Spotify is introducing 'Messages,' an integrated chat system for exchanging recommendations for music, podcasts, and audiobooks without leaving the app. The feature is rolling out in select markets this week for users 16 and older, on both free and Premium accounts.
From the 'Now Playing' view, the share icon appears; with a tap, you select the contact and send the content directly, maintaining a centralized history of what you share with each person. The company had been hearing requests for an internal sharing space for some time, independent of other apps.
What is 'Messages' and what does it offer?
Conversations are one-on-one , support text and emoji reactions, and all sent items are saved in an inbox accessible from the profile picture (top left corner).
The goal is to make sharing more convenient without leaving Spotify and with your usual contacts, while maintaining compatibility with Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and other platforms like Android Auto.
For everyday use, this means having shared content and conversations readily available, so you can easily pick up where you left off or save recommendations for later.
How to use it: step by step
- Play the share icon in 'Now Playing' when you listen to a song, podcast, or audiobook.
- Find and select the contact whoever you want to talk to.
- Add a text if you want and send; the other person will receive a application Yes, it is the first time.
- Access your inbox from the profile picture to see chats and shared items.
You can only start conversations with people you've already interacted with on Spotify: Jams, Blends, collaborative playlists , or members of your Family or Duo plan. If you're the one receiving the invitation, simply accept it to start chatting.
It's also possible to start a conversation after sharing a link via social media or messaging; by accepting the invitation, the chat becomes available directly on Spotify without further complications.
Control, privacy and security
Chat requests can be accepted or rejected , and at any time you can block accounts, report inappropriate content, or completely disable the feature from the privacy settings.
Conversations are protected with industry- standard encryption both in transit and at rest, and the platform applies proactive systems to detect potential abuse, in addition to reviewing reports submitted by users.
If you don't want to use Messages, you can disable it with a single tap in Settings; this way you can keep Spotify just as you've used it until now.
Availability and deployment
Messaging is launching for free and Premium users aged 16 and over. Activation is being rolled out gradually and by region, with the service continuing to expand to different markets over the coming weeks.
The absence of a single date per country is due to a phased approach; if you don't see it yet, make sure you have the app updated and check your profile inbox regularly.
One step closer to a social Spotify
The arrival of chat fits into the strategy of strengthening the platform's social and interactive elements . In recent months, features such as podcast comments and a more visual feed have been added, and the company had already hinted at a more engaging mobile experience.
With 'Messages', Spotify aims to make music and podcast recommendations happen within its ecosystem, while still allowing for external integrations . For users, the benefit is practical: fewer apps to switch between and a single place to save what's shared with you.
Those who prefer to continue sharing via Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or TikTok can do so as always; the internal chat is intended to complement that use, not replace it.
However, the new system adds a layer of private conversation, granular privacy control, and a history of shared content that can be useful for discovering and returning to what interested you most.
Professional Technology and Software Editor