Spotify Connect is no longer controllable with iPhone's volume buttons, but there's a workaround

Date:
Thu, 29 Aug 2024 23:22:19 +0000

Description:
iPhone users will now have to use Spotify's in-app volume slider Spotify is blaming Apple, but we're not sure it's so clearcut.

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If you were hoping for more collaboration between music streaming rivals now that Apple Music playlists can transfer over to YouTube Music , you might
have to keep waiting. Apple has recently discontinued the technology that allowed iPhone users to control the volume of devices playing music through Spotify Connect using their phone's physical volume buttons.

This information comes from an update on Spotify's support page . While Spotify states they are working "with [Apple] on a solution," there is
already a workaround. When using Spotify Connect to play music on your smart TV, computer, smart speaker, or other devices, pressing your iPhone's volume button within the Spotify app will bring up a volume slider that allows you
to make the necessary adjustments.

Alternatively, you can change the volume through the Connect Menu. And, if
you press the volume button while Spotify is playing in the background,
you'll receive a notification asking if you "Want to change the volume?". Tapping that notification will direct you to the volume control slider just make sure your Spotify app is up to date.

Spotify has clearly pointed the finger at Apple. According to a report by The Verge , the issue lies in Apple's technology that allows Apple Music to play on third-party devices. This technology is not being shared with Spotify, making the iPhone's physical toggle unreliable on connected devices.

This change is set to take effect on September 3, but some users have already noticed the impact. So, is the Apple rotten, or is Spotify playing off-key?

There's no doubt that Spotify users on iPhone are and will be frustrated
even if it means youll no longer accidentally blast your speakers when trying to watch an Instagram Reel.

Spotify paints Apple as the villain, but the music streaming platform isn't entirely blameless either.

Its easy to criticize Apple for locking away features instead of competing directly with Spotify. However, in that same Verge article, a quote from Spotify reveals a key detail:



Weve made requests to Apple to introduce a similar solution to what they
offer users on HomePod and Apple TV for app developers who control non-Apple media devices. Apple has told us that they require apps to integrate into the HomePod in order to access the technology that controls volume on iPhones.

It's not an impossible task to stream from Apple's HomePod, though. Many third-party music services have done so you just need to adopt the required API (Application Programming Interface). Spotify simply hasnt done this.

As is often the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It would be beneficial if Apple provided iPhone users with more autonomy like Android phones, but Spotify has had ample time to implement the necessary API and has chosen not to. Playing the victim and blaming Apple feels like a tired narrative.

Whether you side with Apple, Spotify, or find fault with both, at least you know those volume problems you have werent imagined and theyll be resolved
by September 3, even if the solution is a bit more cumbersome. You might also like... Forget the iPhone 16 launch October could be the real treat for MacBook fans This TikTok lawsuit could change the face of social media
forever and it's about time Rumored Samsung XR headset that teases an AI-powered Apple Vision Pro rival



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/spotify/spotify-connect-is-no-longer-controlla ble-with-iphones-volume-buttons-but-theres-a-workaround


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