Spotify Playback changes to iPhone when AirPods Pro are connecting

Question

Spotify Playback changes to iPhone when AirPods Pro are connecting

Hi there, I have an issue with my new AirPods Pro, my iPhone XR and Spotify. In the following I want to descibe the issue and ask you kindly if you have any ideas how to solve the issue.

Problem Description:

When I am playing music with Spotify on any device (other than iPhone, without Spotify Connect) and connect the AirPods Pro to my iPhone Spotify will change the playback to my iPhone and plays the music using my AirPods Pro.

This behaviour is not desired, because I play music all day using other devices (eg. my Computer, Raspberry Pi) and want to use the iPhone and AirPods for Phone only.

What did I try to solve this problem?

I tried solving the issue in Spotify, but Spotify currently has no options available to override hardware related start and stop commands. When the AirPods connect music "autoplays" and since Spotify is the currently used music app it will start on iPhone. There is a feature request in the Spotify forum to disable autplay on app startup. See https://community.spotify.com/t5/Live-Ideas/Mobile-Bluetooth-Stop-Spotify-Autoplaying-on-App-Open/idi-p/4835090
I tried disabling "Ear Detection" in the AirPod Pro settings. This did not work for me, because this feature is another function in its own. The feature would only start/stop music, when I remove a Bud from my ears, but not disable the autoplay, when I connect the AirPods.
I looked for other related settings in the settings app and AirPod Pro settings and didn't find anything other remotely close.

What is my current workaround?

When I want to listen to Spotify on other devices and use my iPhone for Phone only I kill the Spotify app using the iPhone task manager.

What are the specs of the devices used:

iPhone XR, iOS 14.2
AirPods Pro, Version 3A283
Spotify Version 8.5.86.739

I am really happy with the quality and special functions of the AirPods Pro, but this issue is bugging me out. If you have any ideas please share them with me.

Thank you in advance!

iPhone XR

Posted on Dec 2, 2020 2:26 AM

Reply

Answer 1

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Dec 8, 2020 1:18 PM in response to Admiral_Schneider

Hi Admiral_Schneider,

Thanks for your post! It sounds like when you play audio on your iPhone it pairs your AirPods by automatically pairing and playing. We think we know what's going on here.

In the newer updates the AirPods can switch auto sources automatically. Which might be what's happening here. Learn how to disable this feature here: Switch AirPods automatically between iPhone and other devices

Hoping this helps out, take care!

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Answer 2

J Ice

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2021 2:59 PM in response to Admiral_Schneider

Can confirm

Issue exists if:

Spotify on Laptop is playing music
Spotify is running in the background on iPhone
.. if I hit next song on my laptop, the phone immediately steals the AirPod connection

Solution:

force close Spotify on the phone (Specifically happens only on Spotify)

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Answer 3

Dec 9, 2020 7:50 AM in response to chuck_3rd

Hi chuck_3rd, thank you for the reply!

Sadly the problem is not connected to switching devices. Its rather that my iPhone "autoplays" anything that's in the media playback when the AirPods connect from other devices or standby when taken from the case. I also tried using other apps by now, that connect the the media playback like apple music or vlc. They also start playing when the AirPods connect.

When I use my "workaround" and kill all apps that are connected to the media playback, of course nothing plays.

So the sequence that makes my nightmares is like this:

Any app is connected to the media playback
AirPods Connect to my iPhone
The app connected with media playback starts playing

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Spotify Playback changes to iPhone when AirPods Pro are connecting

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