Audi becomes first car brand to run Spotify without a phone
By William Fletcher MBE, Chief Executive, Unison Automotive Limited
Audi has become the first car manufacturer to offer Spotify as a fully native in-car application, running independently of a connected smartphone.
Audi has become the first car manufacturer to offer Spotify as a fully native in-car application, meaning drivers can stream music directly through the car's own system without needing a phone connected at all. According to multiple reports, the app is set to go live on the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron and will roll out to those models around the world.
Unlike the version of Spotify that many drivers already use through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, this integration does not rely on a phone to do the processing. The app runs natively on Audi's own in-car platform, which also means it was built outside the usual design restrictions that Google places on applications within its Android Automotive environment.
The implementation has been designed with safety in mind. According to multiple reports, the app operates in two distinct modes depending on whether the car is moving or parked. Features such as video playback and lyrics are restricted to the main screen and are only available when the vehicle is stationary, keeping the experience more focused while the car is in motion.
For now, the rollout applies specifically to the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron, positioning it as a feature of Audi's newer electric vehicle platform. Drivers of those models should expect to see the app become available through a software update, though no specific release date has been confirmed in the reports reviewed.