topic Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device in iOS (iPhone, iPad)

IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Nomad_09 — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:07:15 GMT

Plan

Premium

Country

Poland

Device

iPhone 16

Operating System

iOS 26 - 26.2

My Question or Issue

I know that there is a solved thread in ongoing issues which is similair to this, but it was mainly focused on Android based app, mostly Samsungs affected, but at the time of iOS 26 rollout I have noticed an issue with a Spotify app that causes to resume playback after disconnecting any bluetooth device and entering spotify. Through some months I was wondering if the issue will be fixed by an update as for the users using android smartphones, but it did not help.

I have also noticed that some other users using spotify on Apple products have the same issue, for example iPhone 12 running iOS 18 and up to date Spotify app, as well as on newer iPhone 17 running iOS 26.2 and also up to date Spotify app.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Paula_Vi — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:37:11 GMT

Hi there, @Nomad_09

Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the Spotify Community!

Let's try some troubleshooting steps to see if something changes:

Pair and unpair from the Bluetooth device.
Log out and log in two times in a row from your Spotify account to re-sync the account data from your device to the Spotify platform.
Run a clean reinstall of the app, following the steps from this guide.

If nothing from the list works, let us know in your next reply:

Does this issue occur across devices or only when connecting to a Bluetooth device from your mobile?
Does it happen with any other music apps?

Keep us posted!

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Nomad_09 — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:54:20 GMT

Hello, thanks for your reply, but I'm sad to report that the issue is still occuring.

From the suggested steps I did all 3 of them, as in I did re-pair the bluetooth device, re-logged 3 times in a row, and even performed clean reinstall of the Spotify app as the guide showed how to.

For some more specific details reggarding app behavior showed in steps:
1. Open spotify app and connect the bluetooth device (for reverse order as well)
2. Play any song, any playlist, any album
3. Disconnect the bluetooth device (music stops as expected)
4a. Navigate through unlocked phone to spotify app
4b. From the lock screen select spotify to open
5. Music starts playing immediately back from where it was paused, whenever it is from main page, playlist or album view, or even now playing.

Steps above shows the reproduction steps based on daily usage of the Spotify app, and unfortunately it is 100% reproduceable, and there is nothing that changes that, as in:
- type of internet connection used
- amount of times a day using the app
- duration of each session
- in-app playback settings change
- downloaded or streamed type of playback

- closing the app entirely
- reinstalling the app
- logging out and in at any given moment
- clearing the data stored on the device
- Restoring iOS from iTunes app on a computer

For the devices I have been using throughout the issue, it was:
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Huawei Freebuds 5i
- Apple Airpods pro 2nd gen
- Roidmi fm transmitter
- android radio fitted to car (unknown brand)

I also did check if the issue is bound to the other apps to verify if that applies to other apps, so I did test the YouTube Music app, and by doing so i tried to replicate the issue, but as mentioned YouTube Music earlier did not resume playback after disconnecting any of listed above bluetooth devices. Also I did try Apple Music just for the purpose of testing, and sadly, Apple Music also works as intended.

I know that is not so much value to add by saying this, but after about 8 years of using Spotify I feel somewhat unsure to continue using spotify as is, since by this issue there were several cases of higher battery consumption, and awkward real life situations by unwanted music playback as I was unaware of it in some cases. I have waited for every single update of the app to see if this issue stops occuring, and as I was looking, for the users using android devices, it was fixed. The app just before the iOS 26 release was fine as it was, yet some relatives of mine using Spotify on other iPhones as well asked me about this issue after the newer OS version release, since they also experience it, no matter if the operating system has been updated or not. The issue keeps occuring, and by the expected behavior of the app before the issue begun to happen, it never was the point of any concern whatsoever.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Paula_Vi — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:18:05 GMT

Hi again, @Nomad_09

Thanks for keeping in contact and thanks for letting us know all what you've already tried.

