Spotify has officially rolled out its long-awaited Lossless Listening feature, allowing subscribers to enjoy audio streaming in high-resolution 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC format. The upgrade delivers a richer, more detailed sound quality by using a less compressed audio format, catering to listeners who demand a premium listening experience.
The feature is being made available across mobile, desktop, and tablet platforms, as well as on devices from Spotify Connect-certified brands including Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser.
In a statement, Spotify noted:
“We’ve spent time building this feature with an emphasis on quality, usability, and transparency throughout, so you’re always in the know about the processes behind it. With Lossless, our paid subscribers will now get an even better listening experience.”
Spotify’s VP, Gustav Gyllenhammar, also expressed optimism about the rollout, highlighting the company’s commitment to delivering higher-quality streaming to Premium subscribers.
What Is Lossless Audio?
Lossless audio refers to compressed music files that retain all of the details from the original recording. Unlike lossy formats, it preserves the full fidelity of sound without sacrificing quality. According to audio brand Sonos, lossless formats offer a listening experience closer to what artists and producers intended in the studio.
With the new update, Spotify users will have greater control over their listening preferences. The app allows adjustment of audio quality settings for Wi-Fi, cellular data, and downloads, with options ranging from low to very high. Data usage for each setting is also displayed, ensuring transparency for users.
How to Enable Lossless Audio on Spotify
To activate Lossless Listening, users must manually adjust their settings on each device:
- Tap the profile picture at the top left of the app.
- Go to Settings & Privacy, then select Media Quality.
- Choose where to turn on lossless audio — Wi-Fi, cellular, or downloads.
Once enabled, an indicator confirming “losslessness” will appear in the Now Playing view, Now Playing bar, and the Connect Picker.
Spotify’s Listening Recommendation
While lossless playback is a major leap forward, Spotify recommends using it in optimal conditions:
- Best setup: Stream over Wi-Fi with wired headphones or speakers connected via Spotify Connect.
- Bluetooth limitation: Currently, Bluetooth lacks the bandwidth to transmit full lossless audio, meaning the signal will still undergo compression before playback.
Availability and Rollout Timeline
Lossless Listening is being released in phases to Premium subscribers worldwide. Users will receive an alert when the feature becomes available in their region. Spotify aims to expand the rollout to over 50 countries by October.
The feature has already launched in select markets, including:
- Australia
- Austria
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Germany
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Sweden
- United States
- United Kingdom
With this move, Spotify joins the ranks of platforms like Tidal and Apple Music, which have long offered lossless streaming, while reaffirming its mission to provide the best possible sound quality for music lovers.
