Podcasts no longer pausing when Google Maps is talking.

[altinac42]

Until recently, whenever my phone is connected to my car via Android Auto, Spotify would pause the playback on a Podcast whenever Google Maps would speak. This no longer seems to be the case.

Is there a way to get Spotify to pause the playback in Podcasts when something else is using the speakers? It's annoying to have to rewind each time the navigation speaks.

Plan: Premium

Country: USA

Device: Pixel 6a

Operating System: Android 14

Thanks in advance.

[f0ur7dzwehdz]

As you can see on my screenshot, the Spotify button in Google Maps is no longer available. Now, a round circle button with a different function can be seen instead. Spotify can no longer be launched directly from Google Maps Navigation.

In my navigation settings, "Default media provider for Assistant" is linked to Spotify. However, the Spotify button is still missing in the navigation.

I can open Spotify separately, but then the podcast playback is no longer paused during navigation instructions, and both voices can be heard, both from the podcast and from the navigation system. This is very irritating when driving.

Until half a month ago, everything worked perfectly. The podcast playback stopped when there were navigation instructions. And Spotify could be called up directly from Maps. Now this is no longer possible. I have Spotify Premium. Please fix the problem on Android.

 

[FarmerAndrew]

I started having the same issue today.  Very annoying, haven't found a fix yet.

[spotbd]

I have this exact problem and a similar setup. I don't use my car or Android Auto every day so I can't specify exactly when it started, but March 7th is the first time I noticed this while I had a long car ride. I could not figure out what changed or how to make it stop having the Google Maps instructions "talk over" my Spotify podcasts. I could hear that the podcast was still playing, just at a significantly lower volume during the navigation instructions. This messes up the continuity of the podcast completely and hitting the 15 seconds back button is both annoying (as you said) and more dangerous as it requires a lot more instances of looking at my screen trying to hit the button. 
Plan: Free
Country: USA

Device: Pixel 6a

OS: Android 14

[WillScarlett]

Same problem here.

Plan: Premium

Country: Germany

Device: Pixel 8 Pro

OS: Android 14

[Marcegaglia]

Happened before but something has changed. When playing another media (like maps audio or a message on Whatsapp), the podcast audio always stopped, to allow you not to miss anything. This feature is missing on my last update and that's annoying. 

[Joan]

Hi there folks,

Thanks for reaching out. Could you please provide us the following:

• Is this on all devices or only on specific one(s)?
• When did this start happening? Did it coincide with any updates to Spotify, Google Maps or your device OS?
• The exact makes, models and OS/Firmware versions of all your affected devices
• The exact Spotify Versions you use.
• A video of the behaviour. If the files are too large to attach here in the Community, you can send them to us via Google Drive or as unlisted YouTube videos.

With this information, we’d be happy to investigate.

Keep us posted.

[Djo7]

I'm also having the same problem, I use Spotify while cycling, so I'm not using any car mod.

Plan: Premium

Country: Germany

Device: Pixel 7

OS: Android 14 (latest version)

Spotify: last version 

[Joan]

Hi @Djo7,

Thanks for the reply. We appreciate the info, but "last version" isn't helpful in our investigation. Please provide the exact version of the app that you use, which you can check on your devices as shown here. Please also provide any of the additional info I requested in my previous post if possible.

Keep us posted.

[Sackleinen]

Same problem. All poster above seem too use a Google Pixel phone. I'm using a Pixel 5. 

Spotify version 8.9.18.512, Android 14.

[pkenderdine]

Same problem here.

Plan: Premium

Country: Australia

Device: Samsung Galaxy A8

OS: Android 9

Spotify Version 8.9.20.574

[DanUsher1]

Hi Joan,

I'm having the same issue where Spotify talks over Google Maps navigation. The answers to your questions above are as follows:

Devices: Only can test it on phone. Desktop Google Maps doesn't speak directions (that I know of)

When: At least last night, Mar 10th. Maybe a few days ago, but I just ignored it or it didn't really aggravate me till last night.

Device Details: Android Galaxy S10e, Android Version 12

Spotify Version: 8.9.18.512

I will attach video. 

I did learn if I go into Google Maps and in their settings, turn off Play Voice over Bluetooth, Google Maps will interrupt Spotify, and give the navigation through the phone speakers instead of Bluetooth. Then the podcast will resume over Bluetooth, but that's not what I want.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16HaH7sn6YgqMfdNuH-BkVSR7eJjEjnFw/view?usp=drivesdk

Thanks,

Dan

[Idk123321]

Same. 

Premium plan

USA

Pixel 7

Android 14

Spotify version 8.9.20.574

[pwincesspow]

Hi Joan,

See responses to your questions below.

• Is this on all devices or only on specific one(s)? I only have one phone which I used to navigate when driving so this issue is only happening on my phone.
• When did this start happening? Did it coincide with any updates to Spotify, Google Maps or your device OS? I noticed it a month ago. I don't know of any specific recent updates that would have caused this. 
• The exact makes, models and OS/Firmware versions of all your affected devices Sony Xperia 1 V (XQ-DQ62)
• The exact Spotify Versions you use. 8.9.20.574
• A video of the behaviour. If the files are too large to attach here in the Community, you can send them to us via Google Drive or as unlisted YouTube videos. I am afraid I cannot record while I'm driving but I can attempt to explain. I have Google Maps on and Spotify playing a podcast. When Map tells me a direction, it doesn't pause my Spotify podcast like it used to, it just lets it play in the background and I miss key conversations from my podcast. Before this issue happened, when Maps is speaking, my podcast would be paused. When Maps finishes speaking, my podcast would continue. Hope that helps!

[Joan]

Hi there folks,

Thank you so much for all the replies. We've gathered all the info and begun looking into this, we'll keep you posted on our progress. In the meantime, for anyone who hasn't provided the details, keep them coming. The more we have, the better we can understand the issue.

Cheers!

[altinac42]

Joan,

Here's the details about my phone:

• Is this on all devices or only on specific one(s)? Just own one phone, so can't test on others.
• When did this start happening? Did it coincide with any updates to Spotify, Google Maps or your device OS? Not sure, but noticed it a few weeks ago. As my phone automatically updates overnight for the OS and Apps, I don't know if an update occurred when this issue started. It probably did. 
• The exact makes, models and OS/Firmware versions of all your affected devices Pixel 6A / Build number: UA1A.240205.002 / Android 14, February 5, 2024 Security Update
• The exact Spotify Versions you use. 8.9.20.574
• A video of the behaviour. If the files are too large to attach here in the Community, you can send them to us via Google Drive or as unlisted YouTube videos. I did replicate the same steps that DanUsher1 did in their video and my phone does the same thing. Also, when I'm driving, I am using Android Auto and it behaves the same way.
  

Thank you!

[chundricles]

Hey I'm having the same issue, Spotify is bmnot pausing podcasts when running on android auto.  Pixel 6, Spotify version 8.9.20.574, Android 14

[Quyrx]

Plan

Premium

Country

Germany

Device

Samsung S9

Operating System

Android

My Question or Issue

Spotify used to pause podcasts while the navigator from Google Maps was speaking e.g. while driving a car. For a few weeks now the podcasts are not paused, but remain playing in the background instead (same behaviour as for songs). 

I think the difference between the behaviour for songs and podcasts made a lot of sense and I loved this feature! Please bring back the old behaviour! 

[altinac42]

I noticed this morning that my app was working properly again. When Google Maps would speak to navigate, my podcast would pause. I see the app is now at version 8.9.22.539. I'm assuming the update is what fixed the issue.

[steveack17]

It's fixed! Thanks!