App not working on Volvo and Polestar cars

[Maria]

We've gotten reports that some Volvo and Polestars car users are experiencing issues with the Spotify app after an update.

Some mention that Google Voice Assistant control for Spotify no longer works, or the app UI has changed and it is no longer recognized by the car as a safe app for use while driving.

[prfb]

I’m having the same issue after yesterday’s Spotify update on my Volvo XC60. Google Voice Assistant control for Spotify no longer works, and if I switch to Bluetooth Player mode even once, Spotify stops working completely. Spotify is barely usable in my car now.
Is there anything I can do? Is there a way to roll back to the previous version?

[FishyFishFish]

Since yesterday, I’ve been dealing with the same issue in my Volvo XC90 2024. It looks like Spotify has updated with a new UI and is no longer recognized by the car as a safe app for use while driving. Voice commands have also stopped working, and to make matters worse, I get logged out of the app every time I turn off the engine. Incredibly frustrating! 

[thijskr]

I also have this issue since yesterday, also XC60 2024.

Besides having the app in the wrong category, I can now also no longer login. After the username/password I'm presented with a QR code. Scanning that on my phone and approving that opens the spotify app on my phone, but the car still displays the QR code.

[lol4]

I have tried out: resetting the media system, clearing all application data, all cached data, deleting the app and reinstalling but nothing changed. Now even the other driver's profile is suffering the same (previously it retained the proper UI).

After reinstalling it is clearly obvious from the beginning that the app is not running in a proper Android Automotive mode but in regular Android tablet mode since:

- the text on the user interface is very small

- the sign in options are regular ones (as found in the apps or on the web client) and the option to sign in via QR code is missing

I do not recall any updates going on recently and the problem started randomly yesterday morning (Wed Feb19th). All was fine suddenly music stopped playing and I got logged out from Spotify. Since I was driving the Spotify app was not found in the regular place (second app row). I thought it got deleted. When I parked I checked the Play store but it marked it as being already installed. Turned out it switch position to first apps row and when I opened it was in that "tablet/desktop" mode. Initially I thought it was some silent Spotify update but problem started when I resumed driving as the app shows you protection screen that it cannot be used while driving, like for example in the YouTube app.

[Jkoop]

Same issue since yesterday - Volvo advised to reset and reinstall. Not working … Volvo clearly not award . Q: spotify or Volvo problem ? In the end : users problem that needs quick fix 

[kineschei]

I have the same problem. It's quite annoying, hopefully it can be solved quickly.  Spotify is the only music platform I use, and no it’s totally useless in the car

[Guygupe]

I contacted Volvo Belgium and they are aware of the problem.  They are working on it and try to fix it asap.  Be patient 🙂

[FishyFishFish]

I found information on Facebook that you should uninstall the app from each user profile, restart the system, and reinstall it. It worked for me—the app returned to its original place with the old UI and works while driving 🙏🏻

[Guygupe]

Correct , it's working now.

[lol4]

I confirm that first uninstalling Spotify from all driver profiles, and then installing it fresh also worked for me. Thank you FishyFishFish for the help.