Christmas came early for Spotify fans especially those on the free tier. Just days after unveiling its long-awaited lossless music streaming, the company is now rolling out a set of new features that were previously locked behind the Premium subscription wall.
Pick & Play: No More Shuffle Restrictions
Until now, free Spotify users were at the mercy of shuffle mode when playing tracks from an album or playlist. That limitation is finally gone. With Pick & Play, users can now tap on any song in an album or playlist and listen directly — a privilege that had long been exclusive to Premium subscribers.
Search & Play: Direct Song Requests
Spotify is also adding Search & Play, a simple yet highly requested feature. Free users can now search for a specific track and play it instantly, instead of relying on curated shuffles or algorithm-driven queues. While advertisements will still play between tracks, the expanded control over playback is a major win for listeners.
Share & Play: Music That Travels With You
Another addition, Share & Play, makes it easier to listen to music shared through links across the internet and social platforms. Whether in a group chat or a social post, free-tier users can now open links and immediately play the song without restrictions.
A Bigger Push Into Social and Discovery
The updates continue Spotify’s broader push into social features and discovery tools. The company recently launched an in-app messaging system that functions like direct messages, letting users share songs, playlists, and podcasts without leaving the platform.
Earlier this month, Spotify also introduced Smart Filters that refine playlists based on mood, activity, or genre, plus the ability to hide or snooze tracks and better manage queues. For book lovers, the streaming giant teamed up with TikTok to launch a Big on BookTok hub dedicated to audiobook discovery.
And, of course, the long-awaited HiFi lossless streaming option is finally on its way, a feature promised years ago and now rolling out globally.
