Android users lose Spotify integration with BMW's iDrive 6

CEF_Beasts · 19th August 2020, 08:12

Many Android users were caught off guard by the latest Spotify update. Prior to rolling out the new update, Spotify users were able to connect their Android-powered smartphones to BMW’s iDrive 6 infotainment system. That’s not the case anymore. Spotify has dropped support for the Apps 4 Automotive (A4A) technology which allowed the Android device to talk to the iDrive 6 system. BMW cars equipped with iDrive 7 are not affected by this update.

According to BMW, the problem is solely on Spotify’s end, but as a workaround, the Android smartphone can still be connected via Bluetooth to the car and stream the audio.*But anyone who also wants to make music selection with minimal distraction and, above all, legally via the vehicle’s infotainment system, obviously has a problem – after all, smartphone use is not allowed while

“As of July 2020, Spotify no longer supports Apps for Automotive (A4A) for Android devices,” says BMW in a statement. “iOS devices are excluded from this. Vehicles with infotainment software older than BMW Operating System 7 are affected.
Additional note: The change in function is not based on a functional restriction of the BMW Connected app or on the introduction of the new My BMW app. It is still possible to play audio directly from a mobile device in the vehicle via the Bluetooth interface.”

Some BMW owners decided to take matter in their own hands and launched a petition on the Spotify website to bring support for A4A. There is one more workaround to still have Spotify play nicely with iDrive 6. You can always download the previous June 2020 Spotify app on Android, but that could be missing the current security patches and other features.

Source: https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/08/17/a...-bmw-idrive-6/

Rehaan · 19th August 2020, 16:38

How ridiculous.

I'd imagine the #1 reason people want to connect their phone to their car is for Spotify (followed by Maps & Voice Calling).

This is why I personally hesitate to convert anything from ownership to a service (eg. Music library to Spotify) -- because quite frankly they have control of everything, especially the music library you might have taken years to carefully curate. One day they might decide that you can't access 50% of your library because of a change in licensing structure, and there's nothing you'll be able to do about it.

Google Play Music for example is shutting down entirely!

Thankfully Android makes it super simple to side-load an earlier version of Spotify:
1) Download the older Spotify APK (installer) file from the web
2) Enable 'unknown sources' in Security Settings
3) Install the APK (app)
4) Done!

19th August 2020, 08:12	#1
CEF_Beasts Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,739 Thanked: 18,063 Times	Android users lose Spotify integration with BMW's iDrive 6 Many Android users were caught off guard by the latest Spotify update. Prior to rolling out the new update, Spotify users were able to connect their Android-powered smartphones to BMW’s iDrive 6 infotainment system. That’s not the case anymore. Spotify has dropped support for the Apps 4 Automotive (A4A) technology which allowed the Android device to talk to the iDrive 6 system. BMW cars equipped with iDrive 7 are not affected by this update. According to BMW, the problem is solely on Spotify’s end, but as a workaround, the Android smartphone can still be connected via Bluetooth to the car and stream the audio.*But anyone who also wants to make music selection with minimal distraction and, above all, legally via the vehicle’s infotainment system, obviously has a problem – after all, smartphone use is not allowed while “As of July 2020, Spotify no longer supports Apps for Automotive (A4A) for Android devices,” says BMW in a statement. “iOS devices are excluded from this. Vehicles with infotainment software older than BMW Operating System 7 are affected. Additional note: The change in function is not based on a functional restriction of the BMW Connected app or on the introduction of the new My BMW app. It is still possible to play audio directly from a mobile device in the vehicle via the Bluetooth interface.” Some BMW owners decided to take matter in their own hands and launched a petition on the Spotify website to bring support for A4A. There is one more workaround to still have Spotify play nicely with iDrive 6. You can always download the previous June 2020 Spotify app on Android, but that could be missing the current security patches and other features. Source: https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/08/17/a...-bmw-idrive-6/ Attached Thumbnails
	(2) Thanks

19th August 2020, 16:38	#2
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,039 Thanked: 34,069 Times	re: Android users lose Spotify integration with BMW's iDrive 6 How ridiculous. I'd imagine the #1 reason people want to connect their phone to their car is for Spotify (followed by Maps & Voice Calling). This is why I personally hesitate to convert anything from ownership to a service (eg. Music library to Spotify) -- because quite frankly they have control of everything, especially the music library you might have taken years to carefully curate. One day they might decide that you can't access 50% of your library because of a change in licensing structure, and there's nothing you'll be able to do about it. Google Play Music for example is shutting down entirely! Thankfully Android makes it super simple to side-load an earlier version of Spotify: 1) Download the older Spotify APK (installer) file from the web 2) Enable 'unknown sources' in Security Settings 3) Install the APK (app) 4) Done! Last edited by Rehaan : 19th August 2020 at 16:41.
	(3) Thanks