Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Spotify launches its first native car app in select Audi models
Spotify has launched its first native in-car app in select Audi models, starting with electric and petrol-powered cars.
Unlike an app projected from a phone, it runs directly on the car’s infotainment system and lets Spotify design the screen interface.
The app adds features such as lyrics and shared listening, which lets passengers scan a QR code to add songs to a queue.
Video and lyrics are restricted while the car is moving, and only audio continues to play.
The app is available now in the United States for specified Audi models, including the A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, A5, Q5 and A6 from model year 2026.
Audi says it plans to bring the app to 47 markets worldwide, while Spotify says it will continue supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other carmakers may add the app in the future, though none are named.
Spotify has launched its first fully native in-car app, initially available in select Audi models.
The app runs on the car’s infotainment system and lets Spotify control its own interface rather than use Google’s templates.
It includes features such as lyrics, video and shared listening, with some visual features restricted while the car is moving.
The app is available in the United States for specified 2026 Audi models, and Audi says it will launch in 47 markets worldwide.
Spotify says it remains committed to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as the native app.
- Who
- Spotify launched the app, with Audi the first automaker to offer it.
- What
- A native Spotify app runs directly on vehicle infotainment hardware and includes features such as lyrics and shared listening.
- When
- Spotify announced the launch on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- It is initially available in select Audi models in the United States; Audi says it will launch in 47 markets worldwide.
- Why
- Spotify says it wants to offer users choice and a more direct in-car experience.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spotify developed the native in-car app.
Spotify announced the app’s launch in select Audi models.
- Initial market
- United States
- Audi electric models
- A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron
- Audi combustion models
- A5, Q5 and A6, model year 2026 onwards
- Planned global rollout
- 47 markets
- In-car Spotify users
- 34 percent of monthly active users
- Premium subscribers streaming in cars
- 77 percent
3 sources
What people are saying
We’re drawing all the pixels
We own the user experience. So we’re not in a template or a framework. It’s 100 percent Spotify.
We want to give users choice