Cater to your listening preferences and your pet’s disposition with Spotify’s specialized playlist.

Whether walking around the neighborhood, grabbing a drink with friends, or hiking through the foothills, many pet owners want to bring their furry companions everywhere. Spotify wants to enhance this precious relationship with a dedicated pet playlist. A Spotify Pet Playlist curates music based on your listening preferences and your pet’s personality. The result is a playlist that you and your furry friend can enjoy together.

How to make a pet playlist on Spotify

Making a pet playlist on Spotify takes just a few minutes.

1. First, you need to create a Spotify account. You can sign up for the free, ad-supported tier or subscribe to Spotify Premium.
2. After you make the account, enter this URL into your browser: https://pets.byspotify.com/. Follow the prompts.
3. Select your pet. Spotify supports five pet types: iguanas, birds, cats, dogs, and hamsters.
4. Interact with the slider to determine where your pet’s disposition falls on the spectrum of energetic, friendly, and curious.
5. Input your pet’s name and upload a photo of them. The latter is optional, if you opt out of a photo upload, Spotify will default to an animated picture of your pet type.
6. In just a few seconds, Spotify will set up a customized playlist for you and your pet. The playlist starts with 30 songs, and you can add more manually.

Now, you’re off to the races and ready to enjoy your playlist with your favorite pet. In typical Spotify fashion, the company nudges you to share your playlist on social media using the hashtag #SpotifyPets.

What’s the point of making a pet playlist on Spotify?

This whole process is really just for fun.

While the jury is still out on the scientific benefits of music on pets, these Pet Playlists are just for fun. I get a kick out of seeing how Spotify’s algorithm attempts to please my cat and me. I expected my Pet Playlist to exclusively feature instrumental songs. To my surprise, Spotify filled it with lyric-driven songs that sit in my heavy rotation.

Ultimately, the Pet Playlist is a fun quiz that results in a playlist you'll probably like and your pet might enjoy.

Although these playlists are for pet owners’ amusement, Spotify did some legwork by consulting David Teie — a renowned cellist with America’s National Symphony Orchestra. Teie is also a music researcher. You can find his articles on music and cognition in journals such as the Biology Letters of the Royal Society and Applied Animal Behavior Science. His album “Music for Cats Album One” has garnered over six million streams on Spotify alone. Teie’s input informed Spotify’s team of each animal species’ general likes and dislikes.

Anecdotally, my cat relaxes when listening to Teie’s dedicated Music for Cats album over Spotify’s combined playlist. Yes, it’s fun to make a pet playlist but specialized songs, like Teie’s, will likely be more effective at calming your pet than Spotify’s pet playlist.

Frequently asked questions about how to make a Spotify Pet Playlist

Protecting your Apple AirPods Max

The best way to keep your Apple AirPods Max clean is to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place. To protect the ear cups, grab some protective ear cup covers, . You can also get a case for your AirPods Max that will do more to protect the headphones than the default case provided by Apple, .

Cleaning the Apple AirPods Max ear cups

Cleaning the Apple AirPods Max ear cushions isn’t as difficult as you might think. This is what we found works best:

1. First, mix a teaspoon of liquid detergent with a cup of water.
2. Remove the ear cushions from the headphones by pulling them off.
3. Dip a soft cloth into the solution.
4. Scrub the ear cushions for about a minute.

You can also scrub the headband with the same solution. Check out the video below to see how we got our AirPods Max looking squeaky clean.

Replacing the Apple AirPods Max ear cushions

As a last resort, you can buy some replacement AirPods Max ear cushions directly from Apple. That said, a single set of ear cushions from Apple runs you the same price as some good wireless headphones, so you might be better off looking for a third party replacement.

However, in November 2023, Apple decided to hit the stop button on this Siri-only music plan. Let’s rewind and check out what is Apple Music Voice, how it works, how much it costs, and why you can’t subscribe to it anymore.

What is Apple Music Voice?

The UI is intuitive, but can look cluttered at first.

Launched in 2021, Apple Music Voice was a subscription plan under Apple Music that let you access the whole Apple Music library using voice commands on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other compatible Apple devices.

It was an affordable alternative to Apple Music that offered complete control through Siri. With Apple Music Voice, you had access to the Apple Music catalog of over 90 million songs, hundreds of new stations, personalized playlists, and mixes for any occasion or mood.

However, Apple discontinued the service in November 2023, citing the lack of features like immersive Spatial Audio and real-time lyrics. And since all Apple Music plans already work with Siri, the company didn’t see a need for a dedicated Siri-only plan.

How does Apple Music Voice work?

At any point you can swipe up to get to the “Now Playing” screen

The Apple Music Voice plan was built around Siri’s capabilities. Instead of manually selecting songs or artists in the Apple Music app, you made selections by instructing Siri.

