Spotify has started rolling out lossless audio for its Premium users worldwide. This long-awaited update brings higher sound quality to the platform. It also addresses years of criticism about Spotify’s lower audio quality compared to its rivals.
Lossless audio is available only for Premium users. Free users cannot access this feature. Spotify is releasing it gradually in over 50 markets. Users in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia, and Sweden have already received access. If it becomes available in your region, Spotify will send you an in-app notification. The company plans to complete the rollout by the end of October.
Lossless audio streams music at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality. This offers a sound experience close to original studio recordings. Gustav Gyllenhammar, Vice President of Subscriptions at Spotify, said the company focused on quality, ease of use, and clarity while building this feature. He added that it will give Premium users an even better listening experience.
You need to turn on lossless audio manually on each device. Spotify has added the option under Settings & Privacy, and then Media Quality. To enable it, tap your profile icon in the top-left corner, go to Settings & Privacy, select Media Quality, and choose where to enable lossless audio: Wi-Fi, cellular, or downloads. Once you activate it, a “Lossless” label will appear in the Now Playing view or the Connect Picker.
Spotify also lets you set different audio quality for each device. You can use lossless audio on your desktop, but keep a lower quality on your phone. This is useful because lossless files are larger and consume more data. They can quickly drain your mobile data and may not be worth using with basic earbuds. However, they can deliver much better sound on a desktop with high-end speakers.
Spotify recommends using wired headphones or speakers for the best experience. The company says Bluetooth does not have enough bandwidth to stream lossless audio without compression. If you use Bluetooth headphones, the audio will still get compressed before reaching your device. To enjoy full quality, Spotify suggests streaming over Wi-Fi and using non-Bluetooth connections like Spotify Connect.
Lossless audio is one of the most requested features on Spotify. Other platforms like Apple Music and Tidal already offer it. By introducing lossless streaming, Spotify is finally addressing long-standing complaints about its sound quality. This upgrade helps it stay competitive in the crowded music streaming market.
The new feature gives Premium users a chance to enjoy music at its best possible quality. It also marks a major step forward for Spotify. For listeners with the right equipment, it promises a richer and more detailed music experience.
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