Kudos for all the troubleshooting steps and testing!

It seems like in this second reply you're mentioning a different issue (which is the app playing music automatically once you open it after you had used it with a Bluetooth device). Just in case and to be sure we're understanding what you're saying here, could you record a short video of the behavior so we can take a better look?

You can attach it to your next response by using the Insert Video option in the post editor. You can also upload it to YouTube or Google Drive and share the link with us (make sure the video has the permissions for anyone to watch it).

Also, as you mentioned some relatives of you are having the same issue, to investigate further, it would be great if they can contact us here on the same thread describing the issue and the device affected by it.

We'll wait for your response!

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Nomad_09 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 02:14:28 GMT

Hi there,

as per a request I have recorded the screen explaining what happens, and I hope that explains the issue best. As far as I tried to describe it, I thought it might match better.

For the recording, the audio is scuffed after disabling bluetooth, but in real time there was in fact pause in playback until i opened the app back, then it immediately resumed playback. That is one of the cases when it happens.

Also when trying to record screen i accidentaly made an exception in terms of an issue: when in now playing, after disconnecting the bluetooth device through quick settings and not leaving spotify to background, the app did not resume playback after I hid the quick settings right back to now playing view.

Video link (google drive):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z0rHbNDWIYrFZ0Z3gYrvS4hK4BnDkSim/view?usp=drivesdk

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Vasil — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:25:30 GMT

Hey @Nomad_09,

Thank you for the additional details and for the video.

We've forwarded the info to our folks backstage and they are going to take a look into what's going on from our end.

We'll keep you posted 🙂

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

pownsixxnx — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:51:34 GMT

come on is it fixed yet? im going crazy

spontaneous plaback

E7c — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:08:46 GMT

Plan

paid

Country

Device

iphone 16 pro

Operating System

ios 26.x

My Question or Issue

in the last month or two I've noticed my spotify randomly playing in my pocket, after I leave my car. after locking car I'll check that playback is stopped. then 5 to 10 to 30 minutes later I'll notice it's been quietly playing from my phone speaker.

anyone else experiencing this and find a fix? it’s starting to get annoying because I end up missing huge sections of podcasts that I am trying to listen to.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

pakejro — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 20:43:09 GMT

I am having the same issue for a few months now. It’s also happening with multiple Bluetooth devices and no troubleshooting steps seem to help. I’ve also checked it on an another IPhone device and there is the same issue.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

karo6 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 20:51:51 GMT

Aby updates on this?

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

matjag — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:30:09 GMT

Please fix this, it happened when I was on a job meeting, I listen to a pretty hardcore music that is not appropriate for professional environment and I almost lost my job because of that.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

sejdi — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 10:16:50 GMT

I am having the same issue. When I put my AirPods in the case and then after some time unlock my iPhone, the music automatically starts playing on the iPhone speakers. This is very annoying.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

E7c — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:50:36 GMT

I’ve also been trying to find a solution for this. I’ll be listening to a podcast in my car, turn off the car, get out Spotify stops playback, start walking away, and when I get out of Bluetooth range, suddenly Spotify is playing where it left off.

thinking about it I believe this does coincide with the iOS 26 update.

very frustrating as I will often find that the thing I was trying to listen to has advanced 30+ minutes before I notice it was playing in my pocket.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

MT322 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:14:43 GMT

I have the same. Any update of this? This should be fixed!

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Hycc — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:06:21 GMT

I see the problem is still not resolved. I've suspended my subscription until it's fixed.

Re: IOS Spotify app resumes playback after disconnecting bluetooth audio device

Hesperaxx — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:05:05 GMT

Same problem here. It happens since the last iOS major update. Scenario the same: I listen to some music, then I pause and put the earbuds into the case. When I unlock my phone next time - the Spotify app is active and suddenly starts playing! So frustrating! It happens also if the app was in the background, and I call it up again - it starts to play on phone speakers... Waiting for solution.