Spotify app on family set up apple watch

[Neevilturtle]

I got my daughter an apple watch 7 with cell service. It looks like as of a few days ago, I should have the ability to add the app to her watch so she can play music from there directly without a phone. It still won't let me download it on her watch. 

Plan

Premium family

Country

USA

Device

Apple Watch 7 with cellular and GPS

Operating System

Watch OS 10.5

[Susan_GP]

Hi there @Neevilturtle,

Thanks for reaching out to the Community and welcome!

We recommend checking out this thread where we have all the necessary info about how to get Spotify on the Apple Watch and how it works. Follow the steps in the section 'How to get Spotify on your Apple Watch?'. If you're following those specifics and still have issues installing the app on the watch, let us know what exactly happens when you try to do it.

If you get any error messages, send a picture or video recording so we can check it out. You can attach it in your next reply in mp4 format, or you can also upload it to YouTube or Google Drive and make it public.

You can also check out this article from our Support site.

We'll be here.

[mitch2711]

The solution listed here explains how to add Spotify to an Apple watch that is connected to its own iphone.  But the person who asked this comment (and also I) need to install in on an Apple Watch for a child that does not have their own iphone,  Apple watch for kids allows you to set up your kids' watch on your own iphone, but it is not clear how to add spotify to their list of watch apps.  any answers?

[Ivelina]

Welcome to the thread @mitch2711.

We understand where you're coming from, but at the moment Spotify doesn't have a standalone Apple Watch app and in order for each user to be able to listen to Spotify on their watch, they need to have an iPhone paired with it first. This is because there can be only one stream of music (music can play on one device at a time) with one account.

We really appreciate your feedback on the functionality of the Spotify app on Apple Watch. Right now, this is how the app works, but we're always looking for ways to improve and offer better functions.

It looks like there are other users that share the same thoughts and there's currently an Idea which you can vote for in order to show your support, as well as post any comments you may have. Keep in mind that the more kudos it gathers, the more likely it is for it to be implemented.

Don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can help out with 🙂

[Bvgillis]

I am in the same situation. I bought an apple watch for my son because he isn't quite ready for the responsibility of a smartphone. But he does have a Spotify account as part of my family plan and I would like to be able to install Spotify on his watch. This would be a huge benefit for us. 

I have been a Spotify subscriber for many, many years. 

I know that Spotify can stream music on apple watch without an iPhone. Why isn't there a standalone app? Could you please let me know if this functionality is coming? There are many people in this situation and if you Google "How can I install Spotify on apple watch in family setup mode?" You will find countless people looking for this functionality. 

Thank you. 

[Madvillain11]

Same boat here. This is a potential deal breaker for us. Long time Spotify Family users and may have to switch to Apple Music because of this issue. 

[Mr101]

My daughter do have her own phone, with her Spotify (family) account, but because the Apple Watch is setup as a child watch connected primarily with my iphone, it doesn’t seem possible for her to activate her Spotify on her Apple Watch.

Do we need to consider Apple Music at this point. Music is a deal breaker for my daughter.

[on_family_plan]

> This is because there can be only one stream of music (music can play on one device at a time) with one account.

I'm somewhat disappointed with Spotify's response here, Apple music manages to have a standalone music app which works just fine. 

An Apple watch set up as a child watch is essentially useless without an internet connection! So Spotify can easily verify there is only one device streaming. 

Generally with tech, I have a lot of patience as it takes time for features to roll out. However, not having music brings forward the day when the kid will need a phone, which I'm trying to delay long as possible. The other thing is - I am personally logged into spotify on multiple devices, and spotify allows them to play music, long as they periodically can go on the internet to verify the account status. I don't see why standalone kids watch can't do the same.

My solution, in case some other Spotify Family user is reading:
I am switching to Apple Music Family plan from Spotify's Family plan. In my country, that is saving me a whole $4 a month! Which is not nothing.

[clemsontiger]

I’ll be having the same issue soon. Plan to set up a standalone watch and have a Spotify family plan. If I can’t get it to work I may be canceling my Spotify plan…. I wonder if I could set it up using an old iPhone or if it requires the iPhone to have cellular or not?

the answer given doesn’t make sense to me. I’ll be using a separate Apple ID and a separate Spotify login so the watch will be the only device streaming music ever.