Why can’t I get Amazon Music on my TV?

Amazon Music is a popular music streaming service from Amazon that gives users access to a library of over 70 million songs source. It has quickly grown in recent years to become one of the top music streaming platforms, though its market share still trails behind Spotify and Apple Music.

One common issue users face is getting Amazon Music to play on their television. Given that music streaming has shifted listening away from physical devices to internet-connected apps and platforms, people now expect to be able to access these services across all their devices – including smart TVs. However, limitations in app availability and TV capability means getting Amazon Music on your television is not always straightforward.

There are good reasons listeners want to play Amazon Music through their TVs. Televisions provide bigger screens and often better speakers than mobile devices, which improves the listening experience. Using a TV allows multiple people to enjoy the music at the same time. Additionally, TVs are a convenient central hub for home entertainment. Being able to access Amazon Music on a TV makes it easier for users to listen to their music libraries there.

Compatibility Overview

Unfortunately, Amazon Music does not have native apps for many popular TV platforms. Some smart TVs have a built-in Amazon Music app, but support varies significantly across brands and models. According to Amazon’s help guide (https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GNPSNK9RGYMPLYM3), Samsung is one of the few TV brands that offers native support for the Amazon Music app on select smart TV models.

However, most other major smart TV platforms do not natively support Amazon Music, including LG webOS, Vizio SmartCast, Android TV, Roku TV, Apple TV, Chromecast built-in, and Fire TV. Without an Amazon Music app available in their smart TV app stores, users will need to find alternative methods to get Amazon Music streaming on these platforms.

The lack of broad Amazon Music support across smart TVs is disappointing for customers who want an integrated music listening experience on their living room screens. Until Amazon expands compatibility, users will have to rely on makeshift workarounds to get Amazon Music playback through their televisions.

Using a Streaming Device

One way to get Amazon Music on your TV is by using a streaming device like the Amazon Fire TV, Roku, or Apple TV. Streaming devices connect to your TV via HDMI and give you access to various apps and services through a smart TV-like interface.

To add Amazon Music, you would purchase a compatible streaming device and plug it into your TV. Then search for the Amazon Music app on the device’s app marketplace and download it. Once installed, you can open the app and log into your Amazon Music account to start streaming music.

The main pros of using a streaming device are:

• Most major streaming devices support the Amazon Music app, so it’s easy to find a compatible option.
• Setup is straightforward – just plug in, connect to WiFi, install the app, and log in.
• Streaming devices are relatively affordable, often under $50.
• You get access to many other streaming apps beyond just Amazon Music.

Potential downsides include:

• You have to purchase additional hardware beyond just a TV.
• Streaming devices can sometimes lag or have technical issues.
• You’re limited to the apps available on that device’s platform.

Overall, a streaming device is a simple plug-and-play way to add Amazon Music and other streaming services to a standard TV. While not free, streaming devices are a popular option with few major drawbacks.

Screen Mirroring from Mobile

One way to get Amazon Music on your TV is by screen mirroring or casting your mobile device to your TV. This allows you to play the Amazon Music app from your phone or tablet directly on your larger TV screen. Here’s how to do it:

On Android, you can use the built-in screen mirroring functionality to cast your entire device screen to a compatible smart TV. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection preferences > Cast and select your TV. Then open the Amazon Music app and it will display on your TV while the audio plays through your TV speakers. See this Amazon help article for more instructions.

For iOS devices, open the Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring, then select your TV. Open the Amazon Music app and it will appear on your larger screen. The latest Amazon Music app also lets you use AirPlay to stream audio only to supported devices like Apple TV.

However, screen mirroring can be laggy, especially for video playback. Audio quality may also suffer compared to using a dedicated streaming device. Mirroring drains your mobile device battery quickly. And the method only works with compatible smart TVs or streaming devices. It’s best for casual listening rather than long listening sessions.

Using Bluetooth

One way to stream Amazon Music to your TV is by using Bluetooth. You can connect Bluetooth speakers or soundbars to your smart TV and stream music to them. Here are some tips for using Bluetooth:

To connect to your TV speakers via Bluetooth, first make sure your TV and speakers support Bluetooth connectivity. Go into your TV’s settings and pair the devices. Once paired, you’ll be able to select your Bluetooth speakers as the audio output and stream music to them.

While convenient, Bluetooth audio does have some limitations to be aware of. The range is typically only 30-50 feet before audio quality degrades or the connection is lost completely. Obstacles like walls can also interfere with the signal. Additionally, Bluetooth audio is compressed so the sound quality isn’t as good as wired options. But for casual music listening it can be a handy wireless option.

There are many Bluetooth speaker options designed specifically for TVs such as Soundbars and portable wireless TV speakers. These can provide an easy audio upgrade without running wires across your living room.

Using an HDMI/AV Cable

One of the most straightforward ways to get Amazon Music from your phone onto your TV is by using an HDMI or AV cable. You can connect your phone directly to your TV via the HDMI or AV ports.

