Spotify Audio Quality in 2025: Best Settings & Tips

Spotify began rolling out Lossless to Premium listeners in select markets on September 10, 2025, expanding to 50+ markets through October. Read on to know the latest Spotify music quality info and how to set the Lossless on Spotify.

1. Spotify Audio Quality Overview (Free vs Premium)

• Lossless streams music in up to 24-bit/44.1 KHZ FLAC and is controlled via Media Quality settings (Wi-Fi, cellular, downloads). It's music only now, not available for podcasts, audiobooks, or music videos, and Bluetooth won't deliver true lossless.
• For true lossless, use wired audio or Spotify Connect (Bluetooth re-compresses).
• For Spotify Free, the app tops out at High (~160 kbit/s) and the Web Player at AAC 128 kbit/s. 

Below are the music quality details of different platforms for free and premium accounts. You can see that the web player is capped,  so use the desktop/mobile apps or Spotify Connect for Lossless. 

Sometimes there might be no Wi-Fi available, so choosing the appropriate quality setting is also important. Here is the date usage of each quality setting:

2. How to Enable the Highest Quality on Spotify (iOS, Android, Desktop, Web)

Firstly, look for the Lossless badge in Now Playing or the Connect Picker to confirm that you have enabled Lossless on each device you use. This is the premise.

Do note: Lossless is not available for Music Videos, Podcasts, or Audiobooks.

2.1 Spotify Lossless Settings

iOS & Android (mobile/tablet)

Make sure your Spotify mobile app is running on 9.0.58+. 

1. Open Spotify → tap your profile (top‑left).
2. Settings & Privacy → Media Quality.
3. Under Wi‑Fi, Cellular, and Downloads, choose Lossless.
4. Play a track; confirm the Lossless indicator appears.

Desktop app (Windows/macOS)

Make sure your Spotify desktop app is running on 1.2.67+. 

1. Open the desktop app → click your profile.
2. Settings & Privacy → Media Quality → set Lossless for Streaming and Downloads.
3. Use wired output (USB DAC/headphones) or Connect to a compatible speaker for true lossless.

Web Player (Browser)

• The Web Player’s current maximum is AAC 256 kbps on Premium (AAC 128 kbps on Free). For Lossless on a computer, switch to the desktop app or use Spotify Connect to a compatible device. 

Spotify Connect (wireless to speakers/AV gear)

• On compatible devices, Connect can deliver up to 24‑bit Lossless. For Connect devices, adjust quality using the Device settings while connected.

Spotify recommends 1.5–2 Mbps for a smooth Lossless experience. That’s roughly ~0.68–0.90 GB per hour of continuous streaming. Downloading Lossless tracks avoids repeated network use and is better for battery on the go.

2.2 Lossless vs 320 kbps: what changes and what doesn’t

Moving from 320 kbps (Very High) to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz FLAC reduces compression artifacts and can improve micro‑detail, decay, and stereo image when the mastering and your playback chain can reveal it.

Two big caveats:

2.3 What factors impact the lossless quality?

If you don’t hear a night‑and‑day difference, that’s normal. These factors may affect the listening experience. content, mastering, DAC/headphones, and room matter as much as format.

• Source: Even with Lossless enabled, what you hear is limited first by the source. If the original recording or mastering lacks detail, no file format can restore it.
• Devices: our phone, computer, DAC, and headphones/speakers all need to be Lossless‑capable to pass the full signal without down‑sampling or re‑encoding.
• Connection: Bluetooth typically recompresses audio and won’t deliver true end‑to‑end Lossless. 

In short, start with a well‑mastered track, verify that your devices can handle Lossless, and choose a connection that preserves the full resolution.

2.3  Troubleshooting about Spotify Lossless Quality

I turned on Lossless but don’t hear a difference.

• Check the signal path:Are you still on Bluetooth? Use wired or Connect.
• Confirm app versions: Mobile 9.0.58+, Desktop 1.2.67+ recommended for Lossless.
• Verify the content: Lossless depends on the original recording/master. Not all tracks benefit equally.
• Normalization: Try Normal/Quiet or disable per your preference; normalization runs even with Lossless.
• Network: If buffering, fall back to Very High or download first; aim for 1.5–2 Mbps steady.
• Web Player: Remember it’s AAC 256 max—Lossless requires the app or Connect. (Inference from official docs.)

3. Best Spotify Music Quality Settings

Don't know how to choose the best audio quality in different scenarios? Check the table below.

4.  Spotify vs Apple Music / TIDAL / Amazon Music

You may wonder about the difference between these streaming platforms; here is a quick snapshot of music quality details.

Related reading: Spotify & Apple Music Sound Quality; Spotify vs. Pandora.

5. Bonus: Listen to Spotify Offline without Limits Using MusicFab 

If you are a music hoarder, enjoy managing large offline libraries across devices, or simply want to listen to music without an internet connection while traveling. MusicFab meets your need. It supports you to download Spotify music in various audio qualities, from 128 kbps to 24-bit, with MP3, FLAC, OPUS, WAV, and M4A format support.

Key features of MusicFab Spotify Converter included:

• Built-in web browser to search and download music.
• Free and premium accounts are available.
• Save metadata such as ID3 tags and lyrics.
• 3-song free trial.

For a detailed MusicFab review and step-by-step guide, kindly see this post.