Shuffle mode is useful if you want to randomize the order of your songs without always keeping them in order or just repeating a few tracks. On Spotify, both Premium and Free users can control shuffle, but in different ways. Premium members have the most freedom and can turn shuffle on or off for any playlist or album. Free users face some limits depending on the device they use.
Spotify offers a few ways to shuffle your music. You can use regular shuffle to play songs in random order, or Smart Shuffle to mix your music and discover new recommendations. Both are available on desktop and mobile. On mobile, Premium users can even disable Smart Shuffle instead of just turning it off, so it will no longer activate when Shuffle is on.
Don't worry - this post will guide you through how shuffle works, where to turn it on or off, and extra tips to make the most of Spotify's shuffle modes.
Part 1. How to Turn Shuffle On or Off on Spotify (Premium)
Premium users can turn shuffle on or off easily. You can start a carefully curated shuffle-friendly playlist or an entire album on desktop, web, or mobile.
Turn Shuffle On or Off on Desktop & Web Player
On desktop and the web player, just click the shuffle button next to the music controls, and your music will play exactly how you want.
Step 1 Open the Spotify desktop app or go to the web player at open.spotify.com.
Step 2 Click Your Library in the left sidebar.
Step 3 Select and open the playlist or album you want to play.
Step 4 At the top of the page, locate the Shuffle icon (two intersecting arrows) to play your music in a random order. Alternatively, double-click any on-demand song to start playback, then look down at the playback controls at the bottom of the screen and click the Shuffle icon there to enable shuffle.
Step 5 To turn off shuffle, click the Shuffle icon again. This will return playback to sequential order.
Turn Shuffle On or Off on Mobile
On mobile, the shuffle button is at the bottom of the Now Playing screen - tap it to enable or disable shuffle.
Sometimes you may switch to Smart Shuffle, which is different from regular shuffle. Smart Shuffle can be identified by the Spark icon and adds recommended tracks along with your selected content.
Step 1 Launch the Spotify app on your mobile device.
Step 2 Tap Your Library at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3 Scroll and select the playlist or album you want to play.
Step 4 Tap the Shuffle button (two intersecting arrows) at the top to shuffle play your music immediately. If the music is already playing, tap to open the Now Playing screen, then tap the Shuffle icon at the bottom-left to enable shuffle.
Step 5 Tap the Shuffle icon again until it dims out to disable shuffle. Sometimes you may need to tap twice to also disable Smart Shuffle and return to the "Play in Order" mode.
Part 2. How to Turn Shuffle On or Off on Spotify (Free)
Free users can control shuffle differently depending on the device.
Turn Shuffle On or Off on Desktop & Web Player
On desktop and the web player, you can control music playback similarly to Premium users. The main limitations are the number of ads and skips you may encounter while shuffling.
Step 1 Open the Spotify desktop app or the web player.
Step 2 Go to the playlist or album you want to shuffle.
Step 3 Locate the Shuffle icon, either at the top of the playlist or album, or in the playback controls at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4 Click the Shuffle icon to enable shuffle.
Step 5 Click the Shuffle icon again to disable shuffle.
Turn Shuffle On or Off on Mobile
On mobile, playlists automatically shuffle, which may scramble the song order with recommended tracks. If that happens, you may consider upgrading to Premium or using the desktop version to set the order first. There are more tips and tricks in Part 4 to help improve the shuffle experience.
Step 1 Open the Spotify app on your mobile device.
Step 2 Tap Your Library and select the playlist or album.
Step 3 On Free accounts, you only see the Shuffle button. Trying to switch to other listening modes may prompt you to upgrade to Premium for full control.
Step 4 Tap the Shuffle button to start playback. Playlists and albums will automatically shuffle, including some recommended tracks.
Part 3. How to Fix Spotify Shuffle Not Working
Sometimes shuffle doesn't work as expected and may need a few fixes or adjustments. For example, shuffle may seem stuck on the same songs, or the shuffle button might appear unresponsive. Try the following steps to restore proper shuffle functionality:
Sometimes shuffle doesn't play correctly because it's not actually activated. Open the Now Playing screen and tap the Shuffle icon. If it's green, you're good. If not, tap it and try again.
Automix can override shuffle in certain playlists. Go to Settings > Playback > Automix and make sure it's turned off.
Your queue can get messy and confuse Spotify. Open your Queue and tap Clear Queue, then try shuffling again.
Shuffle problems can happen if your Spotify app is outdated. Head to your app store and make sure Spotify is the latest version. Updates often fix small bugs that interfere with playback.
