Spotify has rolled out a long-awaited feature for Android users: Running Mode, the AI-powered playlist creator that iPhone owners received weeks earlier. This new addition brings a smarter, hands-free way to build and manage music during walks, jogs, and runs. If you rely on music to set or maintain your pace, Running Mode aims to make each workout smoother and more enjoyable by creating playlists tailored to your activity and tempo.
Instead of hunting through your library, assembling a playlist manually, or hoping a random shuffle keeps your energy up, Running Mode automatically sequences tracks to match your chosen workout profile. It eliminates the need to pause mid-run to skip songs or adjust settings on your phone, letting you stay focused on moving while the app manages music flow and tempo.
How Running Mode actually works
Running Mode first appeared on iPhones in late July and is now accessible on Android devices through Spotify’s Fitness Hub. To find it, open the Spotify app and search for “fitness.” Inside the Fitness Hub, Running Mode is presented as a specialized tool designed around structured workout types and pacing.
Users can choose from 25 preset workout styles that cater to a variety of training formats. Presets include interval runs, steady-state runs, and pyramid runs—where intensity ramps up and then eases back down. Each preset is designed to align music tempo and energy with the phases of your workout, so songs can push you during harder intervals and relax during recovery periods.
Beyond presets, Running Mode allows personalization. You can set a target duration for your session, select your preferred beats per minute (BPM) to match your stride, and choose the genre or vibe of music you want to hear. Once a session starts, Spotify stitches tracks together to maintain the selected tempo and manage smooth transitions between songs. This reduces interruptions and keeps you in the zone.
An optional English-language audio cue feature provides periodic updates on your pace and progress. These spoken prompts check in on how you’re doing and help you stay on track with the workout plan you chose. Together with the seamless track transitions and tempo-matched selections, these cues make Running Mode especially useful for anyone who wants consistent pacing without constantly checking their phone.
Running Mode is built on Spotify’s broader AI playlist technology, which the company has said is most frequently used for fitness-oriented playlists. The feature leverages that same recommendation framework to assemble songs that suit both the workout type and the user’s musical tastes, aiming to balance familiarity with motivational variety.
Availability and subscription requirements
At launch on Android, Running Mode is available to Spotify Premium subscribers. Geographic availability is limited initially: the feature is offered in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. If you are outside these regions or do not have a Premium subscription, you may not see the option yet.
Spotify typically rolls out new features gradually, so availability can vary even within supported countries. If Running Mode does not appear in your Fitness Hub immediately, try updating the app and checking back over the next few days. Feature deployments often expand by account and region in stages rather than appearing for all users at once.
How to try Running Mode on your phone
To test Running Mode, open Spotify, search for “fitness,” and enter the Fitness Hub. Look for Running Mode among the tools and presets listed there. Select a preset that matches your workout style, adjust duration and BPM settings if desired, pick the musical style you prefer, and press play. From that point, Spotify will manage song selection and transitions to keep your session consistent with your chosen pace and structure.
Running Mode is a practical feature for runners and walkers who want an automated, pace-aware music experience. By removing the friction of playlist management and offering tempo-matched tracks and optional voice cues, it aims to keep you moving efficiently and enjoyably. If you use music as a motivational tool during exercise, it’s worth exploring Running Mode the next time you head out for a run or walk.