Implement AirPlay 2 Support for a Seamless Listening Experience

[btz1]

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

iPhone 15 Pro, MacBook M3 Pro, AppleTV, HomePod OG 2th

Operating System

iOS / macOS

My Question or Issue

I'm writing to express my growing frustration with the lack of AirPlay 2 support in the Spotify iOS app. As a dedicated Spotify Premium user within the Apple ecosystem, this missing feature significantly detracts from my listening experience.

Currently, Spotify only utilizes the original AirPlay (AirPlay 1) for audio streaming. While functional, this outdated technology presents several limitations that directly impact our enjoyment:

- Interrupted Audio: A major pain point is the inability to smoothly handle audio from other apps, such as WhatsApp voice notes or system alerts, while streaming Spotify via AirPlay. The audio stream often cuts out or becomes disrupted, forcing us to manually reconnect or miss important sounds.

- Limited Bandwidth and Potential Quality Issues: AirPlay 1 has limitations in bandwidth compared to AirPlay 2. This can potentially impact audio quality, especially when also connected to Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

- Lack of Multi-Room Audio: One of the most significant advantages of AirPlay 2 is its multi-room audio capability. The absence of this feature in Spotify prevents us from seamlessly streaming our favorite music to multiple AirPlay 2-enabled speakers throughout our homes, a feature readily available with other music services.

It's important to remember that Apple introduced AirPlay 2 in iOS 2018 - you can quickly search this]. Despite this long availability, Spotify, a platform solely dedicated to music, has yet to implement this crucial update for its users within the Apple ecosystem.

Many of us suspect this lack of support stems from the ongoing commercial disagreements between Apple and Spotify. While we understand that business dynamics exist, it's ultimately the users who suffer. We are paying subscribers who deserve a seamless and high-quality listening experience, regardless of the platform we choose.

The inability to seamlessly integrate with the Apple ecosystem through AirPlay 2 feels like a significant oversight and demonstrates a lack of consideration for users who have invested in both Spotify and Apple devices.

We urge Spotify to prioritize the implementation of AirPlay 2 support. This update would resolve the frustrating audio interruptions, potentially improve audio quality, and unlock the much-desired multi-room audio functionality. It's time for Spotify to prioritize its users' experience over inter-company disputes and provide the level of integration we expect and deserve in today's audio streaming landscape.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We look forward to a positive response and, more importantly, the implementation of AirPlay 2 support soon.

[ArtMooney]

There are many threads on this already, some of them are huge and still after 7 years there is no support for this. We have already transitioned most of our devices to apple music now instead, not because we really thought we needed It at first, but since we just can't get it to play without stuttering and issues at home in several different speakers and systems. With Apple Music it just works. I don't get how Spotify thinks concerning this, like you say, they punish us, the customers, because they are grumpy for something whatever it is.

[btz1]

Exactly! I feel punished for wanting to use Spotify in the Apple ecosystem.

[Danz777]

I’m also considering moving to Apple Music just for the better integration with AirPlay 

[PepperRomilli]

I feel you!

[patmazorodze]

I also transitioned to Apple Music because of this, I just check once in a while if they have implemented support for the feature. 

[eppiblue]

Same situation for me.  Im really needing to use multi room and I have been a Mac & Spotify premium user for ever.  I don't want to go to Apple Music but Im out of options.  Just implement it already ... please!

[Jamie_Chap01]

Couldn’t agree more, I’m tempted to go to Apple Music almost weekly. So jarring 

[martinstenrose]

Me too. I switched to Apple Music almost a year ago - not because I really wanted to, but because it was crucial to be able to play music easily and smoothly in my home. I still check in from time to time to see if Spotify has added support for AirPlay 2 - if they do, I’m willing to give Spotify another try.

[cour10e22]

It looks like it's supported now, at least from iOS. See video screenshot: https://youtube.com/shorts/43kObCBgEPw?feature=share

When you go into speaker selection, choose "Bluetooth & Airplay"

[tn2019]

also am extremely frustrated about the integrations between sonos and spotify when playing on my iphone or mac- am heavily considering switching away to apple music to avoid all of this. 

[martinstenrose]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m quite sure that’s AirPlay version 1. That means it streams directly from your phone, rather than between the speaker and Spotify. 

[janhud]

This is frustrating, 5 years and still nothing. I'm also thinking about switching to Apple Music or something that supports AirPlay 2...

[AntBb]

Do you think Airplay 2 streams 16/44?

[Shayrin]

I’ve been a Spotify Premium user for years, but I still face a frustrating issue with interrupted music playback when using AirPlay 1 to connect to my HomePod. After some research, I found that this interruption seems to be caused by Spotify’s lack of support for AirPlay 2, which has really affected my overall music-listening experience.

Many of my friends have recommended switching to Apple Music for better quality and a smoother listening experience. While I’m still trying to resist making the move, mainly because I genuinely love Spotify and have built my entire music library there over the years. However, this ongoing issue makes it harder to stay loyal to the platform.

I’m not sure why Spotify hasn’t added support for AirPlay 2 yet, but I truly hope they do. Adding this feature could significantly improve the experience and help users like me stay with Spotify instead of switching to alternatives like Apple Music. I wish someone could answer that.

[daniel_chehade]

One major concern for people with Hi-Fi systems (like me) is that, thanks to the app utilizing AirPlay 1, we can enjoy lossless wireless streaming from our iOS devices, while still being able to use the multiroom audio feature.

I am not quite sure what the fuss is about, but this invalidates two of the major points lifted by OP: lack of bandwidth (as AirPlay 1 actually uses more bandwidth to stream lossless) and lack of multi-room audio, which does work today.

Gonna link to a thread about AirPlay quality as well from Audio Science Review, where they discuss this and other music streaming apps in a similar position. Also, see the spreadsheet below. "App" being Spotify, "Sender" being an iOS device (iPhone), and "Receiver" being the speakers, a stereo, or an AV receiver.