Spotify shut down Car Thing in December 2024, and you can request a refund if you bought one
Spotify Car Thing was a small device designed to control Spotify in your car using voice commands and a touchscreen. In December 2024, Spotify announced it was discontinuing the product and shutting down the service. If you own one, Spotify is offering refunds to people who bought it within a certain timeframe.
The refund process is straightforward: you contact Spotify support through your account, provide proof of purchase, and they issue the money back to your original payment method. The window for requesting a refund is limited, so if you want one, you should start the process soon.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify Car Thing refunds are available to anyone who purchased the device, but you must request one through Spotify support rather than automatically receiving it.
- You will need your original receipt or proof of purchase, such as an order confirmation email or credit card statement showing the transaction.
- Refunds are issued to the payment method you used when you bought the device, which typically takes 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account.
- Spotify set a important date for refund requests, so check Spotify's official announcement or contact support to confirm the current cutoff date in your region.
How to request a refund through Spotify
Start by going to the Spotify support website or opening the Spotify app on your phone or computer. Look for the "Contact Us" or "Help" section, then select the option to chat with or email Spotify support. Explain that you own a Car Thing and want to request a refund due to the product discontinuation.
Spotify support will ask you to provide proof of purchase. This can be an order confirmation email, a receipt from where you bought it, or a screenshot of your credit card or bank statement showing the transaction. Have this ready before you contact them, as it will speed up the process.
Once support receives your proof of purchase and confirms you are may be able to access, they will process the refund to your original payment method. You do not need to return the physical device in most cases, though Spotify may ask you to confirm that you will not use it after the service shuts down.
What counts as proof of purchase
Spotify accepts several types of proof that you bought the device. An email confirmation from Spotify or the retailer where you purchased it works well. If you bought it from a third-party seller like Best Buy or Amazon, an order confirmation from that site is acceptable.
A credit card or bank statement showing a charge for "Spotify Car Thing" or similar language also counts. If you paid with a gift card or store credit, keep any receipt or confirmation number from that transaction. The key is showing that you paid for the device and when you paid for it.
If you no longer have the original receipt, contact the retailer where you bought it and ask them to send you a copy. Many stores can look up your purchase by your email address or phone number if you used either at checkout.
Timeline for refunds to appear in your account
After Spotify support approves your refund, the money does not appear when ready. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to show up in the account you used to pay for the device. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your next statement. If you paid with a debit card or bank transfer, the money returns to your bank account.
The exact timing depends on your bank or credit card company, not Spotify. Some banks process refunds faster than others. If more than two weeks have passed and you do not see the refund, contact Spotify support again with your refund confirmation number.
Where you bought the device matters
If you bought Car Thing directly from Spotify's website, the refund process is handled entirely by Spotify support. If you bought it from a retailer like Best Buy, Amazon, or another electronics store, you have two options: request a refund from Spotify, or return it to the retailer where you bought it.
Returning to the retailer may be faster if the store still accepts returns. Check the retailer's return policy and the time since you purchased it. Some retailers have a 30-day or 60-day return window, while others may extend it due to the product discontinuation. If you are within the return window, the retailer may refund you when ready or within a few days.
If the retailer's return window has closed, contact Spotify support instead. Spotify is honoring refunds for Car Thing purchases even outside the normal retail return period.
What happens to your Car Thing after the shutdown
After Spotify shuts down the Car Thing service, the device will no longer work. It will not connect to Spotify or receive updates. Spotify is not asking you to physically return the device in most cases, so you can keep it as a keepsake or recycle it responsibly.
Some people have found alternative uses for the hardware, such as repurposing it as a smart display or using it with other software projects. However, Spotify's official service will be gone, and the device will not function as originally intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to return the physical device to get a refund?
No. Spotify is not requiring you to ship the device back. You can keep it or dispose of it as you wish. The refund is based on your proof of purchase, not on returning the hardware.
What if I bought Car Thing more than a year ago?
Spotify's refund window may have a time limit. Check Spotify's official announcement or ask support directly whether purchases from that long ago are still may be able to access. If you are outside the window, support may still work with you, especially if you purchased it not long before the discontinuation was announced.
Can I get a refund if I bought it as a gift for someone else?
Yes, but you will need proof of purchase in your name. The person who bought the device should contact Spotify support with their receipt. If the gift recipient wants to request the refund, they may need to provide additional information showing they own the device.
What if my refund does not show up after two weeks?
Contact Spotify support again and provide your refund confirmation number or the date you requested it. They can check the status and may be able to speed up the process or investigate if there was an issue with your bank account information.
Can I get a refund if I bought Car Thing used from someone else?
Probably not. Spotify's refund is for the original purchaser. If you bought it secondhand, you would need to contact the original buyer and ask them to request the refund, or contact Spotify support to ask about your specific situation.