It’s been over 4 years since Spotify first introduced its plans to launch a lossless audio tier that has but to reach.
After quite a few leaks and teases from firm execs, we all know higher than to begin hoping that the long-delayed service may very well be lastly nearing arrival.
However newly added references within the music app’s code counsel the lossless service is at the very least nonetheless beneath improvement and will even be getting nearer to launch.
In response to technologist and reverse engineer Chris Messina, various references to “lossless” have popped up in Wednesday’s construct of the Spotify desktop app.
Picture Credit:screenshot from Chris Messina
These code snippets primarily refer to assist playing cards that would seem to tell the tip person about what the lossless tier gives and the right way to use or troubleshoot the service.
As an example, one card says, “Lossless music, now in premium,” whereas one other describes it because the “finest sound high quality on Spotify for music in as much as 24-bit/44.1 kHz.”
A number of the playing cards warn customers that individual songs aren’t out there in lossless or when their gadget has dangerous connectivity, which might have an effect on playback. One other notes that lossless music is “finest loved on units appropriate with Spotify Join and/or wired units.”
Picture Credit:screenshot from Chris Messina
As well as, Reddit person u/bendotlc famous that different modifications have been seen within the newest model of the cellular app, the place the code now mentions lossless: “Say whats up to the perfect sound high quality on Spotify. Hearken to high-fidelity music in as much as 24-bit/44.1 kHz.” The Redditor claims the characteristic is definitely current within the app, however is presently disabled. (TechCrunch confirmed these claims with information supplied by Appsensa, see under.)
Picture Credit:Cell information supplied by Appsensa (opens in a brand new window)
In fact, code references don’t imply the lossless characteristic is coming anytime quickly.
As we’ve seen in earlier years, leaks and code references have appeared earlier than, and but the high-quality audio tier by no means arrived.
When requested immediately about lossless and different plans for premium tiers on current earnings calls with buyers, Spotify execs, together with CEO Daniel Ek, would solely trace that the corporate was investing in premium merchandise for “tremendous followers.” They wouldn’t give a time-frame on when these or every other higher-quality streaming choices would lastly launch.
Most not too long ago, Spotify Chief Enterprise Officer Alex Norstrom informed buyers on the Q1 2025 name that Spotify was nonetheless investing in additional premium tiers.
“Now, close to greater tiers, we see nice potential in them as we’ve talked about earlier than,” he stated. “So creating greater tiers round new choices is one thing we’re working in the direction of because it actually opens up new alternatives to please customers,” Norstrom stated on the time.
When Spotify first introduced its plans for Spotify HiFi, because it was then referred to as, in 2021, it stated that the service would provide customers music in “CD-quality, lossless audio format.” It had run checks of a lossless choice within the years earlier than this, nonetheless.
Ultimately, Spotify pointed to licensing points as the explanation for its delay in launching.
In what may very well be promising information on that entrance, the streamer signed new offers with labels together with Warner Music and Common Music Group in early 2025, which might pave the best way for the lossless tier — or so music followers hope.
Bloomberg additionally reported earlier this 12 months {that a} premium Music Professional tier would launch later in 2025, which would come with high-quality streaming, remixing, and different options.
Spotify declined to touch upon this report.
Up to date after publication with extra information from Spotify’s cellular app.
