Won't connect to radio app

[Rawrso]

 After my app updated to the most recent version today it stopped connecting to my radios spotify app. I have a Kenwood DDX595. On the Spotify app it shows "disconnected" and it has no controls or song info. I have a Galaxy S8. I've tried many reboots, app reinstalls, radio firmware updates with no success. My app version is 8.4.80.793

[Datatag]

I have a Pioneer AVH-X490DAB head unit about a year old which includes the Spotify app. This worked fine on my Galaxy S7 until a couple of months ago, but now the Spotify app will no longer connect to my phone.

The Pioneer Bluetooth finds my phone, I can stream music over basic Bluetooth and handsfree works fine - but even thought I can still stream Spotify audio I have no access to the dedicated features through the head unit (such as playlists etc).

When I open the Spotify app on the head unit and try to connect to my phone, the head unit flags up a says "Connection Failed" message. My S7 is running Android 8 and the Pioneer is running stock firmware - there are no updates available. I suspect that the problem occurred shortly after the phone got an Android OTA update - could this be related?

[Rawrso]

Possibly? Mine didn't seem like it could be because it worked fine after multiple OTA security updates. Worked fine on my 6 hour road trip till it updated. The app updated today too but it didnt fix anything. Maybe it'll fix itself when I pickup my new phone tomorrow. Pretty big bummer if I can't figure it out or it does the same thing. 

[Rawrso]

Update, fixed it by using an old apk. Ver. 8.4.79.612 works for me. So the newest versions are broken. Thanks Spotify.

[Datatag]

OK thanks, I'll see if I can find the apk and try that.

[Rawrso]

Because you said yours was months ago you could try to find versions around that time. Maybe those would work. 

[WastedTheLight]

Purchased a new Kenwood DMX7705 car radio primarily for the Spotify integration, same issue. Semi glad to see it's not just me. Following.

[user-removed]

Same here kenwood dmx 8018s samsung s8. Tried apple ipod and iphone connects straight away.

[user-removed]

If you use old version it works. Use one from July and will be fine.

[Datatag]

Thanks Rawrso that APK worked for me too after a bit of messing around, so it does seem that the BT/Head unit functionality in the later Spotify APKs is broken on Android. I've switched off auto-update in Google Play store just to be on the safe side.

Come on Spotify - when can we have a fix for this please!?

[Datatag]

The APK version was mentioned previously by Rawrso but to clarify, I installed V8.4.79.612 of the Spotify APK from here:

https://android-apk.org/com.spotify.music/41675939-spotify-free-music-streaming/

Hope this helps.

[rmorones]

Other than trying work arounds....which should never be the case, hoping Spotify will fix this issue. I just purchased the 7705s to have android auto and the selling point was the native Spotify app. How about Spotify work on a solution instead of end users coming up with a temporary fix. Not sure who actually sees this

[Rawrso]

Will probably have to actually contact spotify directly. I know they have some reps on here but I assume it won't get much attention unless this post gets more users with the same issue.

[rmorones]

Pandora does not have this issue and I don't even pay for Pandora. Maybe I should I guess. Having the family plan with Spotify doesn't seem to get me anywhere 🙂

[rmorones]

Pandora is just fine