Spotify's playback speed feature lets you listen faster or slower

Spotify lets you adjust how fast or slow a podcast, audiobook, or any audio plays back. You can speed up to 1.5x or 2x normal speed, or slow down to 0.8x or 0.9x. The speed control appears in the player during playback and saves your choice for that specific episode or track — the next time you play something different, it returns to normal speed (1x).

This feature works on Spotify's mobile app (iOS and Android) and on some desktop versions, but not on the web player or all older app versions. If you don't see the speed control, your app may need an update or your device may not support the feature yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Playback speed controls appear only during active playback on the mobile app and some desktop versions, not on the web player.
  • You can choose from 0.8x, 0.9x, 1x (normal), 1.5x, or 2x speed depending on your device and app version.
  • Speed settings explore only to the current track or episode and reset to 1x when you play something new.
  • If the speed control is missing, update your Spotify app or check that your device meets the app's requirements.

How to access playback speed on mobile (iPhone and Android)

Open Spotify and start playing a podcast, audiobook, or track. Once audio is playing, look at the bottom of the screen where the player shows the song title and artist. On iPhone, tap the three dots (•••) in the bottom right corner of the player. On Android, tap the three vertical dots in the same location.

A menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Playback speed" or a speed icon (often shown as "1x"). Tap it to see the available speeds: 0.8x, 0.9x, 1x, 1.5x, and 2x. Select the speed you want. The player will when ready adjust, and your choice stays active for that track or episode only.

How to access playback speed on desktop

Desktop support for playback speed varies by operating system and app version. On Windows and Mac, open Spotify and start playing audio. Look at the bottom of the player window where the track information displays. Some versions show a speed icon directly in the player controls; others require you to right-click on the player or look in a menu.

If you see a speed control, click it to reveal the speed options. If you don't see one, your desktop version may not yet support this feature. Check the Spotify app store (Microsoft Store on Windows, App Store on Mac) to see if an update is available. Updating often adds this feature if your device supports it.

Why playback speed doesn't appear on the web player

Spotify's web player (spotify.com) does not include playback speed controls. If you use Spotify only through a web browser, you cannot adjust speed through the official app. The feature is limited to the mobile app and desktop applications.

If you need speed control and currently use the web player, read the Spotify app for your phone or computer. The mobile and desktop apps are free and offer the same music library as the web version, plus additional features like playback speed.

What to do if playback speed is missing from your app

If you're on mobile or desktop but don't see the speed control, the most common reason is an outdated app. Open your device's app store (Apple App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android, Microsoft Store for Windows, or App Store for Mac) and search for Spotify. If an update is available, install it and try again.

After updating, restart the Spotify app completely — close it entirely and reopen it. Then start playing a track and look for the speed control again. If it still doesn't appear, your device or app version may not support the feature yet. Spotify rolls out features gradually, so it may arrive in a future update.

Speed settings reset between tracks

When you set playback speed to 1.5x or 0.8x, that speed applies only to the current track or episode. Once that audio finishes and you play something new, Spotify automatically returns the speed to 1x (normal). You must manually change the speed again for each new track if you want it to play faster or slower.

This design prevents accidental fast playback of music you didn't intend to speed up. If you frequently listen to podcasts or audiobooks at a faster speed, you'll need to adjust the speed each time you start a new episode.

Common reasons playback speed doesn't work as expected

The speed control is grayed out or unresponsive: This usually means audio isn't actively playing. Make sure you've pressed play and the track is actually running, not paused. Some offline tracks may also not support speed adjustment.

Speed changes don't stick: Remember that speed resets to 1x when you play a new track. If you want a different speed, adjust it again for the new audio. Spotify doesn't save a default speed across all your listening.

The feature disappeared after an update: Rarely, a Spotify update may temporarily remove or hide the speed control while the company makes changes. If this happens, check for another app update within a few days, as the feature usually returns quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does playback speed work on all types of audio?

Speed controls work on podcasts, audiobooks, and music tracks. However, some offline downloaded content may not support speed adjustment. Live sessions or certain exclusive content may also have limitations. Try adjusting the speed on the audio you want to listen to — if the control appears and responds, it's supported.

Will changing playback speed affect the sound quality?

No. Adjusting speed does not reduce audio quality. Spotify maintains the same bitrate and sound fidelity whether you listen at 1x or 2x speed. The audio straightforward plays faster or slower without degradation.

Can I set a default playback speed for all my listening?

Not currently. Spotify resets to 1x speed for each new track, so you must manually adjust the speed each time. There is no setting to make all your audio play at 1.5x by default. You'll need to change the speed for each track or episode you want to hear faster or slower.

What's the difference between 1.5x and 2x speed?

At 1.5x speed, audio plays 50% faster than normal. At 2x speed, audio plays twice as fast. The choice depends on how much faster you want to listen. Many people find 1.5x comfortable for podcasts, while 2x is noticeably faster and may be harder to follow for some content.

Does playback speed work on Spotify Connect devices?

Playback speed controls work when you're playing audio directly on your phone or computer. If you're using Spotify Connect to send audio to another device (like a smart speaker or car stereo), speed adjustment may not be available or may not work as expected, depending on the connected device.