Spotify Remote Group Sessions: How To Listen To Spotify with Friends
Imagine a scenario where you and your friends are scattered across different locations, yet you all want to experience the joy of listening to music together in real time. Thanks to Spotify’s innovative feature known as “Remote Group Sessions,” this is not only possible but also incredibly enjoyable. Whether you’re hosting a virtual listening party, sharing playlists, or simply exploring new music with your buddies, Spotify’s Group Sessions feature makes it all possible. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Spotify’s Remote Group Sessions, exploring how to set them up, troubleshoot common issues, and even discover alternative ways to enjoy synchronized music playback with your friends.
How to Listen Songs Together on Spotify?
Have you ever wanted to recreate the magic of listening to music with friends, even when you’re miles apart? Spotify’s Group Sessions feature makes it a reality. With Group Sessions, you can listen to your favorite songs, playlists, podcasts, and more simultaneously with your friends, no matter where they are located. It’s like hosting a private listening party that transcends geographical boundaries. Here’s how you can get started:
Spotify Group Session; Amplify your Music Experience with Friends
Introduced as an exclusive feature for Spotify Premium users, Group Sessions allow you to share your meticulously curated playlists and music choices with your friends and family. You can invite up to seven participants to join your Group Session, creating a shared music experience that amplifies the joy of listening to music together. Whether it’s reminiscing about old favorites or discovering new tracks, Spotify Group Sessions bring people closer through the power of music.
How to Listen Songs with Friends on Spotify Mobile: Creation of Group Session
Setting up a Group Session on Spotify is remarkably simple. If you’re using a mobile device, follow these steps to get started:
Initiate a Playback: Begin by playing a song, playlist, podcast, or any content of your choice on your Spotify app.
Connect Device: Look for the “Connect device” option within the playback screen. Tap on it to access additional options.
Start a Remote Group Session: Among the available options, you’ll find “Start a remote group session.” Select this option to initiate the Group Session.
Invite Friends: Once the Group Session is started, you’ll have two ways to invite friends: through a QR code or by sharing a link. The QR code can be scanned by your friends using their devices to join the session instantly. Alternatively, you can share the link via text message or any other preferred method.
How to Host a Group Session on Spotify
The process of hosting a Group Session is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
Start Playback: Begin by playing a song or playlist on your Spotify app.
Connect Device: Within the playback screen, tap on “Connect device” to reveal more options.
Initiate Group Session: Choose the “Start a remote group session” option to kick off the Group Session.
Invite Friends: Provide your friends with access to your Group Session by sharing either the QR code or the link. This can be done through messaging apps, social media, or any other preferred means.
How to Start a Spotify Group Session / Listening Party on PC?
While Group Sessions were initially available on mobile devices, Spotify has expanded this feature to the desktop version of the app. If you’re using a desktop computer, follow these steps to initiate a Group Session:
Install Spotify Desktop App: If you haven’t already, make sure to install the Spotify desktop application on your computer.
Choose a Song or Playlist: Select a song from your playlist or begin playing a podcast to get started.
Access Device Options: Click on the desktop icon located in the bottom-right corner of the Spotify window. This will open the device window.
Start a Group Session: Look for the “Start Session” button within the “Start a group session” section. Click on it to begin the Group Session.
Share the Link: After starting the Group Session, you’ll receive a link that you can share with your friends. Send them the link via text message, email, or any other preferred method.
Do you Know?
If you and your friends are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can easily join a Group Session without the need for a link. Open the Spotify app, click on the “Desktop” icon, and choose the speaker that your friend is using. Click on the “Join” button, and you’ll seamlessly become a part of the Group Session.
Error Joining the Group Session on Spotify PC
In some cases, you might encounter issues when trying to join a Group Session on the desktop version of Spotify. Here are some potential causes and their solutions:
Outdated App: If you’re having trouble joining a Group Session, ensure that your Spotify app is up to date. Updating the app should resolve any compatibility issues.
Free Version Limitations: Keep in mind that the Group Session feature is exclusive to Spotify Premium users. If you’re using the free version of Spotify, consider upgrading to Premium for access to this feature.
