explicit content for another user on your account. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your “Family Hub.”
  2. Select “Premium Family” in the menu on the left.
  3. Click on the member for whom you’d like to block explicit content.
  4. Turn the “Explicit Content” toggle off.

Regardless of how the toggle is set, you can often find “clean” versions of songs originally recorded with explicit lyrics. Enter the title of the song into the search bar on Spotify, either on your mobile device or on your computer, then choose the version of the song not marked as explicit. If there’s an ‘E’ next to the song, it means it’s explicit. 

Of course, new music appears on Spotify all the time. So if you discover a track that hasn’t been correctly tagged, you can now report it through the “Report Explicit Content” option in the track’s menu. Simply tap or click the three dots to the right of the song title (the “context menu”), and scroll down to report the track. For more information, visit our support page on managing Explicit Content.

Toggle the Explicit Content filter, then check out the Today’s Top Hits playlist. Only the tracks suitable for all ears will play, with the explicit songs grayed out.

How to Listen to Spotify in the Car

August 26, 2019

Whether driving the familiar streets of your daily commute, breaking out the guidebook for a road trip, or just going around the corner to grab some milk, the first thing most people do when they get in the car is turn the volume up. And if you already use Spotify to listen to your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks—maybe through your home speaker or Bluetooth headphones—you can easily and seamlessly continue listening from the car.

And your car-listening experience keeps getting better. Thanks to Spotify playlists such as Your Daily Drive, which combines the very best of news talk shows with the best of audio streaming, you can arrive at your destination even more informed. Plus, we’ve made it even easier to sync Spotify with two of the most popular navigation apps, Google Maps and Waze. It’s quick to enable playback controls within the navigation settings, making switching and selecting music as seamless as possible. And, with our integration to Google Assistant, it’s also possible to use your voice to control what you listen to in the car. 

From belting out the best songs to binging a podcast, setting up Spotify in your car is simpler than ever, with a variety of ways to play Spotify through your car speakers. And with a Spotify Premium account, you can save your music, podcasts, and audiobooks for offline listening, perfect for when you drive through spotty areas. So no matter what type of car or phone you have, take a look at the options below to see which works best for you. Soon you’ll be well on your way.

Please remember that safety is the #1 priority on the road. ALWAYS observe traffic laws.
NEVER attempt any of these connectivity methods while you are driving, and avoid interacting with your device while your car is in motion.

If your car has an AUX or USB socket, using a cable is probably one of the fastest ways to connect.

  1. Make sure you have the correct type of cable to connect to your phone (you can check with your car’s manufacturer if you don’t know which type you need). Some phones no longer have a phone jack, so you may also need the dongle that came with your phone.
  2. Find the AUX or USB socket in your car and plug in the cable. (Try looking for it on the center console.)
  3. Turn on your car and stereo, select the AUX (or USB) input, then open Spotify and tap “play.

Use Bluetooth to go wireless and enjoy all the functionalities of your smartphone or tablet.

  1. While you’re in park, go to “Settings” in your car stereo or to find the Bluetooth menu, then choose the option to pair your device. Some cars have a voice control button on the steering wheel instead—press that. 
  2. Sync by turning on Bluetooth on both your mobile device and your stereo.
  3. Select your car, enter the pairing code if needed, then open up Spotify and hit “play.”
  4. If you have audio controls on your steering wheel, you may be able to control what you’re listening to from there.

Have Android Auto or CarPlay? Simple!

  1. For Android Auto, start your car, plug your phone into the USB port, and play Spotify.
  2. For CarPlay for iOS, start your car and make sure Siri is on. Plug your phone into the USB port or connect wirelessly. Then, on your iPhone, go to “Settings,” then “General,” then “CarPlay.” 
  3. Select your car and get listening!

Is Spotify built into your car? No phone needed, just log in and drive!

  1. Check whether Spotify is preloaded as an audio source—look under either media or audio.
  2. If your car has an “app store” built in, simply search for Spotify, download, and log in—it’s that simple!
  3. Be sure to check with your car’s manufacturer if you have any questions and also to make sure your car has a data plan activated to use Spotify. Just to note, some cars require Spotify Premium for integrated listening.

Take Spotify along for the ride, no matter where you’re going or what you drive to get there.

Also be sure to check out our Driving Hub, the ultimate pit stop for the best driving music and podcasts. Or take Spotify for the ride with additional information on how to introduce your car to your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

*Updated as of April 9, 2024, to include Spotify Audiobooks and built-in car offering.

How to Download and Listen to Music and Podcasts — Offline and On the Go

May 24, 2019

Sunscreen; check. Hat; check. Playlists; ready for anything—even a vacation destination without Wi-Fi.

Being completely disconnected from Wi-Fi and data—whether in an airplane or rustic cabin in the woods—doesn’t mean you need to be without your favorite music or podcasts. If you’re a Premium subscriber, it only takes a few simple steps while you’re still at home and on Wi-Fi to download your favorite content and ensure it’s available when you go off the grid or up in the air.

