Spotify rolls out lossless audio to Premium users after eight-year wait

Spotify has begun rolling out a long-awaited “lossless” audio option to Premium subscribers, the company said, enabling listeners to stream and download music in higher-resolution formats that preserve the original studio data.

The feature, which Spotify first discussed in 2017, is being deployed across more than 50 countries and will reach users in phases through October, the company said. Premium subscribers in Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States have already started receiving access, Spotify added.

Lossless audio refers to files that are compressed without losing any of the original recording information, preserving subtle details such as overtones, dynamic range and depth that can be reduced or removed by standard compression. "Lossless refers to when there's no change between what you deliver to a streaming service and what the listener hears," Jack Mason, a Spotify Studios producer and engineer, said in an Instagram Reel posted by the company.

Spotify said nearly every song on the platform will be made available in the higher-quality format. The company warned that lossless files are larger and use more data and storage, and recommended that users stream over Wi‑Fi and download songs for offline listening when possible. Spotify also advised that listeners use wired headphones or speakers on non‑Bluetooth connections because current Bluetooth codecs typically do not provide sufficient bandwidth to transmit lossless files.

To enable the option, Spotify said users in eligible regions will receive a notification. Enabling the feature requires tapping the profile icon in the Spotify mobile or desktop app, opening Settings, selecting Media Quality and choosing the Lossless option for Wi‑Fi, cellular or downloads.

The launch brings Spotify in line with other major streaming services that already offer high‑resolution audio, including Apple Music and Amazon Music. The company said the rollout would continue over the coming weeks and months as it expands availability.

Users and industry observers noted the long development timeline; Spotify first floated the idea of a lossless tier in 2017. Reactions on social media ranged from enthusiasm over the improved listening experience to jokes about the delay in delivering the feature. Spotify framed the release as a response to demand for higher-fidelity streaming and as a technical effort to balance file size, streaming bandwidth and compatibility across devices.

Spotify’s guidance on device and network requirements reflects ongoing limitations in consumer audio hardware and wireless protocols. Many common wireless connections and older Bluetooth codecs limit audio bandwidth and can prevent listeners from hearing the full benefits of lossless formats. By recommending wired playback and Wi‑Fi, Spotify is directing users toward connections that support the higher data rates and storage demands of lossless audio while the company continues the phased deployment.

The company did not announce a separate price tier for lossless audio at the time of the rollout and said the feature will be available to existing Premium subscribers in supported markets. Spotify said more countries and territories would be added as the company completes the deployment through October.