Spotify has rolled out a major update to its app, putting users in charge of their listening experience like never before. The platform unveiled this update on Wednesday to push user control of playlist selection and recommendation features and next track selection. The redesign of the queue system and new track-skipping tools will be available for premium subscribers, while regular users will see smaller improvements to their Spotify experience.
The features will roll out gradually worldwide. Some tools, like turning Liked Songs into playlists, are limited to users in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S. for now.
Redesigned Queue and Smarter Controls
Premium users will notice a cleaner, more intuitive queue interface. The updated design places key controls like Shuffle, Smart Shuffle, Repeat, and Sleep Timer front and center. For the first time, subscribers can preview tracks Spotify plans to play after their current queue ends. This lets users remove songs they dislike before they start playing.
Smart Shuffle and Autoplay, features that add algorithm-picked songs to playlists, can now be turned off completely in Settings. This is a win for listeners who prefer to handpick every track.
Hide Songs You Dislike (For 30 Days)
Spotify has upgraded its Hide button, which now appears more prominently when browsing playlists. Tapping it removes a song from the current playlist across all devices. Soon, the platform will introduce a “Snooze” option that blocks a track from recommendations for 30 days. This temporary ban is ideal for songs you are tired of hearing but might want to revisit later.
Build Playlists Faster on Mobile
Creating and editing playlists is simpler with the new Add, Sort, and Edit buttons at the top of every playlist. Users can now:
- Add multiple songs at once
- Rearrange tracks by title, date added, or artist
- Change cover art and playlist names in seconds
In select countries, Spotify is testing a tool that converts Liked Songs into a custom playlist. Users first filter their Liked Songs by genre, then tap “Turn Into Playlist” to generate a ready-to-share collection.
New Home for Music Tools
Spotify has moved the Create button to the bottom-right corner of the mobile app. Tapping it reveals options to make new playlists, start a collaborative playlist with friends, or join a Blend (a shared playlist mixing two users’ tastes). Premium subscribers get extra perks here, including access to AI Playlist (which generates playlists based on text prompts) and Jam, a live session where groups add songs to a shared queue.
The Your Library tab, previously at the bottom center, is now the third icon on the right. This shift makes room for the Create button and reflects Spotify’s focus on helping users organize their music.
Why These Changes Matter
Since its inception, Spotify has created the listening patterns of users through its personalized recommendation system. The latest update enables users to gain control over their music listening experience. Spotify optimizes its service by blending human curation with intelligent tools to serve users who desire capability in addition to being introduced to fresh content. The recent update fixes two major problems that free users have with repetitive recommendations and difficult playlist editing.
The additional features provided in the Premium subscription model offer significant value that ultimately justifies the cost of the subscription payment. Thanks to its focus on improved customization, Spotify hopes to improve the loyalty of its users despite increasing streaming competition.
