If Spotify won’t play on your iPhone or iPad, first close and reopen the app, check your connection and Offline mode, then update Spotify and iOS. Test another device or the web player before reinstalling; reinstalling removes Spotify’s offline downloads, which you’ll need to download again.
Start by identifying what is failing
Notice whether Spotify freezes or closes, opens but will not start playback, or appears to play without producing sound. The first two symptoms point to app or connection troubleshooting. If the player indicates that audio is playing but you hear nothing, check the sound and volume path using Spotify’s no-sound troubleshooting guide.
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If only some tracks are gray or unavailable, check Offline mode and network access. A track may also be unavailable in your market, so a gray track does not always mean the app is broken. Spotify outlines these possibilities in its playback troubleshooting guidance.
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1. Close and reopen Spotify
Close Spotify, open it again, and retry playback. If the app is frozen or unresponsive, force-close it before reopening. Apple recommends this as an initial step for an iPhone or iPad app that is not responding.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
2. Check Offline mode and the connection
- In Spotify, open Settings and privacy → Data-saving and offline.
- If Offline mode is on, turn it off and try playback again.
- Open another app or a web page to see whether the device can reach the internet.
- If other services also fail, switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data, or try another available network.
Spotify’s offline-mode and connection guidance also suggests toggling Wi-Fi off and back on, waiting 30 seconds, and restarting your home router if you already have one. Public or shared networks can restrict services, so testing a different connection can help distinguish a network problem from a Spotify-specific one.
3. Update Spotify, then check iOS
Look for a Spotify update in the App Store and install it if available. If Spotify has no available update, check whether iOS has an update. Apple recommends updating the app and device software when an app continues to misbehave.
Rank #2
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with Lightning Connector also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, including iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. Also works with iPad models with iPadOS.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Use another device to narrow down the cause
Try Spotify on another device or in the web player. If Spotify works there but not on this iPhone or iPad, the issue is more likely specific to the original device or app installation. If other apps also cannot connect on the iPhone, focus on its Wi-Fi or cellular connection instead.
| What you observe | What to try | What it helps identify |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify and other apps cannot reach the internet | Test another Wi-Fi or cellular connection | A connection problem rather than a Spotify-only failure |
| Spotify alone fails on this device | Try another device or Spotify’s web player | A device-specific problem versus a broader playback issue |
| Some tracks are gray | Check Offline mode, network access, and track availability in your market | An offline or connectivity issue versus a track availability issue |
| Spotify freezes or closes | Close and reopen it; then restart the device, update, and consider reinstalling | An app or device recovery path |
Reinstall Spotify only if simpler steps fail
Spotify’s quick iOS reinstall is to delete Spotify and install it again from the App Store. If playback still fails, its clean-reinstall instructions include clearing Spotify’s cache, deleting the app, restarting the iPhone, and installing Spotify again.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Before deleting the app, account for offline content: Spotify says downloaded music and podcasts must be downloaded again after reinstalling. Apple also cautions that deleting an app can remove data stored in it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check for a known outage or get help
If playback still does not work, check @SpotifyStatus and Spotify’s Community Ongoing Issues board for a known problem. If Spotify continues to fail after the app and device steps, Apple’s guidance is to contact the app developer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![2 Pack [Apple MFi Certified] Wired Headphones for iPhone 14 13 12 Pro Max](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ueJW0hVnL._SL160_.jpg)
- 【Wired Earbuds for iPhone 14 13 12】 Compatibility with lightning devices, including iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max/13/13 Mini/13 Pro/13 Pro Max/12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max/11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/SE/XS/XS Max/X/XR/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus and more lightning devices. Designed specifically for iPhone iPad series with Lightning Audio Port, with built-in decoding chip, perfectly support with all iOS systems.
- 【Remote and Microphone】 The buit-in remote in the iPhone 14 Pro Headphons wired lets you adjust the volume, control the playback, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord. The speakers inside maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, provide you high-quality audio.
- 【High-Quality Sound】 The iPhone Earbuds wired uses 100% copper core to provide lossless digital sound quality, supports 48KHz and 24-bit audio output, ensuring sound transmission stability and fidelity, allowing you to better immerse yourself in the world of music during exercise
- 【Ergonomic Design】 Ergonomic noise reduction in-ear headphones for iPhone 14 13 12, using high-quality materials, minimize the noise in the surrounding environment, and bring you a better music experience. It is suitable for your daily work, study, and sports use. Wearing it for a long time will not make you feel uncomfortable in your ears.
- 【What You Get】 2 Pack Wired Headphones for iPhone 14 13 12 11 Pro Max, a 36-month worry-free warranty and 24/7 friendly customer service. Any questions about the apple iphone headphones wired, please feel free to contact us and we will reply within 12 hours.
Rank #4
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
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