Spotify is making it easier than ever for music fans to connect with friends on the go. The streaming giant has officially launched Listening Activity on its mobile app, allowing users to see what their friends are currently playing directly from their phones. Alongside this update, Spotify is introducing a new “Request to Jam” feature that brings real-time shared listening into mobile chats, adding a more social and interactive layer to the listening experience.
A Long-Awaited Social Feature Goes Mobile
According to reporting by The Verge’s weekend editor Terrence O’Brien, Spotify has offered Listening Activity on desktop for years, but mobile users have largely been left out. The company briefly experimented with a community-style feature in 2022, though it never officially launched. Now, Listening Activity is finally available on iOS and Android, appearing in the sidebar alongside user chats. The feature is opt-in, giving listeners full control over their privacy and the ability to choose which friends can see their activity. Users can also tap on a friend’s track to add it to their library or react with an emoji, making music discovery more dynamic and personal.
Request to Jam Brings Real-Time Listening to Chats
Spotify is also rolling out “Request to Jam,” a feature designed to turn casual chats into shared listening sessions. Premium users can initiate a jam request in a chat, and once accepted, both listeners’ playback is synced remotely. Participants can queue songs together, chat in real time, and even receive song recommendations based on shared tastes. Free users can join a jam when invited, though they can’t start one themselves, keeping the feature accessible while maintaining Premium perks.
What to Expect from the Rollout
Both features are rolling out now on iOS and Android in markets where Spotify messaging is available. Spotify says the update will be “broadly available” in early February, signaling a gradual global expansion.
Ultimately, Spotify’s latest update strengthens its push toward social music discovery. By bringing Listening Activity and shared jams to mobile, the platform encourages users to connect, explore new music, and turn everyday listening into a more communal experience.
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