Spotify has become one of the most popular music streaming platforms in the world, with a user-friendly interface that caters to millions of users globally. However, for both new and seasoned listeners, navigating Spotify’s vast range of icons and symbols can sometimes be confusing. Whether you’re using the mobile app or desktop version, these visual cues are critical for managing your playlists, discovering new songs, and customizing your listening experience. Understanding what each symbol means can enhance your control over the app and make your usage more efficient and enjoyable.
Spotify’s interface is designed to be sleek and intuitive, but the app features a variety of icons that serve specific functions. These icons appear next to tracks, albums, playlists, and controls. Recognizing the meaning behind each symbol allows you to:
Let’s explore what some of the common—and lesser-known—Spotify icons and symbols mean.
Meaning: The heart icon is perhaps the most familiar symbol for Spotify users. Tapping this icon will add the song, album, or podcast to your Liked Songs or Library.
When Filled: The content is already in your library.
When Empty: The content has not been saved yet.
Meaning: A triangle pointing to the right represents the Play button, while two vertical bars represent Pause. This icon toggles depending on whether a track is currently playing or not.
Meaning: The repeat icon shows two arrows forming a circle. This setting controls how Spotify cycles through songs.
Meaning: The shuffle icon, which looks like two criss-crossing arrows, enables Spotify to play songs in a randomized order.
Meaning: Represented by a downward arrow, this icon lets users download music or playlists for offline listening. This feature is available only for Spotify Premium users.
Meaning: Appears as three horizontal lines with a small ‘+’ symbol. This icon allows you to add a track to the play queue without interrupting the current playback.
Meaning: If you see an icon that looks like a speaker or device, it indicates that you’re playing music on a different device via Spotify Connect (e.g., smart TV, Bluetooth speaker, or another phone).
Meaning: A speaker icon often appears near the bottom or side of the screen. Adjusting this control changes the playback volume.
Meaning: Appearing as a vertical or horizontal ellipsis, this menu allows users to access more options related to a song, album, or playlist including sharing, adding to playlist, or viewing artist.
Meaning: This is more common on desktop versions. It lets users organize playlists into folders for better playlist management.
Meaning: Recently introduced, the bell icon represents notifications. It alerts you when artists you follow release new content.
Meaning: Found under “Recently Played”, this icon gives users access to a list of recently played tracks or albums.
Spotify’s range of content includes not just music but also podcasts and audiobooks. These types of content come with their own distinct set of icons:
These features allow seamless listening experiences, especially when listening to live albums or DJ mixes.
Meaning: Usually located on the ‘Now Playing’ screen, this icon activates real-time lyrics for the song. It resembles a speech bubble or lyrics sheet.
Meaning: Spotify can automatically recommend and add songs to a user’s playlist to match its style or mood. The icon shows stars or a magic wand.
The color coding of Spotify icons offers another layer of functionality:
On the Spotify mobile app, you will also notice several navigational icons at the bottom or top of your screen:
Mastering Spotify’s vast array of icons and symbols is essential for anyone who wants to make the most out of the platform’s capabilities. While some symbols like the play/pause and heart icons are intuitive, others like the enhanced playlist or Spotify Connect icons can take some time to learn.
By understanding what each icon represents, users can control playback more efficiently, manage their libraries better, and experience an overall more personalized and streamlined experience.
Whether you’re a daily Spotify user or just getting started, familiarizing yourself with these visual tools empowers you to navigate the platform with confidence—and maybe even discover new features along the way.