Equalizer issues on mobile

[Maria]

We're seeing reports that some users are having issues with the Equalizer on mobile devices.

Some notice the sound gets a bit muffled/static with a Bluetooth device connected, others experience volume drops, and some don’t hear any volume change at all.

[imthatbasic]

just had the issue today, first noticed it with my airpods but i had thought it was that and nothing else. However, i also notice the significant volume decrease with the same equalizer setting when played through phone speakers. Its only temporarily fixed when eq is turned off, but i enjoy my own EQ setting, so any permanent fix asap would make wonders.

Spotify Version 9.1.2.1254

IOS 18.3.2

[trayklyncastro]

I have two iPhone 13 minis. One is running iOS 17.6.1, the other one was running iOS 18.X.X. the iPhone 13 mini running iOS 17 is not experiencing the issue. my device running, iOS 18 was updated to the latest version, and Spotify was reinstalled and I cleared the cache. I use +12 EQ settings on both phones. My phone with iOS 18 now updated, is having issues with the equalizer settings, causing the music to sound distorted. When using a preset equalizer, the issue does not show. It sounds as if the audio is clipping and it goes in and out. The issue is persistent in Bluetooth, iPhone speakers, and auxiliary output. I do not use audio normalization on either device. The only difference is that my updated device uses lossless, and my old iOS device only has access to very high quality. the issue began two days ago randomly. I was listening to music at work, I paused my music, after I tried to restart it, It sounded very off. I noticed that my equalizer settings when brought back down to a preset equalizer could make the issue less noticeable; however, my music is much quieter. The bass from my music is lacking, and my mids and highs are also not as loud as they should be. When I try to use a preset equalizer and then manually adjust to +12 boost, the audio gets quieter, and then begins to become garbled and slightly out of sync. my iPhone running iOS 17 is running Spotify version 8.9.9 0.84 without issue. My device now running the latest iOS. Version is also running the latest version of Spotify.

[waxingcrecent111]

spotify ios version 9.1.2.1254 when i turn the eq on at any level the audio goes insane with my airpods on or not the volume goes crazy loud with a lot of distortion and static or crazy low to where i can barley hear anything the only way to combat it is to just turn off the eq so please fix this.

[mak7ko]

Hi there. Since I updated to Android 16 built-in Equalizer stopped working in Spotify. Restarting the device or reinstalling the app doesn't help. The equalizer works fine in other apps besides Spotify.

The sound simply doesn't change and remains default, regardless of whether the Equalizer is on or not.

app version: 9.1.2.1253

[FriedBhicken]

This issue of the equalizer causing issues with audio quality and loudness started for me yesterday. Testing different EQs, when raising all bands to the max, the audio sounds very distorted and low quality. Raising 60 Hz band causes the music to go very quiet. I’ve tweaked all audio settings on my iOS app including normalization, cleared cache, logged in and out, updated the app, and reinstalled the app. This bug affects the iPhone speakers, my AirPod pro 2s, and even CarPlay. It seems that since I've seen the “Also apply to podcasts” toggle in the equalizer be removed, this issue has came up. This issue does not affect the Spotify audio level and quality on my older iPhone 14 Pro Max that hasn’t updated to iOS 26 and is on version 9.0.84.1339 for Spotify.

[FriedBhicken]

Follow up to my previous comment on this discussion, I've updated to today's Spotify update 9.1.4.1171 on the App Store and the issue still persists on my iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26.1 with audio distortion and quietness.

[Maria]

Hey everyone,

Our tech folks are working on the reported issues with Equalizer on mobile. We'll keep you posted in this thread if we have any news to share.

In the meantime, it would be great if you could let us know the following (if you haven't already):

• Make, model & OS version of your device.
• Exact Spotify version.

Cheers!

[weston0511]

Hi there

Just started experiencing this issue today. First thought it was my car's bluetooth, so I pulled out an old aux cord but the issue persisted. Then noticed it when using my headphones, both bluetooth and corded, then came to the conclusion it was the EQ. Anytime I slightly adjusted it became distorted and the volume decreased heavily. At full volume it sounds like it's only at half. Only time it sounds OK is when the EQ is at it's basic setting, but what I love about Spotify is the customizable adjuster, and I have mine adjusted to how I like it. Disappointing.

phone running: ios 26.1

spotify version: 9.1.6.1142

[Ashuuuu94]

Hi,

In my particular case, equalizer doesn't work at all. I use an external app called Poweramp Equalizer. It stopped working a few days ago. Feels like the sound does not go through the EQ app, even though both Spotify and the EQ app see eachother. The Equalizer works on other players such as Amazon Music, YT Music, etc.

When I enable global equalization, it works in every single app that plays sound except from Spotify.

When I disable the EQ app completely, there's still a huge difference in tone, that can even be heard on a built-in speaker. In Spotify, the tone is really flat and much more quiet whereas in Amazon Music, even without the EQ, the sound is much richer in low and high tones. 

It definitely wasn't caused by Android update, because it worked when I updated to 16 some time ago and there were no additional updates recently.

I use OnePlus 13 (Android 16) and I verified it on my wife's S23 Ultra (also Android 16) and it works fine there, no issues experienced. 

I'm also in contact with Poweramp Equalizer suport but they claim the issue is on Spotify side.

Phone: OnePlus 13 - Android 16 / OxygenOS CPH2653_16.0.1.304

Spotify: 9.1.6.1139

[lover69]

The issue has fixed itself!