⁠What is Spotify lossless audio playback? Everything to know as new feature unrolls for premium subscribers

After years of anticipation, Spotify has formally introduced lossless audio playback for Premium subscribers. First hinted at as "Spotify HiFi" in 2021, the eagerly anticipated feature is now being released for free in more than 50 international regions until October 2025.

Gustav Gyllenhammar, vice president, subscriptions at Spotify, said in a statement:

“The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers. We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step, so you always know what’s happening under the hood. With Lossless, our premium users will now have an even better listening experience.”

Lossless audio preserves the richness of the recording by streaming it in its original quality without compressing it. It can now play at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, which is a CD-quality standard that provides much cleaner and more detailed sound.

Higher-resolution music(up to 24-bit/192 kHz) is already available on different platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. Now, the platform's latest feature puts it on level with the majority of its well-known rivals.

According to some audiophiles, unless expensive or high-end equipment is used, the difference between 44.1khz and greater bitrates is often subtle.

With the addition of services like DJ, Jam, AI Playlist, Mix, and Daylist, the platform claims that this feature represents their larger effort to enhance the Premium experience.

How to enable Lossless on Spotify?

When the feature is released, premium users will be notified. To activate it:

1. Launch the Spotify app.
2. Press the profile icon.
3. Navigate to Media Quality under Settings & Privacy.
4. For downloads, cellular, and/or Wi-Fi, choose Lossless.

When listening in this mode, users will see a "Lossless" signal in the Now Playing box and through the Connect Picker. Additionally, the platform offers a variety of streaming quality options (Low, Normal, High, Very High, and Lossless), allowing you to balance data use and sound quality.

Supported devices and Limitations

In addition to numerous devices from companies like Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser that are compatible with Spotify Connect, lossless streaming is accessible on mobile, desktop, and tablet platforms. Next month, support for Amazon and Sonos devices should be available.

However, the platform has identified a significant limitation. To fully enjoy the lossless feature one must use Spotify Connect-enabled devices, wired headphones, or non-Bluetooth speakers for the optimal experience, as Bluetooth connections lack enough bandwidth to transmit it.

Competition and Market Context

Spotify is late to the party as Apple introduced lossless streaming back in May 2021 at no additional cost, while Amazon Music extended free HD streaming after first making it available as a premium upgrade. Despite being the largest streaming platform, the platform's constant postponement of the feature frustrated its users.

It was earlier speculated that the delay was due to licensing negotiations and debates on pricing. It was also indicated that the platform may introduce a more expensive lossless tier, according to a report, but in the end, the company decided to incorporate it into the current Premium plan.

The feature is already live in Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It will soon be available in 50 markets by the end of October 2025.

With over 100 million songs on the platform, premium users will now be able to enjoy the lossless feature.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.

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