You probably use Spotify all day long to listen to playlists, albums, songs and podcasts. With these handy, but unknown tips, you can get the most out of the music streaming service.
The 7 best Spotify tips
Apple Music makes a nice effort, but Spotify has long been the most popular app for listening to music. Basically the program is very simple: anyone can play a song. However, there are more than enough functions that are better hidden. With these Spotify tips you can easily get these tricks above water.
1. Save data by downloading
High audio quality and your internet bundle are not friends. When you run out of mb’s at the end of the month, it is wise to download your favorite albums or songs. This way you can also play them without a (mobile) internet connection, because the tracks are on your iPhone.
While scrolling through the library, simply tap the three dots. Then select ‘Download’. You cannot download single songs, but you can download podcast episodes. If you still want to download individual songs for use, you have to create a playlist.
To do this, tap the three dots when listening to a song and select ‘Add to’. Then choose ‘New playlist’ and enter a name. Add as many songs to your playlist as you want and download the selection by sliding the switch.
Also interesting: Apple Music vs Spotify: This is the best music service for iOS
2. The best sound
Do you have a good headset? Then it is a shame not to play songs in optimal quality. In Spotify you can choose to stream songs in low, normal (96 kbps), high (160 kbps) and very high quality (320 kbps). The latter option is comparable to the quality of an MP3 file on your Mac.
Spotify cannot compete with competitors such as Tidal or Qobuz in terms of audio quality, but you must have a trained ear to notice this difference. Of course, you consume more data when you opt for high streaming quality.
By default, this setting is set to automatic. To choose a higher or lower quality, go to the ‘Library’ tab and tap the gear icon at the top right. Scroll down and select the desired quality under the heading ‘Sound quality’.
Also interesting: Get the most out of Apple Music with these 7 tips
3. Keep prying eyes out
Want to listen to your favorite guilty pleasure? Then turn on the private session. As a result, your listening activity will not be shared with friends. To do this, go to Settings (gear icon at the top right of the library) and slide the switch at ‘Private session’. Therefore Spotify does not take these wrong pictures into account in the recommendations: very handy!
4. Good old man
Do you fancy music from the 70s or 80s? Then use a specific search function so that you only get numbers from that period. Go to the Search tab and enter for example “year: 1980-1990”. You will now be presented with songs, albums and playlists released during that decade.
You can refine this search even further by attaching the oeuvre of a specific band to it. For example, search for “year: 1980-1990 Metallica” to listen to the songs of the past. You can also use the words ‘and’, ‘or’ or ‘not’ or genres (such as “genre: rock”) to narrow your search.
5. Link Spotify to Google Maps
You no longer have to switch apps to play a different song while driving. Apple Music and Spotify work with Google Maps so you can keep your eyes on the road while driving.
To do this, go to the settings in Google Maps, tap ‘Navigation’ and select ‘App for music playback’. Choose Spotify here and confirm your choice by issuing an authorization. While navigating, you can now listen to music, pause or fast forward the track without having to exit Google Maps.
Also read: How to activate music integration from Spotify or Apple Music in Google Maps
Make your own radio
Do you have a nice song and are you looking for more songs like this? With Spotify it is very easy to start your own radio station, so that you will be presented with similar tracks. The music service takes into account, among other things, tempo and genre.
To do this, tap on the three dots when you are listening and select ‘Go to Track Radio’. Spotify is now looking up similar songs to keep you in the mood. Of course you can download this playlist for offline use or follow it so you can stay up to date with new tracks.
7. You are the DJ
Spotify has several functions that allow you to control the music. For example, under the heading ‘Play’ in the settings you will find the option ‘Crossfade’. With this you can let songs flow into each other so that there is no silence for a moment.
When you turn on the switch at ‘Autoplay’, the app will continue to play songs, even after your current album or playlist has ended. Spotify selects tracks that sound about the same for this. An option below is ‘Behind the lyrics’. If you turn this on, you will see trivial facts about the artist or song on the screen while listening to music.
Do you want to get even more out of Spotify? Then check out our article about the hidden functions of the streaming service.
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