Charles Esther
Spotify has introduced a new direct messaging feature for both free and Premium subscribers.
The update allows users to share music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly with friends inside the Spotify app, making it more than just a streaming platform.
Availability Limited to Select Markets
For now, the feature is only rolling out in select markets.
Spotify has confirmed that it will be available to users aged 16 or older on both iOS and Android devices this week, but has yet to specify which regions are included.
How Spotify Messages Work
Messages can be accessed from a user’s profile in the top-left corner of the app.
After accepting a message request, users can react with emojis, send texts, and share content—similar to WhatsApp-style DMs.
Spotify has also integrated the feature into the Now Playing view, letting users share content seamlessly while listening.
Anti-Spam and Safety Measures
To prevent misuse, Spotify allows users to opt out of the feature completely via the Settings menu.
Additionally, users can reject requests, block senders, or report abusive messages.
Spotify says messages will be protected with “industry-standard encryption” and scanned with proactive detection technology to block harmful or illegal content.
A Step Back to Spotify’s Early Days
This isn’t the first time Spotify has experimented with messaging.
In its early years, the app included a similar sharing function, though it disappeared long before today’s user base took shape.
Reactions from Users
Despite the announcement, not all Spotify fans are enthusiastic.
On Reddit and X, some have criticized the company for “feature creep,” claiming the platform is becoming cluttered with functions that few requested.
Instead, many users continue to demand the long-promised HiFi lossless audio option.
The HiFi Debate Still Looms
Earlier this year, rumors suggested Spotify might launch a “Music Pro” plan in 2025, offering HiFi streaming, concert ticket perks, and AI remixing tools for an added fee.
However, no official confirmation has followed, leaving subscribers frustrated as social features like Messages take priority.
Balancing Streaming and Social Tools
For now, Messages could appeal to those who want to keep music sharing inside the Spotify ecosystem.
But for many, established habits on WhatsApp or other platforms may limit its adoption, with critics warning that it could dilute Spotify’s core identity as a streaming service.
