Spotify has spent years promising quality-of-life improvements to its core playlist and queue experience, and this week it delivered on several of them at once. A new batch of updates is rolling out to the Spotify app globally, bringing playlist folders to mobile for the first time, upgraded queue management for Premium users, background downloads on iOS, and a one-tap Reshuffle button.
(Source: Spotify Newsroom | Via: Android Police)
Playlist Folders Finally Come to Mobile
This is the one many Spotify power users have been waiting for. Playlist folders have existed on the Spotify desktop app for years — around 15 years, according to some users — but were never available on mobile. That changes now. You can create folders directly from the “+” menu in Your Library on both Android and iOS, name them whatever you like, and nest folders inside folders if your organizational habits run deep.
For users managing large libraries with dozens of playlists, this addresses a genuine friction point. It is available for all users globally, not just Premium subscribers.
Queue Controls Get a Long-Overdue Upgrade
Premium users are regaining something that was quietly taken away at some point: the ability to select and manage multiple songs in the play queue simultaneously. The new multi-select queue controls let you highlight several tracks at once and either move them up in the queue to play sooner or remove them entirely. This applies to music queues, audiobook episode queues, and podcast episode queues alike.
This is a significant quality-of-life improvement for anyone who actively manages what plays next rather than just letting Spotify auto-play.
In-Playlist Bulk Actions
Alongside the queue improvements, Spotify has also introduced in-playlist bulk editing. Previously, removing or reorganizing multiple tracks from a playlist required handling them one at a time. Now you can select multiple tracks, podcast episodes, or audiobook chapters within a playlist and move or remove them in a single action. This feature is rolling out globally for all users.
Background Downloads on iOS — Finally
This one has been an Android-only feature for years and has long frustrated iOS users. Background downloads on iOS now allow music and podcast content to continue downloading even when the Spotify app is closed or running in the background. Users will receive progress notifications so they can track when downloads are complete.
The practical benefit is straightforward: you no longer have to leave Spotify open while preparing content for offline listening before a flight or commute. This feature is rolling out for Spotify Premium subscribers.
The Reshuffle Button
For Premium users, a new Reshuffle button lets you generate a completely fresh shuffle order for any playlist with a single tap. Previously, getting a new shuffle required turning the shuffle feature off and back on again — a minor but persistently annoying workaround. The Reshuffle option removes that extra step and makes rediscovering familiar playlists feel more satisfying.
What’s Free vs. What Requires Premium
To be clear about what requires a subscription: playlist folders on mobile and in-playlist bulk editing are available for all users globally. Multi-select queue management, background downloads on iOS, and the Reshuffle button are all exclusive to Spotify Premium subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Spotify Premium to use playlist folders on mobile?
No. Playlist folders on mobile are available for all Spotify users, both free and Premium. The Premium-exclusive features in this update are queue controls, background iOS downloads, and the Reshuffle button.
What does the Reshuffle button do in Spotify?
The Reshuffle button generates a completely new shuffle order for a playlist with a single tap. It is available to Spotify Premium subscribers on mobile and removes the need to toggle shuffle off and back on to get a different playback order.
When are background downloads coming to iOS for Spotify?
Background downloads for iOS are rolling out now as part of this update for Spotify Premium subscribers. Music and podcasts will continue downloading even when the app is closed, and progress notifications will keep you updated.
Can I manage multiple songs in my queue on Spotify now?
Yes, for Premium subscribers. The new multi-select queue controls let you select multiple songs, podcast episodes, or audiobook chapters and move them up in the queue or remove them in a single action.
Are these Spotify updates available globally?
Playlist folders on mobile and in-playlist bulk editing are rolling out globally for all users. The queue controls, background downloads on iOS, and Reshuffle button are rolling out globally for Spotify Premium subscribers.
The Bottom Line
This batch of Spotify updates is genuinely useful rather than cosmetic. Playlist folders on mobile address a long-standing organizational gap. Multi-select queue controls restore a feature users actively missed. Background iOS downloads fix a problem that should not have taken this long to solve. And the Reshuffle button is the kind of small addition that improves daily listening in a disproportionately satisfying way. The rollout is underway — update your Spotify app if you want to get these features as quickly as possible.
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