How to Connect Spotify to Alexa

Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming platforms in the world, and Alexa is one of the most widely used smart home assistants. When you connect Spotify to Alexa, you combine two powerful technologies to bring hands-free control to your music. Whether you’re cooking dinner, relaxing in the living room, or hosting guests, you can simply say, “Alexa, play my Spotify playlist,” and your favourite tunes will start instantly.

Connecting Spotify to Alexa gives you full control over your listening experience using voice commands, mobile app controls, and multi-room playback through Echo devices. For UK users, the integration supports Spotify Free and Spotify Premium accounts, though Premium users benefit from more features such as ad-free playback, higher sound quality, and direct playlist access.

This guide will walk you through every step of the process, explain how the connection works, explore useful commands, and help you troubleshoot any common issues so you can enjoy seamless music streaming across your Alexa-enabled devices.

Understanding How Spotify and Alexa Work Together

Spotify and Alexa connect through your Amazon account using an integration known as a “skill.” The Spotify skill allows Alexa to access your Spotify account, playlists, and preferences securely through the cloud. Once the connection is established, Alexa can control Spotify playback on any compatible device such as Echo speakers, Fire TV, or third-party speakers with Alexa built in.

This connection doesn’t require you to have your phone open. Once linked, Alexa communicates directly with Spotify’s servers to play your music on command. You can say, “Alexa, play Discover Weekly on Spotify,” and Alexa will handle everything automatically.

If you have several Echo devices in your home, you can use Spotify with Alexa’s multi-room audio feature. This lets you play the same track throughout the house or different songs in different rooms, all synced perfectly over your WiFi network.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you connect Spotify to Alexa, make sure you have the following ready:

·         An Amazon Alexa-enabled device such as an Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show

·         The Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet

·         A Spotify account (either Free or Premium)

·         A stable WiFi connection

It’s worth noting that some advanced features, such as selecting specific playlists or playing particular albums by voice, require Spotify Premium. Free users can still stream music but may encounter limitations like shuffle-only playback or occasional ads.

You’ll also need to ensure that both the Alexa app and Spotify app are updated to the latest versions for compatibility.

How to Link Spotify to Alexa Using the Alexa App

Open the Alexa app on your smartphone. Tap “More” in the bottom-right corner, then select “Settings.” Scroll down to “Music & Podcasts” and tap it. This is where you manage all music services linked to your Alexa account.

Under “Services,” you’ll see an option that says “Link New Service.” Tap it and select “Spotify” from the list. You’ll be redirected to a login page where you’ll need to sign in to your Spotify account. Enter your username and password or log in through Facebook or Google if you use those credentials for Spotify.

Alexa will ask for permission to access your Spotify account. Tap “Agree” to allow the connection. Once authorised, Alexa will confirm that Spotify has been successfully linked. You can now say “Alexa, play Spotify,” to start listening right away.

Setting Spotify as the Default Music Service

To make life easier, you can set Spotify as Alexa’s default music service. This means you won’t have to say “on Spotify” at the end of every command. Instead of saying “Alexa, play rock music on Spotify,” you can just say “Alexa, play rock music.”

To set this up, open the Alexa app, go to “Settings,” then “Music & Podcasts.” Tap “Default Services” and choose “Spotify” for “Music.” You can also set it as the default for “Artist and Genre Stations” and “Podcasts.”

From that moment on, Alexa will automatically use Spotify whenever you ask it to play music, artists, or playlists.

How to Play Music from Spotify Using Alexa

Once Spotify is linked, you can use a wide variety of voice commands to play your favourite content. Try saying:

“Alexa, play my Daily Mix on Spotify.”

“Alexa, play Taylor Swift on Spotify.”

“Alexa, play the Top 50 UK chart.”

“Alexa, play my workout playlist.”

Alexa will stream directly from your Spotify account. If you have multiple Echo devices, you can specify which one to play on. For example, “Alexa, play jazz music on the kitchen Echo.”

You can also control playback with simple commands such as “Alexa, pause,” “Alexa, next song,” or “Alexa, volume up.” If you want to know what’s currently playing, say “Alexa, what song is this?” and Alexa will tell you the track name and artist.

Connecting Spotify to Alexa on Echo Show or Fire TV

If you have an Echo Show or Fire TV device, connecting Spotify works in much the same way. Once you’ve linked your account through the Alexa app, Spotify becomes available across all compatible devices linked to your Amazon account.

For Echo Show users, you can control playback directly from the screen as well. Swipe down from the top, tap “Music,” and select Spotify. You’ll see your playlists, recently played tracks, and search options, allowing you to browse visually or by voice.

If you have Fire TV, you can also ask Alexa to play Spotify through your TV speakers. Say “Alexa, open Spotify on Fire TV,” and your TV will display your Spotify interface.

How to Connect Spotify to Alexa on Multiple Accounts

Many UK households share Echo devices, and Alexa supports multiple user profiles through Amazon Household. Each user can link their own Spotify account, ensuring personalised playlists and recommendations.

To set this up, go to the Alexa app and add a household member under “Settings,” “Your Profile and Family.” Each user must then link their Spotify account in their own Alexa app.

