Spotify launches its Apple Watch app

Spotify is officially releasing its Apple Watch app today. The music streaming service started testing it earlier this month, but the Apple Watch app doesn’t allow you to sync songs for offline playback yet. Spotify’s first version includes the ability to play music on the Apple Watch, or control how music is played to compatible Spotify Connect devices. Spotify has also included complications for the Apple Watch.

We got an early first look at Spotify’s Apple Watch app, and it’s essentially a better way to control songs that are being played on your iPhone or other Spotify Connect devices. You can’t stream songs directly to the Apple Watch either via your phone or LTE on the watch, and the app replaces the default “Now Playing” screen on the Apple Watch.

The lack of offline playback will disappoint many, especially as third-party Spotify Apple Watch apps already offer it. It’s a key feature that would allow Apple Watch owners to go for a run with just Bluetooth headphones and leave their iPhone at home. Spotify is promising that offline playback support is coming in the future. If you’re still interested in trying Spotify’s Apple Watch app, it’s rolling out to iOS users over the coming week.