What connecting Spotify to Instagram actually does
When you connect Spotify to Instagram, you're linking your Spotify account so that Instagram can read what you're currently playing. This lets you add a music sticker to Stories or Reels — a small box showing the song name, artist, and a 15-second preview clip. The connection does not give Instagram access to your Spotify password or payment information. It only reads your listening activity, and only when you choose to add music to a post.
The music sticker appears as a small square you can tap and drag around your Story or Reel, just like any other sticker. When someone views your post, they can tap the sticker to hear the preview, see the full song details, or jump directly to that song in Spotify if they have the app installed.
This is different from Instagram's built-in music library, which has thousands of licensed songs you can add without connecting anything. The Spotify connection is useful if you want to share something you're listening to right now, or if a song you want isn't in Instagram's library.
Key Takeaways
- You connect Spotify to Instagram through Instagram's settings, not through Spotify — look for "Linked Accounts" in your Instagram settings menu.
- Instagram needs permission to see what you're playing on Spotify, which you grant by logging into Spotify when Instagram asks.
- Once connected, you add music to Stories or Reels by tapping the sticker icon and selecting the Spotify music option.
- You can disconnect Spotify from Instagram at any time through the same Linked Accounts menu, and Instagram will stop showing your listening activity.
How to connect Spotify to Instagram on your phone
Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right, and select Settings and privacy. Scroll down and tap Linked accounts. You should see Spotify listed as an option — tap it.
Instagram will open Spotify's login page. Enter your Spotify username or email and password, then tap Log in. Spotify will then ask you to confirm that you want to allow Instagram to access your listening activity. Read the permissions shown — Instagram is asking to see what you're currently playing — and tap Agree or Allow. You'll return to Instagram, and Spotify should now appear as connected in your Linked accounts list.
If you don't see Spotify in the Linked accounts menu, make sure you're using the latest version of Instagram. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Instagram, and tap Update if an update is available. Then return to Settings and privacy and try again.
Adding a Spotify music sticker to Stories
Open Instagram and tap the plus icon or swipe left to start a new Story. Take a photo or video, or select one from your camera roll. Once you're on the editing screen, look for the sticker icon — it looks like a square smiley face — and tap it. Scroll through the sticker options until you see Spotify, then tap it.
Instagram will show you what's currently playing on your Spotify account. If nothing is playing, start playing a song in Spotify first, wait a few seconds, then return to Instagram and try again. Once a song appears, tap it to add the sticker to your Story. You can then drag it around, resize it, or rotate it like any other sticker. When you're done editing, tap Your Story to post it.
The sticker will show the song name, artist name, and a small album cover. People who view your Story can tap the sticker to hear a preview or open the song in Spotify.
Adding Spotify music to Reels
Open Instagram and tap the plus icon, then select Reel. Record or upload your video. Once you're on the editing screen, look for the music icon — it looks like a musical note — and tap it. This opens Instagram's music library. At the top, you should see a Spotify tab or option. Tap it to see songs from your Spotify account.
Select the song you want to use. Instagram will add it to your Reel and let you trim it to the length you need. You can also add a music sticker on top of the Reel audio if you want — follow the same sticker steps as you would for a Story. Finish editing and tap Share to post your Reel.
If you don't see a Spotify tab in the music library, your accounts may not be fully connected yet. Return to Settings and privacy, check that Spotify still shows as linked, and disconnect and reconnect it if needed.
What to do if the connection isn't working
If Spotify isn't showing up in your Linked accounts menu, or if you connect it but the music sticker doesn't appear, try these steps in order. First, make sure both apps are fully updated. Open your app store, search for Instagram, and tap Update if available. Do the same for Spotify. Then close both apps completely and reopen them.
If that doesn't work, disconnect and reconnect. Go to Settings and privacy, tap Linked accounts, find Spotify, and tap Remove or Disconnect. Wait 30 seconds, then follow the connection steps again. Make sure you're logged into the correct Spotify account — if you have multiple accounts, Spotify may have logged you into a different one than you expected.
If you're still not seeing the Spotify sticker option after reconnecting, check that you have permission enabled. On iPhone, go to your phone's Settings app, scroll down to Instagram, and make sure Spotify is toggled on under the Permissions section. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find Instagram, tap Permissions, and toggle on any permission related to music or media.
How to disconnect Spotify from Instagram
If you no longer want Instagram to see your Spotify listening activity, you can disconnect them. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and select Settings and privacy. Scroll to Linked accounts and tap it. Find Spotify in the list and tap it, then select Remove, Disconnect, or Unlink depending on your phone's version.
Instagram will ask you to confirm. Tap Remove or Confirm. Spotify will now be disconnected, and Instagram will no longer be able to see what you're playing. Any Spotify stickers you've already added to Stories or Reels will remain, but they may show as unavailable or display an error if someone tries to tap them after a few days.
You can reconnect Spotify to Instagram at any time by following the connection steps again. Disconnecting does not affect your Spotify account or your Instagram account — it only stops the two apps from sharing information.
Privacy and what Instagram can see
When you connect Spotify to Instagram, Instagram can see what song you're currently playing and basic information about it — the title, artist, and album. Instagram cannot see your Spotify password, payment method, saved playlists, or listening history. It only reads your current activity in real time.
If you're concerned about privacy, remember that connecting Spotify is optional. You can still add music to Stories and Reels using Instagram's built-in music library, which doesn't require any connection. The Spotify connection is only useful if you want to share what you're listening to right now, and you can disconnect it whenever you want.
Both Spotify and Instagram have their own privacy policies that explain how they handle your data. If you want to know more about what information is shared, you can read those policies in each app's settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a Spotify song to my Instagram post if I don't connect my accounts?
Yes. Instagram has its own music library with thousands of licensed songs. You can search for and add any of those songs to Stories or Reels without connecting Spotify. The Spotify connection is only necessary if you want to add a song that isn't in Instagram's library, or if you want to share what you're currently playing.
Will my followers see my Spotify listening history?
No. Your followers only see the songs you choose to add to Stories or Reels. Instagram does not share your full listening history or your Spotify profile with anyone. Only the specific songs you manually add to posts are visible.
What happens to Spotify stickers if I disconnect my accounts?
Stickers you've already posted will remain on your Stories or Reels, but they may stop working after a few days. People won't be able to tap them to hear the preview or open the song in Spotify. If you reconnect your accounts later, the stickers should work again.
Can I use Spotify music on Instagram if I have a free Spotify account?
Yes. You don't need a Spotify Premium subscription to connect your account to Instagram or to add Spotify music to Stories and Reels. The connection works with both free and paid Spotify accounts.
Why does Instagram keep asking me to reconnect Spotify?
This usually happens if you haven't used the Spotify sticker in a while, or if you've updated one of the apps. Try disconnecting and reconnecting again. If it keeps happening, make sure both apps are fully updated and that you have enough storage space on your phone.