Playing on another device - Tesla switches playback to Bluetooth

[Anders1701]

Plan

Premium Family 

Country

UK

Device

Tesla Model 3

Pixel 7 Pro

Operating System

Tesla Version: v11.1 (2024.8.7 788c4ffd4ccc)

Android 14 Build number APIA.240405.002

My Question or Issue

On a short journey today the Spotify app in my Tesla kept stopping every few minutes. It said that music was playing on another device. When we arrived the error was still present. I opened the app on my phone to see what "other" device I was supposedly playing music on. This reported music was playing on my Tesla. (I don't have two cars!)

[Anders1701]

Hey everyone,

Our tech folks will investigate further. We'll keep you posted here as soon as we have any updates on the matter 👍

Cheers!

[WZ3]

Google Pixel 8, up-to-date OS and Spotify versions.

Tesla Model 3 2018.

The problem occurs even when the Spotify app is not running on my phone.

I have the Spotify Family plan. I don't want to create an account just for my car because I want to play the songs that I've "liked" on my phone and desktop in my car.

[Cruzx]

When will Spotify fix this issue with the Tesla. It happens all the time on model 3 and Y. 

Spotify - You need to make the car (Tesla) take priority over the phone, then when you are in the car it will always work. 

When you leave the car, it will shut down and turn everything off. The car will disconnect from Spotify, so you can let Spotify play on the phone once the car has disconnected.

[LeGallois]

same here. This issue is actively dangerous while driving as it is very distracting.

Google pixel 7 (only other device on this log-in), Tesla model 3 2020 . 

[Neomail]

Same here with model 3 and nothing phone 2

[Johnthevessel]

Also happening to me. It's extremely annoying and unacceptable. I have a Model 3, Pixel 9 Pro device and a Duo plan

[rocko1736media]

Happens constantly. 5 or 6 times in my 40 minute commute. This issue seems to be a year + old yet only gets the canned response "we'll look into it". Lovely.

[JM1978]

1. Google Pixel 8a, Andorid 15, Spotify 9.0.28.630 (Duo)
2. 2022 Tesla Model 3
3. Troubleshooting: phone reboot, Spotify clear cache, Spotify re-install
4. Can't get video because it's random. Doesn't happen for days, but when it does it can be once or multiple times in a drive.

Other info 

Spotify settings:

• Spotify Connect control: On (maybe this is the problem, toggling off to see if issue persists)
• Local device visibilityL Off
• In the car/Keep Spotify Open: Off

Another thing that happens randomly - when I get out of the car, Spotify will automatically start playing but it's not a continuation of what I had been listening to in the car. Again, just as random as the main event above....can go days without it happening.

[Anders1701]

It's great to see this getting some traction. I believe the problem has been identified. The question is, will it be fixed...?

After starting to listen to music in the Tesla, the Spotify phone app decides, "I'm the captain now." Doing this without any user input is highly undesirable. It's irresponsible to leave this unfixed since it tempts drivers to interact with their phones while driving.

The only consistent workaround I've found is to ensure that I kill the Android app before using the app in the Tesla.

Since my original post, I have a new phone (Pixel 9 Pro XL) and a new Model 3 (Highland). Although not present in my original pictures, when it happened this morning, I noticed the Bluetooth logo showing in the app.

[Apbaseball12]

Same story. Tries to play via Bluetooth on the phone vs Spotify on the Tesla. Happens multiple times during my drive. Pixel 7 Pro 2018 Model 3 

[Heheghwv]

Same happens to me even with the Tesla BT audio device deleted from my phone. Model Y 2025 with latest software and Spotify on IOS 

[BP12232]

This has been an infuriating problem for me too. I've found a simple solution that has worked so far - I just close the Spotify App on the phone (Pixel6 in my case) before I get in the car. I haven't had a problem since I've been doing this.

[LanderV]

Same issue with Model Y and OnePlus (Android). 

[Charger1277]

OnePlus Open and Model Y here. I have solved this by disabling Media Output for the Tesla in Bluetooth settings under the "Use for" section, while leaving Contact Sharing and Phone Calls enabled. Once media output for the Bluetooth connection was disabled, the random pausing and "Playing on another device" issues were resolved completely. Seems to confirm it was from Spotify erroneously triggering audio to play in the device through Bluetooth, and does still need to be fixed but to me this is a more than workable solution. 

It also solves the issue (or, an issue imo) that listening to videos/audio in the car while parked was clunky, as it's not easy to switch to Bluetooth audio in the Tesla. The media from your phone will play through the phone speakers, leaving the Spotify music playing in the car.

[Randomstaps]

Same issue for me. I'm in model 3 highland, pixel 7 pro and it cuts out all of a sudden with message on screen saying something like 'playing on other device'. I think it works better when I enter the car and Spotify app hasn't been opened or running in the background but it does fail regularly. It's highly annoying and has been happening for a long time. I'm now simply finding myself not using Spotify in the car. I have known Spotify have been aware of the issue for some time but surprised they haven't resolved this yet.

[kochanski8]

Same issue for me as well. Pixel 9 Pro XL with Model 3 and Model Y (happens on both).

[dsmclaughlin22]

I have the same problem

[dsmclaughlin22]

It appears that force quitting the Spotify app is a work around.

[maxmuzak]

This happens to me with my Pixel 7 or Pixel 9a on my model Y. The most reliable workaround has been rebooting my phone, but then the key disconnects. I'm trying Charger1277's solution out to see if that fixes it for good as I don't use bluetooth audio.

[maxmuzak]

Charger1277's fix didn't resolve this for me permanently.

[G-nericq]

I get this issue as well. It was very rare last year but since January it happens almost every day and it's the most annoying when you are trying to listen to music and it stops every 15 seconds.

2023 Model Y, current software

Pixel 7a, current software 

Individual spotify account

Strangely, my wife, with her own spotify account, apple phone doesn't seem to have this issue or at least I've not seen it when I've been on the car with her or has she ever mentioned it to me