Spotify suddenly stops the moment you open another app? Yeah — that’s one of those annoying issues that feels random but actually isn’t.
In most cases, this isn’t a Spotify bug. It’s your phone trying to manage battery, audio priority, or background activity — and Spotify gets cut off.
The good news? You can usually fix it in under a minute.
Quick Fix (Try This First)
- Disable Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode
- Allow Spotify to run in the background (no restrictions)
- Turn off “Pause media when another app plays sound”
- Restart Spotify (force close, then reopen)
- Update Spotify from the app store
Try this first — this usually fixes it instantly.
Why This Happens
This issue almost always comes down to how your phone handles background apps.
Here’s what’s really going on:
- Battery optimization kills background audio — especially on Android devices
- Another app takes audio focus — like TikTok, Instagram, or games
- System restrictions after updates — this usually happens after OS updates
- RAM management kicks in — your phone closes Spotify silently
Most people don’t notice this setting even exists.
And that’s why it keeps happening.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Remove Battery Restrictions for Spotify
This is the #1 fix.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps → Spotify
- Select Battery
- Set to Unrestricted or Allow background usage
This is where things get tricky — some phones hide this setting differently (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.). But it’s always there.
Turn Off Battery Saver Mode
- Open Settings
- Tap Battery
- Disable Power Saving Mode
Battery saver aggressively stops apps like Spotify.
Check App Audio Conflicts
Some apps automatically pause Spotify when they play sound.
- Close apps like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube
- Avoid opening apps that auto-play videos
Most people skip this step — but it matters.
Enable Background Data
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps → Spotify
- Select Mobile Data & Wi-Fi
- Enable Background data
If this is off, Spotify can’t stream properly when switching apps.
Reinstall Spotify
If the issue started recently, this helps clear hidden glitches.
- Uninstall Spotify
- Restart your phone
- Install it again
This usually fixes weird post-update issues.
If It Still Doesn’t Work
If Spotify still stops, check these less common causes:
- Bluetooth issues — disconnect and reconnect your device
- System-level bugs — especially after Android updates
- Third-party cleaner apps — they kill background apps silently
- Low RAM devices — your phone may force-close Spotify
Also, if this happens only when switching accounts or apps, it might be a system sync issue — similar to what happens in this guide:
Google Drive upload fails when switching account — fix
Different app, same root problem: background restrictions.
Extra Tips to Prevent This Issue
- Keep Spotify updated
- Avoid aggressive “phone cleaner” apps
- Whitelist Spotify in performance settings
- Don’t overload your phone with heavy apps running together
Small tweaks. Big difference.
FAQ
Why does Spotify stop when I open Instagram or TikTok?
Because those apps take over audio focus. They automatically pause Spotify when playing video.
Is this a Spotify bug?
Usually no. It’s caused by your phone’s system settings, not Spotify itself.
Why did this start happening suddenly?
This often happens after a system update or when battery optimization resets.
Does this happen on iPhone too?
Less often, but it can happen if background app refresh or audio conflicts occur.
Will reinstalling Spotify fix it?
Sometimes — especially if the issue started after an update.
Final Thought
If Spotify stops when you open another app, it’s almost always a background restriction issue.
Fix that — and the problem disappears.
Try the quick fixes first. That’s where most people solve it.
Still having weird app issues? Check out another quick fix guide — it might save you hours of frustration.