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Key Takeaways

  • Spotify boasts lots of little-known or under-utilized features worth exploring.
  • These include Smart Shuffle, which adds extra songs to your playlists, and an AI DJ, which takes the strain out of streaming.
  • There are also practical features, such as the ability to share podcasts with timestamps and set sleep timers when you listen in bed.

Since its inception, Spotify has gained and lost many features. And while you may miss some that Spotify has ditched, there will be lots of hidden Spotify features you have probably never heard of or are unfamiliar with. These are all useful Spotify features you should be using.

1. Enable Smart Shuffle on Spotify Playlists

Everyone knows you can shuffle playlists on Spotify, but did you know you can add extra songs using Smart Shuffle? This feature enables Spotify to play extra songs it thinks fit into the playlist, providing an easy way to discover new music.

Smart Shuffle selected on the Spotify desktop app

On desktop, just click the Shuffle button, and you'll be given the option to upgrade to Smart Shuffle. Select that option, and Spotify will add song recommendations to your queue.

On mobile, just click the Shuffle button twice. The first time triggers the standard shuffle, while the second triggers Smart Shuffle. You'll know it has worked as you'll get a popup notification, and the icon will change.

2. Use a Sleep Timer to Fall Asleep to Spotify

If you like to fall asleep while listening to music or podcasts, you can set Spotify to stop playing after a specific period. Spotify's sleep timer is available for Android and iOS, and you can set the timer for a minimum of five minutes and a maximum of one hour.

To set up a sleep timer on Spotify:

  1. Go to the song, podcast, or audiobook (you can listen to audiobooks for free on Spotify) that's currently playing and tap the Stopwatch icon in the bottom-right of the screen.
  2. The Sleep Timer menu should pop up so you can choose how long you want to set it for.
  3. Select when Spotify should stop playing.

If you're listening to a podcast and the time increments, you'll see an option to stop at the End of episode.

3. Change Your Playlist Cover Image

By default, Spotify creates playlist covers using album art from the songs you've added to those playlists. However, you can easily customize the covers to pretty much whatever you want. For the best results, you should use an image measuring 300x300 pixels.

You can change the cover of one of your playlists on desktop or mobile.

Editing a Spotify playlist to change to choose a new photo

To change your playlist image on desktop, select one of your playlists and hover the mouse over the cover. Click the Choose photo option and set a new cover image.

To change your playlist image on mobile, select one of your playlists and click the three vertical dots to open the menu. Click Edit Playlist, then Change Image. You can either take a photo or choose one from your device.

You can only change the cover for playlists that you've created yourself. Not playlists created by others, including Spotify itself.

4. Enable Crossfade on Spotify for Smoother Transitions

You might remember how the audio faded out slowly on older songs or albums. If you want to bring back some nostalgia or simply want smoother transitions between songs, enable the Spotify feature called Crossfade.

Adjusting Spotify to Crossfade songs on the desktop app

On Spotify for desktop, click your profile icon and select Settings. Then, scroll down to Playback and turn on Crossfade. You can set the crossfade effect between one and 12 seconds. Experiment to find the right level of crossfade for you.

If you're on mobile, all you need to do is tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner, select Playback, and adjust Crossfade to what you want it to be.

5. Use the AI DJ for a New Experience

Spotify's AI DJ brings artificial intelligence into your music streaming experience. Unfortunately, it isn't yet available in all territories, but it's well worth using if you have access.

Searching for the AI DJ on Spotify

Whether on desktop or mobile, you just need to find the DJ Playlist and click it. The AI DJ will then introduce itself and start playing music it thinks you'll enjoy. If you can't see the DJ on the homescreen, just search for "DJ" or "AI DJ" to make it surface.

6. Create a Playlist In a Bottle for Next Year

You can now create a Playlist in a Bottle that acts like a Spotify time capsule. If you create one now, it will be available to open in a year.

Creating a Spotify Playlist in a Bottle

To get started, go to Spotify's Playlist in a Bottle microsite and follow the instructions. You'll need to choose a container for your playlist, then answer some questions to select what songs you're placing inside it. Then all you need to do is wait 12 months before opening it.

7. Start a Private Session on Spotify

There may be situations when you want to listen to music without having your friends seeing what you're listening to. Which is where the Private Session feature comes in extremely handy.

Starting a Private Session on Spotify

If you're using Spotify on your computer, head to Profile > Settings > Social. There, enable the Start a private session to listen anonymously option.

On mobile, click on your Profile Picture > Settings and Privacy, then scroll down to Privacy and Social. Click that and enable the Private Session slider.

8. Share Podcasts With Timestamps

Instead of sharing a two-hour podcast and mentioning which part you find interesting, make use of Spotify's timestamps. Pause the podcast and tap the Share button. Then, enable the Share from feature above the rest of the sharing options and send the link. The Timestamp feature is available on the Spotify mobile app for Android and iOS.

9. Create Collaborative Playlists With Friends

Are you bored with creating Spotify playlists by yourself? Thankfully, you don't have to create them alone. Instead, you can invite collaborators to a playlist, and create one with other people. And this is a fun feature whether you share the same taste in music or like wildly different genres.

Invite collaborators to a Spotify Playlist

Whether on desktop or mobile, open a playlist (new or existing) and click the outline of a person with a plus next to it. This creates a link that you can share with other people. And if they accept the invitation to collaborate, they can add songs to that playlist.

10. Use Jam Sessions for Group Listening

If you're at a party or other social gathering that calls for multiple people to pick music, Spotify's Jam Session feature is worth its weight in gold. In a nutshell, it allows multiple people to control what music is playing and queued. And you can choose to start a jam by sharing a link, tapping phones together with Bluetooth on, or by scanning a QR code.

Start a Jam Session on Spotify's desktop app

On desktop, play a song or open a playlist, then click the three horizontal dots. You'll see the option to Start a Jam, and once selected, you can invite friends to jam with you.

On mobile, play a song or open a playlist, then click the Devices icon at the bottom right of the Now Playing screen. You'll see the option to Start a Jam, and once selected, you can invite friends to jam with you.

Now that you know more about some of Spotify's lesser-known features, the only thing left to do is check them out and see if they improve your listening experience. Just keep in mind that some of these features are only available on Spotify's mobile app and not on the desktop app or web player.