Squeaking noises when using Fast Forward/Rewind on podcasts

[ninkid696]

Recently when I listen to podcasts and skip forward/backwards, there's now a squeak noise that's really starting to bug me (I saw someone else compare this to a VHS tape). This sound was never there before and it's really pushing me to get my podcasts elsewhere. Is this sound here to stay?

Plan

Duo

[AlejaR]

Hey @ninkid696,

 
Thanks for posting in the Community and welcome.

In this case, we'd like to gather some additional  info. Just to confirm, is this happening no matter what podcast you play or does this happen when listening to a specific podcast? It'd be really helpful if you share with us the link to one of the episode podcasts in which you noticed this behavior. You can do it by following the steps in this article. 

On another note, are you listening to podcasts through some Bluetooth device such as headphones or a speaker or does it happen no matter where the playback comes from? It'd be awesome if you could send us more details.

Lastly, would you mind sending us a video recording of this behavior? You can attach the video in your next reply in mp4 format, or you can also upload it to YouTube or Google Drive and make it public, so we can watch it.

Keep us in the loop!

[ninkid696]

Good afternoon and thank you for your reply!

This activity occurs with all podcasts. It occurs through Bluetooth audio (car and headphones) and through the phone speakers.

I've recorded my screen while listening through the phone speakers and fast forwarding and rewinding:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9xOgB5OSBa4

For additional information:

Phone: iPhone Xr

Software: ios 16.3.1 (edit: I updated my phone software to iOS 17.0.1, problem still exists)

App Version: 8.8.70.643

[Susan_GP]

Hi @ninkid696,

Thanks for your reply and for the info provided.

We've gone ahead and passed the info to the relevant team so it can be investigated internally, but just as a heads up, we’re not able to confirm when or if this will be fixed.

On another note, we'd like to check if there are more users experiencing the situation, so if you know someone who does, it'd be helpful to share this thread with them, so they can report it here.

If you have any questions or need anything else, the Community is here for you.

[Coup2]

I am also having this issue. Thinking about moving to Apple Podcasts if this is not fixed. Terribly frustrating and hurts my ears. 

[dpatt]

I am also having this issue. I noticed that the user that submitted this initial post has an older iPhone. I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max and have noticed that my read/write from storage speeds have slowed down a lot over the recent months. Ther performance of the Spotify app as a whole has slowed downs lot. Could it be that this squeaking noise comes from these slow read/write speeds?

[MihailY]

Hey folks,

Can you please confirm this is still an issue after upgrading to the most recent version of the app?

Also, please share the following (if you haven't already):

• The model, OS version and Spotify version of the devices this is happening with.
• The troubleshooting steps you've tried so far (reinstalling the app, trying a different internet connection etc.)

Thanks!

[dpatt]

Hi MilhailY,

Yes I am still experiencing this issue. Below is the other information that you asked for:

• Spotify App Version: 8.8.75.709
• iOS Version: 17.0.2
• Device: iPhone 11 Pro Max
• Troubleshooting Techniques: I have uninstalled & reinstalled Spotify; uninstalled downloaded podcasts then cleared cache then replayed the podcasts.

The issue seems to be prevelent whether or not the episodes are downloaded locally. 

[Susan_GP]

Hi there @dpatt,

Thank you so much for the info. One last thing, could you confirm if this happens when listening to Podcasts on a computer? You can check that from the desktop app or the Web Player.

We'll keep an eye out for your reply.

[dpatt]

It only happens when listening on mobile. Thanks!

[Eni]

Hey @dpatt, 

Thanks for the info! We've passed it on to the right team to be looked into. 

We'll let you know if we have any news about it. 

Cheers 🙂 

[Michaela36]

Hi! I am also experiencing this issue. 

The skipping noise when fast forwarding or rewinding is very harsh on the ears, especially if the podcasts volume is low and you have the volume turned up. It happens on all podcasts and through all listening devices (through the phone directly or through CarPlay or earphones). 

here are the device information requested: , OS version and Spotify version of the devices this is happening with.

• iPhone 13 Pro Max 
• iOS 17.0.3
• Spotify app version 8.8.78
• I only listen through the iPhone app, so I do not try on a computer. But I updated the app right before submitting this and the issue is still occurring. 
  
  

if you could just make an option to turn this off that would be amazing! 

thank you! 

[Hazny]

Also having this issue both when rewinding/fast forwarding with the 15 second skip button and swiping to swap to a new episode of an podcast. Haven’t tried with music. Only started this evening which is random though did update the app earlier today. Happens more pronounced over headphones (wired) than on speaker. Also on speaker at higher volumes the S’s are extra pronounced and kind of whistle-y which, again, is new. Both the rewind sounds and whistle-y Ss are very harsh on the ears. Only tried on the phone as almost never play on laptop or anything.

Device etc info in case it helps:

- iPhone SE

- iOS 17.0.3

- Spotify version 8.8.88

[maggiewilson]

Hi! My partner and I are also having this problem. It’s quite painful on the ears. I like using Spotify to listen to podcasts; it’d be a shame to have to switch to something else, but it’s become unbearable. We listen to podcasts in the car together (the sound happens if the phone is playing through bluetooth or plugged into USB) and the sound is so loud we have to mute it to skip forward. 

I have an iPhone 12 and he has an iPhone 13 Pro. 

[camirowan]

I also have this problem, and it only started in the last couple of months. I listen on my iPhone 11 Pro with Bluetooth Apple airpods. The VHS screeching noise happens when I fast-forward or rewind podcasts (for me, it's set to 15sec). Please add the option to remove this noise or remove it altogether because the screeching hurts my ears.

[Jlewis1]

I also have this issue. Please make it end, I am freaking miserable. Or please provide an update if Spotify even plans on doing anything about it.

IPhone 12 mini

iOS 16.6.1

Spotify 8.8.96.395

[pphilosof]

Hello,

I am currently facing this exact issue regardless of podcast or listening device and have been dealing with this for at least a few months prior. However, it is sporadic as in this bug will occur on any given podcast, but not predictably.

Phone: Samsung Galaxy S22 SM-S901U

Android version 14

One UI version 6.0

Spotify Version 8.9.18.512

[Germansausage68]

Experiencing this when playing music. When fast forwarding songs the music jumps up to maximum volume, which is very annoying and painful when listening on headset. 

Got latest android software on Google Pixel 8