Spotify is one of the most common music streaming apps, which is known for its variety of music choice. It offers many features to enhance the entire experience, such as creating personalized playlists, sharing your favorite songs and albums on social media, and more. However, what do you do when you want to listen to your favorite tunes privately? You could plug in your headphones and enjoy them alone. But did you know that there is a private listening mode that Spotify has? This blog will walk you through step by step on how to activate it.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To activate private listening on Spotify, you will need a few things:
1. Spotify app
2. Spotify account
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we get into the different methods to enable private listening on Spotify, you need to understand that there are several features provided by Spotify to maintain your privacy. Make sure to follow the steps correctly and focus on the following things:
1. Pay attention to the Spotify version.
2. Ensure all the devices which are synced to your account are turned off.
3. Be careful while sharing a song/playlist.
Different Methods to Do Private Listening on Spotify
Method 1: Via Your Desktop Application
Using the desktop application to activate private listening on Spotify is the easiest and simplest way, and it works efficiently for all devices. Here are the steps:
1. First, open the Spotify application on your desktop.
2. If you aren’t signed in already, log into your account.
3. Look for the top right corner of the screen and click on your username. A drop-down menu will appear.
4. Scroll down the menu, and you will see the option "Private Session." Click on it.
5. A pop-up will appear, letting you know that you are in private listening mode.
6. All done! Now enjoy your music.
Pros:
-Quicker than other methods to enable private listening
-Simple and user-friendly
Cons:
-The desktop version needs to be installed to use this method
Method 2: Via Your Mobile App (iOS)
You can also use your mobile app to activate private listening on Spotify. Here are the steps for iOS:
1. Open the Spotify app on your iOS device.
2. Log in to your account if needed.
3. Look for the settings icon, which is in the top-right corner of your screen.
4. Click on the icon to go to the settings menu.
5. Scroll down the options and click on the "Social" option.
6. There, you will find the "Private Session" feature. Turn it on.
7. All done! Start listening.
Pros:
-Can be done on the go
-Safer as you can use touch id for privacy
Cons:
-iPhone only
Method 3: Via Your Mobile App (Android)
Here are the steps to activate private listening on Spotify via the Android app:
1. Open the Spotify app on your Android device.
2. Log in to your account if required.
3. Look for the settings icon on the top-right corner of your screen.
4. Click the icon, and select "Social" from the options.
5. Scroll down until you see the option for "Private Session" and toggle it on.
6. Done! Start listening.
Pros:
-Can be done on the go
-Offers the same level of privacy as iOS
Cons:
-Android Version must be above Lollipop
Why Can’t I Do Private Listening on Spotify?
There are several reasons why you might have difficulty enabling private listening on Spotify:
1. Issues with the Spotify App Version: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Spotify. Some old versions may not have the "Private Session" feature, and you might need to update it.
2. Synced devices: Suppose you have synced devices to your Spotify account, such as tablets or speakers. In that case, any music played will not be in private session mode until you disconnect these devices from Spotify.
3. Sharing of playlists: If you’ve ever shared your playlist on social media or another platform, then your private session mode will not get activated.
To fix these problems, ensure that you’re using the latest version of the Spotify app. Also, turn off any synced devices linked to your Spotify account to ensure that the music played is only audible to you. Lastly, if you share a playlist, make sure to turn off the ‘Private Session’ mode after you’re done sharing it.
Implications and Recommendations
Suppose you are somebody who values privacy and prefers listening to music on Spotify without broadcasting it to others around you. In that case, the "Private Session" feature is a great option. It is an easy-to-use feature that ensures no one else can listen to the tracks that you’re playing. We recommend turning on the "Private Session" feature whenever you’re listening to Spotify alone.
5 FAQs about Private Listening on Spotify
Q1: How do I know that my "Private Session" mode is activated?
A: When you enable the "Private Session" mode on Spotify, you will get a message on your screen that says "Your session is private."
Q2: Does private listening hide my activity on Spotify?
A: No, it doesn’t. Private listening only turns off the social features that Spotify includes, including Friend Activity, Top Listeners, and your public playlists. It will still log the tracks you listen to, your search terms, and more, for data and advertising purposes.
Q3: Can I turn off Private Session Mode?
A: Yes. The Private Session Mode has no time limit: it will stay on until you manually turn it off.
Q4: Can anyone know when my Private Session Mode is turned off?
A: Spotify does not notify your friends/listeners when you turn off your private session mode.
Q5: What is the difference between Incognito/Private Browsing mode and Private Session Mode on Spotify?
A: Incognito/Private Browsing modes are made specifically for web browsing. These are designed to clear the history, cookies, and other identifying user information that a browser stores while browsing. Private Session Mode in Spotify only turns off the social features such as friend activity, top listeners, and public playlists.
Final Words
Having a private session feature is an excellent way to enjoy your music without anybody else nearby judging you for the music you listen to. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of how to enable Private Session mode on Spotify and how to use it to enhance your listening experience with privacy.