Corrupted files can sometimes stop shuffle from working. Go to Settings > Storage > Clear Cache. If that doesn't help, uninstall and reinstall Spotify. Your playlists and saved music won't be deleted, but you'll need to redownload offline tracks.
Spotify can get confused if you're logged in on multiple devices. Log out of all other devices, then try shuffle on your main device. Even inactive devices can sometimes interfere.
The new Smart Shuffle can sometimes stick in one mode. Tap the Shuffle button a few times to cycle through the settings and see if normal shuffle comes back.
If none of these steps work, try restarting your device. A simple restart often resolves lingering playback issues.
Still having problems? Contact Spotify support. There may be a rare account or device-specific issue that only they can help fix.
Part 4. Extra Tips for Using Shuffle on Spotify
There are a few ways to get more out of shuffle:
Tip 1: Know the Difference Between Free and Premium Accounts
Free accounts have limited shuffle control. Many playlists are forced into shuffle mode, and you can't turn it off on mobile. Premium users can toggle shuffle freely on any playlist or album. Understanding your account limits helps set realistic expectations and avoid frustration.
Tip 2: Albums vs Playlists
Shuffle behaves differently on albums and playlists. On albums, starting with shuffle can sometimes skip tracks you want to hear in order. A good approach is to play the first song manually, then toggle shuffle if you want a random order. Curated playlists like those you hand-pick yourself are generally more shuffle-friendly.
Tip 3: Use Keyboard Shortcuts
If you're on desktop, keyboard shortcuts can save time and give you precise control. Press Ctrl + S (Windows) or Cmd + S (Mac) to toggle shuffle without hunting for the button.
Tip 4: Check "What's Playing Next"
Sometimes shuffle seems broken because your queue has unexpected tracks. Click the queue button alongside other music controls to see the upcoming songs and clear any unwanted tracks. Managing your queue ensures shuffle behaves as expected and avoids repeated or skipped songs.
Tip 5: Make Shuffle-Friendly Playlists (and Update Them)
Create playlists designed to be shuffled. Avoid overly long playlists with repeating genres unless that's intentional. Periodically update your playlists, remove stale tracks, and add fresh ones to keep shuffle dynamic and enjoyable.
Tip 6: Master Smart Shuffle
Spotify's Smart Shuffle can sometimes stick in one mode. Tap the shuffle button multiple times to cycle through the settings and discover which mode works best for your listening style.
Part 5. Best Alternative Way to Shuffle Play Spotify
ViWizard Spotify Music Converter offers a solution for users who want to download Spotify tracks directly to their devices in MP3 format, allowing them to play their music in any order they choose on any music player, without the need for a Premium subscription.
ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is designed to convert and remove DRM (Digital Rights Management) from Spotify song files, allowing users to access their music without restrictions. The converter supports conversion into six different formats, including MP3, AIFF, M4A, M4B, WAV, and FLAC, ensuring compatibility with various devices and music players. Worry about the quality loss? All original quality of the songs is preserved after conversion, ensuring a high-quality listening experience. No matter you are a Premium or free user, you have the flexibility to sort your converted songs in any sequence you desire, regardless of the device you are using.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
Step 1Set Up a Spotify Music Conversion Tool on Your Computer
First, install a music conversion program on your Windows or Mac computer. Once installed, open the program and log in to your Spotify account - both Free and Premium accounts are supported. Many of these programs include a built-in Spotify browser, so you can search for your favorite songs, albums, or playlists directly without switching between apps.
Step 2Add Spotify Tracks or Playlists for Conversion
Find the songs, albums, or playlists you want to save, or paste the Spotify link into the program. Click the add button to include them in your conversion list. You can select individual tracks, entire albums, or even your full library, depending on how much music you want to transfer for offline listening or use on other devices.
Step 3Choose MP3 as the Output Format
Go to the settings or preferences and select MP3 as the output format. MP3 is widely compatible with almost any device, including phones, tablets, car stereos, and Bluetooth speakers. Many programs also allow you to adjust audio quality and organize files by artist, album, or playlist, making it easier to keep your music collection organized.
Step 4Convert and Access Your Music
Start the conversion process. The program will remove Spotify's restrictions and save your music as standard MP3 files on your computer. Once the process is complete, open the output folder to access your tracks. You can then transfer these files to any media player or device, giving you the freedom to enjoy Spotify music outside the app and even shuffle your favorite songs on other platforms.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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