Spotify appears to be moving closer to announcing its long-anticipated lossless audio tier, as recent updates to the music streaming app contain newly discovered references within the application’s code. The latest development was uncovered through the desktop app’s Wednesday build, where several explicit mentions of a “lossless” service emerged.
Discovered by technologist and reverse engineer Chris Messina, these new code snippets highlight explanatory help cards designed to inform Spotify’s users about the premium audio offering. One such message reads, “Lossless music, now in premium,” while another touts the format as delivering Spotify’s “best sound quality,” providing audio streams in “up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.”
Additional details in the leaked code suggest practical considerations. For example, warnings alert users when certain tracks may not be supported in lossless mode or how connectivity issues could disrupt playback quality. Another hint declares that lossless playback is optimal on devices compatible with Spotify Connect or equipment using direct wired connections.
Separately, Reddit user u/bendotlc detected references within the Spotify mobile app’s most recent build, including the phrase: “Say hello to the best sound quality on Spotify. Listen to high-fidelity music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.” Although the feature reportedly exists in the new update, the Redditor notes it is currently disabled within the app.
However promising these recent indications might appear, they do not necessarily forecast an imminent arrival. Similar code appearances and leaks have surfaced numerous times in the past few years without any official launch of Spotify’s HiFi option. During recent quarterly earnings calls, Spotify executives have made vague references to ongoing efforts in premium tier development without committing to a concrete release date.
For instance, during Spotify’s Q1 2025 earnings call, Chief Business Officer Alex Norstrom reaffirmed the company’s continued focus on premium tiers, characterizing them as opportunities “to delight users,” but he declined to offer specifics on timing.
Spotify HiFi, initially revealed in 2021, promised subscribers music streaming at “CD-quality, lossless audio format,” although the company referenced licensing issues as the main reason behind delays. Nonetheless, Spotify has since re-negotiated agreements with major record labels, including deals with giants Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group signed earlier this year, possibly resolving complications that hindered the introduction of lossless streaming.
Additionally, earlier this year, Bloomberg reported Spotify was preparing to introduce a new subscription model, tentatively known as the Music Pro tier. This premium tier would reportedly encompass enhanced streaming quality options, remixing capabilities, and other features aimed at more dedicated music listeners. At the time, Spotify declined to comment on these claims.
