How can I skip songs without touching my phone?
In today’s digital world, most people carry a smartphone that allows them to listen to music on-the-go. However, holding and directly interacting with your phone to skip songs or pause music can be inconvenient, dangerous, or impossible in certain situations. Hands-free voice commands, headphones with built-in controls, and connected smart devices provide alternatives to skipping tracks and controlling your music playback without needing to touch your phone.
According to a Pew Research study, 85% of Americans own a smartphone as of 2021 (source). With widespread smartphone ownership and music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora, many people listen to music through their mobile devices every day. But manipulating your phone while walking, driving, exercising, or performing other tasks diverts attention and increases your risk of accidents. Finding ways to skip songs, adjust volume, or pause your music without physically handling your phone enhances convenience and safety.
Voice Commands
One of the easiest ways to skip songs without touching your phone is by using voice commands through a smart assistant like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. According to research from Demandsage, 27% of people currently use voice search on mobile devices. Popular voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant are built into most smartphones these days. You can simply say “Hey Siri, skip song” or “Hey Google, skip” to move to the next track hands-free [1].
Similarly, if you have a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Home, you can say “Alexa, next song” or “Hey Google, skip” to the device itself to skip tracks on Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, or other music services. This allows easy music control without having to touch your phone at all. According to Edison Research, 36.6% of U.S. residents currently use smart speakers and voice assistants, so this hands-free option is becoming quite popular [2].
Headphone Buttons
Many wireless headphones and earbuds have onboard controls that allow you to skip tracks without touching your phone. This is one of the most convenient ways to skip songs, as the controls are right on the headphones themselves.
Most wireless headphones will have a play/pause button, volume buttons, and forward/back track buttons. The track skip buttons let you quickly skip to the next song or go back to the previous one. This works with music and podcasts from any app on your paired phone.
Some popular headphones with onboard track skipping include the Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose 700, and Apple AirPods. You simply press and hold the forward or back button for 1-2 seconds to skip tracks.
This method works seamlessly without having to take your phone out at all. Just double tap the side of your earbud or press the button on the headphone earcup to easily skip to the next song.
Smartwatches
Using a smartwatch is an easy hands-free way to skip songs without touching your phone. Most smartwatches like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch allow you to control music playback directly from your wrist.
Smartwatches sync with your smartphone, giving you remote control capabilities. You can skip, pause, play, rewind, or adjust volume without taking your phone out. Commands can be done via the touchscreen, buttons, or voice controls.
With a smartwatch on your wrist, you can discreetly control audio playback during activities like exercising, driving, working, or socializing. This frees you up to focus on other tasks while easily managing your music.
The latest smartwatches have built-in music storage, allowing you to sync playlists and listen via Bluetooth headphones. Standalone music playback means you don’t even need your phone nearby to skip tracks from your wrist.
Fitness Trackers
Fitness trackers like Fitbit and Garmin devices are another great hands-free way to skip songs. Many fitness bands have touch controls that let you skip tracks with just a tap or swipe on the band’s screen. According to a 2022 study, 21% of Americans use smartwatches or fitness trackers, with even higher usage among certain demographics.
With a fitness tracker on your wrist, you can easily skip to the next song without interrupting your workout or activity. Brands like Fitbit and Garmin allow you to customize which quick controls are available on your band’s screen, like play/pause, skip track, or volume. This gives you wireless control without having to pull out your phone.
The latest fitness trackers even give you an on-screen preview of the upcoming track, so you can decide whether to let the song play or skip ahead. For active lifestyles, fitness bands provide a convenient way to manage your music hands-free.
In-Car Controls
Most newer vehicles now come equipped with controls built right into the steering wheel or center console to make it easy to skip tracks without ever touching your phone. This allows you to keep your eyes on the road for safety.
Many cars have steering wheel buttons that let you skip forward or back to the next song in your playlist or audio app like Spotify. For example, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda and other makes include buttons on the steering wheel to change tracks and audio source (Cars.com).
Vehicles with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay also allow you to use touchscreen controls, voice commands, or built-in steering wheel buttons to browse music and skip tracks through the compatible app displayed on your dash screen. Most major auto brands now offer Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility (Android.com), making it easy to skip songs without ever touching your phone.
So if you have a newer vehicle, check your steering wheel and center console for built-in buttons to change audio tracks. This gives you a convenient hands-free way to skip songs while driving safely.
Remote Controls
One way to easily skip songs without touching your phone is by using a dedicated remote control for your music player. There are many MP3 player remotes available, like the Griffin Technology AirClick, that are designed specifically for controlling music playback. These remotes connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or RF to MP3 players, phones, and other devices. They allow you to perform basic playback functions like play, pause, skip track, adjust volume, etc from a short distance away.
Remote controls are popular for activities like exercising or driving where you want quick access to control music but don’t want to directly handle your phone or music player. They provide a lightweight and convenient way to manage your tunes hands-free. Most music player remotes include buttons for essential controls and some models even have displays for track info. While limited compared to directly using your device, remotes offer just enough options for basic music playback management on the go.
Home Speakers
Home speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home allow you to skip tracks with just your voice. Simply say “Alexa, next song” or “Hey Google, skip track” to move to the next song in your playlist or queue without having to touch your phone. According to Statista, Amazon holds the leading market share of smart speakers globally at 28% as of Q1 2022 [1]. In the US, around two-thirds of adults who own a smart speaker have an Amazon Echo device [2]. The global smart speaker market is expected to grow from $9.04 billion in 2021 to over $34 billion in 2028 [3].
Connected Apps
Many smartphone apps allow users to control music playback without touching their phones. Popular options include:
- TKFX – Gives you remote control of Traktor Pro’s effects. It’s available for iPad and Android devices.
- Music Control Lite – Allows you to control music playing on your device through an overlay window. It continues to work even when you switch to other apps.
These connected apps provide a convenient hands-free way to skip tracks, adjust volume, apply effects and more without interrupting activities or gameplay on your device.
Conclusion
With music streaming services giving us access to millions of songs at our fingertips, skipping tracks without touching your phone is now more essential than ever. We reviewed several handy methods to skip songs hands-free across various devices.
Of all the options, using voice commands via a smart speaker, phone assistant, or headphones is the most convenient way to control your music playback. Simply speak a command to skip tracks or choose a playlist. Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home place this control right in your home, while phone assistants Siri and Google Assistant provide access on the go.
Wireless headphones and earbuds also come equipped with onboard controls, especially premium options from brands like Apple AirPods and Sony. Tap buttons or gestures can skip songs without reaching for your phone. Similarly, many smartwatches have music controls and sync to your smartphone playlists.
While in-car systems, fitness trackers, and TV streaming devices offer additions means for hands-free music change, voice commands are still the fastest and most ubiquitous method.
With so many hands-free options readily available, getting to your favorite tunes is easier than ever, no phone touches required.