Now Playing bar missing on Android

[Mario]

Hey folks,

We have received reports that Android users (mostly Samsung users) are unable to see the Now Playing bar on the app whenever they play songs/podcasts.

If you’re experiencing this issue, make sure to click +VOTE and Subscribe to the thread to be notified of any developments.

[Mario]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for visiting the Community. We are investigating this issue again now in 2024.

Go here to learn more and leave a comment with your details.

Thank you!

[matttheazn]

Still missing

[coyote999]

There is still the buggy Version 8.7.20.1261 in PlayStore.

I think >95% of user have auto-update set enabled.

So Spotify (@Mario)  Where is the promised update??

[laneyeras]

Samsung Galaxy S21. Android version 12. One UI version 4.1

Spotify Premium plan. Version 8.7.20.1261

Same problem here. I noticed it start this past weekend. Music stutters in and out and the stop/start/skip banner at the bottom of the app disappears. However while that may disappear sometimes the music still plays but I don't have a way to control it. The spotify stop/start/skip controls also disappear from my lock screen sometimes too. I haven't noticed the issue on my Windows Surface 4 laptop's app. Closing out the app kind of works but only temporarily. Clearing the cache had no effect. I've got my apps, including spotify, on autoupdate too. Fingers crossed this gets resolved soon!!! 

[coyote999]

All, you can stop post your trials with Clearing Cache, Re-Install, Reset Phone.

It seems Spotify does not care.

Don't waste your time and cancel your subscriptions.

[feelsfrogman]

S22 Ultra, Android 12, OneUI 4.1, music is playing but no now playing bar. 

 

[matttheazn]

Now playing disappears.  Also does not download local files from computer.  Only local files on phone.  Does not keep place in time when app closes and reopens.  Loading from sd card.  App slow to open.

[robbortiz]

Android app not showing play controls after reinstalling the latest version several times and rebooting phone or device several times.

[Redbeef]

I had the same problem on a S21 Ultra.

What helped for me;

• Clear Cache
• Give permission to find devices nearby in your phones settings

I was constantly getting popups on start where Spotify asks me if I want it to find bluetooth devices. I always clicked yes, but somehow it never got the permission. When I gave it manually, all problems were solved.

I'm guessing, as a developer myself, the playing bar thinks that it has bluetooth permissions (set to true in sharedprefs) and is trying to load the device's name. But it fails and crashes.

[bsanghera]

Clear data, uni-installed and re-installed.  Works ok, but then randomly the problem comes back.  For me I noticed it when I disconnected (turned off the bluetooth device), the music continued on the phone speaker.

Only started a little while back (probably last week?).  On Android 12 now and still doing this (Samsung A90).  Wondering if losing the bluetooth device (device switched off while spotify playing) is the trigger for the issue?

Hard stop of spotify (in apps screen) fixes the issue till it occurs again.

[Bquaink]

Same issue.

Reinstalling doesn't work. Quick player in the notification bar isn't working as well.

Incredible how this app seems to get worse and worse user experience 😕