Spotify blocks Universal Control

[patrickj]

Plan

Premium

Country

Malaysia 

Device

iPad 12.9 Pro 6th gen, Mac Mini M4 Pro

Operating System

iPadOS 26.5, Tahoe 26.1

My Question or Issue

About the same time as the update that caused the artist page to crash Spotify on iPad when using an external keyboard (discussed here: https://community.spotify.com/t5/iOS-iPhone-iPad/Artist-View-crashes-iPad-app/m-p/7443923#M176535) Spotify started blocking Universal Control between my iPad and Mac Mini.

This is easily reproduced. As soon as Spotify is in the foreground, Universal Control stops working within a few seconds (I can no longer drag my mouse over to the iPad and the keyboard stops working). If I minimize Spotify, UC works again within seconds. Bringing Spotify back to the foreground breaks it again.

[Dessi]

Hi there @patrickj,

Thanks for reaching out!

We haven't seen any other reports about this, so we'd like to gather some info in order to look into it more closely. Can you share the following:

• Does this happen when Spotify is maximized?
• Can you confirm if this happens the other way around - if you drag your mouse from the PC to the iPad instead?
• Can you share the current app version you're running?

If you haven't tried to troubleshoot this, we'd recommend you test these steps out:

• Put your devices to sleep, then wake them up.
• Turn off Universal Control on each device, then restart each device and turn Universal Control back on.
• Check for VPN and other third-party security software on both devices. Similarly, the firewall settings on your Mac should not be set to block all incoming connections.

We'll be on the lookout.

[patrickj]

Hi,

Yes I guess perhaps the way I use my iPad is less common. Let me try to answer the questions.

Does this happen when Spotify is maximized?

Yes (running on iPad).

Can you confirm if this happens the other way aroundif you drag your mouse from the PC to the iPad instead?

I think I was unclear. I am running Spotify on the iPad, not the Mac. When I start Spotify on the iPad, the mouse and keyboard connected to my Mac work initially. However, if I move focus back to the Mac, UC breaks within a minute. Every time, without exceptions. Bringing another app forward on the iPad makes UC work again, and I can slide the mouse over the iPad.

Can you share the current app version you're running?
Not entirely sure, couldn't find it. But should be the latest version, check app store and no updates are available.

The UC worked fine for about a year but stopped when the update that caused artist pages to crash was installed.

Thanks!

[patrickj]

Additional information - I realized I forgot to mention I use "Spotify connect" with a pair of KEF LSX II speakers. Not sure if related, but worth mentioning.

[Joan]

Hi @patrickj,

Thanks for all the info.

We've reported everything you've provided us to the appropriate team. Be advised however that we cannot say for certain at the moment when or if this is going to get addressed. We recommend keeping the app updated across your devices to take advantage of the latest fixes and features.

Cheers!

[parhamfa]

Had the same problem. Turning off Spotify's Bluetooth permission on the iPad fixed it for me.

Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth > turn Spotify off.

Keep Bluetooth itself on. Spotify's Local Network permission can stay on too; turning that off didn't help.

Universal Control now works with Spotify open. I'm on iPadOS/macOS 26.6.2 and Spotify 9.1.80.