Siri play requests not working with Spotify

[Elbeedabarge]

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

iPhone 16 plus

Operating System

iOS 18.6

My Question or Issue

When I want to search for a song or prompt Siri with a specific command (“hey siri, play Michael Jackson”) she repeatedly says some version of “there was a problem, try again.” I have rebooted my vehicle console, restarted Spotify, uninstalled and reinstalled Spotify, turned my phone off and on, checked to make sure I have the latest software on both the app and my device…just about everything short of a factory reset which I don’t want to do. Nothing has worked, still no luck with CarPlay commands. However it be worth noting if I only say “hey Siri, open Spotify” that works. It’s just having issues with music search.

[Elbeedabarge]

Hey folks, 

Some of you mentioned in this thread that changing the wording from “hey Siri, play song/artist” to “hey Siri, play song/artist on Spotify” does the trick. Those who haven't tried this yet, would you mind checking if it works for you as well? 

We'll be on the lookout for your replies.

[saulres]

"On Spotify" works for me too. Individual songs, artists, and albums. Haven't tried mixes or my playlists.

I'm thinking now this is more an Apple issue than a Spotify one.

[sarahrodr19uez]

I FIGURED IT OUT YALL when requesting a song with Siri you literally have to say “play (song name) ON SPOTIFY” in order for Siri to know you’re wanting to use that app for music

[d_iaco12]

I am experiencing the same issue. Updated to the latest software on both and tried a hard reset of the program. Siri is still saying some variation of "I am having a problem". Doesn't work on carplay or on my iPhone. Also started a couple days ago

[Kirst417]

I’m having the same issue recently as well. It used to work and now it doesn’t. I have done the same trouble shooting as this user 

[Danifilipchich]

I am having the exact same problem. I haven't changed any settings. My phone is completely updated and Spotify is updated too. I cannot request songs through Siri. 

[Ashhsa]

I’m experiencing this issue too. It only started today. I saw my Spotify needed an update, so I did that and then it worked once. After that it stopped working again. I have an iPhone 14 running on iOS 18.6.1 and Spotify is 9.0.70.731

[NetoZ]

Hello everyone.

I believe I may have found a solution! I’ve been having the same problem since around when this thread was first created. Telling Siri to “Play xyz” would result in some variation of “We’ve had a problem, please try again.”

I too tried everything described on this thread, but I decided to try asking Siri to “Play (xyz) ON SPOTIFY”. She then responded by asking for permission to access my data. I pressed agree, and she worked as normal.

I am still unable to ask Siri to “Play (xyz)” normally, but adding “… on Spotify” to the end of my prompt seems to have worked. I can’t say if this will work for everyone, but it yields the correct result for me at least. Let me know if this helps.

[SweetMeggers09]

I had the same thing happen to me but I figured out you have to tell Siri to use Spotify now. For example you have to say “hey siri play song-artist on Spotify” and it works now. If I just say “hey siri play song-artist” I get the error. It’s definitely frustrating but give it a try

[CytheCynic]

I literally was having the same problem in this thread and the solution was to say "hey siri play (song) on spotify" instead of "hey siri play (song)".  

[emccord-5]

I am having the exact same problem.  When I now ask Siri to play a specific song, it gives various versions of "some kind of problem" response.  I have tried everything recommended, but no luck.  I have an individual premium membership, an iphone with iOS 18.6.    

[KMoore25]

I am also having the same problem. Uninstalling and reinstalling didn’t work for me 

[Eliasf13]

Hi all, joining this thread as I am having issues with my Spotify when asking Siri to play a specific song. But if I just ask her to play my liked songs on Spotify that works

[RyeBr3ad]

I’ve noticed this as well, and I’ve found the remedy. Simply ask Siri to play the artist/song then finish the request with “on Spotify”. For example; “Hey siri, play Michael Jackson on Spotify”. I’ve haven’t the slightest clue to simplify this process to what it was before. Hope this helps

[mcheungg]

I have also been having the exact same issue since upgrading to a new iphone16 pro. A workaround I have found is instead of just saying “siri, play music” if I say “siri, play music on spotify” it works. 

[sbeasley]

I'm having the same problem. Seems like it started around 2 weeks ago? Please fix!

[georgetheman]

I have the same issue. was there a fix yet?

[kaitlnd]

Same issue here for the last week and a half…

[Eliasf13]

Hey yall I found a fix. You have to tell Siri to play the song and specifically on Spotify. EX: hey siri play my neck my back on Spotify. If you don’t say on Spotify she will keep saying there’s a problem 

[Merlhagstom]

I have the same problem! 18.6.2 Siri keeps saying there is a problem 

[Eni]

Hey folks, 

Some of you mentioned in this thread that changing the wording from “hey Siri, play song/artist” to “hey Siri, play song/artist on Spotify” does the trick. Those who haven't tried this yet, would you mind checking if it works for you as well? 

We'll be on the lookout for your replies.