First, if you’d like to use Wi-Fi to download, go to Settings > Music Quality > Download Using Cellular and check that the feature is set to the default “off.” From there, it’s easy to download tracks and podcasts on your cell phone, tablet, or iPad:

  1. Search for the content you want
  2. Select the playlist, album, or podcast you want to listen to offline
  3. Switch the download toggle ON—it will turn green so you know it’s working
  4. Once tracks in your library are downloaded, you’ll see a little green arrow below each song name
  5. Connect your headphones and start listening, no matter where you are!

If you’re using Spotify on desktop, but still want to take those songs or podcast episodes with you on your mobile device:

  1. Select songs to download automatically to your device by clicking the plus symbol next to any track
  2. That plus symbol will turn into a checkmark, which means the song will sync to your phone next time it’s connected to WiFi
  3. If you’re looking to organize your downloads, now’s the time! Using your computer to organize tracks into a playlist before you go can be a bit easier

Note that if you’re seeing songs grayed out when you’re offline, it means they’re not downloaded and you won’t be able to play them without Wi-Fi. (It might be a good idea to experiment with going online before you board the plane.) To see everything you’ve downloaded on your phone, check out the “Downloads” tab under “Your Library” on mobile.

Also know that there’s a maximum to the number of songs and podcasts you can download per device. If you do hit the limit, you can always go back and remove some existing downloads.

Plus, keep in mind that in order for Premium subscribers to keep all downloads available, you’ll need to connect your phone to Wi-Fi at least once every 30 days. So if you’re on an extended hiking trip, just make sure to connect to Wi-Fi at least once per month if you want to keep streaming.

For more tips about offline listening, ask a Rock Star for assistance on our Community page.

Get excited for your upcoming trip with our Soak up the Sun playlist, or plan to catch up on the latest Lore. (And if you want to take them with you on your travels, don’t forget to download now.)

Five Ways to Make Your Discover Weekly Playlists Even More Personalized

May 2, 2019

Every Monday morning, Spotify listeners are greeted—some might say gifted—with a new Discover Weekly playlist to help set their soundtrack for the next seven days. The weekly dose of recommended songs started as a project from one of Spotify’s Hack Weeks, and quickly caught on. Now, every Monday, listeners get a new, curated playlist of 30 songs from a variety of artists to explore.

Ever logged in to find a seemingly perfect Discover Weekly? While it might seem like wizardry, Discover Weekly becomes more personalized the more you use and engage with it. Here are five ways to keep the curation “magic” going:

1. Heart This

Love a new track you just heard? Click the “heart” icon next to the song on mobile or desktop, and there will be more where that came from down the road.

2. Follow Along

Make sure to “follow” your favorite artists—the curation magic will pull in songs from similar artists that we have a hunch you’ll like. As for your “followed” artists, head over to your Release Radar playlist, which updates every Friday, to hear all their new music right after it drops.

3. You Really Really Like It

If you’re totally obsessed with a new-to-you track, add it to your own personally curated playlists. This lets us know the song is more than just a momentary obsession, and we’ll be sure to serve up songs in the same vein.

4. Don’t Overthink It

We all have that friend who shares a ton of tracks from their favorite new artist. But what if they’re not really your taste? Not to worry: Listening to a song once without replaying or “hearting” won’t affect your Discover Weekly selections.

5. Keep It Private

If you’re listening to music you may not want to show up in your Discover Weekly (for example, if your friend with questionable music taste is DJing a party from your phone), put your Spotify on Private Mode. If you’re streaming from desktop, simply click the down arrow shaped like a “V” in the top right corner of the app and select “Private Session.” For mobile and tablet, navigate to Settings, then Social, and turn on “Private Session.”

There you have it! All the information you need for future playlists. Now that you’re more in control of your Discover Weekly destiny, prepare for a whole new world of soon-to-be-favorite songs and artists at your fingertips every Monday.

Open your Discover Weekly and get listening!

How to Set Up Spotify on Your Google Home

December 14, 2018

Voice-activated speakers are some of the hottest gifts this holiday season, and the Google Home, Hub, Max, and Mini are no exceptions. If you just unwrapped one of these smart home devices, you probably can’t wait for it to fill your home with your favorite music, podcasts, and more—as soon as you set up the darn thing.

It’s easy, we promise. All you need is Google Home, your Spotify account info, and your smartphone or tablet with the Google Home app. Here’s how to connect your Google Home to Spotify:

  1. First, download the Google Home app from the Google Play or App store, and follow the prompts to set up your new Google Home device.
  2. Once connected, go to “Settings,” select “Music,” and then tap “Spotify” to set it as your default music service.
  3. Your Google Home app will ask you to link your Google and Spotify accounts. Have your Spotify username and password handy to start listening even faster.

