Spotify update: how to turn off Smart Shuffle and take back control of your playlists
Spotify is a digital music streaming service that gives users access to millions of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks on demand (PA Archive)
Do you hate Spotify Smart Shuffle? The good news is you can now disable it.
Spotify introduced Smart Shuffle in 2023 to encourage people to enjoy more diverse and varied listening. It peppers your shuffled playlists with other songs Spotify's algorithms think will fit into the tone and 'vibe' of what you're listening to.
Neat idea, but some people hate it.
If you are one of these, here's how to disable it. In the Settings menu within the Spotify app, go to Playback and deselect the Enable All Play Modes slider.
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This change will return your Spotify experience to the traditional model, allowing you to switch between standard linear playback and shuffle — without the risk of accidentally activating Smart Shuffle.
It's a useful update for those who take the time to carefully curate their playlists, rather than letting them become a chaotic mix of tracks. It's also beneficial for users who rely on offline playlists while travelling in areas with little or no internet access. Smart Shuffle can interrupt playback in such situations, as the additional suggested tracks require a live internet connection.
Are you unsure whether you're using regular Shuffle or Smart Shuffle? The latter is indicated by a star icon alongside the standard shuffle symbol.
Tapping the shuffle button while playing a playlist will toggle between the two modes — unless you've already disabled Smart Shuffle, as we've suggested.
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A quick look at Reddit shows many users are relieved to have the option to switch Smart Shuffle off. 'Inserting awful tracks into your playlist — why? The reason I created the playlist was to have only quality tracks that I like,' one Redditor posted shortly after the feature was launched.
To be fair to Spotify, Smart Shuffle can be a useful way to discover new artists in genres you might not know as well as you think.
Spotify reportedly gained five million new subscribers in the first quarter of 2025 — its fastest growth since 2020. According to the Financial Times, the company is planning to raise subscription prices in Europe and Latin America by around one euro a month later this year, possibly in June. However, it's not yet clear whether UK users will be affected.
Spotify's Premium Individual plan costs £11.99 per month.
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