When using Alexa, switch between profiles by saying “Alexa, switch to [name]’s account.” Once switched, Alexa will access that person’s Spotify account.

This feature is ideal for families or housemates who want to listen to different genres or maintain their own music preferences.

Using Spotify Connect with Alexa

Spotify Connect allows you to control where your music plays from within the Spotify app. Once Alexa is linked, your Echo devices will appear in the “Available Devices” list within Spotify.

Open the Spotify app on your phone, start playing a song, and tap the “Devices Available” icon at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see your Alexa devices listed choose one, and the music will start playing there instantly.

This is useful if you’re already using Spotify on your phone and want to switch playback to your Echo without stopping the song. You can then continue controlling playback from your phone while listening through Alexa.

Using Alexa Routines with Spotify

Alexa routines allow you to automate Spotify playback alongside other smart home actions. For example, you can create a routine that plays a specific playlist every morning when you say, “Alexa, good morning.”

To create a routine, open the Alexa app, tap “More,” then “Routines.” Tap the “+” icon and give your routine a name. Choose a trigger phrase or time, then add an action. Under “Music,” select “Spotify” and type the name of the song, artist, or playlist you want Alexa to play.

You can combine this with other actions, such as turning on smart lights or reading the weather forecast. This makes routines a great way to personalise your home’s mood or automate daily habits.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If Spotify doesn’t play through Alexa after linking, there are several things you can check. Start by confirming that Spotify is correctly linked in the Alexa app. Go to “Settings,” then “Music & Podcasts,” and make sure Spotify appears under “Linked Services.”

If it’s missing, link it again by following the setup process. If it’s already linked but not working, try disabling and re-enabling the Spotify skill. Tap Spotify in the list, select “Disable Skill,” wait a few seconds, and then re-enable it.

Check that both your Spotify and Alexa apps are up to date. Outdated software can cause compatibility problems. You can also try restarting your Echo device by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

If you have multiple WiFi networks, make sure your phone and Alexa devices are on the same one. Spotify Connect requires both to share the same network to sync properly.

If you use Spotify Free, remember that playback will be shuffle-only, and some voice commands may not work exactly as expected.

Managing Playback Devices and Multi-Room Music

Alexa lets you manage multiple speakers using speaker groups. This feature is perfect for playing Spotify in more than one room simultaneously.

To set up a group, open the Alexa app, go to “Devices,” and tap “Combine Speakers.” Choose “Multi-Room Music,” name your group (for example, “Downstairs” or “Everywhere”), and select which Echo devices to include.

Once set up, you can say, “Alexa, play my Spotify playlist everywhere,” and music will play across all devices in sync. You can also pause or adjust the volume for individual rooms using the Alexa app.

Switching Between Spotify and Other Music Services

If you use multiple music platforms, you can easily switch between them by specifying the service in your command. For instance, “Alexa, play jazz on Amazon Music” or “Alexa, play pop on Spotify.”

You can also change your default service back to Amazon Music or another provider at any time by going to “Settings,” “Music & Podcasts,” and updating “Default Services.”

This flexibility allows you to enjoy the best of all worlds, whether you prefer Spotify’s playlists, Amazon Music’s high-quality streams, or BBC Sounds’ radio content.

Privacy and Account Security

When linking Spotify to Alexa, your account information is securely transmitted through Amazon’s encrypted servers. However, it’s always wise to review permissions periodically. You can do this by visiting your Spotify account settings online and checking which devices and services have access.

If you ever stop using Alexa or want to unlink Spotify, open the Alexa app, go to “Settings,” “Music & Podcasts,” select Spotify, and tap “Disable Skill.” You can also revoke access directly from your Spotify account.

Ensure your Spotify account uses a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication for extra security.

Common Questions About Using Spotify with Alexa

Do I need Spotify Premium to use Alexa?

No. Spotify Free works with Alexa, but playback is limited to shuffle mode and includes adverts. Spotify Premium offers full control and higher audio quality.

Can Alexa play Spotify playlists I’ve made?

Yes, if you have a Premium account. Just say, “Alexa, play my [playlist name] playlist on Spotify.”

Can I control Spotify with my voice and phone at the same time?

Yes. You can start playback with Alexa and manage it using Spotify Connect on your phone or tablet.

Why does Alexa keep using Amazon Music instead of Spotify?

Spotify needs to be set as your default music service in the Alexa app to ensure Alexa automatically uses it when you request songs.

Conclusion

Connecting Spotify to Alexa is one of the easiest and most rewarding integrations for UK users. With just a few steps in the Alexa app, you can enjoy hands-free access to millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists.

Once linked, you can play, pause, skip, and control music with natural voice commands, all without lifting a finger. Spotify Premium users benefit from additional features like direct playlist access, ad-free listening, and enhanced sound quality, but even Free users can enjoy the convenience of Alexa voice control.

If you encounter issues, re-linking your account or checking WiFi connections usually solves them quickly. Multi-room music, routines, and Spotify Connect add extra layers of functionality, turning your home into a fully synchronised audio environment.

For UK households that love music, connecting Spotify to Alexa is the simplest way to transform everyday listening into an effortless experience where your voice is the only remote you need.