Key Takeaways
- Queue editing is now available for free Spotify users globally, not just Premium subscribers
- iOS users can now download music in the background without keeping the app open
- Playlist folders finally arrived on mobile, letting you organize by genre, mood, or language
Spotify quietly shipped five updates over the past few months that make the app genuinely easier to use. Queue editing now works for free users. Background downloads arrived on iOS. Playlist folders landed on mobile. A fitness hub bundles workout content in one place. And Premium subscribers in select markets get Peloton classes baked into their subscription.
None of these are headline-grabbing AI features. They're small quality-of-life fixes that Spotify users have requested for years. Here's what each one does and how to turn it on.
Queue editing comes to free users
Spotify's play queue has long been a Premium-only perk. That changed. Free users worldwide can now edit and reorganize tracks, podcast episodes, or audiobook chapters directly in the queue.
Premium subscribers get an extra tweak: bulk selection. You can now tap multiple songs at once and move or delete them together instead of dragging one track at a time.
To use it, open the Now Playing screen, tap the queue icon (the stacked lines) in the bottom corner, then tap Edit. From there you can reorder tracks, remove them individually, or hit Clear to wipe the queue and start fresh.
Background downloads on iOS
Downloading a large playlist for a flight used to mean leaving Spotify open and watching the progress bar crawl. iOS users no longer need to babysit the app. Background downloads let Spotify continue pulling tracks even when you switch to another app or lock the screen.
You'll get a notification when the download finishes. This matters most for people who want their entire library available offline or who frequently download long podcasts.
Spotify has not announced a timeline for Android. For now, this is iOS-only.
Playlist folders finally arrive on mobile
Folders have existed on Spotify desktop for years. Mobile users had to scroll through a flat list of playlists, which becomes unmanageable once you save a few hundred. The mobile app now supports folders, and the rollout is global.
You can nest folders inside folders. I use one folder for podcasts sorted by genre and another for playlists sorted by language and activity. The hierarchy syncs across devices.
To create a folder, open your library, tap the plus sign in the upper-right corner, select Folder, name it, and tap Create. You can add new playlists to the folder immediately or move existing playlists into it later.
Fitness hub with Peloton classes
Fitness with Spotify launched in late April as a dedicated hub for workout content. Free and Premium users can access curated playlists and guided sessions from wellness creators. Premium users in certain markets also get more than 1,400 on-demand Peloton video classes, ad-free, included in their subscription.
To find it, search for "Fitness" in the app and tap the Fitness genre card. The hub works on phone, desktop, and TV.
The Peloton partnership is significant. Peloton charges $12.99 per month for app-only access. If you're already paying $11.99 for Spotify Premium and happen to live in an eligible market, you're getting cycling, strength, and yoga classes at no extra cost.
Why these updates matter
Spotify's 615 million monthly active users include 239 million paying subscribers. That leaves roughly 375 million people on the free tier. Giving free users queue controls reduces friction and keeps them inside the app longer. It's a retention play.
The fitness hub is a different bet. Spotify wants to own more of your listening time, including the hours you spend working out. Bundling Peloton content adds value to Premium without Spotify licensing more music.
Background downloads and playlist folders are catch-up features. Apple Music and YouTube Music have offered both for years. Still, execution counts. Spotify's folder implementation is clean, and background downloads work as advertised.
Logicity's Take
Spotify is filling feature gaps rather than chasing novelty. That's smart. AI DJ and Daylist grabbed headlines, but queue editing and playlist folders address daily friction that pushes users toward competitors. The Peloton bundle is the most interesting move: Spotify is testing whether it can become a broader audio-and-video fitness platform without building the content itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spotify queue editing available for free users?
Yes. Spotify rolled out queue editing globally for all free users. Premium users also gained the ability to select and manage multiple songs at once.
How do I enable background downloads on Spotify?
Background downloads are automatic for iOS users with Spotify Premium. Start a download and switch apps or lock your phone. The download continues and you'll get a notification when it finishes.
Can I get Peloton classes free with Spotify Premium?
Premium users in select markets can access over 1,400 Peloton video classes at no extra cost through the Fitness with Spotify hub. Spotify has not disclosed the full list of eligible countries.
Are Spotify playlist folders available on Android?
Yes. Playlist folders are rolling out globally on both iOS and Android mobile apps.
Will background downloads come to Spotify on Android?
Spotify has not announced Android support for background downloads. For now, the feature is iOS-only.
Another guide to hidden settings that improve a popular app
Need Help Implementing This?
Logicity covers product updates, hidden features, and workarounds for the tools founders and engineers use daily. Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly guides.
Source: How-To Geek
Huma Shazia
Senior AI & Tech Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
