[Updated] PSA: Apple watchOS 9 update breaks Spotify streaming, company warns users from upgrading (workaround inside)

Here’s the crux of the article in video form:

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on September 13, 2022) follows:

watchOS 9 is the latest software update for Apple smart watches. The software comes with various new features, improvements and optimizations.

However, it seems that watchOS 9 update didn’t just bring good things with it. Some users have started to detect the first issues that negatively impact the general experience.

One of those issues is related to the Apple Watch integration with Spotify. According to multiple reports, the new watchOS 9 update breaks the watch’s Spotify streaming capability.

Apple watchOS 9 update breaks Spotify streaming

Some users are reporting the issue where Spotify streaming is not working properly on Apple Watch after its latest update.

It seems that a bug in watchOS 9 causes the Spotify streaming feature on the Apple Watch to behave erratically.

Reports mention issues like streaming suddenly stopping after a few seconds or music stopping when skipping a song.

I know that WatchOS 9 is still in beta but as we are already on b7 this issue might make it into the production version. When streaming Spotify with the AppleWatch to AirPod Pros the following issues appear:

– the stream stops after approx. 30s
– when skipping a track, the song progress bar continues to decrease, but you cannot hear the stream
– this happens with both, Wi-Fi and Cellular connections
– it works fine with downloaded content, so its not related to the AirPods.

Hope this known and worked on.
Source

Upgraded working setup to iOS 9 using airpod pros and it plays 1 song and then stops. Can force close app on watch and will play one song again and then quit. Tried on Wi-Fi and on lte. Exact same issue. Everything up to date as of today.
Source

Official acknowledgment, potential workaround

The Spotify team is already aware of the issue in question and recommended users to avoid installing the update until Apple implements a fix.

Hey everyone.

Apple WatchOS 9 introduces a bug that will cause Spotify streaming on the Apple Watch to stop working. We encourage Spotify Apple Watch users to not install the WatchOS 9 update until Apple implements a fix.

In the meantime, the Spotify team also recommended a workaround for those who have already upgraded their watches:

Users already affected can instead download their content to their Apple Watch and listen offline or stream from their phones. Thanks for understanding.
Source

We will update this story once new relevant events on the matter emerge in the future.

Update 1 (September 16, 2022)

09:48 am (IST): One of those affected has confirmed that this issue has been resolved in the watchOS 9.1 beta. Hence, you can wait for the stable version or enroll for beta program to get it fixed.

NOTE: You can also check our Spotify bugs and issues tracker.

Featured image: Apple

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