Spotify has launched its first native in-car music application, developed entirely in-house without relying on Google's design templates or frameworks. This approach allows the company to maintain full control over the user interface and overall experience, as noted by Jonathan Tarlton, the head of automotive business development at Spotify.
The application is currently available for Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron electric vehicles in the United States. It is also compatible with 2026 and newer models of the A5, Q5, and A6 internal combustion engine vehicles. Installation and updates are managed directly through the Audi MMI app store.
Key features include support for lyrics and music videos on the center display, with safety restrictions limiting visual content while the vehicle is in motion. For models equipped with a passenger display, the app provides additional functionality, including a shared listening feature that allows passengers to add songs to a queue via QR code.
Initial setup requires users to scan a QR code on the vehicle screen using a smartphone for verification. Once authenticated, the application operates independently, removing the need for a connected phone during subsequent use. Spotify plans to expand the availability of this native app to markets in Europe, South America, North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
