After years of anticipation, Spotify has officially rolled out HD lossless audio for its Premium subscribers, delivering near-CD quality sound across nearly every track on the platform.
This long-awaited feature, which was first planned four years ago, addresses one of the most requested upgrades from Spotify users worldwide.
The rollout is gradual, extending to more than 50 markets by October, with Premium subscribers in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, Japan, and several European countries already gaining access.
Users will receive a notification in their Spotify app once the lossless audio feature becomes available, signaling a new era in high-fidelity streaming.
What Lossless Audio Means for Listeners
Spotify’s HD audio streams use the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format, offering 24-bit depth at a 44.1 kHz sample rate. Unlike traditional lossy streaming, which compresses audio and can degrade quality, FLAC preserves every detail from the original recording.
Until now, Spotify’s highest-quality audio capped at 320 kbps using the lossy AAC codec, placing the platform behind competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, which have offered lossless streaming for years.
“The wait is finally over,” said Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify’s VP of subscriptions. “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.”
His statement underlines Spotify’s commitment to improving the Premium experience while finally closing the gap with rival streaming services.
Device Compatibility and User Control
Lossless audio is now available on Spotify’s mobile, desktop, and tablet apps, along with a growing range of third-party devices that support Spotify Connect. Brands currently supported include Sony, Bose, Samsung, Sennheiser, Denon, Marantz, Bluesound, and Yamaha, with support for Sonos and Amazon devices set to launch in October.
Users can choose whether to stream lossless audio via Wi-Fi, cellular data, or offline downloads, with Spotify providing detailed data consumption estimates for each setting.
To activate HD streaming, users must manually enable lossless audio on each device, with a “Lossless” indicator appearing in the Now Playing view and Connect Picker.
For optimal sound, Spotify recommends streaming over Wi-Fi and using wired headphones or speakers, as Bluetooth currently lacks the bandwidth to transmit fully lossless audio.
Flexible Listening Options
Spotify continues to offer flexible streaming quality options, ranging from Low, Normal, High, Very High, and now Lossless. This allows users to balance audio quality with data usage, making it possible to enjoy high-fidelity music even on limited bandwidth.
By integrating these choices seamlessly into its app, Spotify empowers Premium subscribers with control over their listening experience without compromising on clarity.
With this update, Spotify joins the growing list of streaming platforms offering true high-definition audio, positioning itself competitively in the premium music market.
The rollout represents both a long-awaited upgrade for audiophiles and a strategic move to retain and attract high-value subscribers seeking superior sound quality.
