Spotify is introducing group chat support within its in-app messaging system to allow users communicate in groups of up to 10 people while sharing music and audio content directly on the platform.
The feature expands on Spotify Messages, which was first introduced in August 2025 as a one-on-one messaging tool. With the update, users can now hold group conversations and exchange songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks without leaving the app.
According to Spotify, group chats are available to all Spotify users, including those on free and Premium plans, provided they meet the platform’s age requirement. Messages support text and emojis and function in the same way as individual chats, aside from the increased number of participants.
However, Spotify placed clear limits on how group chats can be created. Users can only start conversations with people they already have a listening connection with, such as collaborators on shared playlists or friends linked through Spotify’s Jam or Blend features. The company appears to have designed this restriction to keep conversations focused on shared audio interests.
Over time, the company has introduced the following real-time listening activity, collaborative playlists, and podcast comments. Group chats add a direct communication layer to those tools, allowing users to discuss what they are listening to without relying on external messaging apps.
However, the rollout does not resolve one of Spotify’s long-standing social limitations: user discovery. Currently, users cannot reliably search for others by unique usernames. Display name searches often return multiple results, making it difficult to find specific people. Messaging is also limited to users with prior interactions or invite links.
Evidence from version 9.1.20.1132 of Spotify’s Android app suggests the company may address this issue by allowing users to edit their usernames. Such a change would make usernames function more like social media handles, simplifying how users connect and communicate.
Spotify said messages are encrypted both in transit and at rest, but they are not protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning the company can access content if required for moderation or legal reasons.
While Spotify has previously stated that its messaging tools are meant to complement, not replace, external platforms such as WhatsApp or Instagram, the addition of group chats keeps more conversations inside the app.
