Spotify Lossless Audio, often associated with Spotify HiFi, brings higher-quality, lossless music streaming to Spotify users. Unlike traditional compressed audio, lossless playback preserves more of the original audio detail, giving listeners a clearer and more natural sound when using compatible headphones, speakers, or other audio equipment. For music enthusiasts, this makes Spotify a more appealing option for enjoying high-quality music without leaving the platform.
But what exactly is Spotify Lossless Audio, how much does it cost, and what devices support it? Can you download Spotify HiFi music for offline listening while preserving its lossless quality? In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about Spotify Lossless Audio, including its features, audio quality, pricing, availability, supported devices, and options for offline playback.
Part 1. Everything You Need to Know About Spotify Lossless Audio
Introduction to Spotify Lossless Audio and Spotify HiFi
Spotify HiFi has been one of the most anticipated features among Spotify users who want higher-quality audio. Discussions about a potential lossless streaming tier began as early as 2021, when Spotify announced plans to introduce CD-quality lossless audio. The feature was expected to compete with high-fidelity offerings from services such as Tidal and Apple Music. However, its rollout took longer than initially expected, leaving many listeners waiting for a higher-quality audio option.
Over the following years, references to a high-fidelity tier continued to fuel speculation about Spotify's plans for lossless audio. The introduction of lossless streaming represents an important step for Spotify users who care about sound quality, particularly those who use high-quality headphones, speakers, or other compatible audio equipment.
With lossless audio, Spotify users can enjoy music with more detail and less compression than standard lossy formats. However, the actual audio quality, availability, supported devices, and offline download options may vary depending on the user's subscription, device, region, and Spotify's current features.
Key Details of Spotify Lossless Audio:
- Audio Quality: Lossless audio provides higher-quality sound than Spotify's traditional compressed formats. Where supported, users can select the highest available quality from Spotify's audio quality settings.
- Device Compatibility: Lossless playback is available on supported mobile, desktop, tablet, and compatible audio devices. To get the most from higher-quality audio, use high-quality headphones, speakers, or other suitable audio equipment.
- Settings Customization: Users can adjust audio quality through Spotify's settings. Depending on the account, device, and available features, different quality levels may be offered, including a lossless option.
- Limitations: Lossless audio requires more storage and data than compressed audio. Availability may also vary by region, device, content type, and Spotify plan. For the best listening experience, a stable Wi-Fi connection and high-quality audio equipment are recommended.
Spotify Lossless Audio Price and Comparison to Other Streaming Services
One of the main questions surrounding Spotify's lossless audio feature is whether users need to pay an additional fee. The availability and pricing of lossless audio may depend on Spotify's current subscription plans and regional offerings. Before subscribing or upgrading, check Spotify's official pricing and plan details for the latest information.
Compared with other music streaming services, Spotify's lossless offering is particularly relevant to listeners who want to combine Spotify's extensive music catalog, personalized recommendations, playlists, and social features with higher-quality audio. However, factors such as supported formats, maximum resolution, device compatibility, and offline listening options should also be considered when comparing lossless music services.
Here's how Spotify Lossless Audio compares with other major streaming platforms offering lossless audio:
| Streaming Service | Monthly Price | Max Audio Quality | Unique Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify Premium | $12.99 | Lossless (24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC) included | AI DJ, Discover Weekly playlists, Wrapped summaries, free tier with ads, audiobooks (15 hours/month) | Discovery and social sharing; casual-to-serious listeners |
| Apple Music | $11.99 | Lossless (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) & Spatial Audio included | Seamless Apple device integration, exclusive artist content, lyrics syncing | iOS users wanting immersive sound without extras |
| Tidal | $11.99 | Hi-Res (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) & Dolby Atmos included | Artist-focused exclusives, high-fidelity mastering, strong artist payouts | Audiophiles prioritizing top-tier sound and artist support |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | $12.99 ($11.99 with Prime) | Lossless (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) & Spatial Audio included | Alexa integration, podcast/audiobook bundle, offline downloads | Prime members seeking value and smart home control |
| Deezer Premium | $11.99 | HiFi / CD-quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC) included | Flow (endless mix), community quizzes, global catalogs | Listeners wanting solid lossless + social features (not true hi-res) |
| Qobuz Studio | $12.99 | Hi-Res (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) included | Download-to-own store, editorial hi-res focus, Roon integration | Hi-fi enthusiasts who buy tracks alongside streaming |
Part 2. How to Enable Lossless Audio Quality on Spotify
Enabling Spotify HiFi is straightforward, taking just minutes in the app.
Step-by-Step Guide on Enabling Spotify HiFi in Your Account Settings
- Step 1. Open the Spotify app on your mobile, desktop, or web player. Tap your profile icon (top-left on mobile, bottom on desktop).
- Step 2. Select "Settings and privacy", and open "Media quality."
- Step 3. Under "Media quality," , you'll see options for Streaming, Download, Wi-Fi Streaming, and Cellular Streaming. Toggle "Lossless."
System Requirements and Compatible Devices for Spotify HiFi
- iOS/Android: Version 15+ (iOS) or 10+ (Android); latest Spotify app.
- Desktop: Windows 10+, macOS 11+; Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
- Hardware: Wired connection recommended (Bluetooth compresses to lossy); supports Sonos, Google Nest, and Apple HomePod via Spotify Connect.
- Data: Up to 1,411 kbps bitrate—use Wi-Fi to avoid throttling.
Official Way to Download Spotify Lossless Audio for Offline Listening
Spotify Premium users can download Spotify HiFi tracks for offline playback. However, these files can only be played within the Spotify app.
