Spotify connection
Discussion
I've just changed my phone for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and can no longer control the app via the i-drive. It will connect and play the last track selected, but I have a blank screen on the i-drive.
My previous phone was often "hit & miss" but generally OK. Does anyone know what the problem is, I have googled the issue but not really found anything that explains the problem!
My previous phone was often "hit & miss" but generally OK. Does anyone know what the problem is, I have googled the issue but not really found anything that explains the problem!
911gone said:
How come it used to work with my previous Android phone then?
So previously you could navigate Spotify via the idrive? I doubt it. I think only the very latest version of idrive is starting to support it (basically the 7 series). I’m not just talking about bluetooth connection with next/previous/pause, but the full app with playlists, search, albums etc.SteBrown91 said:
So previously you could navigate Spotify via the idrive? I doubt it. I think only the very latest version of idrive is starting to support it (basically the 7 series). I’m not just talking about bluetooth connection with next/previous/pause, but the full app with playlists, search, albums etc.
Correct, I had full control over spotify via the i-drive, I could view my library, search by album/artist etc.What I am getting now is the basic connection allowing next/previous selections only.
911gone said:
Correct, I had full control over spotify via the i-drive, I could view my library, search by album/artist etc.
What I am getting now is the basic connection allowing next/previous selections only.
No idea how it worked before- BMW’s own site only state the full functions work for iOS.What I am getting now is the basic connection allowing next/previous selections only.
Spotify does work via the Idrive system with full feature and function, but it is very variable when it works and when it doesn't. I'd suggest mine works 5% of the time on short journies, but slightly more on long ones. It's a 2017 car and was in for a service last week. I asked about the lack of continuity and they said it's a common theme. They carried out an Idrive update for me, but still no change.
Personally I program bluetooth to my phone into the configurable buttons and the next one along I have spotify. Every now and then I hit the spotify button and it works, but mostly not. I can still listen to the playlist via bluetooth, it just means I don't get album art and can't swap from list to list.
Personally I program bluetooth to my phone into the configurable buttons and the next one along I have spotify. Every now and then I hit the spotify button and it works, but mostly not. I can still listen to the playlist via bluetooth, it just means I don't get album art and can't swap from list to list.
Edited by Gary Kinghorn on Wednesday 19th December 18:22
jjr1 said:
My Spotify has gone on the blink just recently as well. Samsung Note 9 connected fine and the spotify app had all my albums, playlists etc and now I just get a blank screen and an image of a phone on the left of that.
Very annoying !
Yep that's what I'm getting too!Very annoying !
I'm wondering if the older android (my previous phone was ~ 4 years old) works better, or if the newer phones have more "restrictions" that block access?
Very annoying. Anyway, I've now subscribed to Deezer instead and will be adding online entertainment via BMW connected. Fingers crossed....
I have experimented a lot on this and now can get full android / Spotify almost 100% of the time.
Tip 1 is to make sure both bmw connect and Spotify app are open on your phone.
Tip 2 is to make sure through app permissions that the apps can remain open / active when the phone goes on lock.
Tip 3 is the sequence of opening the apps and then turning Bluetooth on.
If it doesn't work, I find disconnecting it and then repeating steps will work.
My sense is if you have a new phone, the app permissions on your phone may not be right.
Good luck! I persisted for ages and wondered why the heck I bothered for the marginal gain. But I just wanted to conquer it.
Tip 1 is to make sure both bmw connect and Spotify app are open on your phone.
Tip 2 is to make sure through app permissions that the apps can remain open / active when the phone goes on lock.
Tip 3 is the sequence of opening the apps and then turning Bluetooth on.
If it doesn't work, I find disconnecting it and then repeating steps will work.
My sense is if you have a new phone, the app permissions on your phone may not be right.
Good luck! I persisted for ages and wondered why the heck I bothered for the marginal gain. But I just wanted to conquer it.
BeeBopp said:
I have experimented a lot on this and now can get full android / Spotify almost 100% of the time.
Tip 1 is to make sure both bmw connect and Spotify app are open on your phone.
Tip 2 is to make sure through app permissions that the apps can remain open / active when the phone goes on lock.
Tip 3 is the sequence of opening the apps and then turning Bluetooth on.
If it doesn't work, I find disconnecting it and then repeating steps will work.
My sense is if you have a new phone, the app permissions on your phone may not be right.
Good luck! I persisted for ages and wondered why the heck I bothered for the marginal gain. But I just wanted to conquer it.
What a faff! On iOS as long as the app is opened from the home screen it pretty much works every time (and often works without doing this).Tip 1 is to make sure both bmw connect and Spotify app are open on your phone.
Tip 2 is to make sure through app permissions that the apps can remain open / active when the phone goes on lock.
Tip 3 is the sequence of opening the apps and then turning Bluetooth on.
If it doesn't work, I find disconnecting it and then repeating steps will work.
My sense is if you have a new phone, the app permissions on your phone may not be right.
Good luck! I persisted for ages and wondered why the heck I bothered for the marginal gain. But I just wanted to conquer it.
But then BMW do seem to have focused on iOS especially with only offering CarPlay so no surprise really.
BeeBopp said:
I have experimented a lot on this and now can get full android / Spotify almost 100% of the time.
Is this on your 2016 6 Series?I can't get it to work on my 2015 5 Series and was under the impression it simply didn't work with Android unless you had iDrive 5. I'd imagine though that your 6 Series has the same version as mine?
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