sync issues between desktop and mobile

[thetaburex]

I've seen in the last weeks that there is a sync issue between my desktop app and the mobile app. I've added a playlist to my favorites in the desktop but it's not displayed in the app.

This doesn't happen the other way round

[talk2frank20102]

Same issue, playlists added on desktop don't show in mobile app. Unable to fix! 

[Amayy]

Save/Create a new playlist to your library from the web player or the desktop app. Open the Android app and see if it is there or not.

I have to keep the Android app always open, otherwise it does not sync the library changes. This issue is only with playlists (created or saved) not with the items in the playlists. For playlists that I create, and they do not sync, it shows a SAVE icon on Mobile instead even though the creator profile shown is mine.

Troubleshooting steps tried but did not help: 

• Re-install, Clean-install
• Changing networks
• Disabling VPN/DNS services

Additional Info:
8.9.56.618, Nothing Phone 1 running Nothing OS 2.6 on Android 14.

[dinomight]

I just tested this on my devices and was easily able to recreate the issue. I tried adding some songs to the test playlist on Windows desktop after it didn't initially show up in the Android app, thinking that might trigger a sync, but it didn't help. I then tried playing the playlist with the Android app open, and it still didn't sync to my library. Finally, I added another test playlist with both apps open as you mentioned, and it synced both the initial playlist and the second test playlist.

Devices:

• Samsung Galaxy S20 FE FG, One UI version 5.1, Android 13, Spotify version 8.9.56.618
• Windows PC, Windows 11 version 23H2, Spotify for Windows (64 bit)
  1.2.41.434.g39a25e2c

[Eni]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for bringing this to out attention. 

I could replicate this issue, but clearing the app data did the trick for me. 

On Android, make sure to clear the app data from the app settings page. On my Android phone I could find this option by heading to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear data. Note that it doesn't work to clear the cache from within the app.

On the Windows PC, make sure to reset the app and clear the app data from the system settings. I also found this in Configuration > Apps > Spotify > More options > Reset.

Afterwards, I had to log back in to my account on both apps and I didn't experience the issue anymore. 

Let us know if it works for you as well. 

[Amayy]

Hey @Eni, thanks for the reply.

I did try a clean install, but it did not work. This time I tried clearing data again, and it is working. I only had to do that on the Android app though, not the Desktop app, since this wasn't a problem on web or desktop.

You can give it a try as well @dinomight. 

[Noguri]

Plan

Premium

Country

Slovakia

Device

Samsung Galaxy A5

Operating system:

Android 7.0

Problem with synchronizing of playlists continues, althought Spotify was updated. I've created playlist on My computer, but this playlist isn't on My mobile.

Please, could You finally solve this problem? Maybe in IOS devices It is correct, but It is annoying same, as write about It manytimes to log in and out, or remove data of this app and again download songs from My playlist just to update correctly My playlists.

One note: I can't send You a screenshot, because I am blind. I write this note manytimes, because You want It and I couldn't send It.

Thank You.

[Noguri]

Hello.

I've noticed something strange. When My Android's app is opened, everything is synced well. But when app is closed and reopened, It isn't synced. Also, so manytimes re-installing and removing Spotify datas is annoying. I've written about It on Spotify chat, but It didn't helped.

[Noguri]

Yes, but please, have You done It with closed Android Spotify app? If yes, It isn't synced, only with opened app. Or, this problem can appear for example, when some playlists are downloaded.

[endorphin75]

Sync is still really unreliable at times. I just tested creating a playlist on my Windows PC - if the Spotify app on my Android is closed, there is no sync (even after some hours, reopening the app or rebooting Android). If the Spotify app is opened it's an immediate sync.

Nice workaround actually, thanks Noguri.

[dinomight]

Thanks @Amayy, I tried only clearing the data from the Android app as you mentioned, but that didn't resolve the issue for me. When I get a little more time, I'll try resetting both the desktop and Android apps as @Eni mentioned and see if that fixes things!

[dinomight]

Actually, I ended up having some time to go ahead and try @Eni's method, and that did not resolve it for me either. I reset both the Android and Spotify apps, and newly added playlists still only appear in the Android app if I have it open at the same time as the desktop app.

FYI, I just tested this to make sure the reverse wasn't true. I added a playlist on Android with my Windows desktop app closed, and then I opened the desktop app again to see if the playlist would show up. It worked perfectly there, so it definitely seems to be an issue specific to Android as best I can tell.

Finally, I tried closing the Windows app, then adding a playlist on Android, then closing the Android app as well before opening the Windows app again. The playlist still appeared correctly on Windows. It's like Android is not syncing to the server to check for new playlists when initially opened, which is odd because it has no problems syncing tracks that have been added to playlists, so there's clearly some syncing occurring.

[Noguri]

Hello.

Thank You for Your comment, but I am not a developer. I am normal user, who has the same problem, like You. Also, about this, that It is just title and no tracks, I am surprised and believe, It is frustrating to me this with removing data, reinstalling ETC. I pay for Spotify, like many of us and an other problems?

I think, that I do only to write about various problems here and there on Spotify, I feel like someone, who dislike everything, but this is reality. If there is a problem, It'll have to be fixed, not to not solve It. I hope, that You understand My stance.

[Novy]

Hi @dinomight,

I was able to replicate this behavior as well, and at first I thought clearing the cache had done nothing, but an hour later I was able to see the playlist I created using the desktop app.  

Can you confirm if this is still an issue in app v.8.9.60? Also, @Amayy if by any chance the issue is back for you, do let us know! We'll see if we can report this to the relevant folks.

We'll be on the lookout!

[dinomight]

Thanks @Novy! Yes, I just tried in v.8.9.60, and the problem is still occurring. I've added a playlist on desktop, and I'll try leaving it for a while like you did and will report back to you after I've given it some time to show up.

[dinomight]

Hi @Novy,

Just to follow up, it's been several hours since I added the playlist on desktop, and it's still not showing up in the Android app. 

[Amayy]

Hey, I have not encountered the issue since my last reply. Clearing just mobile app data worked for me. 

[Amayy]

Hey @Novy , this issue is back for me. I have to keep the mobile app open now to sync. This is broken on Windows as well.

[aoimame]

Steps:
- make a new list on desktop app or web app
- new playlist does not show up in iphone app.

Tried sign out/sign back in, still not working.
ios spotify latest version 8.9.62

[Joan]

Hi @aoimame,

Thanks for reaching out. Could you please provide us the following:

• Is this on all devices or only on the iPhone? Do the Desktop and webplayer sync between each other?
• When did this start happening?
• Does this happen on different networks? If you haven't tried this yet, please do so.
• Is it only new playlists that have this issue? Do changes to existing playlists sync? What about Liked Songs?
• Is it only from the desktop to the iPhone that doesn't sync? What about vice versa?

With this information, we’d be happy to investigate.

Keep us posted.