Add audiobook chapter to queue

[Bruxism]

Plan

Premium

Country

UK

Device

Android

Operating System

Oxygen OS 13.1

I always thought it would be good to be able to add a whole audiobook to a playlist so that you could just hit 'clear queue' to return to your previous listening. However, adding single chapters to a queue has been just about tolerable, even though swiping right did not work, requiring holding the chapter and selecting 'add to queue'.

I note now that even this limited functionality has been withdrawn and audiobooks can only be heard by completely ditching your currently playing list.

Is there really no way to add any parts of an audiobook to a queue or playlist?

[Novy]

Hey there @Bruxism,

Thanks for reaching out! 

Would you mind sending over a screenshot where we can take a look at which options you see when you hold the Audiobook chapter? 

Also, could you let us know the exact Spotify version you're currently running?

We'll be on the lookout for your reply. 

[Bruxism]

Thanks for the reply. I am on version 9.0.24.601. A screenshot is attached.

Bruxism

[Novy]

Hey @Bruxism,

It looks like the screenshot wasn't attached, though. Could you try again?

Thanks 🙏

[Bruxism]

Try again 

 

[Novy]

Hey @Bruxism,

Thanks a lot! 

Just to confirm, have you already tried performing a clean reinstall of the app by following these steps? 

If that doesn't do the trick, can you confirm if you see the option to add to queue from the list of episodes, instead of directly from the episode? 

Let us know how it goes. 

[Bruxism]

Hi Novy,

Thanks again. I am reluctant to perform a clean reinstall as this deleted my library, which then takes several hours to download again.

However, I am not trying to add episodes (I have no problem with podcasts), but chapters of audiobooks.

[OscarDC]

Hey @Bruxism,

Thank you for keeping in contact.

We understand that it could be a hassle to redownload all your content, but we'd highly recommend the clean reinstall process previously mentioned as it can be helpful in getting rid of any cache that might be affecting the proper behavior of the app. 
 

If performing a clean reinstall is not an option, we'd recommend checking on a different device (using your own account) to see if you have the option there? If you don't have another one available, you can borrow one from a friend or family member to test it out. 

Lastly,  include in your next response the Spotify version you're currently running to continue investigating the case.

We'll be on the lookout.

[Bruxism]

Hi,

Apologies for the late reply - I had to borrow the wife's phone for a bit (Android version 14 - Spotify has never been installed on this device previously).

I have installed Spotify (version 9.0.26.632) on this and logged into my premium account on it. I am still not able to add chapters to the queue, with the only options being Rate audiobook, Share, Report and Show Spotify Code (as previously). I thus conclude that a clean install on my phone would not solve this issue and that there must either be something strange about my account or with recent versions of the app. Given that no-one else seems to have this problem, the latter seems unlikely. Oh well...

[Dessi]

Hi again @Bruxism,

Thanks for testing this out!

Can you let us know if you see the option to add the audiobook itself to a playlist if you click on the three dots next to the share button instead of trying to do that from a chapter? Just keep in mind that a book can only be added to an empty or audiobook-only playlist. Does this only happen with this audiobook or is it across all? 

Keep us posted.

[Bruxism]

Hi Dessi,

I can indeed add an audiobook to an empty (or audiobook only) playlist, but I don't see what good this does, apart from perhaps having a playlist of books to listen to. 

I have tried adding chapters from about 10 books, but all are lacking the option 'Add to queue.'

[Dessi]

Hey @Bruxism,

Thanks for checking!

I checked with the respective team and can confirm that this was an option before, but it has been removed since. At Spotify, we’re always looking for opportunities to enhance the listening experience for both fans and creators. We routinely conduct a number of tests, and some of them may ultimately end up paving the way for our broader user experience. 

I've passed all your comments on to the AB team to be looked into, but I'm afraid we don’t have any further news to share at this time. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!

Take care.

[Bruxism]

Spotify aims "to enhance the listening experience... paving the way for... broader user experience" by removing functionality. May I suggest that the words "enhance" and "broader" have accepted definitions that are antonyms of those used here. 

This is so frustrating. The only possibility I can see is to install an old version of the app and disable updates.

[mch337]

Hi @Dessi,

Can I just add to the conversation that I really valued the feature to add an audiobook chapter to the queue: it gave me an the flexibility to go and change between music, podcasts, and audiobooks all in one app. I was actually quite disappointed when I noticed it had been removed when I went back to my audiobooks the other day. If you could urge the team to get that functionality back, that'd be amazing.

[CordeliaDavancer]

To put my two sence in. I find the removal of this feature particularly disappointing.

There is one particular audio book where each chapter is a different individual story, and I used to be able to choose which stories I wanted to listen to each night bordered by music, which I was able to do by adding them to my cue. I now can not do that, the only way I could listen to this book in the same manner I use to would be to manually change the stories, when I use to be able to let it run by itself as I went to sleep. The removal of this feature has virtually rendered this audio book unusable in the way I was listening to it.

So if you could let "the respective team" know the the removal of this feature has ruined my listening experience. So I sincerely hope that this feature is returned soon because, as I will reiterate, my listening experience has been RUINED.

[Chudraa]

I thought I'd jump on here and say you can still do this on a desktop version. It's unfathomable that it's been removed from the mobile application for "enhancing the listener's experience", but you have this as an alternative option

[JoelPJey]

I would also like to add to this thread as well. Being able to add a chapter was a great feature and I see no reason or benefit to its removal. Especially annoying as it is still possible on the desktop where it is not as needed. I valued this for long car journeys where you obviously should not be touching your phone. So disappointing