Spotify 'HiFi' audio control, error messages uncovered by user

Spotify

A user has found and been able to use a new "HiFi" button in the Spotify app, ahead of the music streaming company's launch of lossless audio.

Months before Apple announced that Apple Music would move to lossless audio tracks, Spotify revealed it would be offering higher-quality audio too. The company said only that it would launch during 2021, but a new finding suggests the launch may be imminent.

Within the Spotify iOS app, Reddit user "themonarc" has discovered a unannounced new "HiFi" button can be triggered. "I successfully opened the 'HiFi' menu by quickly tapping the glitched icon upon app launch," wrote "themonarc" on Reddit.

The steps, revealed in a GIF, shows the control appearing after using the Spotify app and switching back and forth to the Now Playing screen.

The new "HiFi" button as been spotted in Apple Music (source: Reddit)

A series of explanatory screens are then shown, most likely only on the first launch, which explain more about playing music on wired speakers, or Bluetooth ones.

"We want you to enjoy an uninterrupted listening experience," says one message. "That's why we automatically adjust you from HiFi to lower audio quality when you have poor bandwidth."

It's possible that Spotify has since accelerated its move to lossless in response to Apple's move. Amazon, which has offered a lossless option since 2019, cut its prices and extended its free trial just ahead of Apple's announcement.

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.

Follow AppleInsider on Google News

3 Comments

EsquireCats

said about 2 years ago

Spotify's advertising says that Spotify HiFi is CD-quality. Which will make it the lowest quality of all of the lossless audio providers on the market by a significant margin. How exciting it is to 'upgrade' to the sound quality of 1982.

xyzzy01

said about 2 years ago

EsquireCats said:

Spotify's advertising says that Spotify HiFi is CD-quality. Which will make it the lowest quality of all of the lossless audio providers on the market by a significant margin. How exciting it is to 'upgrade' to the sound quality of 1982.

To be fair, it's doubtful that you will be able to hear any difference between CD quality and higher qualities. The sample rates were chosen back in the 80s for good reasons.... Even the difference between the current compressed streams and the lossless streams are minimal, and very hard to hear on most gear - if you're able to do so at all.

winstoner71

said about 2 years ago

I’m so tired of people saying, especially in these comments, what people can and can’t hear re lossy vs lossless. “Oh well you might as well stay with the compressed crap since the difference is minimal”. Just stop. Do you really think people who will pay over $1000 for a phone, $500 and up for headphones, not to mention the money spent on high-end audio components, don’t have the means to make sure they can hear the difference? You’re kidding yourself.

Latest comparisons