- Spotify debuts 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC lossless audio built into Premium at no extra cost.
- It is activated manually in Settings > Media Quality and for each device.
- Best wired or Wi-Fi: Bluetooth doesn't transmit pure lossless; broad support with Spotify Connect.
- Phased rollout in more than 50 countries: first wave in 12 markets; Spain will follow later.
After years of back and forth, Spotify has begun to activate its Lossless audio for Premium subscribers, a long-awaited improvement that allows you to listen to music on FLAC up to 24-bit/44,1 kHzThe feature comes as part of the regular paid plan, without creating a specific additional tier.
novelty It is enabled progressively and requires manual activation in the app. (which we will explain below). Although the company does not introduce extra charges for this quality, remember that lossless streaming consumes more data and space and that Not all hardware reproduces the signal without compression in optimal conditions.
What Spotify's new lossless audio offers
Spotify adopts the codec FLAC, a format that compresses without removing information, unlike the usual lossy formats like MP3 or AAC. The platform ceiling is at 24 bit / 44,1 kHz, equivalent to near CD studio quality with greater precision in the dynamic range.
Facing rivals like Apple Music, Tidal or Qobuz, which increase part of the catalog to 24-bit/192 kHz, Spotify's proposal is more restrained. Even so, beyond these figures, the actual improvement depends on the ear, equipment and environment; in many cases differences above 44,1 kHz are difficult to perceive.
The company assures that lossless quality achieves “almost all the songs” in the catalog from Spotify. There may be occasional exceptions, so it's normal for the quality indicator to not show lossless mode on some tracks.
How to activate it step by step
Once your account is accessed, you'll see a notification within the app. From there, activation is manual and by device so you can choose the ideal setting in each case.
- Open your profile and enter Settings and privacy.
- Accede to Quality of multimedia content (or Media Quality).
- Choose Lossless for Wi‑Fi, mobile data, and downloads.
- Check the data consumption associated with each option before confirming.
In playback, the app can display a “Lossless” indicator when the track and device allow that quality. Please note that lossless files take up more space and The first load may take a few seconds, although the cache speeds up startup on subsequent listens.
Devices and compatibility
Lossless audio works in mobile phones, computers and tablets, in addition to equipment with Spotify Connect. Compatible brands include Sony, Bose, Samsung or Sennheiser, and there is planned support for speakers and soundbars Amazon and Sonos In the next weeks.
Due to technical limitations, the Bluetooth standard does not have enough bandwidth to carry pure, uncompressed FLAC. To get the most out of lossless mode it is best to use wired headphones, a good DAC if possible, or speakers connected via Wi‑Fi using Spotify Connect.
If your equipment isn't Hi-Res or relies on wireless codecs, you'll notice some of the improvement, but The complete jump is best appreciated with hardware prepared (quality wired headphones, dedicated DAC, proper amplification, etc.).
Availability by country and deployment schedule
Spotify is activating the feature for phases in more than 50 markets and the rollout will continue over the next few weeks. Users will receive a in-app notification when your account is enabled.
The first wave includes Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, United States and United Kingdom. Spain does not appear in that first group, but the activation will come later in the planned schedule.
Although the goal is to cover almost the entire catalog, some songs might not have of lossless version at the start of this deployment.
Context, price and competition
Spotify announced its intention to launch a HiFi option in 2021, but that promise was delayed longer than expected. The company Finally integrates lossless audio into Premium at no extra charge, a significant decision in a sector where some rivals already offered superior quality at no additional cost.
The move puts her at the level of Apple Music, Tidal or Amazon Music in file quality, although competing services maintain advantages such as Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, which many people perceive more immediately than the jumps in resolution.
It is worth remembering that the inclusion of lossless does not imply a new specific charge, although Premium recently went up in priceIn any case, the audio upgrade is included in the standard service subscription.
For those who have been asking for it for some time, this arrival closes a chapter: the platform retains its user experience and discovery and adds a highly sought-after sound quality, with room for future exploration even higher levels if the company deems it necessary.
With the rollout already underway, Premium users can activate the new quality and assess whether their equipment and facilities take advantage of the jump. Key tips include using a cable or Wi-Fi, checking your data usage, and confirming that your devices are working properly. support FLAC to the announced resolution.
The arrival of lossless audio on Spotify puts the spotlight on the essentials: better sound without paying more, extensive coverage with Spotify Connect, and a global calendar that will add countries until the list is complete; for those who were waiting for this move, it is the push they needed to listen to their library with more detail and fidelity.
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