The day that millions of users have been waiting for is finally here: You can control Spotify on your iPhone or iPad using Siri.
Simply grab the just-released Spotify update and you can tell Siri to play music or podcasts by adding “on Spotify” to the end of your command. It works on iPhone and iPad, and when using Siri with AirPods connected to those devices. It does not work natively on HomePod (you can’t install Spotify or any other app on HomePod); you have to use AirPlay, just as you’ve always been able to.
Want to hear Green Day? Say, “Hey Siri, play Green Day on Spotify.” Looking for a particular song? “Hey Siri, play Holiday on Spotify” will work just fine. You can queue up artists, songs, and playlists just as you would expect to.
Siri support does include podcasts on Spotify, but you have to specify that you’re looking for one or Spotify will assume it’s music. For example, when I said, “Play The Daily on Spotify” I was treated to Spotify’s “Daily Lift” music playlist. If I instead said, “Play The Daily podcast on Spotify,” I would get the expected daily news podcast from The New York Times.
Apple TV, too!
Spotify’s got more treats in store for users of Apple’s platforms. After what seems like forever, Spotify is finally available on Apple TV. Log in using a code on the web and all your playlists, albums, and podcasts will be there.
Unfortunately, Siri support does not extend to Apple TV. If you want to use Siri to command Spotify and play it back through your Apple TV, you’ll need to play it on your iPhone or iPad and use AirPlay—just as on HomePod.
Author: Jason Cross, Senior Editor
I have written about technology for my entire professional life - over 25 years. I enjoy learning about how complicated technology works and explaining it in a way anyone can understand.