Introduction
Ever wanted to jam out to your favorite throwback hits or guilty pleasures on Spotify without your friends knowing? Thankfully, Spotify makes it easy to start a private listening session where you can hide what you listen to for six hours. If you want to keep listening to music on Spotify privately for longer than that, you’ll need to keep turning on the private session feature.
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Steps to Start a Private Listening Session in Spotify Mobile App
- Open the Spotify mobile app on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. You’ll land on your Spotify home screen.
- Tap the “Settings” icon at the top of the screen. The Spotify Settings screen is shown.
- Tap “Privacy and Social.” The Privacy and Social screen is displayed.
- Tap to toggle on “Private Session.” For the next six hours your Spotify listening activity will not be visible to your followers. Alternatively, your Spotify private listening session will end if you restart Spotify. If you want to continue listening privately after that time is up, you’ll need to come back here and re-enable “Private Session” again.
Steps to Start a Private Listening Session in Spotify Desktop App
- Open the Spotify desktop app. Click your profile icon at the top of the screen to open a menu.
- Click “Private Session” in this menu.
You’ll see a padlock icon at the top of the screen next to your profile icon, indicating that your private listening session is active. For the next six hours your Spotify listening activity will not be visible to your followers. Alternatively, your Spotify private listening session will end if you restart Spotify.
You can also turn off your Spotify session manually by re-opening the profile menu, and then clicking “Private Session.” You’ll see the padlock icon removed, indicating that you’re no longer in a private listening session.
Reasons to Start a Private Listening Session on Spotify
1. Personal Privacy
Privacy is a significant concern for many individuals. Music taste is a personal aspect that some prefer to keep private. Sharing one’s listening activity might not always be desirable. For instance, an individual could be listening to songs that hold personal or sentimental value. These songs could be associated with private memories or experiences. A private listening session on Spotify ensures that the listening activity of an individual is not broadcasted or shared with any of their followers. This feature is especially important for those who value their privacy and do not wish to share every aspect of their lives on social media platforms.
2. Focus or Concentration
Listening to music privately can greatly enhance focus and concentration. Often, music is used as a tool to create a conducive environment for work or study. However, notifications from followers or friends on the platform can be distracting. Listening to music privately on Spotify ensures that an individual can listen to their favorite tunes without any interruptions or distractions. This can be particularly helpful during activities that require deep concentration, such as studying for an exam, working on a project, or reading a book.
3. Emotional Reasons
Music has the power to evoke strong emotions. It can bring comfort during challenging times or help in processing emotions. For example, someone might want to listen to sad music alone after experiencing a breakup or a loss. A Spotify private listening session allows an individual to process their emotions privately, without the prying eyes of followers or friends. It provides a safe space for an individual to reflect on their feelings and emotions without the fear of being judged by others.
4. Experimenting with New Music
People often like to explore new genres or artists that are different from their usual taste. However, they might feel conscious about what others, particularly their friends or followers, might think of their music choices. A private listening session allows an individual to explore new music without the fear of judgment. It provides the freedom to experiment with different genres and artists without worrying about the opinions of others. This can be particularly liberating for individuals who are conscious about their image and the music they are associated with.
5. Avoiding Judgment
People are often conscious about what others might think of their music taste. Music preferences can be deeply personal and individuals might not want to be judged based on their choices. A private listening session ensures that an individual can listen to whatever they want without being judged by their friends or followers. This feature is particularly important for those who feel that their music choices might not align with the expectations of their social circle.
6. Preventing Influence on Recommendations
Spotify uses listening history to recommend new music to its users. Playing music for a group of people or for a specific event might not align with an individual’s personal music preferences. A Spotify private listening session ensures that the music played during such occasions does not influence the recommendations made by Spotify. This feature is particularly important for individuals who value the recommendations made by the platform and do not want them to be influenced by music that does not reflect their personal taste.
7. Surprise Planning
Planning a surprise for someone, such as a playlist or a party, often involves listening to music that the person being surprised enjoys. An individual might not want the person being surprised to see what they are listening to during the preparation phase. A private listening session ensures that the preparation for the surprise remains a secret. This feature is particularly important for individuals who are planning a surprise and do not want to give any hints about it through their listening activity.
