How to Set Up Spotify on Alexa: Link, Default and Podcasts (2026)

Asking Alexa to play your favourite playlist while you work, cook or tidy the studio is one of those small conveniences that makes the day smoother. It takes a few minutes to link Spotify to Alexa, and after that you rarely have to touch anything. I've followed Spotify's own help page for the steps below.

One thing to know before you start. Spotify's help marks this page as being for Premium. If you're on the free version, check what your account can do before you spend time on the setup.

Which devices work when you set up Spotify on Alexa

Spotify's help lists these devices for Alexa:

• Amazon Echo
• Amazon Echo Dot
• Amazon Echo Spot
• Amazon Echo Show
• Amazon Tap
• Amazon Fire TV Cube
• Facebook Portal and Portal+
• All Sonos players

If your speaker isn't on that list, check Spotify's help and Amazon's support pages before you assume it'll work. Spotify also reminds you that you can only play on one device at a time per account, so the music will stop elsewhere when Alexa starts.

What to have ready before you set up Spotify on Alexa

• The Alexa app installed on your phone and signed in to your Amazon account.
• Your Spotify login details to hand, because you'll be asked for them during linking.
• A device from Spotify's supported list switched on and connected to your home or office network.
• Spotify Premium on the account you're linking, since Spotify's help marks this page as being for Premium.

Having these ready saves a lot of back and forth. A common snag is the wrong account being signed in, such as a personal one on a work speaker or the other way round.

Linking your Spotify account in the Alexa app

1. Open the Alexa app on your phone.
2. Tap More, and then Settings.
3. Under Alexa Preferences, select Music & Podcasts.
4. Select Link New Service.
5. Select Spotify and follow the on-screen instructions.

Spotify says linked music services are listed under Manage Services in the same area. Check Spotify appears there before you move on. The login screens belong to Spotify, so enter your details only there and never share your password with anyone who offers to help.

Making Spotify your default music service on Alexa

Linking gets Spotify into Alexa. Making it your default means you can ask for music without naming the service each time.

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap More, and then Settings.
3. Under Alexa Preferences, select Music & Podcasts.
4. Tap Your Default Services.
5. Select Spotify and tap Done.

Now try something like 'Alexa, play Discover Weekly', which is the example Spotify's help gives. For other voice commands, Spotify points to Amazon's help site, because the commands belong to Alexa.

Playing podcasts on Alexa with Spotify

Here's a detail that trips people up. Spotify's help says you still need to say 'on Spotify' at the end of commands to play podcasts, even after you've set Spotify as the default. Music works without it, podcasts need the extra words.

If you listen to industry podcasts while you work, it's worth building that habit. And if you want to understand why audio is such a good fit for busy people, my piece on why podcasts help so many people relax and sleep explores it.

Using your own playlists with Spotify on Alexa

Once Spotify is linked, it helps to have playlists you'd like to ask for by name. Short, clear playlist names are easier for Alexa to recognise than long ones. If you haven't built any yet, my guide to making a playlist on Spotify takes you through it.

This is also a neat idea for small businesses: a playlist called something simple like Shop Hours or Studio Focus can be started with one sentence, with no phones passed around.

Common mix-ups when linking Spotify to Alexa

• Linking and default are separate steps. Linking connects the account, and Your Default Services decides which service Alexa uses when you don't name one.
• Podcasts need 'on Spotify' at the end of the command, even when Spotify is your default.
• Spotify plays on one device at a time per account, so starting music on an Alexa speaker can interrupt what you were playing on your phone or laptop.
• Unlinking uses Disable Skill, which sounds dramatic but just switches the connection off.

If something doesn't behave as you expect, go back through these four points before you change anything else. They explain most of the confusion.

Unlinking Spotify from Alexa

If you share a speaker, change accounts or just want to start again, you can unlink Spotify.

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap More, and then Settings.
3. Under Alexa Preferences, select Music & Podcasts.
4. Find and select Spotify.
5. Tap Disable Skill.

Then link again later with the first set of steps, using the right account.

If Spotify is not playing on your Alexa device

Spotify's help page for Alexa doesn't include a troubleshooting section of its own. It does point to its general advice for when music won't play: check your internet connection is stable, update the Spotify app, restart it and reinstall if needed. If Alexa still won't play, Amazon's help site is the place for the speaker itself.

Frequently asked questions

How do I connect Spotify to Alexa?

Open the Alexa app, tap More, then Settings, choose Music & Podcasts under Alexa Preferences, tap Link New Service, select Spotify and follow the instructions.

How do I make Spotify the default on Alexa?

In Music & Podcasts, tap Your Default Services, select Spotify and tap Done.

Which devices work with Spotify on Alexa?

Spotify's help lists Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, Echo Show, Amazon Tap, Fire TV Cube, Facebook Portal and Portal+, and all Sonos players.

Why won't Alexa play podcasts from Spotify?

Spotify says you still need to say 'on Spotify' at the end of the command to play podcasts.

How do I unlink Spotify from Alexa?

In Music & Podcasts, find and select Spotify, then tap Disable Skill.

Is Spotify on Alexa for Premium only?

Spotify's help page for Alexa devices is marked as for Premium.