Spotify brings Running Mode to Android: Custom playlists for your workouts

Spotify Running Mode arrives on Android with custom workout playlists

Spotify has brought its Running Mode to Android, giving Premium subscribers a new way to match music to their workouts. The feature, which launched on iOS in late July, is now rolling out to Android users in several countries. Alongside Running Mode, Spotify is also introducing Playlist Notes, a tool that lets anyone add personal captions to songs, podcasts, and audiobooks.

If you have ever struggled to find the right tempo for a run or wished your playlist could keep up with a changing pace, Running Mode is designed to solve that problem. It generates custom playlists based on your workout type, desired duration, and preferred beats per minute (BPM).

How Running Mode works and where it is available

What this means for Spotify brings Running Mode to Android

Running Mode is available now for Spotify Premium users on Android in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. To access it, open the Spotify app and navigate to the Fitness hub.

The feature works by letting you customize several aspects of your workout playlist:

• Workout type: Choose from interval, steady, pyramid, and other options.
• Duration: Set how long your workout will last.
• Beats per minute: Select a target BPM to match your running pace.
• Music discovery: Pick between familiar songs or mostly new music.
• Genre: Fine-tune the playlist by selecting from a range of genres.

You can also use the built-in Prompted Playlist integration to describe the kind of playlist you want in your own words. For example, you could ask for old favorites you haven't heard in a while or a set of short songs to keep things interesting.

Once you create a mix you enjoy, you can save it and return to it later. Two optional features add more control: Beat Matching adjusts song speed to hit your target BPM, and Audio Coaching provides voice cues and encouragement during your run.

What you need to know before using Running Mode

Running Mode is a Premium-only feature. Free-tier users cannot access it, so anyone who wants to try it will need an active Spotify Premium subscription. The feature currently works only on mobile devices running Android or iOS — there is no mention of a desktop version.

Because Running Mode relies on real-time adjustments to BPM and workout duration, it requires a stable internet connection to generate and stream the playlists. Offline playback of saved Running Mode mixes is not confirmed, so plan accordingly if you run in areas with spotty reception.

For runners who prefer a simple set-it-and-forget-it approach, the custom options may feel like overkill. But for those who want to fine-tune their music to match every stride, the extra control could make a real difference in motivation and performance.

Playlist Notes: Add personal captions to your library

Spotify also introduced Playlist Notes, a feature that lets you add a personal caption to any song, podcast, or audiobook in your library. The note appears underneath the track in your playlists, and if you share a playlist, other users can see your notes.

Playlist Notes is available to both free and Premium users, but only in select markets. Users must be at least 16 years old to use the feature. This update evolved from an earlier “User Notes” concept, and Spotify says its own playlist editors will also add notes to certain curated playlists.

The idea is simple: You can jot down why you added a particular track — maybe it reminds you of a summer road trip or it was the song playing during a personal best run. That context can make browsing your library more personal and help you rediscover forgotten favorites.

How to get started and make the most of Running Mode

With Running Mode now available on Android, Spotify continues to build out its fitness-focused features inside the app. If you are a Premium subscriber in one of the supported countries, you can try it today by opening the Fitness hub and setting up your first workout playlist.

To get the most out of the feature, experiment with different workout types and BPM targets to see what works best for your running style. Save any playlist you enjoy so you can use it again without rebuilding from scratch.

For more tips on managing your music and playlists, check out our mobile apps coverage and connectivity guides. If you are shopping for a new phone to use with these features, our phone finder can help you compare options.

Running Mode is a thoughtful addition for anyone who uses music to power through a workout. It is not a free feature, but for Premium subscribers who run regularly, the ability to match tempo and intensity could be a strong reason to keep that subscription active.