What you need before you start
To connect Spotify to Alexa, you need three things: a Spotify account (free or paid), an Amazon account, and an Alexa device like an Echo speaker or Echo Dot. The connection happens through the Alexa app on your phone or through Amazon's website — you do not set it up on the speaker itself.
If you do not have Spotify yet, you can create a free account at spotify.com. The free version has ads and some playback limits, but it works with Alexa. Your Amazon account is the one you use to log into Alexa, and your Alexa device must already be set up and connected to your home Wi-Fi.
The whole process takes about five minutes. Once it is done, you can say things like "Alexa, play jazz on Spotify" or "Alexa, play my Discover Weekly playlist" without touching your phone.
Key Takeaways
- You connect Spotify through the Alexa app or Amazon.com, not through the speaker itself.
- The Alexa app asks for your Spotify username and password to link the two accounts.
- After linking, you can play any Spotify content by voice command on any Alexa device in your home.
- If voice commands do not work, check that Spotify is set as your default music service in the Alexa app.
Connecting through the Alexa app on your phone
Open the Alexa app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. Then tap Music and Podcasts.
You will see a list of music services. Find Spotify and tap it. The app will ask you to log in with your Spotify username and password. Enter them and tap Log In. A screen will appear asking Alexa to access your Spotify account — tap Agree to confirm.
Once you see a checkmark next to Spotify, the connection is complete. You can now close the app and start using voice commands.
Connecting through Amazon.com on a computer
If you prefer to use a computer, go to alexa.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account. Click Settings in the left menu, then click Music and Podcasts.
Find Spotify in the list and click Enable. You will be taken to a Spotify login page. Enter your Spotify username and password, then click Agree when asked to let Alexa access your account. Once you see a confirmation message, the connection is done.
Setting Spotify as your default music service
After connecting Spotify, you should set it as your default so Alexa plays from Spotify when you do not specify which service to use. Open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Music and Podcasts. Tap Default Music Services.
You will see options for different types of music — songs, playlists, stations, and podcasts. Tap each one and select Spotify from the dropdown menu. This way, when you say "Alexa, play rock music," it will use Spotify instead of asking which service you want.
Using voice commands with Spotify
Once Spotify is connected and set as default, you can control playback entirely by voice. Say things like:
- "Alexa, play my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify"
- "Alexa, play jazz on Spotify"
- "Alexa, play the song [song name]"
- "Alexa, pause" or "Alexa, resume"
- "Alexa, next song" or "Alexa, previous song"
- "Alexa, turn up the volume" or "Alexa, turn down the volume"
You do not need to say "on Spotify" every time if you set it as your default service — just say "Alexa, play [artist or playlist name]" and it will use Spotify automatically.
What to do if the connection is not working
If voice commands are not playing Spotify, first check that Spotify is actually connected. Open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Music and Podcasts, and look for a checkmark next to Spotify. If there is no checkmark, the connection failed and you need to repeat the linking steps.
If Spotify is connected but voice commands are not working, make sure it is set as your default music service. Go to Settings > Music and Podcasts > Default Music Services and select Spotify for each category. If you have multiple Alexa devices, you may need to set the default separately for each one.
If the Alexa app will not let you log in to Spotify, try resetting your Spotify password at spotify.com, then disconnect and reconnect Spotify in the Alexa app. Sometimes an old password or a special character in your password causes the login to fail.
Playing music on specific Alexa devices
If you have more than one Alexa device, you can send music to a specific speaker by saying the device name. For example, "Alexa, play jazz on Spotify in the kitchen" will play on your kitchen Echo, not your bedroom one.
You can also use the Alexa app to send music to a specific device. Open the app, tap the device icon at the top, select which Alexa device you want to use, and then ask for music. The command will go to that device only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a paid Spotify account to use it with Alexa?
No. Spotify Free works with Alexa, though you will hear ads between songs. Spotify Premium removes ads and gives you better sound quality, but it is not required to connect or use voice commands.
Can I use Spotify on multiple Alexa devices at the same time?
You can play Spotify on different devices in different rooms, but not the same song on multiple devices at once. If you try to play music on a second device while music is already playing on another, the first one will stop.
What if I forget my Spotify password?
Go to spotify.com, click Log In, then click Forgot your password? Spotify will send a reset link to your email. Once you reset it, disconnect Spotify from Alexa and reconnect using your new password.
Can I control Spotify on Alexa from my phone while I am away from home?
Yes. As long as your Alexa device is connected to Wi-Fi and your phone has internet, you can use the Alexa app to send commands to your speaker from anywhere. Open the app, select your device, and give voice commands or tap the play controls.
Why does Alexa keep asking which music service I want?
Spotify is probably not set as your default music service. Open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Music and Podcasts > Default Music Services, and select Spotify for songs, playlists, stations, and podcasts. After that, Alexa will use Spotify without asking.