Spotify Launches Its First Native App for Cars, Breaking Away from CarPlay

Spotify has unveiled its next-gen in-car app, designed specifically for Google’s Android Automotive operating system. Launching today in select Audi models, this standalone app operates directly on the vehicle’s infotainment system, eliminating the need for phone connections, Bluetooth, or aux cables.

This move signals Spotify’s ambition to step beyond the confines of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the dominant phone projection systems that many drivers rely on for media consumption. With 34% of Spotify’s monthly active users and 77% of Premium subscribers streaming music while driving, the platform they choose is increasingly significant.

The new app will debut in several Audi models, including the electric A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron, along with the gas-powered A5, Q5, and A6. Jonathan Tarlton, Spotify’s lead for automotive business development, emphasized that the app, which has been in the works for over a year, aims to create a more engaging experience that is entirely controlled by Spotify.

Previously, Spotify’s Android Automotive app functioned as a “headless” integration, where Spotify provided the backend data and music catalog, but the interface was dictated by Google’s templates. The new Audi app is “headful,” allowing Spotify to create and display its own user interface directly on the vehicle’s screens.

“We’re drawing all the pixels,” Tarlton stated. “We own the user experience. So we’re not in a template or a framework. It’s 100 percent Spotify.”

Despite this shift, Spotify remains committed to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Tarlton noting that the company is still “heavily invested” in phone projection. However, the native app is designed to compete directly with these systems. Many drivers currently rely on phone mirroring to access music and podcasts, but the new app could encourage users to engage with Spotify through the car’s operating system instead.

Tarlton explained, “We want to give users choice. We want to be wherever they are and ensure they can access Spotify in the way they prefer, whether they’re in the iOS ecosystem or using Android.”

While many enjoy the convenience of CarPlay, it does come with its drawbacks, such as unreliable wireless connections. The new app aims to alleviate these issues, providing a seamless experience without the need to wait for boot-up or screen loading times.

The native Spotify app also offers unique features that enhance the in-car experience. Passengers can scan a QR code on the screen to join a “Spotify Jam” session, allowing them to add songs to the queue from their smartphones. In vehicles equipped with a secondary passenger display, front passengers can browse content, view lyrics, and watch videos without distracting the driver. When parked or charging, motion graphics like video podcasts and lyrics can be displayed on the central screen for everyone to enjoy.

Tarlton expressed excitement about the app’s potential to foster connection among passengers, noting that it aims to bring families together in the car rather than isolating them with headphones. “I’m excited that we can bring joy to the cabin again,” he said. “It’s not just technology.”

The rollout will primarily target vehicles with Android-based systems, allowing Spotify to avoid creating separate applications for each automaker. Instead, the company can utilize a standard Android Automotive APK, distributing it through various app stores, including the Google Play Store and automaker-specific stores like the Audi Application Store.

“Our number one goal was to prevent fragmentation, not just for our sake, but for the whole industry,” Tarlton concluded. “We believe in having an open and fair place for apps to thrive — and the car is a fantastic environment for that.”