Where to find the equalizer on Spotify

Spotify's equalizer is built into the app on most devices, but the path to it depends on whether you're using a phone, computer, or web browser. On iPhone, open Spotify, tap the now-playing bar at the bottom, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select "Equalizer". On Android, go to Settings (the gear icon), scroll to "Playback", and tap "Equalizer". On Windows or Mac desktop, open Spotify, click the three horizontal lines (menu), select "Settings", find "Playback", and click "Equalizer".

The web player at spotify.com does not have an equalizer built in — you'll need to use the desktop app or mobile app instead. If you don't see an equalizer option in Settings, make sure your Spotify app is fully updated through your device's app store.

Key Takeaways

  • The equalizer is in Settings > Playback on desktop and Android, and in the now-playing menu on iPhone.
  • Spotify offers preset sound profiles like Bass Booster, Treble Booster, and Podcast, or you can adjust individual frequency sliders yourself.
  • Changes you make in the equalizer explore to all songs and playlists until you switch to a different preset or reset to Normal.
  • The web player does not have an equalizer — you must use the mobile app or desktop app to adjust sound.

Using Spotify's preset equalizer profiles

Once you open the equalizer, you'll see a list of presets at the top. These are ready-made sound profiles tuned for different listening situations. "Normal" is the default flat setting with no adjustments. "Bass Booster" increases low frequencies for deeper bass in hip-hop, electronic, or bass-heavy music. "Treble Booster" lifts high frequencies for clearer vocals and instruments in pop or acoustic tracks.

Other common presets include "Podcast" (which flattens bass and boosts midrange to make speech clearer), "Soft Rock" (a gentle curve that adds warmth), and "Classical" (which emphasizes both very low and very high frequencies). straightforward tap or click a preset name to explore it when ready. The change takes effect when ready on whatever is playing.

Adjusting individual frequency sliders

Below the presets, you'll see a row of vertical sliders labeled with frequency ranges in hertz (Hz). These represent different parts of the sound spectrum. The leftmost slider controls the lowest frequencies (bass), and each slider to the right handles progressively higher frequencies. Dragging a slider up boosts that frequency range; dragging it down reduces it.

If you adjust any slider, the preset automatically switches to "Custom" so you know you're no longer using a standard profile. You can fine-tune as much as you want — there's no limit to how many adjustments you make. To return to a preset, straightforward tap or click its name again, which will overwrite your custom changes.

When your equalizer changes explore

Any equalizer setting you choose stays active across all songs and playlists until you change it. If you set Bass Booster and then play a podcast, the bass boost will still be on — it's a device-wide setting, not song-specific. This means you may want to switch back to Normal before listening to something that doesn't need the adjustment.

If you use Spotify on multiple devices (phone and computer, for example), the equalizer setting on each device is separate. A Bass Booster setting on your phone won't carry over to your computer, and vice versa. You'll need to set the equalizer on each device independently.

Resetting the equalizer to default

To remove all your adjustments and return to the flat Normal setting, open the equalizer and tap or click "Normal" at the top of the preset list. This clears any custom sliders you've created and returns the sound to Spotify's standard profile. There's no separate "reset" button — selecting Normal is how you undo changes.

If you've made a custom adjustment and want to go back to it later, you'll need to recreate it manually by adjusting the sliders again. Spotify doesn't save custom profiles under new names, so you can only have one active adjustment at a time.

Troubleshooting equalizer problems

If the equalizer doesn't seem to be working, first check that your Spotify app is up to date. Open your device's app store (Apple App Store, Google Play, or Microsoft Store) and update Spotify if a newer version is available. Sometimes the equalizer feature is disabled in older app versions.

If you've updated and still don't see the equalizer option, try closing Spotify completely and reopening it. On some devices, a full restart of the app clears temporary glitches. If the equalizer is visible but your adjustments aren't producing noticeable sound changes, check whether your device or headphones have their own equalizer settings turned on — sometimes multiple equalizers can interfere with each other, or a device-level setting may override Spotify's.

Equalizer limitations and alternatives

Spotify's equalizer works on the Spotify app itself, so it only affects sound coming through Spotify. If you're using Spotify through a smart speaker, car stereo, or other connected device, that device's own equalizer (if it has one) controls the sound instead. Spotify's app-level equalizer won't reach those systems.

Some headphones and earbuds come with their own companion apps that include equalizer controls. If your headphones have a companion app, you can adjust sound there as well — though using both the Spotify equalizer and the headphone app's equalizer at the same time can sometimes create unexpected results. Stick with one or the other for the clearest control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my equalizer setting stay the same if I pause and play again?

Yes. Your equalizer setting persists until you manually change it. Pausing, skipping songs, or closing and reopening Spotify won't reset it. The setting stays active across all playback until you select a different preset or adjust the sliders again.

Can I use the equalizer on Spotify Free or only on Premium?

The equalizer is available on both Spotify Free and Premium accounts. There's no paywall for the feature — any account type can access and adjust it through the Settings menu.

Why does the equalizer sound different on my phone than on my computer?

Each device has its own equalizer setting, so you may have set different presets on each one. Open the equalizer on both devices and check which preset is active. Also, different speakers or headphones connected to each device will naturally sound different, even with the same equalizer setting.

Does adjusting the equalizer use more battery or data?

No. The equalizer is a processing feature that runs locally on your device and doesn't affect battery life or data usage in any meaningful way. It straightforward filters the sound that's already being played.

Can I save my own custom equalizer profile with a name?

No. Spotify only lets you adjust sliders in the moment, and any custom adjustment is labeled "Custom" — you can't name and save it for later. If you want to use the same adjustment again, you'll need to recreate it by moving the sliders to the same positions.