How to send Spotify to the system tray on Linux
Although Spotify is available on Linux, it does not support the feature that other platforms have where it is possible to send the Spotify app to the system tray, out of sight. Sadly, the Spotify developers haven’t added this feature to the Linux version of the app, and there’s no way of knowing if it will ever come.
Thankfully, it is possible to send Spotify to the system tray quite easily using Linux tools like Alltray and Kdocker. In this guide, we’ll go over how to send the Spotify Linux app to the system tray so you can keep it out of sight and out of mind.
Note: this guide assumes you have system tray support on your Linux desktop environment. Gnome Shell users will need to enable Topicons first for this guide to work.
Method 1 – Kdocker
We’ve covered Kdocker on Addictivetips in the past, and for a good reason. It is an excellent program that allows users to make custom tray icons for their favorite programs. It is perfect for Spotify and will make it very easy to set up a custom tray icon for the Spotify app.
To start, we must demonstrate how to install the Kdocker application on Linux, as it does not come pre-installed on any mainstream Linux OS. To start the installation, launch a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T then follow the command-line installation instructions outlined below that match your Linux oS.
Ubuntu
sudo apt install kdocker
Debian
sudo apt-get install kdocker
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S kdocker
Fedora
sudo dnf install kdocker
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper install kdocker
With the Kdocker program installed, launch the Spotify application on your computer by searching for it in the app menu. With Spotify open, press Alt + F2 on the keyboard to bring up your desktop’s quick launcher. Inside of the fast launcher, you can run command-line operations. We will use this launcher to access the Kdocker tool quickly.
After opening up the quick launcher, write the following command into the quick launcher bar, and press the Enter key to execute it.
kdocker
Once the command executes, your mouse cursor will transform into a square shape icon. Use this square shape icon to click on the Spotify window. By selecting Spotify, it will be sent to the tray. To undock the Spotify app, click on the Kdocker icon in the system tray, and select “undock.”
Method 2 – Alltray
Kdocker isn’t the only program that Linux users can install that will allow them to send running apps directly to the system tray. Another Linux program that will enable users to move items to the system tray is Alltray. Here’s how to use it to move the Spotify app to the Linux system tray.
To start, we must demonstrate how to install the Alltray program. The reason is that Alltray, like Kdocker, does not come pre-installed on any Linux operating systems. To start the installation, open up a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T on the keyboard. Then, follow the command-line installation instructions down below that corresponds with the Linux operating system you currently use.
Ubuntu
sudo apt install alltray
Debian
sudo apt-get install alltray
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S alltray
Fedora
Alltray is not currently available for Fedora 32, though it is on Fedora 31 and 30. Try downloading the Fedora 31 package. However, keep in mind, it may not work correctly on your system.
sudo dnf install https://download-ib01.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/31/Everything/x86_64/os/Packages/a/alltray-0.71b-18.fc31.x86_64.rpm
OpenSUSE
Sadly, there is no Alltray package for OpenSUSE Linux. Stick to method 1 if you want to send Spotify to the system tray on your system.
Once the Alltray application is installed on your Linux PC, follow the instructions below to learn how to use it to send Spotify to the system tray.
First, Launch the Spotify audio player on your Linux PC, and click on it to focus. Once the quick launcher is in focus, press the Alt + F2 keyboard combination to bring up your desktop environment’s quick launcher command box. Then, in the command box, write in “alltray” and press the Enter key.
After launching Alltray from the quick launcher command box, you will see a small window appear in the center of the screen. This window tells you to click on the window you wish to dock. Using the mouse, select the Spotify audio player window to send it to the system tray.
Upon clicking on the Spotify player with the Alltray app, Spotify will appear as an icon in your system tray. If you wish to bring it back out of “docked” mode, right-click on the Spotify tray icon. Then, click “Show” to get the Spotify application out of the docked mode and back into the forefront like any other window.