- Step 1. Search for or navigate to the song, album, playlist, or podcast you want.
- Step 2. Tap the Download button (downward arrow icon) next to the item.
- Step 3. If you had previously downloaded the content in lower quality, delete the old version first (via Your Library > Downloads > long-press the item > Remove Download) and re-download to apply lossless. For automatic management, enable Offline Backup in Settings > Storage to prioritize your most-played tracks.
- Step 4. During playback, look for the Lossless badge in the Now Playing view (it appears on the right side of the progress bar). On desktop or mobile, you can also check the track info for "Lossless" under quality settings.
Part 3. The Best Alternative to Download Spotify Lossless Audio to FLAC
Although Spotify HiFi delivers impressive lossless streaming quality, it doesn't let users download Spotify Lossless Audio in common formats like FLAC. For those who want to keep their music offline, play it on various devices, or transfer it to USB drives, converting Spotify HiFi tracks to FLAC is an excellent solution. Since Spotify itself restricts this feature, using a reliable third-party tool such as Macsome Spotify Downloader becomes the best option. It enables users to easily download and convert Spotify songs, albums, and playlists, audiobooks, and podcasts to FLAC while maintaining original sound quality and ID3 tags.
Macsome Spotify Downloader preserves the original Spotify HiFi audio quality, delivering true CD-level sound without compression. It converts Spotify songs, albums, and playlists to common formats like MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, AIFF, and ALAC, so you can enjoy them on any device without the Spotify app. All ID3 tags, including title, artist, and album, are retained for easy music management. With up to 40x faster conversion speed and a simple, intuitive interface, both free and Premium users can download Spotify HiFi tracks for offline listening effortlessly.
Key Features of Macsome Spotify Downloader
- Download Spotify songs, albums, playlists, audiobooks, and podcasts with a Spotify Free account.
- Convert Spotify music to MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC with original quality.
- Customized quality at up to 320 kbps to select outputting Spotify songs.
- Runs up to 40x faster, and supports batch downloading of large playlists.
- One-click to burn CDs & Import Spotify songs to Apple Music.
- Saves files locally for playback offline with both Spotify Free and Premium users.
- Sort the downloaded Spotify tracks by album, artist, and playlist.
- Almost all the ID3 tags will be preserved.
Download Spotify HiFi in Lossless FLAC Format Using Macsome Spotify Downloader
Step 1. Launch Macsome Spotify Downloader.
Download, install, and open the Macsome Spotify Downloader on your computer. You can choose to download music from the Spotify app or web player. In the settings section, choose FLAC as the output format, you can also choose the local folder to save the downloaded Spotify tracks. Then select 24-bit/192 kHz for the best audio quality, and adjust other parameters as needed.
Step 2. Add Spotify Songs or Playlists to Macsome.
To download a song or playlist from Spotify, please navigate to it and copy the link in the Spotify app or web player, then paste it into the Parse box. Alternatively, drag and drop Spotify music from the Spotify app to the main window. Click the 'Add' button and the tracks will be loaded into the main window.
Step 3. Start Downloading Spotify Music to Lossless FLAC.
Click the 'Convert' button to start downloading Spotify HiFi music as lossless FLAC. Once complete, the files will be saved to your chosen folder, where you can access them via the 'History' tab. After downloading, you can enjoy your HiFi tracks on any device without needing the Spotify app.
Part 4. FAQs About Downloading Spotify Lossless Audio
- What is Spotify lossless audio?
- Lossless audio is a file format that preserves the original recording without losing any audio data, resulting in higher-fidelity sound. On Spotify, Premium users can stream and download songs in FLAC format at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz resolution.
- Do I need a special subscription for Spotify lossless downloads?
- Yes, lossless downloads are included with a standard Spotify Premium subscription. This subscription also offers streaming at no extra cost. Spotify Premium subscribers can download lossless audio at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC.
- Do downloaded lossless files take up more storage?
- Yes, because lossless files contain all the original audio data, they are significantly larger than compressed files. Downloading a song in lossless quality will consume more storage space on your device.
- Is there a workaround to get downloadable FLAC files?
- Lossless downloads are protected cache files that can only be played within the Spotify app. They cannot be transferred as independent files to other devices. However, some third-party tools, such as Macsome Spotify Downloader, can convert Spotify tracks to local FLAC files that can be exported.
- Why don't my old downloads play in lossless quality?
- Your old downloads probably don't play in lossless quality because they were downloaded before Spotify HiFi was available, or because they were converted to a lossy format, such as MP3 or AAC, at the time of download. Lossy formats compress audio by removing some details to reduce file size. Therefore, even if you enable lossless playback now, your older files won't magically upgrade; they will remain the same quality as when they were originally downloaded or converted.
If you want true lossless playback, you'll need to:- Change the download quality setting to Lossless. Delete your existing downloaded songs. Re-download the desired songs or playlists.
- Download the tracks using a tool that preserves lossless quality (like Macsome Spotify Downloader in FLAC).
Final Verdict
Spotify HiFi has redefined music streaming by delivering true, lossless, CD-quality audio and providing listeners with a premium, immersive experience. Although Spotify's official offline options are limited, the Macsome Spotify Downloader is a powerful alternative that allows you to convert Spotify HiFi tracks to lossless FLAC or other high-quality formats. Whether you're an audiophile or simply want the best sound quality possible, Macsome lets you enjoy Spotify HiFi music offline freely and easily without any compromises.
Get started with Macsome Spotify Downloader today and unlock the full potential of your Spotify HiFi music collection!


Wyatt Maxwell