- Spotify has rolled out new playlist tools, including bulk editing features for queues
- Background downloading is now available for iOS users after being limited to Android devices
- Playlist folders are also rolling out globally
I love creating new playlists in Spotify, but sometimes its limited editing and queuing tools make the experience a chore rather than a fun activity. Luckily, the platform just released a host of tools to make playlists more enjoyable and to “help maintain smooth listening” for iOS and Android users.
Spotify announced more control tools yesterday (May 28) to help you edit your playlists and queue more efficiently. Rolling out to Premium users worldwide, the new “Edit” button lets you select multiple tracks at once, which you can either bump higher to play next, or remove from the queue altogether. This was a tool once offered on Spotify that has now been resurrected, and it also applies to audiobook and podcast episode queues.
Spotify’s new “Reshuffle” button is another feature that I consider a welcome addition to the app. If you find that a playlist isn’t quite giving you what you want, whether it’s your own or one curated by Spotify, the Reshuffle button will generate a whole new sequence of tracks, meaning you no longer have to manually toggle the standard Shuffle icon on and off to change the order.
Yes, the queue controls got a much-needed upgrade, as did Spotify’s playlist organizing tools. Although we first spotted it a few weeks ago, the ability to create and add playlist folders is rolling out globally to all users after being stuck behind the desktop experience for 15 years.
However, these upgrades are just the beginning, and Spotify is also making offline listening for iOS users even more reliable with background downloads, a tool that has until now been limited to Android users.
If you want to download a playlist or podcast episode, for example, you’ll no longer need to keep the Spotify app open to complete the download process. Now it does all this in the background for you and you’ll receive notifications to track progress. “So whether you’re on a plane, underground, or out of range, your listening is ready to go,” the company says in its announcement.
Spotify adds a feature I’ve wanted for years
Recently, I found myself hitting a wall when it came to creating playlists on Spotify, and it’s not just because of lack of inspiration. The playback and queuing features haven’t always made the experience as simple as it could be, but Spotify’s new additions could alleviate many of the problems for music fans.
I regularly add songs to a queue while I’m commuting or when I’m at a social gathering with friends, and one thing I’ve always wanted from Spotify is a “play next” option similar to Apple Music – which is one of my favorite parts of rival Spotify.
While there’s still no “play next” option when you want to add individual songs, you can advance the song of your choice directly from the queue. But unlike Apple Music, Spotify lets you drag multiple songs up at once, which not only saves you a lot of time dragging them up individually with the three-line icon, but it will also let your friends stop pestering you to bump a song they just requested.
As for playlist folders, I can’t believe it took Spotify this long to roll out a very basic feature, but hey, we finally have it now. If you’re like me and have different types of playlists for the same occasion (I have several workout and music playlists every year), keeping them in a categorized folder does wonders for keeping your profile clean, tidy, and navigable.
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