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If you've been eyeing iPhone owners with envy over the Running Mode that launched earlier this summer, the wait is finally over. The music streamer has launched its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) feature across some of the most popular Android devices, including the Galaxy lineup from Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola smartphones, and more.
The functionality first surfaced in the iOS version of Spotify back in late July, leaving Android users watching from the sidelines. But now, regardless of whether you prefer an iPhone or an Android device, you'll be able to take advantage of the new functionality, which lives inside the Fitness Hub with other fitness-related features.
Running Mode is only available to those who subscribe to Spotify Premium, which costs £12.99 per month for an individual plan, rising to £21.99 per month for a Family Plan with up to 6x individual users. The AI-powered feature is designed to make it easier than ever to create a running mix that matches your goals, mood, and motivation.
Spotify has created 25 presets across different workout types and genres. If you don't want to spend any time tinkering before you start working out, Spotify has included Just Run for a quick 20-minute fitness session.
Looking for more structure? You can choose from workouts like:
Set your session length from 10 – 90 minutes to fit your schedule and energy level. Within each of these workout types, Spotify lets you choose between popular music genres, including pop, EDM, country, hip-hop, to name just a few. You can also choose a playlist that sticks close to the music you already know and love, or one that prioritises new music and discovery so you'll hear fresh tracks along the way.
What's particularly clever is the Beat Matching capability. You can set a target tempo in beats per minute, and your music will sync up accordingly.
Most runners tend to go for 160 BPM, but if you prefer a quicker pace, you can push it up to 170 or even 180 BPM. The songs will adjust to match whatever rhythm you're aiming for during your run.
Running Mode also includes optional English audio cues to offer guidance through structured sessions.
Turn on coaching when you want encouragement and an extra boost of motivation, or tap to turn it off to keep the focus on the music. This running feature is part of Spotify's bigger move into fitness content, which has been building momentum this year.
Back in January, the streaming service launched its AI-powered Prompted Playlists tool, which lets you request custom mixes using simple text descriptions. It turns out workout playlists were among the most popular things people were asking the AI tool to curate. Spotify revealed this back in April when it announced a partnership with Peloton, showing just how much demand there is for fitness-focused music.
Running Mode is clearly the company's response to all those requests you and other users have been making. It's a smart way to give runners exactly what they've been asking for, and you can probably expect more fitness features like this from Spotify down the line.
