Your Spotify Just Got a Massive Free Upgrade. Here’s What It Means for Your Music

It feels almost surreal, but the wait is finally over. After nearly a decade of rumors, teases, and broken promises, Spotify has officially begun rolling out lossless music streaming. The long-awaited feature, once promised as “Spotify HiFi,” is now a reality for subscribers. But the details of its launch might surprise you.

For years, both audiophiles and casual listeners have asked the same question: “When is Spotify getting HiFi?” The whispers began eight years ago, and four years later, a formal announcement for a new “Spotify HiFi” tier came and went with no product to show for it. Until now.

In a move that’s shaking up the streaming world, Spotify has flipped the switch. Premium subscribers are now gaining access to music streamed in the FLAC format at up to 24-bit/44.1kHz quality. Here’s the kicker: this significant audio upgrade comes at no extra cost. Nearly the entire catalog of over 100 million songs is included, meaning your favorite tracks could suddenly sound fresher, richer, and closer to studio quality than ever before.

Check Out: Best Lossless Songs to Listen to on Spotify

However, there are a few things to know. The rollout isn’t global just yet. Spotify has confirmed that full access will arrive by the end of October, but for now, high-resolution streaming is only enabled in select countries.

To enjoy the new quality, you’ll need compatible gear. Spotify Lossless works with Spotify Connect–enabled devices that can handle high-resolution playback. Many leading brands are already on board—including Sony, Bose, Samsung, Sennheiser, Denon, Marantz, Bluesound, and Yamaha—with a highly anticipated Sonos integration joining in the coming weeks.

So yes, the dream is real. But its long-delayed arrival leaves us wondering: after all this time, why now? And is a 24-bit/44.1kHz stream enough to satisfy the true hi-res purists? Only time will tell.