Linux Spotify client 1.x now in stable

[jooon]

In June 2015 we released version 1.x of the client for Linux in the testing repository.

https://community.spotify.com/t5/Spotify-Community-Blog/Spotify-Client-1-x-beta-for-Linux-has-been-r...

The intention was to fix a few of the bigger issues and then quickly move this to stable. That never happened, since after September, we have had no developers working on the linux client. There are still lots of problem with this version of the client for linux, but we are now seeing much more problems with the old client.

Known linux specific issues in 1.0.23

• Improper MPRIS support (there is support since 1.0.13, but limited functionality). [Linux] Spotify DBus MPRIS2 support not fully working
• Sometimes crashes when streaming and playing local files (these very likely have more than one root cause) Linux Client crashing (segfault) on certain songs -- Segfaults when playing local files
• Improper package dependencies for installation outside Ubuntu LTS The return of the libssl trouble on Linux
• Missing application menu
• Missing tray icon
• Minimize (to tray)

Most of these we want to fix, but others (like missing tray icon) we probably won't. Link to threads with more issues you have and I will try to add them here. If you can't find your issue already reported, create a new thread and follow this troubleshooting guide for linux.

From now on, the idea is to first release a client to the testing repository as soon as possible, when it is ready internally, then after a week or so if we haven't discovered any serious new crash bug that affects lots of users, it will move to stable. Most of the time, a new linux release will have no linux specific changes, only the changes it shares with the mac and win clients.

Stable repository

To install a client from the stable repository follow the instructions on https://www.spotify.com/download/linux/

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys BBEBDCB318AD50EC6865090613B00F1FD2C19886
echo deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install spotify-client

Testing repository

To install a client from the testing repository, follow the same instructions, but replace the word stable with testing.

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys BBEBDCB318AD50EC6865090613B00F1FD2C19886
echo deb http://repository.spotify.com testing non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install spotify-client

[bitelaum]

@jooon

Just tested the new testing version (did not want to mess witht the working version at work, and tested now at home), and the MPRIS2 is really working! Thanks!

The only problem I see now is that in the Cinnamon sound applet, the album cover shows in a really low resolution, but the most important thing is it's working:
http://imgur.com/WL21Cxw

Browsing the Cinnamon github page I also found a workaround for the "missing in the window list" issue.

https://github.com/linuxmint/Cinnamon/issues/4783#issuecomment-154832951
Just move the Spotify window to another workspace and them move it back if you want (to move, right click the window frame anywhere and select to move).

Maybe knowing this will also help the debugging.

[GFD]

Just as a follow up for @Dreadlord:

I confirm that in NZ, I have access to my message box !

(But in the meantime, a Spotify update went through...).

Thanks again for your help 😉

Cheers

[k1_hedayati]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that

[Ekaradon]

I just updated to the last version (spotify-beta-1.0.27.71-2) but the plasma media player (kde) is still not recognizing spotify. It may be the OpenUri thing which is discussed by @olejon?

[jooon]

---

@Ekaradon wrote:

@I just updated to the last version (spotify-beta-1.0.27.71-2) but the plasma media player (kde) is still not recognizing spotify. It may be the OpenUri thing which is discussed by @olejon?

---

Nope. durin probably figured it out. See this thread:

https://community.spotify.com/t5/Help-Desktop-Linux-Windows-Web/BUG-Spotify-Linux-version-on-KDE/m-p...

The implementation of the org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties interface is still broken in 1.0.27. I have a fix for it, but haven't verified if it works in KDE.

[Ekaradon]

I would happily test it!

Thank you anyway for fixing all this stuff. The integration of Spotify into my desktop environment is really the thing that convinces me to use Spotify and not some random web player. 🙂

[dennisk]

As I've got the same problem in KDE (KDE 4 as well as Plasma 5) I would happily test it, too!

Thanks for your effort in improving Linux support!

[jooon]

MPRIS GetAll bug is fixed and is verified to work with the media controller in a fresh install of Kubuntu 15.10. It will hopefully be out with 1.0.28.

[Ekaradon]

Great news, thank you jooon!

[shgz]

Agree.This can't be controlled from sound settings on panel like before! Just showing always loading instead of spotify widget. Also I need last.fm at least like before. 

[schuhumi]

---

@jooon wrote:

MPRIS GetAll bug is fixed

---

Hopefully this will fix it for Gnome 3.20 as well (which has MPRIS controls in the notification area but Spotify doesn't show up there).

Thank you guys for putting effort into improving the Linux experience! This is what keeps me subscribed as a premium user.

[roby84ct]

MPRIS working, but still missing the icon in the app bar and if you close the spotify app when opened it don't minimize anymore... 

[GFD]

Hi guys, I have another question:

Does anyone knows I can make the linux Client NOT update my offline playlists ?

I sometimes go in places where the bandwidth is limited so I want to be sure I won't be a pain in the a.. to everybody else 😕

(especially on monday mornings !)

Cheers

[osornios]

@GFD

Have you tried Offline Mode (in the File menu)? It should do that.

[GFD]

I don't have the File menu...

(I'm using Spotify on Mint)

[wolftickets]

I doubt it, you might however monitor it and check the ip's to block them if they are separated? 

I'm really suprised how well the linux client is done, you don't see this often done by others in the buzz. 

[Dreadlord]

Hey @GFD,

---

@GFD wrote:

I don't have the File menu...

(I'm using Spotify on Mint)

---

The only way to use offline mode at the moment in the Linux client is to start it like that:

spotify --ap=127.0.0.1

[GFD]

Hey @Dreadlord,

Thanks for the answer !

(I'm sorry for making you repeat the info: I saw that it was already in the thread...)

I hope Spotify is going to work on this soon...;)

Cheers

[zappor]

Yey, MPRIS2 with Gnome Media Player Indicator works now with 1.0.27. Thanks!!

[momaku]

I am testing 1.0.28 in OpenSuSE Leap 42.1 with Plasma 5, in these moments.

And I want to thanks the integration with KDE, fantastic. Now, I can control Spotify from task bar (the minature fantastic) and systray.