Taming the Tunes: How to Stop Autoplay on Spotify

Want to control your Spotify listening experience and banish the unexpected playlists that kick in after your carefully curated selection ends? You’re not alone. Autoplay, while sometimes a welcome feature for discovering new music, can quickly become a disruptive annoyance. Fear not, music lover! Here’s how to take the reins and stop autoplay on Spotify across various platforms:

The primary method for disabling autoplay is surprisingly straightforward. On both the Spotify desktop application and the mobile app (iOS and Android), simply navigate to the playback settings. Look for a toggle labeled “Autoplay” or “Autoplay Similar Songs“. Switching this toggle OFF will prevent Spotify from automatically playing music after your current queue or playlist finishes. Consider it your personal “DJ control” button. Once disabled, Spotify will simply stop playing, allowing you to decide what comes next.

Diving Deeper: Autoplay Control Across Devices

While the core method remains consistent, subtle differences exist based on the device you’re using. Let’s explore these nuances:

Stopping Autoplay on Desktop (Windows/macOS)

1. Open the Spotify application on your computer.
2. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Scroll down until you find the “Autoplay” toggle, usually located under the “Playback” section.
5. Toggle it to the OFF position. You’ve successfully silenced the uninvited DJ.

Stopping Autoplay on Mobile (iOS/Android)

1. Open the Spotify mobile app.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen (or the settings cog icon).
3. Select “Settings” (or “Playback” within Settings, depending on your app version).
4. Locate the “Autoplay” or “Autoplay Similar Songs” option.
5. Toggle it to the OFF position. Enjoy the sweet sound of silence (until you choose otherwise).

Stopping Autoplay on Spotify Web Player

The web player follows a similar logic to the desktop app.

1. Open the Spotify Web Player in your browser.
2. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Scroll down until you find the “Autoplay” toggle, usually located under the “Playback” section.
5. Toggle it to the OFF position. You’ve silenced autoplay.

Autoplay FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the ins and outs of Spotify’s autoplay feature:

1. Does disabling autoplay affect all my devices?

No, autoplay settings are device-specific. This means you’ll need to disable autoplay on each device (desktop, mobile, web player) individually. It’s a bit tedious, but it provides granular control.

2. Why is autoplay still happening even after I disabled it?

Several reasons could explain this. First, double-check that you disabled autoplay on the specific device you’re using. Secondly, ensure that you’re not confusing “Autoplay” with features like “Queue” or “Radio“. If you’ve added songs to your queue or started a radio station based on a song, those will continue playing until the queue is empty or you end the radio session. Finally, ensure your app is updated. Outdated versions can sometimes exhibit buggy behavior.

3. What is “Spotify Radio” and how does it relate to autoplay?

Spotify Radio is a feature that creates a continuous playlist based on a song, artist, or playlist you select. Think of it as an AI DJ curating music similar to your initial choice. It’s distinct from the basic autoplay function. Even with autoplay disabled, Spotify Radio will continue playing. To stop it, you need to manually end the radio session.

4. Can I disable autoplay for only specific playlists?

Unfortunately, Spotify doesn’t offer granular control over autoplay on a per-playlist basis. It’s an all-or-nothing setting. You either disable autoplay entirely or allow it for all playback.

5. Is there a way to make Spotify only play the songs I’ve specifically chosen?

Yes! This is achieved by disabling autoplay and clearing your queue. Ensure that you haven’t accidentally added extra songs to the queue. When autoplay is off and the queue is empty, Spotify will stop playing after the last song in your initially selected playlist or album.

6. I use Spotify Connect to play music on my smart speaker. How does autoplay work in that scenario?

When using Spotify Connect, the autoplay setting of the device initiating the connection applies. For example, if you’re controlling Spotify on your smart speaker from your phone, the autoplay setting on your phone will determine whether music continues after the initial selection.

7. Does Spotify Premium affect autoplay settings?

No, your Spotify subscription tier (Free or Premium) doesn’t impact the availability or functionality of the autoplay setting. The method for disabling autoplay remains the same regardless of your subscription.

8. Can I schedule when autoplay is active or inactive?

Spotify doesn’t offer a scheduling feature for autoplay. It’s a simple on/off toggle. You’ll need to manually adjust the setting as needed.

9. I’m using a third-party Spotify client. Will these instructions still work?

While the core concept of an autoplay setting should be present, third-party Spotify clients might have variations in their interface and settings. These instructions are primarily tailored for the official Spotify application. Consult the documentation or settings of your specific third-party client for precise instructions.

10. Is there a keyboard shortcut to disable autoplay?

Unfortunately, Spotify doesn’t offer a dedicated keyboard shortcut for toggling autoplay. You’ll need to navigate to the settings menu to adjust it.

11. Autoplay keeps turning back on by itself! What’s happening?

This is unusual. First, ensure that no one else is accessing your Spotify account and changing the settings. If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password immediately. Second, try completely reinstalling the Spotify app. This can sometimes resolve persistent bugs or glitches. Finally, contact Spotify support directly. They may be able to identify specific issues with your account or device.

12. Will disabling autoplay impact how Spotify discovers new music for me?

Disabling autoplay primarily affects the automatic continuation of music after your selection ends. It doesn’t directly impact Spotify’s algorithms for recommending new music through features like “Discover Weekly” or “Release Radar.” These recommendations are based on your overall listening habits and preferences, not solely on whether autoplay is enabled. You can still actively explore new music through these personalized playlists and manually add songs to your library or playlists.