Control Spotify and Apple Music on a Mac without switching apps

Updated September 25, 2026 · 3 min read

Skipping a track, turning the volume down, checking what's playing: on a Mac, each of these usually means hunting for the Spotify or Music window. Here's what macOS and both players offer to avoid that, and how Tack+ puts your music at the edge of the screen.

The short version

Apple Music: Window › Switch to MiniPlayer, or ⌥ ⌘ M, while a song is playing.
Spotify: the Miniplayer opens from the icon at the bottom right of the desktop app; it was Premium-only at launch.
Everywhere: the keyboard's media keys and Control Center control whatever is playing.
Tack+: a full player at the edge of the screen (playback, tracks, volume, position, artwork) for Spotify or Apple Music, your pick.

Apple Music's MiniPlayer

The Music app has its own MiniPlayer: a small window with the artwork, playback controls and volume.

Start a song in Music.
Choose Window › Switch to MiniPlayer, or press ⌥ ⌘ M.
To keep it above other windows: Music › Settings › Advanced, the option that keeps the MiniPlayer on top.

The controls show up when the cursor moves over the artwork.

Spotify's Miniplayer

Since 2024, Spotify's desktop app has a Miniplayer: a compact window that floats above the others. Open it with the square-within-a-square icon at the bottom right of the app. At launch, Spotify limited it to Premium subscribers.

No window at all: media keys and Control Center

The keyboard's media keys (play/pause, previous, next) control the active player, Spotify or Music.
Control Center, at the top right of the screen, shows what's playing with basic controls.

Handy for pausing; more limited for moving within a song or seeing what's on at a glance.

Music at the edge of the screen, with Tack+

Tack+ tucks your Mac into a thin line at the edge of the screen, top or bottom: push the cursor against the edge and the panel opens. Music has a card on the home screen, and a full page.

Spotify or Apple Music, your pick: a switch in the player's header, one click.
Play, previous and next track, with a play button that responds instantly.
Volume, with one-click mute, and position within the song, which you drag.
Artwork, and a glow that takes on the album's color.
Open the song in its player, and for Spotify, copy its link to share it.

With the panel closed, an equalizer moves in the line while music plays: you know it's running without opening anything.

Tack+ controls the app installed on your Mac, with no sign-in to your Spotify account, and its commands never go over the internet; only a Spotify track's artwork is loaded from Spotify's servers. The first time, macOS asks for permission to control Spotify or Music (System Settings › Privacy & Security › Automation). One thing is deliberately left out: shuffle and repeat, which Spotify accepts as commands but then ignores.

The options side by side

	Music MiniPlayer	Spotify Miniplayer	Tack+
Players	Music	Spotify	Spotify or Apple Music
Where	A window	A window	At the screen edge, no window
Subscription needed	No	Premium at launch	No
Alongside the rest of the Mac	—	—	Messages, calendar, clipboard…

Frequently asked questions

How do I open the Apple Music MiniPlayer on a Mac?

While a song is playing, choose Window › Switch to MiniPlayer in Music, or press ⌥ ⌘ M.

Does Spotify have a mini player on Mac?

Yes, the desktop app's Miniplayer, opened from the icon at the bottom right. When it launched in 2024, it was limited to Premium subscribers.

Does Tack+ need my Spotify account?

No. Tack+ controls the Spotify app installed on your Mac; it never signs in to your account. macOS only asks for automation permission the first time.

Can I switch between Spotify and Apple Music in Tack+?

Yes: the switch sits in the player's header. Your choice is remembered, and Tack+ follows that player from then on.