Spotify’s Lossless Tier: Code Hints at Imminent Launch After Years of Delay

Spotify’s long-awaited lossless audio tier might finally be on the horizon. Over four years after its initial announcement, new code references within the Spotify app suggest that the high-fidelity service is still in development and possibly nearing launch. This comes after numerous teases from company executives, leaving many users cautiously optimistic.

Technologist and reverse engineer Chris Messina reported that the latest build of the Spotify desktop app contains several references to “lossless.” These code snippets primarily relate to help cards designed to inform users about the features and troubleshooting aspects of the lossless tier.

Examples of these cards include messages like, “Lossless music, now in premium,” and descriptions highlighting “the best sound quality on Spotify for music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.” Other cards provide warnings about song availability in lossless format or connectivity issues that could impact playback, also noting that lossless music is “best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices.”

Further fueling the anticipation, Reddit user u/bendotlc discovered similar references within the latest mobile app version. The code mentions: “Say hello to the best sound quality on Spotify. Listen to high-fidelity music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.” The Redditor claims the feature exists in the app but is currently disabled. TechCrunch confirmed these findings through data provided by Appsensa.

Despite these promising signs, it’s important to note that code references don’t guarantee an imminent launch. History has shown that previous leaks and code snippets have surfaced without leading to the actual release of the high-quality audio tier.

During recent earnings calls, Spotify executives, including CEO Daniel Ek, remained tight-lipped about lossless and other premium tier plans. They only hinted at investments in premium products for “super fans,” without providing specific timelines for launch.

Spotify Chief Business Officer Alex Norstrom reiterated the company’s interest in higher tiers on the Q1 2025 call, stating, “Now, with regards to higher tiers, we see great potential in them as we’ve mentioned before. So creating higher tiers around new offerings is something we are working towards as it really opens up new opportunities to delight users.”

Spotify initially announced its plans for Spotify HiFi in 2021, promising “CD-quality, lossless audio format.” However, the launch faced delays, with Spotify citing licensing issues as a primary obstacle. Recent deals with labels like Warner Music and Universal Music Group in early 2025 could potentially pave the way for the lossless tier.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported on a potential premium Music Pro tier launching later in 2025, featuring high-quality streaming, remixing capabilities, and other exclusive features. Spotify declined to comment on the report.

The appearance of these code snippets gives hope to Spotify users eagerly awaiting lossless audio.