Spotify does not read the SD card

[Azer13]

Hi,

I just got a Sony XA1 Ultra phone. So far everything works well, and I noticed that the music from my Spotify app was stored in my internal storage instead of my SD card and that I was running out of space. Therefore, I went to the Spotify setting where you can change the default location but I couldn't find the option to change the storage location. After a million of hours of research, I was told that the problem comes from Sony and they need to update the Spotify app that comes pre-installed on the phone.  I have followed all the options proposed on this thread: https://community.spotify.com/t5/Android/No-SD-storage-option/m-p/2657263/highlight/false#M91996 but nothing is working for me.

At this point, I tried everything, move the folders/subfolders from my internal storage to the SD card, set the download quality to extreme but when I download, it recreates the default folders to the internal storage. I tried to format the SD card, made sure the permission is given to Spotify to read the storage, clear the cache/data, disable/enable the app, etc. In short, I followed all the various solutions offered but no one of them worked for me.

Can you please advise what to do as I'm running out of space on my internal storage and it's absurd to not being able to use the SD card...

Some info about my phone:

sony xperia xa1 ultra

Model Number: G3223

Android Version: 7.0

Thanks,

Nico

[CameronT]

Hi @Azer_13, welcome to the community.

Sony Mobile does not do any development on the spotify app. It may be pre-installed on your handset but it is still managed and developed by the spotify team. I am afraid we cannot update the app for you, only the spotify developers can.

I apologise for the inconvenience this ic causing you.

[pressefr]

When you use large SDcards, i.e. 128GB, 200GB, etc. you may need to enable your device to 'Write Access.'

I use the app FX (File Manager) to enable 'Write Access.'

FX app > SDCard > ... 3 dot option > Enable Write Access > Select parent SDCard > OK

Other factors that my prevents Enabling Write Access: 

• SDCard not pre-formated in exFAT.
• Screen resolution is higher than 600 'Smallest Width' dp (dpi).

[Azer13]

Thank you for your response. 

I followed your advice and contacted Spotify. After chatting with an agent for more than an hour, he had been unable to resolve the problem and he asked me to test another SD card into my phone. I tried. My phone recognizes the SD card, Spotify does not. 

My wife and I got 2 Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra about a month ago and she also has Spotify installed on her phone. I checked her Spotify settings and guess what? It does offer a "Storage" option! So, I decided to try her SD card on my phone and guess what again? Spotify does NOT offer any Storage option! 

There is something wrong with my phone. I also forgot to mention that I was using the exact same SD card in my previous Android and Spotify worked well and offered the Storage option.

At this point, I have no idea what can I do. Is there anything I can do? Please don't tell me to complete a factory reset....Haven't you got anyone else with the same problem and there is no way you can troubleshoot that? The problem lies on Sony's side, not Spotify, not mine. 

Please advise.

Thanks,

Nico

[Azer13]

In my last response, I was responding to CameronT. I had not realized that I got another response...Thanks pressefr. I've downloaded the FX app and enabled the write access. It didn't change anything either...

Last week, I had tried to format the SD Card but when I did it, it didn't give me any formatting option so I'm not sure if you're suggesting me to reformat it to exFAT, but if yes how can I do? Additionally, and as mentioned in my other response, this SD card used to work perfectly with Spotify in my previous Android. I'm sure the problem is not related to the SD card. 

Also, are you suggesting me to change the screen resolution? 

Thanks for your help.

[pressefr]

I have a suggestion besides a factory reset. 

You can join as a member of the Sony Music G+ Community "Music Beta Community," to get the most up-to-date music player that has the Spotify attached the Music Player.

https://plus.google.com/communities/102950480733956864546

You from the google play store will update your player to beta. To tell you are running the beta, there is red text in the side of your album photo.

[pressefr]

Regarding screen resolution. What resolution are you at? 

If you don't play with those kind lf settings you don't have to worry. 

If you do. Well, I've been playing with my screen dpi resolutions to fit my preferences, and found out bugs/quirks. If I change resolution in Developer Mode "smallest width" to 600 I can't access my SD Card or Internal within apps upload. Example; Attaching a file in Gmail I get an error. Or attach a picture in this Chrome Brower for this forum I would get an error.

In other words, your screen resolution has to be 598 dp or under to run smoothly.

[pressefr]

Going back to your orignal problem is internal space.

There's a 64gb internal version - vs - 32gb. The Xperia XA1 Ultra, 64 GB (G3226).

 

[Azer13]

Thank you for responding pressefr. Please see below my comments:

1. I'm not sure to understand why should I download the Music beta community app. I pay for the Spotify service and their app used to work on my previous android with the same SD card. The problem lies on Sony's side and they have to find an issue.
2. Regarding my screen resolution, the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra doesn't specify it in the settings. All I can do is to reduce or increase the brightness level. I tried to reduce it at the minimum and I re-started the phone. Same problem.
3. I'm not clear as to what you're trying to tell me in your last comment (i.e. There's a 64gb internal version - vs - 32gb. The Xperia XA1 Ultra, 64 GB (G3226).). Below is a snapshot of my internal storage + SD card:

Is there any way to formally contact Sony's technical support and create a ticket on this issue? 

Thanks,
Nico

[Azer13 · Accepted solution]

Just to close the loop, I've chatted 2 hours with an agent from the Sony Support team and he helped me to complete a Sony Xperia software repair through my PC using the Xperia Companion application. After a full repair, the storage option finally got displayed in the Spotify app. I hope this will help anyone who encounters the same issue as me...

And thanks to everyone who tried helping me.