Tired of hearing the same songs over and over when you hit shuffle on Spotify? There's a new feature that can help. Spotify is rolling out Smart Shuffle, which adds recommended tracks directly into your queue. It replaces the previous Enhance feature, but you can still discover new songs while shuffling any of your playlists, including Liked Songs.
Right now, Smart Shuffle is available to everyone on both desktop and mobile, but not on the web version. It works like regular shuffle while adding smarter and more surprising recommendations, making your listening experience more dynamic.
Part 1. What Does Smart Shuffle Actually Do on Spotify?
Smart Shuffle is basically "shuffle + discovery mode." Here's what you can expect when regular shuffle starts to feel repetitive:
Smart Shuffle mixes new songs into your playlist - It adds recommended tracks to your queue, keeping your playlist refreshed with a mix of familiar favorites and new discoveries that match the mood and style of your playlist.
Smart Shuffle works automatically - It selects songs based on your listening habits.
Smart Shuffle is the default shuffle mode for free users - It's the upgraded shuffle-only mode for mobile users on the ad-supported tier, while full shuffle control remains a Premium feature.
Smart Shuffle lets you explore without commitment - Tracks are added to the queue, and you can choose to keep or remove them.
Smart Shuffle works with Liked Songs and playlists - It works with almost any playlist, making it easy to try new tracks alongside your favorites.
Smart Shuffle is easy to toggle - Activate it easily through the Shuffle button and turn it off anytime to return to standard shuffle.
Smart Shuffle offers flexible control - You can show or hide Smart Shuffle in your listening modes according to your preference.
Smart Shuffle enhances your overall shuffle experience - regular shuffle only rearranges songs, but Smart Shuffle adds an extra layer of discovery.
Part 2. How to Add/Remove Smart Shuffle on Spotify
For Premium subscribers, the ability to access Smart Shuffle can be adjusted in your Playback settings through the Include Smart Shuffle in Play Modes option. Many users were frustrated with automatic recommendations at first, but this flexible control makes it easy to manage. If you're eligible for this feature on the mobile app and signed in with a Premium subscription, we recommend trying it to enhance your listening experience.
Exclude or Include Smart Shuffle in Play Modes on Spotify Mobile
- Make sure your Spotify app is updated to the latest version from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Open the Spotify mobile app on your device.
- Tap the Settings icon (usually in the top-right corner).
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Playback.
- Find the option labeled Include Smart Shuffle in Play Modes.
- Toggle the setting to enable or disable Smart Shuffle.
Part 3. How to Turn On/Off Smart Shuffle on Spotify
Before you can turn Smart Shuffle on or off, make sure it's included in your Playback settings. Free users now get Smart Shuffle by default on the mobile app. Once enabled, you can mix recommended tracks into your queue along with your original playlist songs. Normally, it's activated by tapping the Shuffle button twice, and you'll see a sparkle symbol ✨ next to the recommended tracks. These songs appear in the queue rather than the main playlist.
If you want to turn it off, it's simple - just switch back to regular shuffle. All recommended tracks will be removed from your queue, leaving your playlist in its original order.
Turn On Smart Shuffle on Spotify Mobile and Desktop
- Open the Spotify app.
- Go to Your Library.
- Find the playlist you want to listen to. Use the Playlists filter to locate it faster.
- Tap or click the Shuffle button in the playlist profile.
- Tap or click again to enable Smart Shuffle instead of regular Shuffle. If you see two options - Shuffle and Smart Shuffle - tap Smart Shuffle to activate it.
- Note: If you don't see Smart Shuffle, make sure you're logged in with a Premium account and go to Settings & Privacy > Playback > Include Smart Shuffle in Play Modes on the mobile app to enable it.
- Once activated, your playlist will play with a mix of original tracks and recommended songs that fit the playlist's vibe.
- From Now Playing, tap or click the queue button to check the recommended tracks, which are marked with a sparkle symbol in random order.
Turn Off Smart Shuffle on Spotify Mobile and Desktop
- Open the Spotify app.
- Go to Your Library.
- Navigate to the playlist where Smart Shuffle is active.
- Tap or click the Shuffle button at the top to turn off Smart Shuffle. Alternatively, tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen and select the Smart Shuffle button there to disable it.
Part 4. How to Use Smart Shuffle on Spotify
Smart Shuffle lets you interact with recommended tracks in your playlists. Here's how you can manage them effectively:
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Preview Smart Shuffle Recommendations
Recommended tracks only appear in the queue, which is the starting point to manage them.
- While listening, go to the Now Playing screen.
- Tap the queue button in the lower-right corner.
- Recommended tracks will appear under the "Shuffling from" list, marked with a sparkle symbol.
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Save Smart Shuffle Recommendations
Only like or save recommended tracks you genuinely enjoy.
- From Now Playing, open the Queue view.
- Find a recommended track you want to keep.
- Tap the plus (+) icon next to the track.
- The track will be added to your original playlist, making it permanent.
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Remove Smart Shuffle Recommendations
Instead of skipping recommended tracks, remove them directly from the Smart Shuffle queue for more accurate recommendations.
- From Now Playing, open the Queue view.
- Find a recommended track you want to remove.
- Tap the minus (-) icon next to the track.
- The track will be removed from your queue immediately and won't appear again in this session.
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Refresh Smart Shuffle Recommendations
If you're not satisfied with the current recommendations, try refreshing them.
- Exit and re-enter Smart Shuffle for your playlist.
- Go back to the queue and check to see if the recommended tracks have been refreshed.
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Revert to Regular Shuffle
When you're ready, return to standard shuffle mode.
- While Smart Shuffle is active, tap the Smart Shuffle button.
- You will exit Smart Shuffle mode, and your playlist will return to regular shuffle without any recommended tracks.
Part 5. How to Control Spotify Playback Without a Premium Account
If you've ever felt restricted by Spotify's limitations without a Premium account, you're not alone. Many users struggle with the absence of features like unlimited skips, offline downloads, and complete control over their playlists. However, there's a way to enjoy all the benefits of Spotify while retaining full control over your music: using a powerful Spotify Music Converter, such as ViWizard Spotify Music Converter.
ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is a game-changer for those who want more than what Spotify offers with its subscription plans. With this software, you can easily download and convert Spotify songs, albums, and playlists into various universal formats, including MP3, AIFF, M4A, WAV, and FLAC. This means you can manage your music across different devices and platforms without any hassle.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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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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