A Spotify Jam lets friends listen together and add songs to the same queue, in person or virtually. You need Premium to start and host a Jam, but free users can join and add songs to a Jam a Premium user is hosting.
The catch is that a Jam isn't a playlist. It's live, shared listening with one queue, and it's the host who controls it. In the car and on a TV it's in-person only, with sound coming from the car or TV speakers. And the volume rule is odd: only the host can change volume from the mobile app, but anyone can turn the car's dial. This is how Jam works as of October 2026, from Spotify's US help page, so other countries may see different options.
Jam or collaborative playlist?
If you want a list of songs everyone can add to and keep, that's a collaborative playlist, and here's how to make a collaborative playlist on Spotify. A Jam is for right now: everyone listens together and adds songs to the same queue as you go.
Where you can start a Jam
| Where | How to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Tap or right-click a track or playlist, Start a Jam, Invite | Share a QR code or link |
| Mobile | Device-connect icon or a public playlist, Start a Jam, Invite | Phones within about 1m can join if Bluetooth is on |
| TV | Queue & Jam | Plays on the TV speakers |
| Android Auto | Jam on the Now Playing view | Android Auto 14.5+ and Spotify 9.0.50+ |
| CarPlay | Queue & Jam on Now Playing | Host can View Guests |
How to start a Jam on your phone or computer
- As a Premium host, tap the device-connect icon on the device you're playing on, or open a public playlist. On desktop, tap or right-click a track or playlist.
- Tap Start a Jam.
- Tap Invite, then share the QR code or tap Share link and send it to your friends.
- On mobile, you can also bring phones within about 1m of each other, as long as both people are logged in to Spotify with Bluetooth on.
Premium users who have Spotify Messages switched on can also start a Jam with friends who've shared their listening activity with them.
Jams on speakers
Jam works with smart speakers and most Bluetooth speakers. Spotify can start a Jam automatically when you connect to one: people on the same WiFi get an invitation, and if Bluetooth permissions are on, others can get one just by having their phone nearby. The Let others Jam on this speaker switch turns that on or off.
Jams on a TV
Spotify on TV supports in-person Jams, so playback happens on the TV speakers. Tap Queue & Jam, then share the QR code or scan it from the queue. You don't need to be on the same WiFi for a Jam to work, though people on the same WiFi get a prompt in their Spotify app to join.
Jams in the car
Android Auto needs Android Auto 14.5 or above and the Spotify app 9.0.50 or above. From the Now Playing view, tap Jam, then ask passengers to scan the QR code or turn on Bluetooth for Spotify. The host can tap View Guests to review or remove guests and see the queue. Only the host can change playback volume through the mobile app, though anyone can use the car's dial.
CarPlay works from the Now Playing view too: tap Queue & Jam. Hosts can use View Guests to review or remove people. Guests can play, pause, skip, rearrange the queue and add songs through Search or Group Recommendations.
The host settings
To change what guests can do, tap Settings in the queue section. You'll find three switches:
- Let others change what's playing
- Let others change volume on supported devices
- Automatically invite others to join a Jam on this device
If friends keep skipping your songs, the first switch is the one to turn off.
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If you want the plain-English version, how to cancel Spotify premium has it.
My verdict
Jam is a neat fix for the aux-cable argument at a party or on a road trip. Only one person needs Premium, so let them host and everyone else can join for free. Check the host settings before you hand the queue over. And if you'd rather build something that lasts beyond the evening, start a playlist instead: here's how to make a playlist on Spotify.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need Premium for Spotify Jam?
Only to start and host one. Free users can join and add songs to a Jam hosted by a Premium user.
Can you do a Spotify Jam in the car?
Yes, in person on Android Auto or CarPlay. Android Auto needs Android Auto 14.5 or above and the Spotify app 9.0.50 or above.
Do you need the same WiFi for a Spotify Jam?
No. You don't need to be on the same WiFi, though people on the same WiFi get a prompt to join.
Who controls the volume in a Spotify Jam?
The host sets whether others can change volume on supported devices. In Android Auto, only the host can change volume through the mobile app, but anyone can use the car's dial.
How do I remove someone from a Spotify Jam?
In the car, the host can tap View Guests to review or remove guests from the Jam.
