Google Assistant on Pixel 5

[tfreitag]

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

Pixel 5

Operating System

Android 11

When using Google Assistant to play a song on Spotify ("Hey Google, play <song> by <artist> on Spotify), I will get a popup showing that the Assistant is "Opening Spotify", but nothing happens. This happens probably 9 out of 10 times I use the Assistant to play songs. I've updated to the newest OS, completely factory reset the phone, and ensured that Spotify is granted all requested permissions, and that Spotify is set as the default music provider. It is identifying the correct song and indicating that Spotify is the player, but it's not starting the music.

Has anyone else had this issue on a Pixel 5?

[Ivan]

Hey @tfreitag, 

Help’s here!
 

First thing you can try here is performing a clean reinstall of the Spotify app on your device. This will make sure no corrupted cache is causing the issue you experience.

If this persists, try disabling any battery optimization or data cleaning settings on your mobile device. Alternatively, you can try authorizing Spotify to run without restrictions despite the mentioned settings being enabled. Make sure you try this since such features can often prevent the app from operating at full capacity.

Keep us posted! We'll be happy to lend a hand if you need more help. 

[tfreitag]

Can you elaborate on "without restrictions". I've granted all the
permissions available in settings as well as making sure Spotify can open
links.

I've got as far as wiping my phone and starting over with factory settings,
but the issue persists.

[Alex]

Hi there @tfreitag,

Thanks for the info.

Can you try logging in your account page, under Apps you should be able to find Google. Try disabling this access and Logging out everywhere. Then log back in on your phone and try re-linking Spotify as the default music playback app on Google.

Let us know how it goes 🙂

[tfreitag]

Redid the link to Google and signed in again. No change.

It sometimes playa the songs as requested, and sometimes hangs at the
screen in the attachment.

[Eni]

Hey @tfreitag, 

Thanks for getting back in touch. 

We couldn't see the screenshot you sent, can you give it a try again?

On another note, could you check if it happens over both WiFi and 3/4G, or only on one connection type?

Additionally, let us know if this has always happened, or if it started happening after a specific event.

We'll be waiting for your reply 🙂

[tfreitag]

Sorry - the screenshot didn't go through via email response. 

The issue occurs in both Wifi and cellular. Issue started when I moved from a Pixel 3 to a Pixel 5. 

[Eni]

Hi again @tfreitag!

Thanks for sending this information. 

Could you try to log out > restart your phone > log back in and check if this makes the difference? 

Additionally, would you mind closing all of the other active apps on your phone and try again?

Lastly, let us know if this only happens with Spotify or with other apps too. 

Cheers - keep us in the loop!

[tfreitag]

I've tried logging out, restarting, closing all other apps, etc. with no luck.

This is the only app I have trouble with on my Pixel 5.

[CarlosE]

Hey @tfreitag,

Thanks for getting back in touch.

Make sure to link your accounts by following these steps.

If the issue persists, could you try using a different Spotify account, like a friend's or relative's? This would help us determine if it's an account-related issue.

We'll be looking out for your reply.

[tfreitag]

I tried using my wife's account and the issue persists.

I don't have any issues on my Google Home mini's or other devices. Only the Pixel 5.

[Mihail]

Hey @tfreitag,

Thanks for getting back to us.

The troubleshooting so far indicates that the issue originates from the device and its set up and not your account. Could you please make sure that both Spotify and Google Assistant are excluded from any cache clearing and battery optimization aps that might be running? Note that even if you didn't download any yourself, some devices have them preinstalled. Since you mention you did a factory reset it's also a good idea to check if all your firmware is updated to the latest version.

Keep us posted.