Android Widget Removal

[Staff]

We’re here to let you know that we are retiring the Spotify Widget for Android this week. 

We always take retiring features in Spotify very seriously. We’re pouring our energy into new ways of creating the best experience for our users.

You can still easily access the same playback features as well as information about what is playing through the Spotify playback notification and device lockscreen.

To access the playback controls on Android simply swipe down while you are using Spotify to access the controls.

If you’re interested in learning more about how the app evolves, check out our article about testing and why features change.

We’re also welcome to feedback from our users. The best way to give us feedback to is to write an Idea in our Idea Exchange. 

Thanks!

[leonce]

For those who missed it earlier : I suggested we all send a tweet to Spotify's CEO Daniel Ek @eldsjal to let him know his paid customers' opinion about this stupid decision (to say the least).

[jj15]

This sucks and the reason why isn't clear to me. 

[miahiv]

Good things also come to an end. Spotify is tired with their success so they act irrationally undermining the experience.

Still probably the data shows that 23 pages of replies come from a limited/vocal part of their customers that may come and go from the app anyway. 

Spotify doesn't care about you, Spotify cares about their image and the widget took the blame for the company's lack of vision.

Sooner or later it's better to switch than to get attached.

RIP Spotify 😞

[TheOnlyRick]

Wow...  What an incredibly stupid idea!

What's Spotify's next senseless decision...? the sound will only be in stereo when shuffle mode is on?

[theplayingdead]

You guys don't know how to develop an app.

[Apexturtle]

Why remove it!

I've used this feature ever since I've had Spotify, its how I open it each day and control it.

I will be uninstalling and using an older version just to have the widget back.

[gb79a]

25 pages of 'WTAF??' since Thursday alone should tell Spotify what they need to know.  Clearly there was a braincell deficit when some utter bell floated the idea of removing the widget.

The great thing about Android is the customisation and flexibility of it and removal of the widget serves ZERO purpose.  "Use the drop-down.."  Errr...no.  As others have pointed out it's not there when Spotify isn't playing and the widget was a very easy way to see what was playing and resume from the homescreen.

The only thing I hate more than this dumb idea to remove it?  Dressing up the removal as 'creating the best experience for our users'.  That's an outright lie.  Go on then, tell me how you've 'improved' my experience?  Seriously, go on. I'll wait.

It's right up there with the utter guff of "Your call is important to us.  So important that you're 59th in the queue with a wait time of 45 minutes.  Please continue to hold or visit our website blah blah blah..."

This is a really bad decision which removes functionality people clearly use.  I'd been considering a Tidal account for some time and stupid behaviour like this from a company deserves to be punished in the only way that matters; taking money elsewhere.

Jesus Effing Christ you dolts....

[mtchemnerd757]

Have to strongly disagree with this decision. Used the widget every single day. Will be super annoying with it gone. 

[Moriartyx]

Honestly the removal of this feature is disgusting. I used it constantly. Very inconvenient. 

[Toffer200]

This is ridiculous. Same when the ability to sent tracks direct to someones spotify account.

We are getting a lesser service... so when are the fees going to be reduced to match.

Why would you think that removing parts of the app (sharing music and the widget) make for a better user experience.

Would appear that Spotify has been taken over by lazy, money grabbing **bleep**.

Read the comments here... seems that NO ONE thinks this has improved the service!!

[pale_blue_sky]

The Android widget was a daily-use item for me, and I'm not at all happy at it's having been retired.

The suggested workaround is not a satisfactory alternative.

[GermanMaikel]

---

@cabban wrote:

I was trying and find a better way. Add a widget app free now it's works and is nice look😀 til they add it back this works 

---

Which app did you find? Do you have a name? Thanks in advance!

[Byrana]

This is quite an interesting move, which I am not able to understand. I have been a paying customer for years now. Removing a feature, which is an essential part of the android ecosystem, just makes no sense. On top of that, you just get rid of it and let us know afterwards. Not a good move. 

I use Nova Launcher, which has one great feature, one can put a widget into the dock. It sticks on all Homescreens and it made things a lot easier. 

Just one click to open Spotify or get music going. 

No way doing it from notifications.

Telling your customers, how they should use the app ... out of your perspective ... is just ... ... 

[leoals]

I just cancelled my premium subscription and will look for another service...any recommendations that have the same library as Spotify and also user friendly app?

[walp]

Nova Launcher user here, been there done that 😉

[machine_gun_joe]

I'm also thinking about moving. Google Play Music might be an alternative. 

[Gearson]

Removing the widget was a foolish idea.  Please bring it back.

[George1233]

I've been a spotify user for years and this is just such a stupid move. Don't understand the thinking behind it personally.

[IttikornTH]

This is very bad for me, my lockscreen do not have spotify notification. I use the widget everyday, I do not know why you remove it. Please explain to us.

[Raiden74]

Nooooo, this makes no sense. 

Even if you can kind of do the same thing from the notification bar, it's not as easy, or practical. 

Another good use of it is to just open Spotify. Yes, I know I can put just the icon on my home screen, but it's not the same. 

If you explained that you were having some technical difficulties with it and were going to remove it temporarily to fix/improve... But removing it altogether, makes no sense.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!