Apple Watch Audio is Crackly and Staticky

[linconlord]

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

iPhone X, Apple Watch (no data version)

My Question or Issue

I already talked to a support person yesterday and they said that it's an issue other have already reported on. They said there are looking to identify the problem and create a fix, but until then I figured I should still make a post here.

Ever since Wednesday last week (September 25th) the music playlists and podcasts I have downloaded to my apple watch have become unlistenable offline due to there being a constant static/crackle happening whenever I play them. They work just fine whenever connected to the internet or near my phone, but the second I play them offline; it goes right back. This problem did not exist before the 25th, so I am wondering if it's linked to some sort of update they rolled out.

The crackling effect persists throughout playing them, and after a minute or two, my headphones disconnect from the watch entirely. After reconnecting, the audio is normal for a few seconds before the static resumes. 

At the time of making this post I have tried

•  removing and redownloading the music/podcasts
• uninstalling and reinstalling the Spotify app on my watch
• uninstalling and reinstalling the Spotify app on my phone
• Restarting my watch
• Unpairing my watch from my phone and repairing it
• Clearing the cache from the Spotify app on my phone and my watch

None of these options have made any difference.

My job requires that I leave my phone in a locker before entering the work area, so I relied on my apple watch to listen to music during my shifts. If there is any progress made on a solution to this problem or if there is anyone else having this problem, then please leave a reply to this post. 

[MateusM]

Hi there @linconlord! Sorry for the late response!

Can you let me know if you have already tried some troubleshooting described in this FAQ? 

Try force closing the app on your Watch, updating the watchOS, and resetting the network settings on your iPhone to see if that helps.

Keep me in the loop

/Mateus

[mgwcreative]

I have done all the troubleshooting described and likely more. I might note that am a power user of technology.

[craigbellew1]

I also have this problem 

[MateusM]

Hi there folks @craigbellew1 @mgwcreative !

Thanks for reporting this!

Could you provide more details, such as:

• Your device’s make and model, OS, and the version of the Spotify app you’re using;
• Have you noticed any difference when using another pair of headphones, if you've tried that?
• Have you done any troubleshooting so far? If so, could you share which steps you’ve tried?

Keep us posted!
/Mateus

[mgwcreative]

Hi Mateus,

Thank you for your response.

Apple:

• Apple Watch: Series 5
• Version: 10.6.1 (21U580)
• Model: A2093
• WatchOS 11
• AirPods: AirPods Pro
• Model: A2084
• Version: 6A326

Spotify:

• 8.9.82.628

Troubleshooting:

I work in tech and I would generally consider myself a power user. I have tried the following:

• I have tried two pairs of the same model of Apple AirPods Pro.
• I have deleted and reinstalled Spotify on iPhone and Apple Watch.
• I have completely reset my watch twice and reinstalled Spotify.

I can’t think of anything else to try. I have found many users complaining about the same issue online, however, so I do not believe I am experiencing this issue alone.

Thank you,
Michael Wiekrykas

[ryanschaub]

Also a power user of tech. Latest iOS on iPhone 16 pro, latest watch OS on Apple Watch Ultra 2, latest Spotify version. Also noted this issue around the end of September. Can’t seem to fix it with all the resetting, deleting, Air Pod Pro (gen 2) resetting. I’m giving up and going Apple Music for 3mo in hopes Spotify fixes it. If it’s not fixed by the end of my free trial, I’m cancelling and going Apple Music to avoid the headaches of spotify <> Apple watch

[MateusM]

Hey again folks!

Thanks for all the info provided so far, we really appreciate it!

Just wanted to let you know that this has been forwarded to the tech team, and we’ll keep you posted with any updates!

Cheers! 🌟
/Mateus

[Maria]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for posting in this thread!

As mentioned by @MateusM, this is has been forwarded to our tech folks and it is currently being looked into. To investigate this further, however, they need a few more details about what you're experiencing.

