Spotify has officially begun rolling out lossless audio streaming, bringing long-awaited high-fidelity playback to its Premium subscribers. The feature comes nearly four years after the company first announced CD-quality streaming in 2021, and more than a decade after users began requesting it.

According to Spotify, the rollout is gradual and will reach users in 50 markets by the end of October. Early access has already been granted to Premium subscribers in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, and Sweden.

What the Feature Offers

Premium users can now stream music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, a format that delivers higher audio fidelity than standard compressed streams. The option must be enabled in Settings > Media Quality, where users can set playback and download preferences for Wi-Fi, cellular, and offline listening.

Downloaded songs will need to be re-downloaded in the new format to take advantage of lossless quality. The feature is available across Spotify’s mobile, desktop, and tablet apps, as well as on Spotify Connect-enabled devices from brands like Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser. Support for additional platforms, including Sonos and Amazon devices, is expected soon.

Limited to Music

Lossless playback is currently restricted to music. Other content, such as podcasts, audiobooks, and music videos, will remain available only in standard quality. Spotify has also advised users that wired headphones or speakers are best suited for experiencing the improved fidelity, as many Bluetooth devices compress audio streams.

No Extra Cost — For Now

Industry speculation earlier this year suggested that Spotify would introduce a “Music Pro” tier to charge extra for lossless streaming. In a surprise move, the company is instead offering the feature at no additional cost to Premium subscribers, distinguishing its rollout from some competitors.

Competitive Landscape

Spotify joins Apple Music and Amazon Music HD, both of which already support lossless playback. Apple Music offers up to 24-bit/192 kHz quality without additional charges, while Amazon’s HD service provides 16-bit/44.1 kHz and 24-bit/192 kHz options, though not in all markets.

The introduction of lossless on Spotify comes as rival platforms look to monetize new features. YouTube Music, owned by Google, is reportedly testing restrictions that would place lyrics behind a premium paywall, highlighting the competitive shifts in the streaming industry.

With lossless now available, Spotify says it is committed to expanding device compatibility and improving the listening experience for its 600 million users worldwide.