If we want to listen to some good music, all we have to do is open Spotify (even in a free version with advertisements), connect headphones or audio speakers to the PC or smartphone and start listening to our favorite artist or our playlists with no limits. But if we wanted to listen to the music of streaming services while we are traveling, how can we connect Spotify, Amazon Music and other similar music apps (Deezer, Apple Music, etc.) to the car "> Streaming and cloud music app on Android 1) Integrated systems (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay)
If the car is very recent (last 2-3 years), support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay may be present in the set up provided.
These are protocols created by Google and Apple, in collaboration with car manufacturers, who use USB, Bluetooth or wireless connectivity to quickly connect a smartphone or tablet to the car, showing all the main functions of the car on a dedicated display. device and, of course, multimedia apps such as Spotify.
To connect the device in our possession, simply use a USB cable (simpler method), to be connected to the device and to the free USB port on the dashboard or in the central tunnel of the car, then follow one of the two paths described here in low (depending on the system in use):
- On Android : we connect the device and click on the car screen on the Android Auto icon; on the device we will be asked to install or update apps (such as Google Maps) and to authorize special permissions to access notifications and apps, we confirm everything to get full control.
Once everything is connected we click on the Spotify app on the car screen.
- On iPhone : go to Settings> General> CarPlay> Auto and select the car as soon as it is visible. Now just click on the car screen on the app to start, such as Spotify.
If instead of the cable we want to use wireless connections, simply leave the WiFi and Bluetooth on, then use the menus integrated in the car management system, until the devices to be connected are visible; we recommend the use of cables because in this way the smartphone is not discharged during the trip but rather is recharged while we listen to music! In order to use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay we must have a smartphone with Android 5.0 or later or an iPhone 5 or later.
READ ALSO: Guide to configure Android Auto in the car
2) Bluetooth connection
If our car has a system with Bluetooth connection or a car radio with built-in Bluetooth, we can use it (obviously without special interfaces) to listen to music in the car, transforming the latter into a large Bluetooth "headset".
To make the connection we will have to turn on Bluetooth both in the car (or in the system) and on the smartphone, then use the integrated Bluetooth device search system (we may need the car manual to understand how to make the connection on our model, being different for each manufacturer).
Once connected via Bluetooth, our smartphone will send the audio part (multimedia, calls, notifications and system sounds) to the car, so that we can listen to any song played with Spotify or with any other streaming app in our possession.
READ ALSO: How to add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on each car
3) 3, 5mm jack connection
Our car only has a 3.5mm audio jack (also called AUX) to connect external devices "> Syncwire Nylon 3.5mm Aux Cable (€ 6).
A socket is connected to the headphone jack of the smartphone and the other socket to the AUX input of our system or our car radio, so as to immediately hear every sound transmitted by the device, without having to use other devices (we can also use this method on cars without USB sockets).
If, on the other hand, our car has at least one USB port, we can also use the Mpow Bluetooth Jack Receiver (€ 12).
It connects to the AUX input of your car or radio, you use the included USB cable to supply electricity (even if it has an internal battery with autonomy up to 10 hours), you turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and you keep the button of this adapter pressed, until it is visible among the devices that can be used in the Bluetooth menu of our device. We perform the Bluetooth pairing and confirm where necessary on the smartphone display, so we are ready to listen to music wirelessly.
4) FM transceiver
If our car does not have AUX inputs and USB ports, we can try using an FM transceiver, such as the AceTend Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Cars (20 €).
These devices are able to connect with Bluetooth to our smartphone and to transmit the sounds on a free FM radio frequency, so as to transmit Spotify music even to very old cars (over 15 years). This small device connects to the cigarette lighter to obtain electricity, then just connect it to the smartphone via Bluetooth (it will come out immediately as associated in the device menu) and choose one of the FM frequencies not used by any radio station; at the end we tune the car radio to the same frequency and start playing the music we want from Spotify or similar apps. The device adapts to any car and also provides two USB ports useful for charging smartphones, effectively transforming even a rather old car into a modern car.
5) Change car radio
If your car allows you to change your car radio, we can "bring it to the future" by installing (with the help of an electrician) a modern car radio with AUX and Bluetooth support, so as to integrate the most convenient connection methods.
One of the best car radios that we can install is the Sony DSX-A410BT (€ 88).
By installing this car radio we will have AUX connection, USB connection, Dual Bluetooth (two devices at a time), quick association via NFC and support for FLAC files, for superior audio. Definitely one of the best solutions if we are considering changing car radios, so as to have the most recent connections and the possibility to listen to Spotify everywhere.
If we want to use a streaming service other than Spotify, we recommend reading the following guide -> 7 music services without limits and on demand from PC and smartphone .
