The basic steps to link Spotify and Alexa
To connect Spotify to Alexa, open the Alexa app on your phone, go to More (the three horizontal lines), select Settings, then Music and Podcasts. Tap Link New Service and choose Spotify from the list. You'll be asked to sign in with your Spotify username and password. Once you do, Alexa will confirm the connection and you can start playing music by voice command.
The whole process takes about two minutes. After linking, you can say things like "Alexa, play jazz on Spotify" or "Alexa, play my Discover Weekly playlist" and the music will play through your Echo device or any other Alexa speaker in your home.
If you have a Spotify Premium account, you get the full experience — you can skip songs, play specific tracks, and control playback. If you use the free version of Spotify, you can still play music through Alexa, but you'll hear ads and can't skip as freely.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Alexa app, go to Settings, then Music and Podcasts, and select Link New Service to find Spotify.
- You'll sign in with your Spotify username and password, and the connection happens when ready.
- After linking, you control music by voice — say "Alexa, play [artist or playlist name] on Spotify".
- Spotify Premium gives you full control including skipping; the free version works but includes ads and limited skipping.
- You can set Spotify as your default music service so you don't have to say "on Spotify" every time.
Setting Spotify as your default music service
Once Spotify is linked, you can make it your default so Alexa plays from Spotify whenever you ask for music without naming the service. In the Alexa app, go back to Settings > Music and Podcasts and look for Default Music Services. Set Spotify as your default for both music and stations.
This means you can say "Alexa, play The Beatles" instead of "Alexa, play The Beatles on Spotify" — Alexa will automatically use Spotify. You can still override this by naming a different service in your command.
Controlling playback with voice commands
Once connected, you have several ways to control what plays. You can request a specific song ("Alexa, play 'Blinding Lights' on Spotify"), an artist ("Alexa, play Adele on Spotify"), a playlist ("Alexa, play my Liked Songs"), or a mood-based station ("Alexa, play chill music on Spotify").
For playback control, use commands like "Alexa, pause," "Alexa, resume," "Alexa, next song," or "Alexa, previous song." You can also adjust volume with "Alexa, set volume to 5" or "Alexa, turn it up." On Spotify Premium, you can skip freely. On the free version, you're limited to a certain number of skips per hour.
Troubleshooting a broken connection
If Spotify stops working with Alexa, the fastest fix is to unlink and reconnect. In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Music and Podcasts, find Spotify in the list, and tap the three dots next to it. Select Unlink, then wait 30 seconds and link it again using the same steps as the initial setup.
If that doesn't work, make sure both your Alexa app and Spotify app are updated to their latest versions. Restart your Echo device by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If you're still having trouble, check that your Spotify account is active and hasn't been suspended for inactivity.
Using Spotify across multiple Alexa devices
Once you link Spotify to your Amazon account, it works on all your Alexa devices — you don't have to link it separately to each Echo speaker. You can play music on any device by saying "Alexa, play [song] on Spotify" and it will play on whichever device you're speaking to.
If you have multiple people in your household with their own Amazon accounts, each person can link their own Spotify account to their profile in the Alexa app. That way, when someone says "Alexa, play my music," it plays from their own Spotify library and recommendations.
What to do if you don't have a Spotify account yet
You need a Spotify account — either free or Premium — to connect to Alexa. If you don't have one, go to spotify.com and create an account. You can use your email address, Facebook account, or Apple ID to sign up. The free version is available when ready; Premium requires a paid subscription.
Once your Spotify account exists, follow the linking steps above. You don't need to read the Spotify app on your phone to use it with Alexa, though having the app makes it easier to manage playlists and see what's playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Spotify with Alexa if I have a family plan?
Yes. If you're on a Spotify Family plan, each family member can link their own Spotify account to their Alexa profile. Each person's music, playlists, and recommendations will play when they ask Alexa to play their music.
What happens if my Spotify subscription expires?
If your Premium subscription ends and you downgrade to free, Alexa will still work with Spotify, but you'll hear ads and have limited skipping. If you cancel Spotify entirely, the connection stays linked but won't play anything — you'll need to reactivate your Spotify account to use it again.
Can I play Spotify on multiple Echo devices at the same time?
Not with a single voice command. Each Echo device plays independently. However, if you have an Echo device with a screen, you can use Spotify Connect to send music to other speakers in your home from the Spotify app itself, separate from Alexa voice control.
Why does Alexa say it can't find a song I'm asking for?
Spotify may not have that exact song, or Alexa may have misheard your request. Try saying the song title and artist name clearly, or use the Spotify app to find the exact title and try again. Some very new or very obscure songs may not be on Spotify yet.
Do I need Spotify Premium to use Alexa?
No. The free version of Spotify works with Alexa, though you'll hear ads between songs and can skip fewer times per hour. Premium removes ads and gives you unlimited skipping, which makes voice control more convenient.