For instance, to listen to a particular artist, you could say, “Play (name of the artist) on Apple Music.” If you had a specific track in mind, you could request it directly by saying “Play (name of the track) by (name of the artist).”

Similarly, you executed all other actions on the app by instructing Siri, whether it was searching, pausing, or skipping tracks.

To provide a more versatile experience, the Apple Music Voice plan allowed you to choose from numerous Apple Music playlists such as New Music Daily, Today’s Hits, Rap Life, and more, all optimized for voice commands.

You could ask Siri to play specific genres using prompts like “Play the Rap Life playlist” or “Play Today’s Hits playlist” or by using more personalized prompts like “Play a workout playlist” or “Play cool RnB from the 70s.”

How much is the Apple Music Voice plan?

The Apple Music Voice plan was priced at $4.99 per month, but you could use it free for a week thanks to the 7-day free trial. This placed it around half the price of the standard Apple Music plan of $9.99 per month for pretty much the same song library.

Apple Music Voice had some limitations. For example, it lacked lossless audio, offline song downloads, and spatial audio. And because it was exclusive to Siri-enabled devices, you could not use it on Android phones and Windows PCs.

With the service discontinued, Apple’s cheapest plan is the $5.99 per month student tier which is only available to students.

How to get the Apple Music Voice plan

Unless you’re already deep into another streaming service, Apple Music is a great option for most people.

You could get started with Apple Music Voice by saying “Hey Siri, start my Apple Music Voice trial” or by signing up in the Apple Music app. The process of subscribing to the Voice plan through the app varied, depending on whether you were already an Apple Music subscriber or not.

For new Apple Music users:

1. Open the Apple Music app on your iPad or iPhone and select “Listen Now” at the bottom-right corner.
2. Locate the box labeled “Play anything with Siri” and tap on it.
3. Click “Subscribe” to sign up for the Apple Music Voice Plan using your Apple ID account. It costs $4.99 a month after the free 7-day trial expires.

For existing Apple Music subscribers:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name at the top.
2. Select Subscriptions and choose Apple Music.
3. Under Options, pick Voice (1 Month).
4. Confirm your decision to switch to the Apple Music Voice plan.

Once successfully subscribed, you would receive music suggestions based on your preferences and a history of your recently played songs via Siri. You could enjoy the service on your HomePod mini, Apple TV, AirPods, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Siri-enabled devices, including CarPlay.

Note that you cannot subscribe to Apple Music Voice anymore as it has been discontinued. Apple has turned off auto-renew for existing subscribers. But if you have an active plan, it’ll remain valid until the end of your billing cycle unless you switch to another Apple Music plan: Individual, Student, or Family.

FAQ

Let’s explore what the Spotify Family Plan offers, its cost, and whether it’s the right choice for your family.

How does the Spotify Family Plan work?

The Spotify Family Plan tailors the listening experience to each plan member. From individual playlists to recommendations, each account is personal, so it’s more like six Premium members in a group instead of all members using one account.

You can set parental controls to implement explicit content filters for Family Plan members. This feature ensures you control what members can or can’t hear. For example, safeguarding kids from listening to explicit content on the app.

While the six members enjoy individual accounts, only one monthly bill exists. So, you pay like you would if using an individual premium account rather than juggling multiple subscriptions.

How does Spotify Family Plan check address?

Spotify asks users of the Family Plan to verify their home address. Each Spotify Family Plan has an individual known as the plan manager who sets up and maintains the plan.

The plan manager can enter the address manually on the Family Plan page to verify the residence. Then, each plan member must have the same address to join the plan. This step ensures that all members confirm the exact residential location.

While Spotify requires that the Family Plan members reside together, you can listen to Spotify from anywhere, on any device, after verification and payment.

How much does the Spotify Family Plan cost?

The Spotify Family Plan costs $16.99 per month. It is an affordable plan because it allows up to six members to have Premium accounts.

Considering the cost of a single Spotify Premium account is $10.99, the Family Plan offers significant savings, especially for larger families that can use up all six slots.

Comparing the Spotify Family Plan with similar packages of other services, we have:

• Apple Music Family Plan: Priced similarly at $16.99 per month, it allows up to six members. Apple Music is known for its extensive music library and integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
• Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan: At $16.99 monthly, this plan supports up to six accounts. It’s an excellent choice for families already invested in the Amazon ecosystem, with Alexa and other Amazon devices.
• YouTube Music Family Plan: Also priced at $16.99 monthly, YouTube Music offers a unique video-centric experience alongside the standard music streaming service.

All packages have the same cost, so your choice might depend on the tech ecosystem you use.

Is the Spotify Family Plan worth it?

