By Kaycee Hill
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
Spotify just gave its free tier a major upgrade — here’s what you get for nothing
Spotify just gave Discovery a big upgrade — here’s what’s new for you
I’ve been testing Spotify Lossless for a week — 3 things I like, 2 things I don’t
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Meta Connect LIVE
iPhone 17 Pro Max Review
iPhone Air Review
iPhone 17 Review
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
Over-Ear Headphones
You don’t have to spend loads on a new pair of headphones — these 3 pairs cost less than $100 and sound great
Forget AirPods Max — here’s the 5 headphones I recommend for every budget
I used to be an open-ear hater, but these are the 3 open-earbuds that changed my mind — and none of them are Bose
I’ve tested 15 pairs of earbuds in the past year — and these are the only 3 I’d wholeheartedly recommend
I test audio gear for a living — here’s my 5 favorite wireless earbuds under $100 with great sound
Music Streaming
Don’t fall for the Spotify Lossless hype — here’s the streaming service you should use instead and why
Bored with the gym? These 3 gadgets are game changers for my motivation
Over-Ear Headphones
I test noise-canceling headphones for a living — here’s my top picks under $100
Over-Ear Headphones
Of all the headphones I’ve tested this year, these two have the best controls
Want to get the most out of Spotify Lossless? Grab one of these headphones
Music Streaming
Spotify just gave its free tier a major upgrade — here’s what you get for nothing
Music Streaming
Spotify just gave Discovery a big upgrade — here’s what’s new for you
Music Streaming
I’ve been testing Spotify Lossless for a week — 3 things I like, 2 things I don’t
Music Streaming
Spotify just got a huge upgrade for over 200 million users — you’ve got to try this new feature
Music Streaming
Spotify Lossless just dropped — here’s how it compares to Apple Music, Tidal and other high-res services
Entertainment
Music Streaming
Spotify has 3 hidden features most people don’t know about — here’s how to use them
Kaycee Hill
20 September 2025
I’ve been using Spotify for years and I didn’t know these features existed
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Most Spotify users stick to the basics: searching for songs, creating playlists, and letting Discover Weekly introduce them to new music. While these core features work well, Spotify has lesser-known tools that can significantly improve your listening experience.
These hidden features address common frustrations like protecting your music recommendations from guilty pleasure listening sessions; finding specific types of music more efficiently; and creating seamless transitions between songs in your playlists. Built into Spotify and completely free to use, regardless of whether you have Premium or the ad-supported version, these features are game-changers. Here’s how to use them.
1. Protect your algorithm with private sessions
(Image: © Tom’s Guide)
Private sessions let you listen to music without affecting your recommendations or appearing in your friends’ activity feeds. Tap your profile image on the home screen, select Settings, then tap Privacy and Social and toggle on Private Session.
This feature is perfect when you want to indulge in guilty pleasures, explore music outside your usual taste, or listen to something that might confuse Spotify’s recommendation algorithm.
The private session automatically ends after six hours, so your regular listening habits resume normally.
Private sessions are also useful when sharing your account with family members or when you’re playing music at parties where other people are choosing songs. Your personal music taste won’t be influenced by these temporary listening sessions.
2. Use search to find exactly what you want
(Image: © Tom’s Guide)
Spotify’s search function becomes much more powerful when you add specific qualifiers to narrow down results. Type search terms using the following format: “genre:genrename year:startdate-enddate” to find music that matches exact criteria.
For example, searching “genre:rock year:2001-2009” returns only rock music from that decade. You can also use single years like “year:2023” or combine multiple qualifiers.
This feature works particularly well for discovering music in specific genres during certain time periods, finding songs for themed playlists, or exploring how particular styles evolved over different decades.
It’s a much more precise exploration than simply browsing through Spotify’s general genre categories.
3. Enable crossfade for seamless song transitions
(Image: © Tom’s Guide)
Crossfade blends the ending of one song with the beginning of the next, creating smooth transitions without awkward silence between tracks. To do this, go to Settings, Playback and adjust the Crossfade slider to set overlap time between 1 and 12 seconds.
The optimal setting depends on your music style: shorter crossfades work well for most genres, while longer overlaps suit continuous mix-style listening.
The feature works particularly well for workout playlists, party music, or any situation where you want uninterrupted musical flow.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
You may like
Spotify just gave its free tier a major upgrade — here’s what you get for nothing
Spotify just gave Discovery a big upgrade — here’s what’s new for you
I’ve been testing Spotify Lossless for a week — 3 things I like, 2 things I don’t
More from Tom’s Guide
Spotify’s Lossless Listening makes music sound amazing — how to enable it
How to make AI playlists on Spotify — follow these 5 steps
I test audio gear — 5 secret Spotify features everyone needs to know
Back to Mobile Cell Phones
Storage Size
Refurbished
Showing 10 of 194 deals
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
(256GB White)
$1,379View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
$1,048.49View Deal
Google Pixel 9 Pro
(128GB OLED)
$809.99View Deal
Google Pixel 9a
$499View Deal
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
$1,099.99View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
$1,049.99View Deal
Google Pixel 9 Pro
$999.99Preorder
Google Pixel 9a
$499View Deal
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
$1,199View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
$1,280View Deal
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
See more Entertainment How-Tos
Kaycee Hill
Social Links Navigation
How-to Editor
Kaycee is Tom’s Guide’s How-To Editor, known for tutorials that skip the fluff and get straight to what works. She writes across AI, homes, phones, and everything in between — because life doesn’t stick to categories and neither should good advice. With years of experience in tech and content creation, she’s built her reputation on turning complicated subjects into straightforward solutions. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books. Her debut collection is published by Bloodaxe, with a second book in the works.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Spotify just gave its free tier a major upgrade — here’s what you get for nothing
Spotify just gave Discovery a big upgrade — here’s what’s new for you
I’ve been testing Spotify Lossless for a week — 3 things I like, 2 things I don’t
Spotify just got a huge upgrade for over 200 million users — you’ve got to try this new feature
Spotify Lossless just dropped — here’s how it compares to Apple Music, Tidal and other high-res services
7 hidden Roku tricks everyone needs to know
Latest in Music Streaming
I’ve been testing Spotify Lossless for a week — 3 things I like, 2 things I don’t
Spotify just gave its free tier a major upgrade — here’s what you get for nothing
Don’t fall for the Spotify Lossless hype — here’s the streaming service you should use instead and why
Spotify Lossless just dropped — here’s how it compares to Apple Music, Tidal and other high-res services
Spotify’s Lossless Listening makes music sound amazing — here’s how to enable it
Rejoice, all ye hi-res audio fans — Spotify Lossless is finally here
Latest in How To
Most people get basic answers from ChatGPT — this one prompt unlocks next-level intelligence
Spotify has 3 hidden features most people don’t know about — here’s how to use them
How to set up your child’s first smartphone (and keep them safe online)
AirPods Pro 3 Live Translation — here’s how to use it
How to winterize your above-ground pool — here’s when to start and what to do
I discovered one of the best hidden macOS Tahoe features — and it will save you time every day
LATEST ARTICLES
3 queen memory foam mattresses under $500 I’d buy in this weekend’s sales — and we’ve tested them all
Forget Apple Watch 11 — Google built the AI Health coach that I really wanted with Pixel Watch 4
Most people get basic answers from ChatGPT — this one prompt unlocks next-level intelligence
I tried this ‘weighted mobility” and deep stretch workout, and my entire body feels incredible
I’ve been testing the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — what’s new?
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
