Adding the Spotify widget to your device’s interface provides you with immediate access to your music and podcasts when you need it. While the widget’s functionality varies by device, with Android offering full playback controls and iOS focusing on recently played content, the main goal is always to add the Spotify widget for enhanced convenience. This guide also covers a handy trick for pinning a similar widget to your Windows desktop.
How to add the Spotify widget on different devices
Follow the steps below to add the Spotify widget to your home screen on your preferred device or troubleshoot common lock screen issues.
Add the Spotify widget on an iPhone or iPad
- Tap and hold an empty space on your Home screen until the app icons begin to jiggle.
- Tap the + icon located in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down the list of available widgets and tap on Spotify.
- Select your preferred widget style. You can choose a small square widget for your most recent track or a larger rectangular one to see a list of recently played items.
- Tap the blue +Add Widget button to place it on your Home screen or in the Today View.
- Tap any empty area on the screen to exit the edit mode and save your layout.
Add the Spotify widget on an Android device
- Tap and hold a blank area on your phone or tablet’s Home screen.
- Tap the Widgets icon, which usually appears at the bottom or center of the screen.
- Find the Spotify widget by scrolling through the list or using the search bar at the top.
- Tap and hold the Spotify widget, then drag it to your desired position on the Home screen and release it.
Pin the Spotify widget on a Windows PC
- Open the Spotify app on your PC. Remember, this requires the version from the Microsoft Store.
- Press the Windows Key + G keys simultaneously to open the Windows Game Bar.
- Click the Widget menu icon, which looks like a screen with three cubes, on the Game Bar.
- Select Spotify from the menu to load it into the side panel.
- Drag the Spotify widget to your preferred location on the desktop and click the pushpin icon to pin it in place.
Troubleshoot Spotify lock screen issues
- First, try to force-close and reopen the Spotify app on your device. Play a song and lock your screen to see if the playback controls reappear.
- For iPhone and iPad users: Ensure the lock screen feature is enabled for external devices.
- Open Spotify, tap the gear icon, and go to Devices.
- Toggle on the Devices Lock Screen switch.
- Ensure Spotify has permission to display notifications on the lock screen for all devices.
- If on iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Spotify > Notifications. Make sure Allow Notifications is on and that there is a checkmark next to Lock Screen.
- If on Android: Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Spotify. Make sure the option to hide notifications from the lock screen is disabled.
- For Android users only: Check that system-wide lock screen notifications are enabled.
- On Samsung Galaxy: Go to Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications and ensure Hide content is turned off.
- On Stock Android: In Settings, go to Apps and notifications > Notifications on lock screen and select Show all notification content.
- For Google Pixel users: The “Skip Lock Screen” feature for Face Unlock can interfere with the widget.
- Open Settings and go to Security > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Face Unlock.
- Turn off the Skip lock screen setting.
- If issues persist, try to log out of your Spotify account within the app and then log back in.
- Disable any power-saving modes, as they can prevent lock screen widgets from appearing.
- On iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Battery and disable Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode.
- As a final step, uninstall and reinstall Spotify from the App Store or Play Store.
Using the Spotify widget streamlines your music listening experience by reducing the number of taps required to play, pause, or change a song. On Android, having direct playback controls on your home screen means you no longer have to open the full app or pull down the notification shade for quick adjustments, which is especially useful when you’re multitasking or on the go.
For iPhone and iPad users, the widget provides a visual shortcut to your listening habits. It lets you jump back into a favorite podcast or recently discovered playlist with a single tap, bypassing the app’s main screen. Whether for direct control or quick access, the widget transforms your device’s home screen into a more efficient and personalized music dashboard.
