Spotify has rolled out a major update to its lyrics feature, adding offline access for Premium users, expanding lyrics translations globally, and repositioning lyrics more prominently within the app as it looks to boost engagement and subscriptions.
The update allows Premium subscribers to view song lyrics even when they are offline, a move Spotify hopes will make paid plans more attractive. Free users, however, will not have access to offline lyrics.
In addition to offline access, Spotify has made lyrics translations available worldwide. Previously limited to about 25 markets, the feature now supports global users, enabling listeners to view translated lyrics in their device’s default language by tapping a translate icon within the lyrics card. Spotify first introduced lyrics translations in 2022 as part of its effort to make music more accessible across languages and regions.
The company has also redesigned where lyrics appear in the app. Lyrics are now displayed directly beneath the album artwork or looping background video in the “Now Playing” view, making them easier to find and interact with. Spotify says user testing showed that placing lyrics in a more visible position significantly increased engagement. Sharing lyrics snippets to social media remains available.
Spotify described part of the update as “lyric previews,” which will roll out globally to both free and paid users on iOS and Android devices. However, the offline lyrics feature will remain exclusive to Premium subscribers.
The changes come after a turbulent period for Spotify’s lyrics feature. In 2024, the company attempted to restrict lyrics access for free users, sparking widespread backlash before easing those limits later in the year. With these new updates, Spotify appears to be refining its approach — keeping core features accessible while reserving premium enhancements as an incentive to upgrade.
Lyrics have long been a popular but complex feature for Spotify due to licensing challenges. After years of testing and partial rollouts, the company finally launched real-time lyrics globally in 2021. Before that, Spotify relied on partnerships such as its “Behind the Lyrics” collaboration with Genius, which combined partial lyrics with song trivia.
With offline lyrics, expanded translations, and a redesigned interface, Spotify is positioning lyrics not just as a utility, but as a key engagement and conversion tool in its increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
