Four years after first teasing its lossless audio ambitions, Spotify still hasn’t delivered on the long-promised high-fidelity listening experience. But new findings within the company’s app suggest the project is not dead—and might be inching toward a potential launch.
This week, reverse engineer Chris Messina discovered new code references to a “lossless” tier in the latest Spotify desktop app build. The code includes help cards intended to guide users through the service, with messages like “Lossless music, now in premium” and “the best sound quality on Spotify for music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.” Additional entries caution users about compatibility and connectivity requirements, noting the experience is “best enjoyed on devices compatible with Spotify Connect and/or wired devices.”
Similar language also appeared in the mobile app’s code, as highlighted by a Reddit user. That user claimed the feature appears embedded in the app but is currently disabled—a claim reportedly supported by app analytics firm Appsensa.
While these developments reignite interest, they don’t confirm an imminent rollout. Spotify has previously left users waiting after similar leaks, with no clear follow-through. In public remarks, Spotify executives remain vague. During recent earnings calls, CEO Daniel Ek and Chief Business Officer Alex Norstrom reiterated ongoing investment in premium offerings, including new tiers aimed at “super fans,” but stopped short of providing timelines or specific details about lossless audio.
When Spotify initially announced its high-quality tier—then branded as Spotify HiFi—back in 2021, it positioned the feature as a step toward CD-quality, lossless streaming. The launch never materialized, with the company later citing licensing challenges. However, Spotify has since signed updated deals with Warner Music and Universal Music Group, a move that could remove some of those earlier roadblocks.
Speculation has also been fueled by earlier Bloomberg reporting, which pointed to a potential “Music Pro” premium tier launching by the end of 2025. This tier is expected to include lossless streaming along with advanced features like remixing tools. Still, Spotify has yet to confirm those plans or offer clarity on how it intends to price or position its higher-fidelity experience.
For now, the presence of lossless-related code offers a hint that the feature remains a part of Spotify’s roadmap. But until the company makes an official announcement, listeners hoping for a true high-resolution audio option are advised to temper expectations.
