Spotify on iOS10 and Kenwood Excelon DDX594

[phunkadelic2012]

Just started using a new Kenwood Excelon DDX594 in the car and running latest Spotify v8.4.3 on iOS 10.3.2 on iPhone 6+ using Bluetooth.  The Kenwood head unit has a Spotify app installed on it.  Note: this isn't a CarPlay featured head unit.  Audio plays fine, but while the Spotify app is running on the phone and connected to the Kenwood, whether playing, paused, etc.  all the interface controls are disabled.  The only thing visible on the Spotify app is just the logo and a black background.  The only way to control Spotify is via the controls on the Kenwood for pause, play, fwd, back, Library, Artist, Album, etc.  What is annoying here is the interface on the Kenwood is very slow and not nearly as featured as the Spotify iPhone app.  I would still like to use all the normal iPhone Spotify interface controls and interactions.  Is there a setting somewhere that will leave Spotify controls intact on the iPhone while streaming audio to the Kenwood?  Whether I select Spotify or Bluetooth Audio on the Kenwood, the interface on the Spotify iPhone app is disabled.  The only way to get it back is to kill the app, breaking the Bluetooth connection, and starting over.  Any info would be helpful, even if you're having the same issue but still no solution, so I know it's not just my particular setup.

[Jcalchemist]

I am having this same problem. iPhone 6S, Kenwood KDC X302. The controls through the deck are comparatively useless versus the app. This is really frustrating. 

[adhit]

yes i have the same issue, i have no problem connect from iPhone 6+ to Kenwood DDX594 and all menu show to player car media. but i can hear sound in my audio car. please help if any setting in my phone or my Player.

thks

[alvogel122]

Has anyone found a fix?

[chrssais]

I found a fix! 

Put your stereo on standby.

select "system" 

then "source select" 

then "Spotify source"

switch it to off! 

This worked for me hope it helps

[alvogel122]

On my unit, (kenwood excelon ddx594) Once i go into the system option i see no further options that say “source select”. Even after i put it in standby. Any ideas?

[phunkadelic2012]

Looks like he might be using a newer firmware version on the Kenwood because I don't have that option under System either.  Looks like Kenwood has released a new firmware version for the DDX594.  I'll update mine this afternoon and post back here whether it worked or not!

Kenwood's firmware info:

http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/mm/firmware/2017/2017b/eng.html

[alvogel122]

I have updated my firmware as directed yet i still see no “source select” option after i go into system.

[phunkadelic2012]

Same here... updated to the latest Kenwood firmware and I don’t see that
option either. That guy must have a different model than ours 😞

[sekay1994]

Did you have any luck sorting this out? currently having the exact same problem. I've got the the DDX4017BT and using iOS 10.1 (for jailbreak purposes). The spotify app on the headunit is just **bleep** to use by comparison!

[alvogel122]

No, I have just been able to cope with it. Wish there was a way to pick a specific song on the head unit but even that feels clunky.

[phunkadelic2012]

Nope, still no good solution.  Yep, all of the Spotify functionality that is found on the Kenwood is tragic.  It's poorly implemented and the processing power dedicated to this app on the Kenwood is lacking.  It will never be as useful or functional as the Spotify iOS app.  The workaround I've been using is picking the regular bluetooth audio source on the Kenwood, keeping my finger near the regular bluetooth audio source icon on the Kenwood, then starting the Spotify app on the iPhone and as soon as the Kenwood beeps, indicating it's switching to the Spotify audio source, I hit the regular bluetooth audio source icon again.  This generally keeps the Spotify app on the iPhone from going into the "locked" mode and still allows me to get audio and use the iOS Spotify app normally.  Occasionally switching like this takes a couple tries, sometimes I have to kill the iOS Spotify app and restart it.  A few times the Kenwood gets totally confused and won't do anything bluetooth related, which is pretty sad, and I have to power it all the way off and back on again.  Meh ...  😞 

[alvogel122]

So, with frequent troubleshooting, I have found somewhat of a fix, more of work around. I am on IOS 11 and as stated above many times, all phone control goes away when you plug your iPhone into the head unit, via a lightning cable. If you have ever looked in your Spotify app's settings, you may have noticed a "Waze" option under the Social tab. So really my work around just revolves around this app's function. To do this, download the app from the AppStore and connect your Spotify account to the app (you may have to give it permissions to use your location). Now, when you want to listen to music in your car, what I have found works best, is to start playing whatever song you want before you plug your phone in, then proceed to plug it in. Now in order for this to work, you must have Waze enabled in your Spotify app's settings. When you plug in your phone your screen should go mostly grey with a Spotify logo right in the middle. Now, instead of just that, there should also be a blue banner that comes down from the top dealing with Waze (you may have tinker with some settings in Waze to get it all working properly, I don't remember exactly what I did). Click on that banner and it should take you to the Waze app. Wait for it to load and until you see a small green Spotify logo near the top right corner. Click on that and it should bring down a menu from the top of the screen. Hit the large "Resume Playing" green button right at the bottom of that menus, and this should take you back to Spotify and pop up with an authorizing icon or something of that nature. Now, once that is down it will automatically take you back to Waze, in which now you should go back to the drop-down menu, (it may still be up from the previous time) and you should click "Go to" [Spotify] in the top right corner. This should allow you to browse through your Spotify app just as you would normally. Hope this helps!

[evdude123]

Anyone figure out a way to fix this yet, its extremely inconvient.  I tried the Waze workaround and yes it works, but it is a pain to do it.