How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup (Mac + Windows Easy Guide)

Know this – Spotify is an auto-startup app by default. As soon as you download it, the app will open on startup. This could be a bit of an inconvenience if you have multiple apps booting up on startup, especially if you set up Spotify on a device you’re using for work. 

Fortunately, overriding this default setting is easy, regardless of which system you prefer. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to stop Spotify from automatically opening whenever you power your devices. 

How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup – Easiest Solution (All Devices)

The easiest way to stop Spotify from opening on startup is to open the Spotify app, go to the app’s Settings, find “Startup and windows behavior” and set the auto-start option to “No” from the dropdown menu.

How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup (Mac)

If you are using Spotify on a Mac device, there are two simple ways to prevent its automatic launch on startup. 

The first and simplest solution is to just access the app settings and turn the auto-open off.

1. Use Spotify Settings (Easiest Way to Stop Spotify Opening on Startup on Mac)

1. 1. Open the Spotify Mac desktop app.
2. 2. Click on your profile image in the upper right corner.
3. 3. Click “Settings.”

1. 4. Scroll down until you find “Startup and windows behavior”.
2. 5. Set “Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer” to No.

The other option here – “Close button should minimize the Spotify window” – gives you a bit more control over how your Spotify app will behave when you attempt to close it.

It’s a slider-type setting, which should be grayed out by default. When active (green), Spotify will always be active on your Mac device as hitting the “Close” button will minimize it instead. 

2. Use Mac System Preferences (More Advanced Option, Same Result)

The second option is to go to your Mac’s settings rather than the Spotify app. Here’s how it’s done:

• 1. Click the Apple logo in the upper left corner of your screen.
• 2. Click “System Settings”. 

• 3. Click “General” in the left menu.
• 4. Click “Login Items” on the right.

• 5. Select Spotify on the list.
• 6. Click the minus sign (-). You’re done!

Advanced Issues and Workarounds if Spotify Keeps Opening on Startup (Mac)

In rare cases, Spotify will continue booting up after login even if you used both methods we mentioned above. 

The most common culprit often lies in LaunchAgents, a root-level location typically used to store program data. Sometimes, a copy/backup of the Spotify Launch command may find its way there and must be manually flushed out. 

The LaunchAgents folder is usually placed in the same location for all users and is easily accessible from “System” – “Library” – “Launch Agents.“ 

In case you can’t find it this way, open your Finder, hold the Alt button as you click on Go in the upper menu, open “Library,” and then “LaunchAgents.” Find the “Spotify LaunchAgent” folder and remove it to solve this issue. 

Read more: Spotify Not Working: Every Spotify Error Fix + Explanation

If these issues end up being too much for you, you can always leave Spotify and take your playlists with you using TMM’s Transfer feature.

How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup (Android)

Like Mac devices, Spotify will auto-launch on Android phones by default once downloaded. 

Depending on the phone version and type you are using, you will either have to toggle the “Auto Launch” feature from the “Settings” tab or access “Manage Permissions” and deny Spotify the privilege to “Autostart” upon login. 

1. First Option: Turn “AutoLaunch” Off 

Certain Samsung, Xiaomi Redmi, Oppo, and other smartphones allow users to set which apps can automatically start when the device boots up. This feature is called “Auto Launch.” Here’s what you need to do.

• 1. Open the “Settings” app of your phone.
• 2. Tap “Apps”
• 3. Tap “Auto Launch” (directly under “Special App Access”).

• 4. Tap the slider next to the Spotify icon to turn it gray.

If you manually open Spotify, the app may continue running in the background (even when closed) until this specific permission is removed. 

2. Second Option: Revoke “AutoStart” Permission

Most modern Android-compatible apps will ask your “permission” to access data or perform specific actions as soon as you download them. Some apps like Spotify default to auto-launch upon installation (even if no prior permission was given). Here’s what you need to do.

• 1. Open Settings app of your phone.
• 2. Tap “Manage Apps” and then “Permissions” (location varies between phones)

• 3. Click “Autostart”

• 4. Tap the blue slider next to Spotify to turn the auto-start off.

Troubleshooting Common Problems With Android

Not all Android devices support togglable AutoLaunch or AutoStart features. Older models prevent apps from running when not needed through the “Background App Refresh” (wording might differ on certain versions). 

Initially, this feature was meant to help conserve battery life, optimize powering times, and deliver a smoother performance. To enable it, go to “Settings” on your phone, tap on “General,” and choose “Background App Refresh.” If the slider is gray, tap on it until it’s green. 

Once enabled, a list of BAR-compatible will appear, allowing you to pick and choose which apps will run in the background.

The ones with grayed-out sliders won’t be able to boot on their own and will remain down once closed. This is a slightly longer method that ultimately achieves the same purpose as changing AutoLaunch and AutoStart settings. 

