Group session listen on same device

[Redched]

When I join a remote group session it doesn't give me any option to choose what device to listen on.

I want to listen on the same device as the session host, but instead it just defaults to listen on my device with no option to change it. How do I fix this?

This should be an available feature as mentioned in the support page:

https://support.spotify.com/us/article/group-session/

It also used to be possible in the old group session feature.

Plan

Premium

Country

UK

Device

OnePlus 5

Operating System

Android 10

[Ver]

Hey @Redched,

Thanks for posting here.

It's a good idea to restart your device, log out and log back in again to see if anything changes.

If that doesn't make a difference, could you please share with us the following? We'll look into this further.

• The exact Spotify version that is running on your device.
• A screenshot or a video recording of what's happening when you try joining a group session.
• If possible, could you check if the same thing happens when you try on another device?

Keep us in the loop. 

[Redched]

Thanks, I have tried restarting and logging out of the spotify app but it still hasn't solved the issue. 

I have also checked on another device and it's the same problem. I have also restarted and tried logging out of Spotify on the second device (OnePlus 8, Android 11).

Spotify app version 8.6.98.900 on both devices.

Before the new remote group session feature, when I joined a session by scanning the hosts code it would give me an option of which device to listen on (mine or the host). This option no longer appears.

Screenshots attached.

[Ver]

Hey @Redched,

Thanks for the info 🙂

Could you also share with us a screenshot of how your connect picker looks like before you enter a group session? That way we can get a better overview of what's happening.

Keep us posted.

[Al1972]

I have exactly the same issue. The group session User Interface changed about a week ago and now it’s not possible to listen on the same device in a group session which I’ve been using for years.

Maybe spend less money on Josh Rogan and more on getting the app to work as it is deteriorating all of the time.

[Redched]

Requested screenshots attached. 1 with WiFi and the other without.

[LazyCrazyTom]

I have the same issue. I have the same Spotify version number (8.6.98.900) and Android version (11). 

It allows us to listen on the same device, as long as we are Casting or connecting via Bluetooth to a speaker. However, we cannot do this when we connect with an AUX cord. Me and my friends used this feature maybe two or three times a week via an AUX cord, so having this feature is important to us.

It maybe seems that this change was intentional (or perhaps an oversight of the update), so if this persists, we will likely be switching to a competitor.

[MafeG]

Hi folks,

Thank you for your replies.

We've tested this from our side using the same app version and couldn't replicate the issue, so there are some things we can try here. 

To start, please run a clean reinstall with these steps. They are more thorough than a regular one and will clean your phone of any leftover file.

If the issue persists after that, can you log in with another account, such as a friend's or a family member's to see if the issue persists? 

Let us know how this goes.

[Redched]

I have followed your instructions and performed a clean reinstallation of spotify on both devices but the problem persists.

I have been testing this on separate Spotify accounts from the start (each device is logged into to a different account), yet the problem persists.

Of note, immediately after I reinstalled Spotify the old connect picker was visible with a code for scanning. After closing the app and restarting it, the new remote group session connect picker re-appeared.

Screenshots attached (max 3 files allowed, therefore further 2 screenshots in a separate reply)

[Redched]

Further 2 screenshots

[Redched]

Hi I still haven't had any reply from my last message. Is there any follow-up on this problem?

[Ver]

Hey,

Sorry for the delay here. We were trying to confirm the info.

Since a recent update that has been continuously rolling out to users, the Group Session mode has changed a bit.

Now it includes the option of automatic device joining on the same network and the limit for people joining remote sessions has been increased from 5 to 8.

As you've noticed there are also a few differences in the interface. How you join a remote session or a specific device differs from before.

If you want to listen on the same speaker for example, the session's host needs to send an invite for that speaker, instead of for a remote session. To do that, they can click on the arrow next to the device they're listening from. Then you can accept their invite and can listen to music on the same device as them. We're attaching some screenshots to illustrate this.

Our support page has now also been updated to reflect the new options.

Let us know if that clears things up.

[Redched]

Thanks for your reply.

I can see from your screenshot that you are sharing a Bluetooth speaker. I was already able to share Bluetooth speakers and speakers via Google cast with the new group session.

The function that has been lost here is sharing wired speakers. When I have my phone plugged into a speaker system via aux, there is no option to share this, or for session members to listen on the session host device.

Is there a solution to this?

I have also looked at the updated support page you have sent. I notice that it says "Note: Make sure your device and the speaker are on the same WiFi network."

In my situation, however, my speakers are not Bluetooth or WiFi enabled. 

[Alex]

Hi @Redched,

Thanks for the reply.

We've done some more digging around and testing on our end, and we can confirm that it's currently not possible to listen on the same device as the host. Spotify Connect only recognizes devices connected via Bluetooth or WiFi, so this is why it won't work with a AUX wired speaker. Spotify doesn't recognize the speaker as a separate device, no different than wired headphones.

We've seen the feedback about this particular feature being sorely missed and have forwarded that to the right teams at Spotify. Best to subscribe to this Idea  and add your +Vote to it. We'll post updates there as soon as we have them. 

Group Session is still in Beta and it's actively being developed, so it should improve over time.

Hope you find this information helpful. We want to thank you again for going through this troubleshooting process with us.

[timmyytams]

Hi Alex,

The hyperlink in your post for the Idea appears to be broken. Could it please be fixed?

I would also like to confirm the live Idea you mention is the same as the one here: https://community.spotify.com/t5/Live-Ideas/Mobile-Please-bring-back-the-old-group-session-quot-Play...

[Jeremy]

Hi there @timmyytams,

Thank you for your reply and feedback.

We're always testing things by adding or removing features to make Spotify better overall and we’re constantly aiming to improve our features. We’re sorry that this means you’re not able to use Spotify like you wish to do at the moment.

You can read more about how your feedback reaches Spotify here.

Once again - thanks for the feedback, we appreciate it. Let us know if we can help you with anything else. 

Take care!

[Olz]

This is still a problem.

I'm in the car with friends with one connected to the stereo via Bluetooth and hosting the group session but all of us who connect's phones also start playing the audio with no choice to select a different device.

Host is an iPhone and the two connected are on two different android devices (OnePlus & Samsung).

This really could do with being sorted out as it would be a killer feature if it actually worked.

[owenjohnson14]

It looks like this topic has been covered extensively. With the current functioning of the group session feature, users can’t join on the same device. I just wanted to reiterate that this is something that is desperately missed and has been very frustrating. 

[andrewkennedy94]

I want to add another vote to this to draw more attention. For me, controlling a device works fine over wifi, but not with  bluetooth speakers (such as car stereos). When my phone is paired to a car stereo, I have no option to invite people to that speaker, only to start a remote group session. I'm running the latest stable iOS with Spotify version 8.7.56.464

[infd]

+1 - I think you're really missing a trick here. I want to be able to share a live session with friends in a car over bluetooth with my phone running it, at a party when my tablet is driving my speaker system by aux cable, over whatever random bluetooth speaker is connected to my phone. This is now unmanageable.