Go ahead and test out your gadget’s skills. Try asking Google to play your favorite artists, songs, and playlists by saying:

“Okay Google…”

  • “Play Spotify.”
  • “Play my Discover Weekly.”
  • “Play hip-hop music.”
  • “Play ‘Angel’ by Lionel Richie.”
  • “Pause.”
  • “Like this song.”
  • “Skip forward 20 seconds.”
  • “Play the next song.”
  • “What’s playing?”
  • “What’s this album?”

How to Set Up Spotify on Your Amazon Alexa-Enabled Device

December 14, 2018

So you just unwrapped an Amazon Alexa, Echo, or Echo Dot—maybe someone who really gets you gifted one, or perhaps the holidays inspired you to treat yo’ self. Don’t start the new year with the smart speaker still sitting in its box. Setting it up to play classic, pop, and everything else is a done deal in three steps.

What you’ll need: your new device, the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet, and your Spotify login info. Here’s how to connect Amazon Alexa to Spotify:

  1. First, download the Amazon Alexa app from the Google Play or App store, and follow the prompts to set up your new Amazon Echo or Echo Dot.
  2. Once connected, go to “Settings,” select “Music,” click “Link New Service,” and then tap “Spotify” to input your Spotify username and password. 
  3. Select “Default Services” to set Spotify as your default music service—et voilà.

Bonus hack: Once Alexa is up and running, you can even listen to another user’s Spotify account. Just ask Alexa to “Spotify Connect,” and the device will search for another one on the same Wi-Fi network. Stealing your holiday houseguests’ excellent playlists is encouraged.

Ready? Try asking Alexa to play the very best of your library, or help you discover something new, by saying:

“Alexa…”

  • “Play Spotify.”
  • “Play my Discover Weekly.”
  • “Play hip-hop music.”
  • “Pause.”
  • “Resume Spotify.”
  • “Like this song.”
  • “Play the next song.”
  • “What’s playing?”
  • “What’s this album?”

How Your Daily Mix “Just Gets You”

May 18, 2018

Your music-listening experience should be exactly that—yours. We’ve come up with a bunch of ways to help you get the most out of your jam sessions (think Discover Weekly and enhanced playlists), so you’re fed the music you love, plus the occasional new tune.

Another cool tool is the Daily Mix, a feature both premium and free users can enjoy on the mobile and desktop experience. After you’ve been listening to your favorite hits on Spotify for some time, (in the new app for free users, it can be the very day you download,) the platform will serve up to six personalized playlists based on your favorite songs and related music you might enjoy. And these playlists update daily, so the head-bopping never stops.

We sat down with the minds behind Spotify’s Daily Mix playlists to learn a little more about how they work and how listeners can best use the feature.

Q: What is the Daily Mix? Where can users find it in their apps?

The Daily Mix is a set of up to six pre-mixed playlists inspired by our users’ favorite music. It can be found in “Your Library” on desktop or premium mobile, the radio tab on premium mobile, or on the home screen for users of the new free app experience.

Q: How did the Daily Mix come to be?

Daily Mix was designed to provide familiar, comfortable music within each of the user’s top listening modes. It’s designed to be the shortest path to a good musical experience. It reflects how the user actually listens, rather than matching their favorite music against predefined genres. We use clustering technology to identify distinct subgroupings within our users’ listening patterns, and then build recommendations around those, mixing in appropriate new suggestions along with the known favorites.

Q: How does the Daily Mix use listener preferences to deliver the mix? (AKA how does the playlist work from a tech standpoint?)

We consider inputs including listening history and active feedback, and look for groupings of a user’s most commonly listened to artists to create the Daily Mix. Once we’ve identified clusters of music, we extend each with recommendations using our understanding of the user’s favorite music, and then pick a balance of music they’ve played before and new content to fill out the playlist.

Q: There are multiple Daily Mix playlists served up each day. How is each one different, and how diverse can they get?

A: Each one is based on a different listening mode or grouping we identify in the user’s listening and feedback. There can be up to six, and they can be as widely diverse as the user’s history suggests. Someone who listens to a lot of different kinds of music will have more mixes than someone who primarily focuses on one style.

Q: Does the order of the Daily Mixes matter?

A: They’re ordered roughly based on how much of the user’s listening inspired each one.

Q: How is the Daily Mix different from the Discover Weekly playlist?

A: They’re intended to fulfill very different needs. Daily Mix emphasizes familiar and even favorite music with only a small amount of discovery. Even the discovery we do introduce should be less adventurous than Discover Weekly. The Daily Mix is also unbounded—for Premium users, it will load more songs as needed to keep the music going without stopping, while Discover Weekly always has 30 tracks.

Q: Can free users enjoy the Daily Mix playlist?

A: Yes! It’s available to all users who we know enough about to generate one. On the new experience for free users, it’s considered to be one of their 15 Spotify-curated playlists, so they are able to play any song on-demand.

Q: If users don’t like what is showing up in their Daily Mix, how can they adjust it?

A: The like/dislike icons allow users to steer the mix. “Disliking” will exclude the song or artist from all mixes from that point forward. Continuing to stream and listening to new music is the best way to get an entirely new mix.