Think about the last time you started a run and spent the first few minutes searching for the right songs. A track can feel too slow for intervals, too intense for a warm up or completely wrong for the pace you want to maintain.
Spotify Running Mode lets you set those preferences before you start. You choose the kind of workout you want, how long you plan to run, the tempo and the music style. The app then builds a soundtrack around those choices.
Spotify Running Mode is a personalized music feature designed around running and other movement sessions. It uses your workout settings and music preferences to create a playlist that fits the session you have in mind.
You can choose from 25 curated running presets and customize the workout type, duration, beats per minute (BPM) and music style. Spotify matches songs to your selected tempo and moves between tracks as your workout progresses. This feature builds on the platform’s Prompted Playlists technology, which can generate personalized playlists from specific requests.
It is important to note that Running Mode uses the tempo you select to build the soundtrack. It does not function like a live GPS-running coach that continuously measures your speed and updates the playlist every time your pace changes.
Running Mode launched on July 30 for Spotify Premium subscribers on iOS in seven countries. The platform has since started extending the feature to Android. Tech news outlets have reported on August 18, 2026, that Running Mode was rolling out to Premium Android users in select markets.
Running Mode requires a Spotify Premium subscription. The initial launch supported iPhones, while the August Android expansion brings the feature to Android phones. The current rollout covers:
Free Spotify users cannot use Running Mode. Android users no longer need to wait for an iOS-only release, although the feature may still be missing from an eligible account while Spotify completes its rollout.
If you have Premium and meet the device and regional requirements, update the app and check the Fitness Hub. A missing Running Mode option may mean that your account has not yet received the feature.
Spotify’s original launch markets include these countries:
Reports on the Android rollout identify the same seven markets. Spotify’s original announcement specifically listed these countries for the iOS launch, with new reports citing the same countries offering Android availability. Countries outside this group are not among the announced launch markets.
Spotify places Running Mode within its Fitness experience. Spotify’s launch instructions may direct Premium iOS users to the Fitness Hub, while some early users have also found the feature through the search function.
Open Spotify on your iPhone or Android device and go to the Fitness Hub. Look for Running Mode among the available fitness options. If you cannot see it, search for “Running Mode” inside Spotify. A search can be useful when the feature has been added to your account but does not appear prominently in the hub.
Running Mode offers several workout formats. Spotify’s examples include interval, steady and pyramid runs. These presets provide a starting point for different types of sessions. An interval run can work well when you want periods of faster and slower running. A steady run suits a consistent pace, while a pyramid session can vary the intensity throughout the workout.
You can choose the format that matches the session you already have planned rather than building a separate playlist for each type.
Running Mode lets you select the workout duration, target BPM and music type. Spotify then uses those preferences when selecting tracks for the session. The Android rollout adds controls for familiar music and new music. It also has a Beat Matching feature that can match music to a selected running cadence.
That gives you a few ways to shape the soundtrack. You can stick with music you already know, ask Spotify to introduce new tracks or select a tempo that fits your desired rhythm.
Running Mode launched with 25 curated running presets. Each one provides a pre-workout format that you can customize with your preferred duration and music. Spotify can draw from its huge music catalog when creating these sessions. The service has over 100 million songs, giving its personalization systems plenty of tracks to consider.
These options can save time before a workout. Instead of creating separate playlists for long runs or treadmill sessions, you can start with a Running Mode preset and adjust it for the workout you have planned.
Running Mode works for different workout settings, whether you’re on an outdoor trail or a treadmill. The optional English audio cues provide prompts during the workout, giving you information about different stages without requiring you to check the screen.
The Android rollout also makes Running Mode available to a much larger group of Spotify users, even though the geographical release is still limited.
Spotify Running Mode takes the guesswork out of building a playlist that keeps up with your needs, whether you’re training for a race or going for an easy jog. With presets ready to go and full control over tempo and genre, you can focus on your run with an excellent soundtrack in your ear. If you have Spotify Premium and access in one of the current launch markets, open the Fitness hub on your next run and give Running Mode a try.