To keep your playlist safe and sound, use TMM’s Spotify To File transfer to back-up all your data.

How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup (iOS)

Disabling Spotify’s auto-launch feature on an iOS device isn’t too different from doing it on an Android.

The usual way to do so is to open the Spotify app on your iPhone or iPad and manually disable the autoplay function. However, there are a few additional steps that you’ll need to take, so let’s dive in.

1. Disable Autoplay in Playback Settings

The first thing you can do is head over to your Spotify app and dive into the Settings section. Here’s how it’s done.

• 1. Open the Spotify app on your iOS device
• 2. Click on your profile image in the upper right corner
• 3. Click “Settings and privacy”
• 4. Click “Playback”

• 5. Scroll down to “Autoplay similar content” and uncheck it.

2. Disable Background App Refresh for Spotify

Spotify may sometimes launch on its own through the “Background App Refresh” feature. Fortunately, disabling this function is easy.

• 1. Go to your iPhone’s “Settings” and tap on the “General” section.
• 2. Find “Background App Refresh” and open it.

• 3. Find Spotify. If the slider next to it is green, click on it so it becomes gray.  

3. Disconnect Your iOS Device From CarPlay

Even if you’ve disabled the Autoplay and BAR functions, Spotify still has a few ways to automatically start, especially if you’ve used Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, or Apple CarPlay to enable Spotify in your vehicle’s audio system. 

Since disabling the auto-launch on your iOS doesn’t extend to other devices, you will need to unpair it with CarPlay, your headphones, and any other wireless device capable of automatically starting Spotify. 

To do so, open the “Settings” menu on your iOS device and tap “Bluetooth.” Locate the name of your car/headphones, hit the “i” sign next to it, and then hit “Forget This Device.” 

Common Issues With iOS

The most common problem iOS users face with Spotify’s automatic launch feature stems from the fact that dozens of iOS devices are usually linked to each other. More specifically, disabling the automatic start on one device won’t turn it off on every other, and a global shutdown button doesn’t exist. 

Similarly to the case of unpairing your iPhone and CarPlay, the fastest and safest thing you can do to ensure Spotify isn’t booting on its own is to disable it in BAR and the app settings while disconnecting your chosen iOS device from all others temporarily.

How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup (Windows 11)

There are three easy ways to ensure Spotify won’t launch as soon as you log into your Windows 11 device. 

You can use the settings in the Spotify app, disable automatic booting in Windows Apps, or remove Spotify as an automatic startup process in the Task Manager. Let’s talk more.

1. Disable “Open Spotify Automatically” in Settings

• 1. Open the Spotify Windows app.
• 2. Press the Ctrl + P to open the Settings of your OS. 
• 3. Scroll down to “Startup and Window Behavior”
• 4. Set “Open Spotify Automatically After You Log Into the Computer” to “No. 
• 5. This will stop Spotify from starting automatically.

2. Disable Automatic Startup in Task Manager’s “Process and Services”

• 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to activate the Task Manager. 
• 2. Click Startup. 
• 3. Scroll until you’ve found Spotify, click on it, and tap on the “Disable” button in the screen’s bottom-right corner. 

3. Disable Automatic Startup in Windows Apps

• 1. Click the Start button and then “Settings”. 
• 2. Click “Apps”

• 3. Click “Startup”.

• 4. Find the Spotify app and tap on it to disable it if its slider is blue. 

Common Problems and Workarounds on Windows 11

One of the most common issues Windows users experience is a bug that shows the user that the automatic startup is disabled when it isn’t.

Using any of the three methods will effectively lock the other two, so the simplest solution would be to re-enable auto startup and try a different approach. If the issue persists, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling the Spotify app. 

FAQs on How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup

Why Does Spotify Open on Startup When I Turn on My PC?

When the Spotify app is downloaded and installed on any device, it is defaulted to automatic startup. It must be manually prevented from launching upon boot-up. The process is unique for each device type, so consult our guide for further explanation. 

How to Stop Spotify From Opening When I Reboot My Phone?

The easiest way to prevent Spotify from launching when the smartphone is powered is to revoke the app’s permission to launch upon startup. Some phone models support the “AutoStart” feature, and disabling it will lead to the same results. Spotify must be excluded from the “Background App Refresh” list on older phones. 

How to Remove a Device From Spotify?

To remove a device from Spotify, launch the Spotify app, tap on your profile, choose “Account,” scroll down until you find “Sign Out Everywhere,” and tap it. 

How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup: Quick Summary

And that’s a wrap – we hope this guide was helpful! Again, the fastest solution to stop Spotify from opening on startup on most devices is to open the app, enter app Settings, and set the auto-start option to “No” from the dropdown menu in the “Startup and windows behavior” section.

Don’t hesitate to contact Spotify support if needed. And if you’re interested in more content and guides like this, head over to our How To section and keep reading. Stay safe and have a good one, folks!