Spotify launches new Offline Listening feature

Spotify is making it as easy as possible to access the platform’s music when you’re offline. Although it already has an option to manually download music, now what’s new is that it creates automatic playlists when airplane mode is activated.

The new feature is called Offline Backup, and it not only works in airplane mode, but in any situation where the user is without an internet connection. It is now available for both iOS and Android for those with a Premium subscription.

Also read:

Spotify starts offering profiles for children with parental controls
Spotify launches anime playlists in partnership with Crunchyroll

How does Offline Backup work?

Offline Backup is a new feature that can automatically create a playlist when the user is without internet, whether during a plane trip, a trip where the signal doesn’t work very well or even in moments of power outages, as these get us off guard.

It can automatically create a playlist with songs that were recently produced on that account and also those that are in your queue, thus ensuring that the user’s favorite tracks are present.

Spotify already has a traditional offline mode, where it is possible to download songs and playlists that can be played without the internet. However, Offline Backup offers some advantages over this mode. The first advantage is that everything happens automatically, meaning there is no need to manually download each album or track.

The second is that the resource serves as a kind of musical “contingency plan”, bringing more flexibility with less planning. In other words, it can help in moments where the user is caught off guard, without having to curate their music in advance. Last-minute trip or race where the person ends up forgetting to download their music, or a lack of energy, for example.

And finally, an advantage of the new feature is that the playlist is always updating, so it’s as if someone just put together the songs you’ve been listening to most lately and gave you the list. Spotify even revealed that the feature evolves over time, learning the habits of each user and adapting the songs to this routine.

You need to activate the feature

Even though Offline Backup works automatically, it is not enabled by default, so you need to activate the function manually through the application settings. To do this, just go to the Data Saving and Offline Mode section and, within the options, under Storage, activate Offline Listening when it is available.

When it is activated, the Offline Backup playlist will appear in the application’s main feed, so it is easy to access the songs on it. Although they are placed there automatically, the user can filter and organize the tracks according to their preference, whether by artist, genre or style. You can also add this playlist to the library so that it can be accessed more easily at any time.

Global availability for premium users

The new Offline Backup feature is now being made available to all Premium subscribers globally starting today (3). However, as this type of distribution happens gradually, from region to region, it may take a few days to reach everyone. In any case, keep the app updated to ensure you stay up to date with the latest news!

Source: Engadget