Playback gets paused if Bluetooth headset is connected with multiple devices simultaneously

[Xenia]

Hi everyone,

We're seeing reports that the Spotify app keeps pausing audio whenever there are multiple devices connected to the same Bluetooth headset and the app is open on at least one of the connected devices. Special thanks to @growlybeard who provided a very detailed description and video showing the issue!

To keep you all in the loop we've merged a few threads together and have passed on the collected info to our tech folks, who are still looking into the issue. 

We'll be keeping everyone up to speed here, so make sure to subscribe to this thread! 

[tamarindmonkey]

Devices:
MBP 16 2019 + Catalina 10.15.7 - Spotify 1.1.54.592.gc0b20638-a
HP EliteDesk Workstation + Windows 10 (at work) Enterprise 20H2 - Spotify 1.1.59.712.g54f36e5d-a
Desktop PC (AMD based build) + Windows 10 Pro 20H2 - Spotify 1.1.59.712.g54f36e5d-a
All of the VM's I run and use while at work to listen to Spotify do the same thing. Some are under the latest Parallels hypervisor, some are under the latest Oracle VirtualBox release. It doesn't matter but just so you get the answer you're looking for;
Ubuntu 20.04 - Spotify 1.1.55.498.gf9a83c60
Kubuntu 20.04 - Spotify 1.1.55.498.gf9a83c60
Windows 10 Enterprise 20H2 - Spotify 1.1.59.712.g54f36e5d-a

Headsets it occurs with that I personally own and have noted the problem exists with:
Jabra Evolve 75

Sony WH-1000XM4
Plantronics Voyager Legend

Mobile devices I personally own and have noted the problem exists with:
iPhone 11 Pro Max - iOS 13.0
iPhone 12 Mini - iOS 14.4.1
iPhone SE (original) - iOS 14.4.2
Samsung Galaxy S8+ - Can't check OS right now but it was the last officially supported version
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ - Android 11

The issue has occurred for me with every headset I've used as long as the 3 conditions I posted previously in this thread are met. It has always occurred as long as those conditions are true.

If somehow nobody has one, why don't you just internally give someone a headset that supports simultaneous connections to two devices (there are plenty out there) and test the case that everyone here is complaining about?

[growlybeard]

@Jeremy I have had this issue as long as I've had Bluetooth headphones that pair with multiple devices. That started as early as late 2019 or early 2020.

I have had this issue with multiple laptops and multiple phones, with various versions of OS and hardware.

Currently i have a Mac on the latest OS and a Pixel5 with Android 11

[AlexBo1]

Hi,

I've the same issue. Reinstalling the app didn't solve the problem.

Devices: Windows 10 laptop and iPhone XS (OS: 14.5.1), latest version of Spotify on both devices

Headphones: Jabra Elite 85t (connected simultaneously to the laptop AND iPhone).

Issue exists since I started using the headphones. If I use the headphones with just one connection (laptop OR mobile), everything works fine. Issue occurs only if the headphones are connected to both devices.

Please fix this asap. I bought the headphones because of the possibility to use them via my laptop and mobile simultaneously.

[AlexBo1]

@JeremyDo you need anything else to get this solved?

[Xenia]

Hey folks,

Thanks for reporting this to us!

We can confirm the right team is aware of this and they're looking into it. If you’re experiencing this issue, make sure to add your +VOTE and and leave your details in a comment below (if you haven't already).

We hope to have more info soon.

[wayne_87]

Just found this issue here.
I have the same problem.

Using Windows 10 and a Pixel 3
Sometimes. Playback on Windows stops for no reason every 2-3 seconds.
First I thought the headphones are losing connection but other players keep working.

[1265209438]

I just installed a Jabra Evolve2 65 headset... had same issue.  After installing latest firmware updates & a restart - all good!

[Ivan]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for bearing with us while we were looking into this. 

Our teams are still investigating the issue as it seems to be related to the Bluetooth configurations set by the manufacturers of the devices and the way these interact with apps and OS.

For now we're not able to provide an exact timeline for a fix, but we'd recommend always keeping your Spotify app up-to-date to ensure you're on the latest version.

Cheers!  

[henkebarn]

I have a new set of Jabra Elite 85t and just experienced the same. I was connected to my MacBook Pro and my iPhone. Was trying to play music on my iPhone but it automatically paused. 
I realized that Spotify was open on both devices. I closed the desktop app and suddenly playback worked fine on the iPhone. 

So to me, the problem was partially solved and I can live with this until it's fixed 😊 

[tamarindmonkey]

You seem to have perfectly described the entire problem.

The fact that the account owner can’t have two instances of Spotify open on two separate devices with a multi point bluetooth connection to both while only streaming from one IS the issue.

No one is trying to stream from both devices at the same time. Just trying to stream from one, and it won’t allow you to do so. Hit play.. music pauses after a second or two.. over and over. There is no reason for it.

If I want to have my phone sitting on a dock or wireless charging stand and use it as a heads up display while I have the desktop version of Spotify buried deep in the background on my laptop or another computer with a pair of BT headphones that utilize multipoint connectivity, that shouldn’t be an issue. I’m only streaming audio from one device.

[AlexBo1]

Hi Spotify-Team,

Is there any update from your team? The issue isn't solved so far... Thanks!

[Alex]

Hey there @AlexBo1,

Thanks for the post.

Have you tried updating your devices to the latest possible firmware release?

As @Ivan has mentioned above, the issue seems to be related to the Bluetooth configurations set by the manufacturers of the devices and the way these interact with apps and OS.

Hope this helps.

[AlexBo1]

Hi Alex,

Thanks. Yes, the firmware of my Jabra Elite 85t is up to date. As well as the Spotify versions on my mobile (iPhone) and my computer (Windows device).

[bogpopa]

Same here - running Spotify from my mobile but when my smart TV is on (terrestrial TV and not running Spotify) , Spotify is automatically pausing on my phone after several minutes. 

Glad I found this post which helped me correct the issue by disconnecting the TV via Samsung Smart things. 

This is certainly not the expected behavior … 

Saw the recommendation to ensure latest app and firmware versions are installed but in my case, everything is up to date so unsure what else can be checked .

[Fionamcguv]

Is there an update to this issue? I have used Spotify for 1 year using the same devices, phone, Bluetooth earbuds, Samsung watch, car audio with no issues. However in past 2 weeks Spotify crashes when connected to a Bluetooth device but will continue to play music however cannot be controlled on the app. Similarly when Bluetooth is disconnected the music still plays and can only be stopped by forcing the app to close or turning my phone off. I  have tried to uninstall and reinstall the app and have checked that I have the latest version of the app and phone software is up to date. I am at the stage of cancelling my subscription due to this issue.

[DcTee]

Issue still persists. 

Devices:

Iphone 11 pro

M1 Macbook Air (2020)

Speaker:

JBL Charge 5

Hope a fix will be available soonest. I find this issue very annoying.

[blueint64]

With sennheiser momentum 3, Macbook Pro 16 inch 2019 and Galaxy S20+, this issue still happens with latest spotify.

Need fix asap.

[blueint64]

and also with Galaxy S20+

[tamarindmonkey]

Just cancel your subscription and stop using Spotify. They clearly couldn’t care less about the issues that countless people here have been reporting to them for years.

I love the comments with high hopes that they’ll fix this “asap”

If you think the devs who wrote the code to enable this undesirable behavior into the service in the first place weren’t aware that it would have this effect you are sorely mistaken.

[Tharayman]

Same problem.

macbook air and Iphone 12 with Jabra Elite 85.

all latest OS versions.