Spotify is introducing a new feature while its HiFi streaming service remains unreleased.
Spotify is going full circle with a feature that it removed eight years ago.
In August 2026, Spotify will introduce a new Messages inbox, accessible via the profile picture in the app's upper left corner, where all shared content will be saved. Users can react with emojis, engage in text conversations, and manage message requests. Spotify has stated that while messages will feature standard encryption, they will also be scanned for harmful or illegal content.
Spotify claims this update addresses user requests for a dedicated in-app space to share and track songs, podcasts, and audiobooks with contacts.
Notably, Spotify previously offered a similar feature called Spotify Inbox, which was discontinued in 2017 due to low user engagement. At the time, data analysis indicated minimal usage.
The company has faced criticism for not yet offering lossless streaming. Rumors of a HiFi tier first emerged in 2017, yet despite repeated price increases, this feature has not materialized.
Many users express concern about recent changes at Spotify, including AI playlists and streaming quality. There are concerns about artist compensation, and users are feeling that the service is declining.
In other news, "Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," a coffee table book about 21st-century technology, is coming soon.