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Spotify starts testing its Apple Watch app

Spotify starts testing its Apple Watch app

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Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge

Spotify is now testing an official Apple Watch app. Beta testers of the Spotify iOS app have started gaining access to the app, and the first version appears to be limited to just controlling playback for now. It looks like Spotify will be releasing its Apple Watch app shortly, but without the much-needed offline support that would allow Premium subscribers to sync songs to an Apple Watch and use it without an iPhone nearby.

A leaked promo video (see below) doesn’t list offline support, which will disappoint Apple Watch owners that have been waiting for this particular app. Still, a Spotify Apple Watch app is long overdue. Spotify has been working closely with the developer of the unofficial Snowy app that brought offline Spotify playback to the Apple Watch. Snowy developer Andrew Chang revealed last year that Spotify had hired him to create a companion app using the company’s iOS SDK. This is now the first sign of that app emerging.

Over the past year or so, a number of high profile apps have disappeared from the Apple Watch. Google and Amazon both killed their Apple Watch apps, and Instagram and Twitter were axed too. An official Spotify app for Apple Watch is key for Apple’s smartwatch. Spotify isn’t revealing exactly when its app will be available, though. “We’re always testing new products and experiences, but have no further news to share at this time,” says a Spotify spokesperson in a statement to The Verge.

Update, November 2nd 8PM ET: Article updated with Spotify Apple Watch promo ad.