New code in Spotify’s app references the long-awaited ‘lossless’ tier

Spotify has kept music enthusiasts on the edge of their seats for over four years with its promise of a lossless audio tier. Despite numerous teasers from the company and persistent speculation, the long-awaited feature has yet to materialize. However, recent updates in the app’s code reveal that progress may still be underway. According to tech expert Chris Messina, the latest update to the Spotify desktop app includes several references to 'lossless' audio. The newly integrated code snippets appear to introduce help cards designed to inform users about the anticipated lossless service. One such card boasts, 'Lossless music, now in premium,' while another highlights the service's capability to deliver 'the best sound quality on Spotify for music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.' Additionally, these cards provide warnings for users regarding the availability of certain tracks in lossless quality and connectivity issues that might hinder playback. A noteworthy mention indicates that lossless music is 'best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices.' Notably, a Reddit user, u/bendotlc, has pointed out that similar updates have surfaced in the mobile app, suggesting that the feature may already exist within the app but remains disabled for the time being. While these code references spark excitement, history reminds us that such clues do not guarantee an imminent launch. Previous years have seen similar leaks without any actual rollout of the high-quality audio tier. When questioned about the lossless feature during recent earnings calls, Spotify executives, including CEO Daniel Ek, hinted at ongoing investments in premium products for dedicated fans but refrained from providing specific timelines for new releases. Spotify's Chief Business Officer, Alex Norstrom, expressed optimism during the Q1 2025 call about the potential for higher-tier offerings, stating, 'Creating higher tiers around new offerings is something we are working towards as it really opens up new opportunities to delight users.' The initial announcement of Spotify HiFi in 2021 promised 'CD-quality, lossless audio format' but faced setbacks primarily due to licensing complications. In a potentially encouraging turn of events, Spotify secured new agreements with major labels, including Warner Music and Universal Music Group, early in 2025, which could facilitate the long-awaited lossless tier. Additionally, reports from Bloomberg have indicated plans for a premium Music Pro tier set to launch later in 2025, featuring high-quality streaming and other innovative functionalities. As of now, Spotify has chosen not to comment on these developments.