Could you let us know if the issue is consistent on all tracks when listening from your watch, or does this behavior come and go? If it's not consistent, have you noticed that it happens at any specific points?

Also @mgwcreative - just to clarify, are you currently running OS version 10.6.1 on your watch, or have you updated it to WatchOS 11 (and the issue persists)?

@ryanschaub - it would be great if you could send us the OS version you're using as well. You should be able to find it by following the steps on this page from Apple.

We'll keep an eye out for your replies!

[mgwcreative]

Maria,

Thank you. I am running 10.6.1 and not the 11 beta.

Thanks,
MW

[ryanschaub]

Thanks @maria 
The issue for me is consistent on most of the same tracks in the same spots. Around 80% of my listening time has this problem at different levels of severity. Apple Music works without a single issue as well as any Siri notifications.

WatchOS = 11.0.1, iOS = 18.0.1, latest version of Spotify and AirPod Pro (gen 2) firmware.

[Agregorio]

I too am facing this issue with all downloaded playlists or podcasts. In addition to the mentioned triage steps by other users, I have also attempted various airplane mode, low power mode, and network on/off combinations to see if it made a difference during playback. As other users have mentioned this is occurring at the same point in the same songs each time. This is not an issue while in close proximity to the paired cell phone or while on the wifi network associated with that cell phone, while the cell phone is turned off. 

[ryanschaub]

For what it is worth, I am loving Apple Music -- zero issues 😂

[Philly2000]

Thought I would add I am having these issue with downloaded Spotify music on my Apple Watch. I have a new Apple Watch 10 using Watch OS 11.0.1 and an IPhone 15. When I change to Apple Music I have no issues. 

[Voodoom1]

I have the same issue. Apple Watch 8, AirPods Pro 2, and iPhone 15 Pro, the latest software on all devices. 

Super frustrating as I run with just my Appek Watch and Airpods.

[Voodoom1]

It seems like the developers at Spotify really don't care much about the Apple Watch or downloaded music. I have had so many issues over the last 4 years with downloaded playlists on the Apple Watch, refusing to sync, and constantly re-downloading. I'm so close to just switching to Apple Music which works perfectly. 

[benjijh]

Hi Maria,

I wanted to let you know that I’m also experiencing the same issue. The crackling/static sound occurs consistently when playing music or podcasts offline from the Spotify app on my Apple Watch, but it doesn’t happen when using the Apple Music app.

Here are some details about my setup:

• Spotify version: 8.9.84
• WatchOS: 8.8.1 (Series 3)

I believe the development team has likely gathered enough information from the community to begin addressing this bug. Since offline listening is the main reason I subscribe to Premium, I would like to know what steps I can take to request a discount or waiver on my subscription until this issue is resolved.

Thank you for your attention, and please let me know if you need any more information.

[astromicco]

Here I am: same problem since I received an apple watch SE second generation as a gift.
Apple Watch Version 11.0.1 (22R361)
When I download music in offline mode to my apple watch and try to play it via bluetooth (leaving my phone at home), the song after a while starts to crack until the song is unlistenable. When I change the song, it initially sounds fine and then starts the same problem that tends to amplify over time. I have tried both airpods pro and airbuds pro from samsung and the problem is the same. No problem with apple music. Updated version of spotify. I have tried everything but the problem is not solved, I think if it is not solved I will abandon spotify after years and switch to apple music.
Not to mention the inifinity of time it takes the app to download the music in offline mode, it often seems to freeze the download despite a very good connection both wifi and mobile data.

[Alanowl88]

I have the same issue since updating to Apple Watch os 11

[mgwcreative]

Hi Maria,

I hope you're doing well. I'm reaching out to check on the status of the fix for the issue we've discussed. Unfortunately, without a solution soon, I'll need to consider switching to Apple Music or another service, as I'm unable to stream Spotify on my Apple Watch at the gym.

Could you please provide an update or expected timeline? Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Michael