Connect Spotify to Forza Horizon: Step-by-Step

This guide shows you how to link your Spotify account to Forza Horizon 5 (and Forza Horizon 4) so you can control your music from inside the game’s pause menu. You’ll be able to browse playlists, skip tracks, and adjust volume without alt-tabbing. You’ll need an active Spotify account (free tier works), the Forza Horizon game installed, and a stable internet connection on your console or PC.

What You’ll Need

A Spotify account (free or Premium)
Forza Horizon 4 or Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox, PC (Microsoft Store or Steam), or cloud gaming
An internet connection
The Spotify app installed on your phone or tablet (optional, but helpful for initial setup)

Step-by-Step

Start Forza Horizon and let it load to the main menu. Make sure you’re connected to the internet in-game (you’ll see the online services notification).
Open the pause menu by pressing the Start button (Xbox) or Esc (PC).
Navigate to the “Audio” tab – it’s usually the second tab from the left, represented by a speaker icon. Select it.
Look for the “Spotify” section at the bottom of the Audio settings. It will show a “Connect” or “Link” button. Select it.
Read the on-screen instructions – Forza will display a short code (like a 4-digit number) and a URL (usually spotify.com/pair). Note these down.
On your phone, tablet, or computer, open a web browser and go to the URL shown in the game.
Log in to Spotify if you aren’t already. If you’re on a device with the Spotify app, you can also open the app and go to Settings → Devices → “Connect to a game” or similar.
Enter the code from the game into the web page or app field. Click “Connect” or “Link”.
Return to Forza Horizon. The Spotify section in the Audio tab should now show your account name and a “Disconnect” option. You’re connected.
Test it: Start driving, then open the pause menu → Audio → Spotify. You should see your playlists and recently played. Pick a song and it will play through the game’s audio mixer.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong URL – The game shows a specific pairing URL. Don’t type “spotify.com” directly; use the exact address on screen.
Entering the code incorrectly – The code is case-sensitive and only valid for a few minutes. If it expires, just back out and re-enter the Spotify section to get a new one.
Not being signed into Spotify on the browser – If you’re already logged in on a different account, you’ll link that one. Make sure you’re on the correct account before entering the code.
Expecting it to work on the first try on Steam – Steam versions sometimes need the Xbox overlay to be enabled for the link to appear. Go to Steam Settings → In-Game → enable “Xbox Game Bar” or similar.
Trying to use it offline – Spotify integration requires an internet connection. If you’re playing offline, the option won’t appear.

Tips

Use the Spotify app on your phone as a remote – Once linked, you can also control playback from your phone’s Spotify app (it will show “Forza Horizon” as a device). This is handy if you want to queue songs without pausing the game.
Adjust the in-game music volume separately – In the same Audio tab, you’ll see a slider for “Spotify” volume. Keep it lower than the engine sounds so you can hear traffic and race prompts.
Create a playlist for driving – Make a playlist with upbeat tracks that match the game’s vibe. You can access your playlists directly from the in-game menu.
Re-link after updates – If the connection drops after a game update, just repeat the steps. It usually reconnects quickly.
Use the radio stations in-game as a fallback – If Spotify is down, the game’s own radio stations still work, so you’re never without music.

Troubleshooting

Spotify option is greyed out or missing – This usually means the game hasn’t fully connected to online services. Restart Forza Horizon and wait for the “Online” notification in the top right. If it persists, check your network connection and try again.

Code doesn’t work – The code expires after about 5 minutes. Back out of the Spotify section, then re-enter to generate a fresh code. Also, ensure you’re typing the code exactly as shown (it’s all digits, but double-check).

Linked the wrong Spotify account – There’s no in-game switch. You’ll need to disconnect from the game’s Audio tab, then go to your Spotify account settings online and remove the app’s access under “Apps” (or “Connected Apps”). Then re-link with the correct account.

Music plays but no sound – Check the in-game Spotify volume slider – it might be at zero. Also, check your system volume mixer (on PC) to ensure Forza Horizon isn’t muted. On Xbox, check the audio output settings.

Steam version won’t connect – Forza Horizon on Steam requires the Xbox Game Bar to be enabled. Press Win+G to open it, then go to Settings → enable “Xbox Game Bar”. Restart the game and try again.

Connection drops mid-session – This can happen if your internet blips. Simply open the Audio tab and it usually reconnects automatically. If not, disconnect and re-link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spotify integration work on Forza Horizon 4? – Yes, both Forza Horizon 4 and 5 support Spotify integration on Xbox and PC. The steps are identical.

Can I use Spotify on Forza Horizon without a Premium subscription? – Yes, the free tier works, but you’ll get ads, and you can’t pick specific songs on demand – only shuffle playlists.

Does the Spotify integration work on Steam Deck? – It works if you’re running the Windows version of the game. On SteamOS, the integration may not appear because the overlay is different.

Can I control Spotify with my phone while playing? – Yes, once linked, your phone’s Spotify app will show the game as a device. You can change tracks, pause, and adjust volume from your phone.

Why is Spotify not showing my playlists? – Make sure you’re connected to the internet and that your playlists are public (or at least not private). Private playlists may not appear in the in-game browser.

Does the integration work when playing offline? – No, Spotify integration requires an online connection. If you’re offline, you’ll only have the game’s radio stations.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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