Hi Spotify, can you play on two devices at the same time?
Ever been in the middle of a jam session, only to get that annoying message that your account is being used on another device? Whether you’re streaming music on your phone during a workout or blasting tunes from your smart speaker, Spotify doesn’t make it easy to play on two devices at once—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible!
Maybe you’ve shared your account with family or friends, or maybe you just want to seamlessly switch between your computer, phone, and speakers without interruptions. Whatever the case, there are ways to make it work, and we’re here to help!
So, if you’re tired of the one-device-at-a-time rule, keep reading—we’ll show you how to keep your music going everywhere you want, whenever you want!
Can You Play Spotify Music on Two Devices at the Same Time?
Playing Spotify on two devices at the same time might seem convenient. You might start streaming music on your phone while also wanting to play the same playlist on a smart speaker or computer to enjoy music throughout your home.
However, when playback begins on a second device, Spotify automatically pauses the music on the first. Even for Premium subscribers, the music stops on one device as soon as it starts on another. This happens because Spotify enforces a one-stream-per-account policy.
To keep the music going on multiple devices, different solutions can be explored.
1. Using Smart Speakers
Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home provide a convenient way to listen hands-free. However, sharing one Spotify account across multiple devices can cause interruptions. If music is playing on an Echo in the living room and someone starts streaming Spotify on their phone, the playback on the Echo will stop.
To prevent this, linking separate Spotify accounts to the smart speaker is an effective solution. Amazon Echo, for example, allows switching between different Spotify accounts using voice commands, ensuring uninterrupted playback for each user.
2. Sharing a Spotify Account with Family
When a single Spotify account is shared within a household, playback interruptions are common. One person starts playing music, and another user unknowingly stops it by playing something else.
The best way to avoid this issue is by upgrading to Spotify’s Premium Family Plan. This plan allows up to six users to have their own separate accounts under one subscription. Each user gets personalized playlists, recommendations, and control over their playback, eliminating the need to share a single account.
3. Listening with Friends
Listening to music with friends can be an enjoyable experience, but Spotify’s Group Session feature has certain limitations. It only works on mobile devices and requires all participants to be part of the same session.
A more flexible option is using Discord. By creating a Discord server and adding a Spotify bot, users can sync playlists and listen together without interruptions. This method works across both desktop and mobile devices, allowing seamless shared listening.
Note: While Spotify allows multiple devices to be connected to an account, its one-stream-per-account policy ensures that playback stops on one device as soon as it starts on another. To enable continuous music playback across devices, using Group Session, external platforms like Discord, or subscribing to a Premium Family Plan can provide the best solutions.
How to Play Spotify on Two Devices?
With the Same Account
Many Spotify users assume that Spotify Connect allows music playback on multiple devices at the same time. However, that’s not how it works. Spotify Connect is designed for seamless transitions between devices, not simultaneous playback.
Fortunately, there is a clever workaround—Offline Mode—that allows Premium users to listen on two devices at once.
However, Spotify Connect does not support playing music on two devices at the same time. When playback starts on a second device, the first device pauses and acts as a controller for the active device.
Spotify Premium subscribers can use Offline Mode to bypass this limitation.
How Offline Mode Works:
- Available only for Premium subscribers, Offline Mode lets users download and store music on up to five devices (smartphones, tablets, and computers).
- While one device plays music offline, another device can stream online using the same account.
- Offline playback functions independently, meaning the offline device won’t interfere with online streaming.
- Users need to reconnect to the internet at least once every 30 days to verify their subscription.
This setup allows simultaneous playback on two devices—one playing offline and the other streaming online.
| Account Type | Streaming Online | Playing Offline |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify Free | 1 | 0 |
| Spotify Premium | 1 | 5 |
Offline Mode is exclusive to Premium subscribers, so free users don’t have a built-in way to play music on multiple devices simultaneously.
Some third-party tools claim to download and convert Spotify tracks for offline playback. Once saved, these tracks can be transferred across multiple devices, mimicking a Premium-like experience. However, using unauthorized software to download Spotify music may violate Spotify’s Terms of Service.
Spotify Premium Individual subscribers can play music on two devices at the same time by using Offline Mode on one device. Meanwhile, Spotify Connect allows smooth transitions between devices but does not enable simultaneous playback.
With Premium, users can stream online on one device and play offline on up to five others, offering more flexibility and uninterrupted listening.
With Different Accounts
Group Session is a feature that allows friends and family to listen to Spotify together while using their own individual accounts. Up to five people can join a session, and each participant has control over the music playback.
- Open the Spotify app on your mobile device.
- Navigate to the “Connect” menu.
- Select “Start a Group Session”.
- Share the invite link with friends or family.
- Once everyone joins, all participants can play, pause, skip tracks, and add songs to the queue.
Group Sessions provide a seamless shared listening experience, keeping everyone within the Spotify platform while allowing multiple users to control the music.
Last Words
Playing Spotify on two devices at the same time can be challenging due to Spotify’s one-stream-per-account policy, but there are several workarounds depending on your needs.
Each method offers a different way to enjoy Spotify on multiple devices. Whether you’re looking for uninterrupted personal listening or a shared experience with friends and family, choosing the right approach can ensure seamless and flexible music playback.