Consider several factors to determine whether the Spotify Family Plan is worth your investment. These factors include:

• Number of users: If your household has several music lovers, the plan helps you save costs compared to multiple individual Premium subscriptions.
• Parental controls: For parents concerned about content, the ability to filter explicit music from their kids’ listening experience adds a layer of control and peace of mind.
• Ease of use: Spotify’s user-friendly interface and compatibility with various devices make it a convenient choice.

How to join the Spotify Family Plan

You can only join a Spotify Family Plan after the plan manager creates it. Follow these steps to join one:

1. Contact the plan manager to share the invite link to join the Family Plan.
2. Click on the link to accept the invitation.
3. Input the exact address and tap on Enter.

If you don’t have a Spotify account, you’ll need to create one before joining a Family Plan. If you already have an account, you retain your playlist and other Spotify data.

How to add member to Spotify Family Plan

Only the plan manager can add members. Follow these steps to invite people to be members of the Spotify Family Plan:

1. Go to your account page.
2. Scroll down to Manage your family accounts and click Go.
3. Click on INVITE SOMEONE to get and share the link to the member you want to add to the Family Plan.

The individual will join the Spotify Family Plan after they accept your invitation and confirm their address is the same as yours.

FAQ

How to listen to Spotify with friends

Spotify group session or Jam is only available for premium users and can only be accessed on the mobile app. Follow these steps on how to start a remote group session on Spotify:

1. Tap the Connect to a Device icon at the bottom of your screen while playing a song or podcast episode.
2. Tap on Start a Jam to begin your remote group session.
3. Tap on the green Share link button to share the session’s link with your friends.

You can share the remote group session’s link with your friends via social media apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and X.

If you’d like to invite more people later, tap on the Connect to a Device icon and tap on Invite.

While listening to your Spotify Jam with friends, you can curate your listening experience by adding a song to the queue. Here’s how:

1. Tap on the Queue icon at the bottom right corner of your Now Playing screen.
2. Tap on the Add songs button to open a recommendations list of songs to add.
3. Tap on the Add to Queue icon at the right of a song to add it to your Jam session.

Tap on the End button to end the Spotify group session or Jam.

With Jam, you and your friends can enjoy the same beats wherever you are.

How to add your local music files to Spotify (iPhone and Android)

You can add local audio files directly from your mobile phone, which can be done on both the Free and Premium Spotify versions. To add local music from your mobile device, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Spotify app on your mobile phone and click the gear icon in the top right corner.
2. Scroll down, find Show audio files from this device under Local Files, and turn it on.
3. Go to Your Library and locate the Local Files folder.

How to add your local music files to Spotify (desktop)

Adding local files to the Spotify desktop app is pretty simple. The steps are the same for Mac and Windows.

1. Launch the Spotify desktop app, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and select Settings.

2. Under Your Library, turn on Show Local Files.

3. Click Add a source under the Show songs from section to add your local files.

4. Browse your local music files and click OK.

5. Go to the homepage and click Your Library on the left menu. You’ll find the Local Files folder there.

Your Spotify app is outdated

Bugs arise every now and then, and app updates usually come with fixes to counter them, alongside performance improvements and new features. You can update your app by following these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on the Profile icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Manage apps and device.
4. Tap on Updates available to see your apps that need to require updates.
5. You can tap the Update button beside Spotify(if an update is available) or Update All to download all the available updates.

You have a weak internet connection

A poor internet connection will cause frequent pauses while streaming on Spotify. Follow these tips to rule out a connection issue:

• Ensure you are connected to the right network.
• Check the strength of your internet connection and see if you can move around to get a better signal.
• If you are connected to a Wi-Fi router, try restarting it.

Sometimes, you may have to wait until you get a better signal.

Someone else is using your Spotify account

You can log into several devices via your account, but Spotify does not allow you to play simultaneously on multiple devices with the same account. This is usually why Spotify keeps pausing because whenever someone logs into your account on another device and starts playing music, your music will stop.

You can fix this by logging your account out of all connected devices and changing your password. To log out of your Spotify on all devices:

1. Log into the Spotify Account page.

2. Scroll down and click on Sign out everywhere in the Security and privacy section.

3. Click on the Sign out Everywhere button to confirm.

To change your password:

1. Log into the Spotify Account page.
2. Scroll down and click on Change password under Security and Privacy.

3. Click the Set new password button after inputting your current password, then your desired password twice.

Your autoplay feature is disabled

Spotify’s autoplay features enable nonstop listening, which will play something similar when what you’re listening to ends. For example, if you’re listening to an album or playlist, similar music will continue after the initial queue ends. Switch on your autoplay using these steps:

1. Go to Settings on your app.
2. Scroll down to Autoplay similar content under Playback and ensure it is on (the switch beside it will be green if it’s on).

