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Spotify app crashing on iOS 16.7.12 when opening Discover Weekly or Song Radio—what can you do now?
What’s happening (and who it hits)
Spotify is reviewing reports that its iOS app closes immediately when some people open Discover Weekly, Song Radio, and other Spotify-curated mixes. The pattern that appears most consistent in user reports is device age and OS version: many complaints reference iPhone 8, iPhone X, and iOS 16.7.12.
Several users say the same Spotify account works on a newer iPhone, but crashes on an older iPhone the moment a curated playlist loads. That points to a device-or-OS-specific failure during playlist rendering, playback prep, or audio session start-up.
Which playlists trigger the crash
Reports go beyond Discover Weekly. Users mention:
- Song Radio playlists
- Curated Mix playlists (various “Made for you” style mixes)
- In some cases, most playlists except Liked Songs
A few users describe a short burst of distorted audio right before the app shuts down. That detail matters because it suggests the crash may occur at the point where audio initializes, transitions, or preloads tracks for the playlist.
What users tried (and why it may not help)
Moderators suggested common stability steps such as cache clearing, reinstalling, toggling Background App Refresh, turning off audio normalization, and switching networks. Multiple users reported no improvement, even after repeating these steps.
That outcome is typical when the root cause sits in an app build incompatibility, a server-side response the older client can’t handle, or an edge-case bug tied to older device constraints. Basic troubleshooting can still be worth doing, but it does not reliably resolve a crash that happens at a specific feature entry point.
Status from Spotify
Spotify has labeled the issue “under investigation” after enough reports established a repeatable pattern. No timeline has been provided publicly for a fix.
Geographically, reports appear across multiple regions (including the US, UK, and Ukraine), which supports the idea that the trigger is not limited to one carrier or one country.
What can be done right now (practical checklist)
These actions focus on reducing downtime while waiting for a patch:
- Update Spotify from the App Store (check for a new build even if auto-update is on)
- Update iOS within what the device supports (Settings → General → Software Update)
- Test the same account on another iOS device if available (helps confirm device-specific behavior)
- Use Spotify on desktop or web player for curated playlists until iOS playback stabilizes
- If eligible and practical, upgrade the device (some users report newer iPhones do not show the crash)
If the app crashes instantly, capture details before retry loops:
- iPhone model, iOS version, Spotify version
- Which playlist types crash (Discover Weekly, Song Radio, Mixes)
- Whether Liked Songs works
- Whether the crash happens on Wi‑Fi and cellular
Then submit those specifics through Spotify Support or the official community thread. High-quality, repeatable details increase fix speed because they reduce time spent reproducing.
What to watch for
The most meaningful signal will be a Spotify app update that mentions stability fixes, crash fixes, or iOS compatibility updates. Install updates promptly, then retest the exact playlist types that previously failed.