Take Over Speaker Option: If another user on the same Wi-Fi network decides to take over the speaker, it might result in participants getting kicked out of the session. If this occurs, you’ll need to start a new session to continue.
Spotify Listening Party With Friends/Group Session on Speaker
If you’re looking to take your listening party to the next level, you can utilize Spotify’s Group Session feature with smart Bluetooth speakers. This allows multiple participants to control the music playback, add or remove friends from the session, and enjoy synchronized music playback. Here’s how it works:
Join Group Session on Speaker
If you’re on the same Wi-Fi network as the host, you can easily join a Group Session on a speaker. Follow these steps:
Tap “Connect device” within the Spotify app.
Choose the speaker that your friend is using.
Select “Join session” to become part of the Group Session.
If you’re not on the same Wi-Fi network, the host or another participant can send you a QR code or link to join the session.
Add or Remove Friends from Listening Party
Part of the fun of Group Sessions is the ability to manage the participants and the music being played. Here’s how you can add or remove friends from the session:
Add Friends:
Tap the device you’re currently listening on.
Click the arrow or avatar next to it.
Select “Invite” and share a QR code or link.
Remove Friends:
Tap the arrow or avatar next to the participant’s name.
Choose “Remove all participants” or select the three dots next to their name and click “Remove from the session.”
Leave a Group Session on Speaker
If you need to exit the Group Session, follow these steps:
Tap your current device.
Choose a different device from the list of available options.
If the host leaves the session, it will end for all participants.
Things to Consider
Before hosting or joining a Group Session, there are a few important points to keep in mind:
Ensure that all participants have a Spotify Premium subscription to access the Group Session feature.
Make sure that your device and the speaker you’re using are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for a seamless experience.
Explore the various options for controlling music playback, inviting friends, and managing the session to enhance your listening party.
How to Listen to Spotify with Friends Without Premium
While Group Sessions offer an incredible way to enjoy music with friends, it’s worth noting that this feature is exclusive to Spotify Premium users. However, there’s an alternative method that allows you to listen to Spotify with friends without requiring a Premium subscription. Here’s how:
Using a Spotify Music Downloader:
Consider using a Spotify music downloader tool that can convert Spotify tracks from OGG Vorbis format to MP3 or other formats.
This tool allows you to record your favorite Spotify songs and convert them to a format that can be played offline.
By using this method, you can create a shared music experience with your friends, even if they don’t have a Spotify Premium subscription.
Music Conversion for Offline Playback:
Use the music downloader to convert Spotify content to formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, or ALAC.
This conversion process ensures that you can enjoy offline playback of Spotify songs without the need for a Premium subscription.
Share the downloaded tracks with your friends and create your own private listening party.
Spotify Group Session Alternative
While Group Sessions provide an immersive way to listen to music with friends, there are other alternatives to consider. Platforms like Discord offer the ability to connect your Spotify account and enjoy synchronized music playback while interacting with friends through text and voice chats. This creates a social listening experience that brings people together, even if they’re physically apart.
FAQS
How do I start a remote group listening session on Spotify?
To initiate a remote group listening session on Spotify, you can use the “Group Session” feature. Open the Spotify app, play a song, and tap on the “Connect” button. From there, select “Start a Group Session” and share the code with your friends to join in and listen together.
Can anyone join my Spotify Group Session with the code?
Yes, anyone with the unique code can join your Spotify Group Session as long as they have a Spotify account. It’s a great way to listen to music together, no matter where your friends are located.
How many people can participate in a Spotify Group Session?
As of my last update in September 2021, Spotify Group Sessions can accommodate up to five people, including the host. Keep in mind that this number might have changed since then, so it’s recommended to check the latest information on Spotify’s official website.
Do we all need premium accounts to use the Group Session feature?
Yes, all participants in a Spotify Group Session need to have premium accounts. The host and each friend who wants to join the session must be subscribed to Spotify Premium to access this feature.
Can we control the music during a Group Session?
During a Spotify Group Session, all participants can contribute to the playlist queue, skip tracks, and control the playback. This collaborative feature allows everyone to take turns curating the music and ensures an interactive listening experience.