Bluetooth interference or hardware issues

You may be outside the connection range if using a Bluetooth device. Follow these tips to fix this issue:

• Ensure you are close to your Bluetooth source device.
• Pair your hardware with another device and listen to something else to see if the problem still occurs.
• Remove other wireless headphones paired with your device.

Your app’s cache is corrupted

Your Spotify app’s cache may be corrupted, causing the app to fail. You can fix this by clearing the app’s cache. To clear the Spotify cache on your Android device:

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Search for and select Spotify from the list.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear cache at the bottom right of the screen.

If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall the Spotify app. Also, try restarting your device. If the issue persists, try reaching out to Spotify Support.

How to show lyrics on Spotify (Android and iPhone)

Whether you’re preparing for a karaoke hangout or enjoy knowing the words to your favorite songs, displaying lyrics on Spotify while using your mobile device is simple. Follow these steps for how to see lyrics on Spotify when using the app on Android or iPhone:

1. Tap on the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen.

2. Tap on the Lyrics bar below.

3. Tap on the Expand icon to view the lyrics in full-page mode.

Usually, the lyrics are synchronized with the music so you can follow in real-time, sing along, and turn any moment into a mini-concert.

How to show lyrics on Spotify (desktop)

You can quickly turn your computer into a karaoke screen. Here’s how to view lyrics on Spotify on your desktop:

1. Click on the Microphone icon on the Now Playing bar at the bottom of your screen.

2. You can see your lyrics and sing along.

Why can’t I see lyrics on Spotify?

MusixMatch, a music data company specializing in lyrics management, provides Spotify lyrics. If you can’t see lyrics for a particular song, it may be because the lyrics are not available in MusixMatch’s collection. You can check later if the lyrics have been added or use alternatives like Genius.

How to see your friend’s activity on Spotify (mobile)

Here’s how to view your friend’s activity on the Spotify mobile app:

1. Tap the User icon at the top left of your app’s homepage.

2. Tap on your profile name with View Profile.

3. Select Followers on your profile page.

4. Select a friend to view their Spotify activity.

You can view your friends’ playlists and recently played artists on mobile by default. However, the information you see may differ based on what your friends choose to share. For example, you may only see their playlists if that’s all they’ve shared.

How to see your friend’s activity on Spotify (desktop)

Follow these steps to see your friend’s activity on Spotify with the desktop app:

1. Click on the User icon.

2. Select Profile to open your profile page.

3. Click on Followers.

4. Select a friend to view their activity.

Using the desktop app to see your friend’s activity on Spotify provides more information than the mobile app. While the mobile app only shows the public playlists and recently played artists, you can view their followers and the accounts they follow on your PC.

How to enable or disable friend activity view on Spotify

The friend activity view on Spotify is only available on the Desktop app. This view lets you see what your friends listen to, including the song, artist, and album or playlist. Here’s how to turn the feature on or off:

1. Click on the User icon from your desktop app’s homepage.

2. Select Settings.

3. Scroll down to the Display section.

4. Click the switch button next to See what your friends are playing to enable friend activity view.

You can toggle the switch on or off to enable and disable the view.

How to show or hide your Spotify activity

If you prefer to keep your listening activity secret, Spotify provides private sessions to hide what you’re listening to from other users.

On the mobile app:

1. Go to Settings and privacy.

2. Scroll down to the Social section.

3. Tap on the button Private session to hide your Spotify activity.

On desktop:

1. Click on the User icon.

2. Select Private session.

3. You’ll notice a padlock icon that shows your private session has started.

The private session temporarily hides your listening activity from other users and will automatically end after six hours.

You can show your Spotify activity by turning off the private session and enabling the Listening activity feature in the Social section.

How to view your Spotify queue (iPhone and Android)

Once you know where to look, you don’t need to bother about how to find queue on Spotify. If you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, follow these steps to find your upcoming songs:

1. Tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom of your Spotify screen, showing the current song and artist.
2. Tap on the Queue icon, represented by three horizontal lines at the bottom right corner of your screen.
3. Your queue showing the list of your following songs will appear.

After viewing your queue, you can manage the following songs while on the go, ensuring your listening session is always in tune with your mood.

How to view your Spotify queue (desktop)

Viewing your Spotify queue is as simple on your computer as on mobile. Here are the steps on how to see your queue in Spotify when using the desktop application:

1. Click on the Queue icon on the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen.

2. A sidebar displaying your following songs will appear.

You can easily rearrange the order of upcoming songs from your queue to match your vibe, whether working, gaming, or relaxing.

How to remove songs from your Spotify queue

Besides managing your songs, viewing your queue allows you to remove any tracks you don’t like. If you see a song that doesn’t match your vibe on your Queue, select the song on the menu to view more options and tap on Remove to take the song off your upcoming tunes.