Spotify is not showing in NotchStar Now Playing

Home and Now Playing Published 4 November 2026

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If Spotify does not appear on the Home tab, first play a track in Spotify, then close and reopen the notch. NotchStar listens only while the Home card is on screen, so a fresh open reloads what is playing. If that fails, check Automation permission for Spotify.

Steps

Start playing a song in the Spotify app. The AppleScript fallback only looks at the Music and Spotify apps, not the Spotify web player.
Hover over the notch and pick Home. The track should appear with its cover.
If the card says “Nothing playing”, wait a few seconds. NotchStar tries the system service first and, if it hears nothing for about three seconds, switches to AppleScript.
If macOS asks for NotchStar to be allowed to use Automation, allow it. See the Automation page.

How the fallback works

AppleScript asks Spotify for the current track once a second, and only if Spotify is running. Artwork comes from the URL Spotify gives for the track. A progress bar appears only when Spotify reports a duration.

Still not showing

Quit and restart Spotify, then reopen the notch. If a macOS update has just installed, read Now Playing after a macOS update. The music controls guide lists more checks. The tool is on the Now Playing page.

Quick answers.

Does Spotify need to be open first?

For the fallback, yes. It only asks Spotify and Music if they are already running.

Link to this answer

Keep reading.

Now playing, with real album art: See the song playing on your Mac with album artwork and controls in the notch. Live updates, and a progress bar when the player provides one.
Why NotchStar asks to control Music and Spotify: macOS may ask if NotchStar may control Music or Spotify when the AppleScript fallback runs. Allow it for Now Playing; the main route needs no prompt.
Which apps show up in NotchStar Now Playing: NotchStar shows any app that reports to the macOS Now Playing service. Music and Spotify also work through an AppleScript fallback. Other apps may not appear.
Mac notch music controls not working: what to check first: Check the player, missing track information and Music or Spotify permissions before reinstalling a notch app. Learn which missing controls are expected.

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