The latest update to the Google Play Music app for Android brings a much needed ability to stop auto playing of music when you connect your phone to an external Bluetooth device. The update, version 7.12.5218-1.V.4310085 for those keeping score at home, is in the Play Store now and should come to users as an OTA update over the course of the next few days.
The new toggle is in the Settings of the app and is shows as “Allow external devices to start playback”. If you disable this, when you connect your phone to a Bluetooth device, it will not start automatically playing music. This is particularly handy when it comes to connecting your phone to your car’s Bluetooth as it won’t just start blaring music.
Unfortunately this new feature was not highlighted in the release notes for this update so it can easily be missed. Digging through the rest of the app, I’ve not found anything else that is new and this update is mostly a performance and stability update.
If you haven’t tried Google Play Music, the app is free and the unlimited streaming service is $9.99 per month (or $14.99 for up to 6 people) and also gets you a free subscription to YouTube Red.
