Is Spotify Down? App Crashes Linked to Podcasts, Here's What You Need to Know

November 18, 2025

Is Spotify Down? App Crashes Linked to Podcasts, Here's What You Need to Know

If you're asking "Is Spotify down?" you are not alone. Users have recently experienced issues with the popular music and podcast streaming service, with many reporting that the Spotify app is crashing, particularly when trying to play podcasts. This issue has affected users on both Android and iOS devices.

Reports flooded social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, with users expressing frustration over the app closing unexpectedly. Outage tracking website Downdetector also showed significant spikes in reported problems, confirming a widespread issue.

Why Isn't Spotify Working? The Podcast Problem

The primary culprit behind the recent app crashes appears to be related to playing podcasts. While music streaming largely remained unaffected for many, attempting to play any podcast episode would cause the app to crash. In some cases, the app would crash simply upon opening.

Spotify has acknowledged the problem and announced that a fix has been rolled out.

How to Fix the Spotify App Crashing Issue:

If you are still experiencing problems, Spotify recommends the following steps:

Restart the app: A simple restart may be enough to apply the latest fix.

Perform a clean reinstall: If restarting doesn't work, you should delete the app from your device and reinstall it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This ensures you have the latest, fixed version of the app.

Other Reasons for Spotify Outages

While the podcast glitch was a specific incident, the Spotify status can be affected by larger internet-wide problems. For example, a significant outage on June 12, 2025, was linked to issues with Google Cloud and Cloudflare, which impacted numerous other major online services, not just Spotify. These types of outages demonstrate that sometimes the problem isn't with Spotify's app itself, but with the broader internet infrastructure it relies on. Checking a Spotify outage map or following updates on social media can provide clarity during these events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Spotify down right now?

While the widespread podcast-related crashing issue has reportedly been fixed, individual outages can still occur. If you are experiencing problems, it is recommended to check Downdetector and Spotify's official social media channels for the current status.

Why isn't Spotify working on my PS5 or in my car?

Issues with Spotify are not just limited to mobile apps. During outages, users on other platforms like PS5 can also be affected. Additionally, some past incidents have specifically impacted car infotainment systems, preventing them from loading playlists. The recommended fixes, such as restarting or reinstalling the app, can sometimes resolve these issues as well.

Why did Taylor Swift boycott Spotify?

Taylor Swift famously pulled her entire music catalog from Spotify in 2014 in a dispute over artist compensation. Her primary reasons for the boycott included:

Fair compensation for artists: Swift argued that Spotify's streaming model did not fairly compensate the writers, producers, and artists who create the music. She referred to the service as a "grand experiment" that she was not willing to contribute her life's work to.

Music should not be free: She expressed the opinion that "music should not be free" and that valuable things, like art, should be paid for. Swift was particularly critical of Spotify's free, ad-supported tier, which she felt devalued music.

The pop superstar's boycott lasted for three years. She eventually returned her music to all streaming services, including Spotify, in June 2017. Her management stated the decision was a thank you to her fans after her album "1989" achieved massive sales.