How To Play Spotify Through a USB on an Android

Spotify is one of the most popular streaming music services, boasting millions of users worldwide.

But what if you want to play your Spotify content through a USB-connected Android phone? Is it even possible?

This article has all the answers.

Play Spotify Through USB Android

Spotify is popular because of its wide selection of music, easy-to-use app, and reliable service. With over 50 million songs on the platform, there’s something for everyone. Furthermore, the app has a clean user interface that makes it easy to find new music.

But can you play Spotify through a USB cable on Android? The short answer is yes—but only with the correct connection.

The type of cable required depends on whether your smartphone features a USB Type-C port or a micro-USB port. For example, if your phone has a micro-USB port, you’ll need a micro-USB cable to connect it to your audio system or car stereo. On the other hand, if your phone has a Type-C port (often referred to as “USB-C”), you’ll need a compatible Type-C cable to connect it to an audio device.

With some cables, your Android device gets recognized as a storage device, and you can only access the files and music stored directly on the phone’s internal file system.

How to Play Spotify to Your Audio System With a USB Cable

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• The correct USB cable for your device.
• The latest version of the Spotify app installed on your Android device.

Once you have all of the necessary items, follow these instructions to start streaming music from Spotify to your audio system:

1. Plug one end of the Android USB cable into the charging port of your phone or tablet. Then plug the other end into the USB on your audio device.
   
2. Open the Spotify app and select a song, album, artist, or playlist. The selected item will start playing through whatever speakers are connected to your Android device.
   
3. To control playback without opening up the app each time, you can use the physical buttons (if available) on your connected speakers/audio device. For even more convenience, you can use voice commands through a virtual assistant such as Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, etc.
   

Keep in mind that while Spotify works over AUX ports (also known as 3.5mm), it must use an AUX output to play sound. Therefore, you can use an AUX-AUX cable rather than a USB-AUX cable. While you won’t play through the USB port on the phone, playing through the 3.5mm port should work.

How to Play Spotify in Your Car via USB Android

For Spotify users, playing your favorite music can be a great way to keep the energy up while you drive. But if your car doesn’t have Bluetooth or an auxiliary port, how do you get your music on? You can use USB Android devices to play Spotify in your car.

Let’s take a look at how it works:

1. Plug the micro-USB end of your phone’s cable into the port on your phone, and then plug the other end into the USB port in your car. The port’s exact location may vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model, so consult your owner’s manual if needed.
   
2. After connecting both ends of the cable, you may see a notification on your Android device asking if you want to enable media transfer mode. Tap “OK” to confirm.
   
3. Once everything has loaded up properly, you can begin listening. Select any song or playlist you’d like and press “Play.” The music will now start streaming through your car’s speakers.
   

As a bonus, all of the usual controls—volume adjustments, skipping tracks, etc.—are still available while listening through the car stereo, so feel free to adjust them as needed. Just remember that all control changes must come from the app itself; they cannot be made on the radio interface of your car’s dashboard.

If your car radio doesn’t have a USB port, you can switch to a 3.5mm cable and use the phone’s audio (headphone) output instead.

How to Play Spotify in Your Car via Android Auto

If you’re lucky enough to have the Android Auto stereo system on your car, playing Spotify is a breeze:

1. Sign in to the Spotify app on your Android device.
   
2. Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using a standard compatible USB cable.
   
3. Open Spotify on your phone and play any song or podcast. If Spotify was already playing when you plugged in your phone, it should continue playing without interruption as long as both devices remain powered on.
   

To avoid connectivity problems, ensure your Android phone runs Android 5 (Lollipop) or newer.

What to Do When You Can’t Play Spotify Through USB Android

Sometimes you may experience that frustrating moment when your Spotify playlist simply won’t play even though everything appears fine on the connections front. It can be incredibly annoying, especially if you’re in the middle of a great jam session.

Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve common Spotify playback issues on Android devices:

Update Your Devices

Before attempting other solutions, it’s important to ensure that both the Spotify app and your mobile device’s software are running the latest version available.

Outdated software can cause compatibility issues that prevent streaming music from working properly. To check for updates, open the Google Play Store and search for “Spotify.” If an update is available, download and install it on your phone.

Check Your Wi-Fi

The second thing you should do is check that your Wi-Fi is working properly. A weak or interrupted Wi-Fi connection can stop Spotify from playing through your USB connection.

Restart the Spotify App

Sometimes all it takes is a simple restart of the app to get things back up and running. To do this on an Android device:

1. Open “Settings” > “Apps & notifications” > “See all apps.”
   
2. Scroll down until you find Spotify.
   
3. Tap “Force Stop.”
   
4. Reopen the app and try connecting to Spotify again.
   

Close Any App Not in Use

Running too many programs at once can trigger issues with USB playback on Spotify.

To close any other programs:

1. Open “Settings” > “Apps & notifications” > “See all apps.”
   
2. Select each app individually and tap “Force Stop” if they’re open (You don’t need to force stop system apps).
   

Try a Different USB Cable

If none of the solutions above worked, it might be worth trying a different USB cable. Sometimes faulty cables can interfere with audio streaming from external sources such as smartphones or tablets.

Restart Your Device

If all else fails, try restarting your device. This will help clear any temporary issues causing problems with connecting to Spotify via USB.

After restarting, try connecting again and see if it works.

Things You Need to Consider When Selecting a Cable

Even if your audio or car stereo system supports USB connections, you still need the correct USB cable. When selecting the cable to use, there are several things you should consider beforehand.

First, make sure that the cable supports high-speed data transfer rates (e.g., 10 Gbps).

Secondly, ensure that the cable is certified by the manufacturer or third party, such as the USB-IF Certification or CE Certification (for European markets).

Finally, ensure the cable is designed specifically for mobile devices. Generic cables may not be suitable and could cause compatibility issues when connecting smartphones with external audio systems or car stereos.

Share Your Best Spotify Titles or Podcasts With Friends and Family

When it comes to enjoying your favorite music, having full control over your audio experience can make all the difference. That’s why connecting Spotify directly to an audio system with a USB cable is such an appealing option for music lovers.

This setup allows users to skip from song to song without relying on a potentially unreliable Bluetooth connection and provides a much more consistent sound quality than the alternative methods.

Whether you’re jamming out in your bedroom or entertaining friends at your next party, using a speaker through USB ensures everyone can share the listening experience and enjoy their favorite songs.

Have you tried to play Spotify through USB Android using any of the methods discussed in this article? How did it go?

Let us know in the comments section below.