Car View missing

[jordypeatpeat]

Plan

Premium

Country

New Zealand

Device

Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G

Operating System

Android 11 

My Question or Issue

As of today the 'Car Mode' is missing from my settings. I have it on all the time for driving before and after work, but when I started playing music this morning it defaulted to the main play view with no sign of the setting.

Is this feature removed or is it a bug? Does anyone else have this problem?

Thanks!

[jordypeatpeat]

Hey @jordypeatpeat,

Thanks for posting here.

We can confirm that we're retiring the car view feature. This however doesn't mean we don't want to improve on how our users listen to Spotify while driving. On the contrary, we're actively exploring a variety of new ways to deliver the best in-car listening experience. Think of retiring car-view as something that needs to happen in an effort to make way for new innovations coming down the track.

Please bear with us for the time being. While we work backstage on improving the experience, one alternative would be to listen hands-free via Google Assistant. This feature also works with Google Maps so you can navigate while listening to Spotify. In order to do that, you can link your accounts and say ‘Hey Google, play Spotify’.

If available to you, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay both have Spotify integrations that you can link to your phone and a specifically designed for a driving environment.

We hope you understand. Stay tuned for further developments!

All the best and safe driving.

[catedesmonica]

Yea thanks for that. I already have it installed, but I can't get my
podcasts on it. I just don't like it's layout either in regards to my play
lists.
I'm just peeved they've removed a safe, user friendly car mode to push out
their "car thing" which isn't even available in my country. That or having
to download another app to have a functional car mode. Thanks for your
response 👍

[Unevendanglies]

Oooooh! Marketing **bleep**. Nope! I will stick with the Spotify: Stations. Just
makes a list of what you search for. Artists/genres. It's free. Here is the
link to it in Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.zerotap

[Unevendanglies]

This works with Spotify. Just search for your artists/genre and it stays
listed. Many other functions too. Also has Car Mode:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.zerotap

[RodrigoNR]

I've been trying to make car view work for 4 days. Today I found this topic and finally understood what was wrong. Really disrespectful way to treat your customers.

[catedesmonica]

Cool, it works for you, but like I said I can't get my podcasts on it so while driving so it's only a partial resolution. Happy listening

[TBone80]

Nice one Spotify!! Who in there right mind removes such a clearly popular feature, without something to immediately replace it?? I used car mode constantly and then all of a sudden it was gone, you didn't even have the decency to pre-warn your users!! I am currently a premium user, so I am paying for your services, but unless either car mode returns or an adequate replacement arrives very soon,  I will not be renewing with you, I will move to a competitor.  

[Don661]

Please don't take away useful features BEFORE you have another solution!

Bring back Car View!

[ljurgens]

Many of us ride motorcycles and the only safe way to use Spotify in our helmet comms is car mode, so only the basic features are easily visible. And, changing songs is simple even with gloves on. 

My vehicles are older, I just want to see what is playing and easily switch to the next song without talking to google or alexa etc. 

[ljurgens]

Removing features BEFORE adding the replacement option is such a terrible idea, are you owned by Google, thats how google operates with no regard for their users.

[Azarhan]

Just to repeat EVERYTHING that ALL OF YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS are saying:  I constantly use my premium Spotify subscription in the car, with car mode.  Randomly removing it makes using your service so much more difficult and dangerous.   

This decision is a very bad one, for whatever reason you've done it, it makes your users hate you and every other mistake or problem they have will become magnified and justification for disliking your service, not only canceling their own support, but sharing their opinions with anyone their associated with, degrading your continued commercial viability.

[Unevendanglies]

Ya. I know it's lacking from the main app but you can choose car mode. I
just make sure I duplicate my artists. Podcasts ... look in search and on
top there is Artists AND Genre. I think if you search you might get lucky
but dont bet on it. It's basically something to have Stations listed.

Oh, did I mention car mode works? 😉

[Skick3]

I don't want to talk to my smartphone. Especially not with Alexa or Google Assistant.
For this reason alone, Android Auto was boycotted by me, because Google thinks that the app is no longer needed.

The main problem with the missing Spotify Auto function is that the smartphone display is also locked at the same time.
The old functionality has to come back. What do you pay Spotify Premium for if local use is no longer possible without the Internet.

[Skick3]

...

[Rodiken]

Hello Ver,

I'm sure the community is thankful that Spotify takes in consideration the safety of their users while driving. A lot of countries have regulations and initiatives to reduce the usage of mobile devices behind the wheel.

Although the intentions are very noble, removing the Car mode UI is worstening the "do not use your mobile while driving" situation. The UI was very user friendly, limited options, big buttons for easy basic manipulations and also provided a great display to see what's playing while keeping your screen on. Now, I have to adjust the screen sleep time if I dont want to unlock manually my phone (which is more dangerous), get more distracted by the song's short video when available, also can check the lyrics while at it (kickass feature by the way!!! YAY x3000).

The fact that the app is integrated with Google Maps, Waze and/or other navigation apps doesn't justify the removal of the UI in my opinion. Most trips that I make are 20-30 minutes long and I know where I'm going so I don't need to open Google Maps every time.

If for some users they think it's safer when the phone is closed, they can close it by themselves, but please don't take that decision for other responsible drivers like the majority of your community.

I hope you'll reconsider the removal.

Best regards,

[Jura_]

I'm afraid that this deed is done and unless we can get Adele to advocate for us, car view is gone permanently.

[kjmendieta]

I think that if something works, they should not touch it, the vehicular mode worked perfectly, the applications begin to be catastrophic, when those who make them believe they know what users value and want.

"Think of retiring car-view as something that needs to happen in an effort to make way for new innovations coming down the track."  this phrase is full of deep contradictions!

Disappointed...

[djalki]

Plan

Premium

Country

UK

Device

Galaxy S20

Operating System

Android

My Question or Issue

I am absolutely disgusted that car mode has been removed. Not only had it been removed that Spotify claim that this is to allow features to be implemented, where are they!? Stop with the boiler plate responses and give us an actual answer. The car mode was working PERFECTLY, it was a godsend to people without a double DIN HiFi in their car.

Spotify, answer the question without a robotic response please!

[Markjharvey]

Same issue. My car does not have a USB or android auto so I need the car view on the phone. I only have Bluetooth as an option but do not get a music display on the cars screen. This arbitrary change makes it more dangerous to use....

[Markjharvey]

I've  had a lengthy chat with Spotify. Feature has been removed to make way for 'new features' without an explanation as to what they are. Like you I have this feature on all the time in the car. Its basic but perfect for me...its easy to read etc. They suggested using android auto, but I don't think that's a good enough reason to buy a new car.....

[19BlueStreakSport]

I think people should bombard them with emails and customer service chat. I think they are probably trying to push Car Things which is there own display unit. Talk about trying to drag money out of already paying members. Should they try to promote safe driving by NOT getting rid of it? 

To make matters worst it's only available in the USA. I guess the rest of the world is SOL. Way to screw all users who live in the other country's that don't live up to USA standards lol. 

I've got a 12" screen in my truck. I don't need another stupid little unit to display music. I use my Android Auto with goggle maps displayed and use my phone to display the music. I mean I cN display my music with AA but I like having Google Maps loaded in my screen and Spotify car mode on my phone. 

I feel sorry for people who don't even have a screen or Andriod Auto to display music (I can if I want). Car Mode is the best for people who don't have either of those 2 things above. 

Way to stick it to people. 

May have to cancel my service like many others that have or have said they would be if this isn't fixed. Hopefully it's just a bad oversight on Spotify's part and they see the errors of their ways. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for now!!!!