The feature, which brings higher sound quality in FLAC format, is rolling out gradually across more than 50 countries, including the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and Australia.

Subscribers will not need to pay extra for the upgrade. Instead, the feature is being added directly to existing Premium plans, avoiding the creation of a separate “HiFi” or “Music Pro” tier that many had anticipated. Users will receive an in-app notification once the update is live for their account.

To enable the feature, listeners must navigate to Settings & Privacy → Media Quality, where “Lossless” can be selected for streaming on Wi-Fi, mobile data, and downloads. Spotify has also included a visual indicator that confirms when tracks are playing in lossless format. However, enabling the option has to be done separately on each device.

The rollout comes with some technical limitations. Spotify’s lossless quality peaks at 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, which falls short of the higher-resolution options offered by rivals like Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. Those services support up to 24-bit/192 kHz, a difference that only a fraction of audiophiles with high-end sound systems might notice.

Still, Spotify insists the new feature improves clarity and depth across almost its entire 100-million-song catalogue. Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify’s vice president of Subscriptions, described it as a milestone for users:

“The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers. We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step, so you always know what’s happening under the hood. With Lossless, our premium users will now have an even better listening experience.”

The company is also working with hardware makers to ensure larger compatibility. At launch, devices from Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser are supported, with Sonos and Amazon integration expected in the coming weeks.

One caveat is that Bluetooth connections do not have the bandwidth to deliver full lossless audio, meaning wired headphones or Wi-Fi-enabled speakers via Spotify Connect are recommended for the best experience.

Spotify has arrived late to this space. Apple Music introduced lossless audio in 2021 at no additional cost, while Amazon Music HD dropped its premium charge in 2019. YouTube Music now remains the only major streaming service without a lossless option.

After years of delays, Spotify’s move is an important step, even if it doesn’t immediately match the technical depth of its competitors. For subscribers, it finally means access to the sound quality many have been asking for since 2017.

This software upgrade will ensure studio-quality sound for audiophiles and seamless audio precision for professionals in music production, gaming, and livestreaming.

AirPods Max will now support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio, ensuring that every detail of a recording stays intact. Paired with Personalized Spatial Audio, listeners will get a wider, more better soundstage that mirrors what artists hear in the studio. 

With Apple Music providing over 100 million songs in lossless quality, this update puts high-fidelity sound within reach of every AirPods Max user.

For music creators, this is a huge one. In connecting AirPods Max with a USB-C cable, musicians and producers can now record, mix, and master in lossless quality without worrying about latency. Apple states, “AirPods Max will become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.” This will ultimately enable uncompromised fidelity throughout the entire music production process.

Sharper, Faster Audio for Gamers and Streamers

Aside from music, the update brings ultra-low latency for gaming and livestreaming. Players will experience instant audio feedback, matching the precision of built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. With no lag between action and sound, gaming will feel more responsive, and live broadcasts will maintain crystal-clear synchronisation.

Availability and Pricing

Apple is rolling out this free firmware update in April, alongside iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. AirPods Max, priced at $549, remain available in five colours: midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange.

For those needing wired connections, Apple is also launching a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable for $39. It allows users to plug into airplane audio ports, car stereos, and other 3.5 mm sources, expanding the headset’s versatility beyond wireless use.