To do this, you’ll need to get an adapter cable that connects your phone to HDMI. For example, Android users can get a USB-C to HDMI cable, while iPhone users need an Apple certified Lightning to HDMI adapter cable. Connect one end of the cable to your phone and the other end to an available HDMI port on your TV.

Once connected, you can mirror your phone’s display onto your TV screen. Open the Amazon Music app on your phone and you’ll be able to see and control it from your TV. Anything that plays through your phone will now play through your TV speakers.

The downside to this method is that you need to keep your phone right next to the TV in order to maintain the HDMI connection. Your phone essentially becomes tethered to the TV if you want to continuously stream music. So it may not be the most convenient solution if you want mobillity with your phone while listening to music.

Using a Laptop

One way to get Amazon Music on your TV is by connecting your laptop to your TV via an HDMI cable. You can purchase an HDMI cable to connect your laptop to your TV, such as the USB To HDMI Cable To Connect Laptop To TV from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/USB-HDMI-Cable-Connect-Laptop-TV/s?k=USB+to+HDMI+Cable+to+Connect+Laptop+to+TV). Once connected, you can play Amazon Music through your laptop and the audio will play through your TV speakers.

Another option is to set your laptop up as a Bluetooth speaker for your phone. Enable Bluetooth on both devices and pair them. Then you can play Amazon Music through your phone and the audio will stream to your laptop speakers. Position your laptop near the TV so the sound projects to where you’re sitting.

Connecting Speakers

One way to get better sound quality for Amazon Music is to connect external speakers instead of relying on your TV’s built-in speakers. Most TVs don’t have powerful speaker systems optimized for music playback. Using dedicated external speakers can provide fuller, richer sound.

You can connect external speakers to the audio output ports on your TV, such as RCA, 3.5mm headphone jack, optical audio, or HDMI ARC. However, this may involve dealing with cables stretching across your room. Alternatively, you can connect wireless Bluetooth speakers or smart speakers like Amazon Echo devices to your phone or laptop and use that to play Amazon Music.

Bluetooth speakers allow you to place the speakers wherever you want without any wires. Quality Bluetooth speakers like the OontZ Angle 3 provide excellent sound with punchy bass, loud volume, and clear mids/highs. Connecting them to your phone, tablet, or laptop gives you the freedom to move around the room while listening.

Pairing something like the Echo Studio smart speaker allows hands-free control using Alexa voice commands. You don’t have to interact with a screen or fumble with controls. Just ask Alexa to play music and enjoy immersive, three-dimensional audio performance.

Using dedicated external speakers, especially with larger drivers, higher power, and advanced acoustic engineering, will make your Amazon Music experience much more enjoyable compared to small TV speakers. Position the speakers properly to get the best stereo soundstage for the room.

Workarounds Summary

There are several potential workarounds for getting Amazon Music streaming on your TV without native app support. Here is a quick recap of the pros and cons of each method:

Using a streaming device like Fire TV, Roku or Chromecast is the easiest solution. You just plug it into your TV and can instantly access the Amazon Music app. The only downside is the additional cost of purchasing the streaming device if you don’t already have one.

Screen mirroring from your mobile device allows you to view the Amazon Music app from your phone or tablet on your TV screen. This is convenient if you always have your phone with you, but quality may be lower and there is some lag.

Connecting your laptop via HDMI cable gives you full access to Amazon Music on your TV, but requires having your laptop open and connected each time you want to play music.

Bluetooth speakers can work if you have a smart TV that supports pairing external speakers. This gives good sound quality but you lose the on-screen app controls.

Overall, a streaming device like Roku or Fire TV is likely the most seamless way to get Amazon Music working on your TV. The setup is fast and easy, and you’ll have full access to the app’s interface and features right on your biggest screen.

Conclusion

Although Amazon Music doesn’t currently have official support for streaming directly on smart TVs, there are a variety of workarounds that provide access until native integration is available. Using a streaming media device like Fire TV, Chromecast or Apple TV offers the simplest solution. Screen mirroring from a smartphone, connecting with an HDMI or AUX cable from a laptop, or pairing Bluetooth speakers are other options.

While Spotify and other streaming services allow direct streaming to certain smart TVs, Amazon Music’s TV compatibility still has room for improvement. We can expect expanded support as Amazon continues enhancing the service and TV platforms add capabilities for third-party music apps. For now, the workarounds provide listeners a way to enjoy Amazon Music through their home entertainment system.

The ideal end goal is direct Amazon Music integration with major smart TV platforms like LG, Samsung and Sony. Listeners should be able to open a native app and stream music just as they do with video streaming apps. Until then, third-party devices and cables act as the bridge between the Amazon Music app and the TV. As Amazon adds capabilities and forges partnerships, streaming music on your TV will only get easier.