Streaming Quality 'Automatic' option ??

[Hush7]

In setttings under Streaming Quality there is a new option labeled 'Automatic (recommended)'. What exactly does this option do?

I've seen some people suggest that is lowers the quality to normal while using cellular data, and raises it while on wifi.

I've also seen others suggest that it raises the quality if you have a good connection (regardless if the connection is on a cellular or wifi network).

To conserve data in the past I always had mine set to 'normal' quality (96 kbps).

Could someone clarify what the 'automatic' setting is actually doing?

Thanks...

[Hush7]

Thanks, that is helpful. I'm curious how the lowest quality (96kbps) would compare to 'Automatic' in data usage.

[lfeiwel]

Dear Spotify Representative...after 5 months could we please have an answer to this question.  What bitrates are in play when selecting automatic...on a cell phone with wifi Vs cellular connection.  What explicirty are those numbers, or, if there is no impact to data charges, what is the static throughput ...96, 160, 320 or ?

I am interested in data charges...not quality discusions at this time

[SoulShinobi]

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@cthart wrote:

What a useless setting!

My 4G connection speed is mugh higher than my WiFi connection speed. But my monthly quota for mobile data is just 2G, while on WiFi it's unlimited.

I want to be able to stream at extreme quality (not possible with automatic) when on WiFi, and drop to high quality when on 4G.

Please give us the ability to set the streaming quality indiviually based on the connection being used.

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 This, a million times.

[serversurfer]

I simply switched to Apple Music.  Their family plans are cheaper, their shuffle is actually sorta random, and they have clearly labeled toggles for "Use Cellular Data" and "Use High Quality On Cellular."

[user-removed]

Why can't we just have two quality settings. One for network and one for WiFi. You could have higher speed on 4g but there is a cap on the data limit. We generally have much more in our WiFi plan.

[user-removed]

Agreed. There's a good reason why every other streaming music service does it that way in their mobile apps. Unfortunately it seems Spotify is more interested in adding useless features that nobody asked for, like LINE Messenger integration, than fixing longstanding usability complaints.

[user-removed]

Sent a suggestion via tweet to @spotifycare. Let's see if they really care.

[gorredijk]

Why don't you just run a data monitor like the net monitor app?

[gorredijk]

@lfeiwel Why don't you just run a data monitor like the net monitor app?

[shawnwu]

This is also what I'm trying to find out.

[andyran-ar]

I would like that, too. That's exactly my problem!

[andyran-ar]

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@Hush7 wrote:

In setttings under Streaming Quality there is a new option labeled 'Automatic (recommended)'. What exactly does this option do?

I've seen some people suggest that is lowers the quality to normal while using cellular data, and raises it while on wifi.

I've also seen others suggest that it raises the quality if you have a good connection (regardless if the connection is on a cellular or wifi network).

To conserve data in the past I always had mine set to 'normal' quality (96 kbps).

Could someone clarify what the 'automatic' setting is actually doing?

Thanks...

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Please Spotify employees. Do something about this already!

[planetf1]

Wow
I came here expecting to see the answer was easy to fibd. Stunned it isnt. Going to reconsider other providers now

[finnaqua]

Well, today I asked myself what "Automatic" does insteed "Normal, High or Extreme quality". And I came here to find an answer. It seems that nobody knows exactly the difference. It is weird that Spotify representative do not clarify this issue.  

[user-removed · Accepted solution]

A quote from Reddit.

It will set the quality higher when the data connection is stronger. So if you have full bars on 4g, you will hear the highest quality and on low bars you will hear normal. So basically what you want.

[finnaqua]

So, I can presume that where I live, almost always with 4G full bar, my consumption of internet data is high, unless if I change it to normal or if I am at places using WIFI like my home/work place or in WIFI free places. On iPad I have unlimited data usage but on iPhone I have a plan of 3,5GB per month and should be carefull

[user-removed · Accepted solution]

If you stream at Extreme quality, 2.4 MB per minute. In High quality 1.2 MB per minute.

[dougherj]

It seems clear, looking that the continual obfuscation from Spotify "experts" on this point that, if you have a real good cellular connection, automatic will ramp right up to extreme and use your monthly cellular data like a teenager streaming porn videos.  There's no other reason for being obscure on this point "Oh, I'm quoting another employee". 

It sounds like a screwup on a software release.  Given how slow Spotify is to update software (why do I STILL struggle to read gray on black in the sun, despite continual calls to provide better contrast), I suspect that their inexperienced programmers are just not up to the challenge to fix the issue.

[Hush7]

So it's been a year since I started this thread and there hasn't been a clear answer provided. I still have my mobile app set to 'Normal' quality (96kbps).

[LetsGoBub]

It's simple.

Like any other streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, etc.), Automatic Quality will set you between NORMAL and EXTREME quality based SOLELY on your connection speed and quality. 4G full bars = Extreme, 3G full bars = High, 2G Full Bars = Normal. It doesn't take your service into consideration so simply being in an area of good service with 4G you will AUTOMATICALLY be set to Extreme and blow through hundreds of MB in a day on your data plan. Stick to Normal for low data plans (under 3GB) and High for any plans over 3GB. Extreme should only be considered on unlimited data plans or HIGH end data plans. Automatic will only achieve higher settings based on your network speed. This would INCLUDE your Wi-Fi speeds.

The fact nobody has come to this conclusion based on simple data research over the past year is astounding.