Smart Shuffle keeps turning itself on

[Vasil]

Hey folks!

Some of you have reported that Smart Shuffle is automatically turning itself on again after being switched off. This is now being looked into.

Note: The smart shuffle feature works on a playlist-by-playlist basis. If you turn it off on one playlist, it doesn't mean that it is turned off for all playlists.

We'll keep you posted 🙂

[AM-MM]

I’m having the same issue. In the playlist view I can toggle off the Smart Shuffle, but when I go into the play mode, the smart shuffle turns back on by itself. It is really annoying - please can this be fixed urgently. 
I believe this happened a few months ago and was fixed. Please can you stop releasing updates without thoroughly testing it. 

[GiveMeMyMusac]

I've noticed this problems occurs mostly with large playlists. I have several lists with over 200h of music, when turning off smart shuffle, it turns it self back on, like the server cannot process the request, so the command is rejected and put back to it's original value (that's what I think)

[tenaxdog]

Hi, what to investigate so much, just split that button, one for shuffle and second one for smart shuffle, in one button, there is always a confusion, which one is on,

for me, smart shuffle is almost pointless, it suggests mostly artists what i already know, it should suggest mostly new ones. 

Edit. I really do know how to turn it on or off, it's just not working well and u never know what state is left.

Please, just split that button. It makes all our lives simpler.

[Vasil]

Hey folks!

Thank you for the patience while we're trying to identify the root cause for this issue. It does not occur for everyone so it takes a bit longer to fix.

We'd like to ask you these two follow-up questions in case you're still experiencing the issue:

• Is this behaviour only observable with larger playlists?
• Does it happen when using a Connect device or when the playback is playing normally via your main device?

Much appreciated! We'll be on the lookout for your replies and we'll keep you posted when there's an update 🙂

[Kodyn]

@Vasil Nah, it's a pointless feature that no one would ever think to ask for or realistically need.  Just get rid of the feature instead of trying to "fix" something no one wants to begin with.

I'm well aware that Spotify has zero interest in creating a good product, being liked, or doing things right, so I know this is a waste of breath, but I tried.

[DJMcGoven]

Doesn't matter the size of the playlist. I chatted with a support person and even sent a screen recorded video of it happening on my android phone. But it also happens on the desktop app.

The whole situation is so silly, because there is another "idea" thread with over 7k votes to disable it. That's the obvious fix. But instead, Spotify rather annoy their customers than just take the lost and remove it. Or at least make it a separate button. We wouldn't complain if we didn't have to interact with it at all.

[FenrirWolff]

@Vasil With all due respect, I feel limiting it to those two questions can hinder the responses available.

However, to answer your questions....

• Is this behaviour only observable with larger playlists?
  • No, it happens randomly and it does not even need to be activated to trigger this issue.
  • No, I have had this happen in playlists that have no more than 3 songs

• Does it happen when using a Connect device or when the playback is playing normally via your main device?
  • No, my experience is connect devices like that which I use, Google Home Display and Google Home Mini, Spotify (App) does not acknowledge the ability to connect to external devices when this issue happens as the search function to cast to a device times out.
  • Using the alternative method to cast media (though tedious to connect as it uses the old method to connect) causes Spotify (App) to **bleep** bricks and hang.

[Turbo3721]

This happens for me on all Playlists, including those that are only 2 songs (songs for my son to fall asleep to). It also happens whether or not I am connected to Bluetooth in the car, connected through sonos, or just on my phone. 

Android, s23 ultra. Was on 9.408

[eetuuuh]

Isn't it clear why this is happening and why they are not able to "fix" this "bug"?

Clearly they are A/B-testing if users are switching smart shuffle off when its automatically enable.

It happens with large playlists because you might not remember every song that's on the list, you might not realize "hey I didn't put this here".

With "smart" shuffle they are able to put paid promotions and AI music in the queue.

Spotify is already putting questionable AI music in some of their moderated playlists.

[LordWolfchild]

I am a customer of Spotify from day one and I am happy to pay for a good service. But there are enough other services out there that do not force me to listen to stuff I do not *want* to hear. I choose where I put my money.

As I am not quite ready yet to burn all my bridges with your service, pleeeeeeaaaaase, Spotify, @Vasil, at least give us a global configuration switch to disable SmartShuffle to the paid Subscribers. This whole thing REALLY sucks! It could be such a trivial fix, but it more and more seems like your motivation to think about the need of your customers is blocked by other interests. Just do the right thing for once, will you?