How to register external speaker as controllable device using Spotify Web API

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1

Need help with device registration in Spotify

I’m working on connecting an external Spotify-certified speaker to be controlled through the Spotify Web API. I can successfully retrieve the list of available devices using the Web API, but I can’t figure out how to register my new speaker to appear in that list.

The speaker isn’t a mobile device like a phone or tablet. It’s a standalone audio device that should be controllable remotely. When I use the official Spotify app, it somehow detects and adds the speaker automatically, but I need to do this programmatically.

I’ve tried monitoring network traffic to understand the registration process, and I notice some MDNS broadcast packets, but I can’t determine the exact method used for device registration.

Main questions:

  • Is there a way to programmatically register external audio devices through the Spotify Web API?
  • Does anyone understand the device discovery and registration mechanism that the official Spotify client uses?
2

yup, it’s tricky. web api doesn’t support direct reg for devices. gotta use spotify connect, which is closed off. ur speaker should implement the spotify connect sdk to auto-reg and pop up on that device list. good luck!

3

I’ve worked with similar integrations before - those MDNS packets are Spotify Connect’s discovery protocol. You can’t access the registration process through the public Web API. It runs on a lower level using Spotify’s proprietary Connect protocol. Your speaker needs the Spotify Connect SDK or a direct partnership with Spotify to handle authentication and device registration. The official app uses a completely different communication channel than the Web API for device discovery. That’s why you see it there but can’t replicate it programmatically. If this is a commercial product, you’ll need to go through Spotify’s partner program for the SDKs and certification.