Spotify Desktop UI: Enable or Disable New Design

Spotify’s new desktop UI, which replaces the left sidebar with a “Your Library” panel and moves the navigation to a redesigned layout, can be enabled or disabled directly from the app’s settings. To switch between the new and old interface, open Spotify on your computer, click your profile picture, select “Settings,” scroll to the “Display” section, and toggle the “New design” option on or off. If you do not see this toggle, your account may not have the new UI yet, or Spotify has removed the ability to opt out in your region.

Background: Why Spotify Redesigned the Desktop App

Spotify has been testing and gradually rolling out a new desktop interface since 2023. The redesign aims to unify the desktop experience with the mobile app, which already uses a similar layout. The key changes include a dedicated “Your Library” panel on the left, a simplified bottom bar for playback controls, and a more prominent search function. The company has stated that the new UI is designed to make it easier to access your playlists, saved albums, and followed artists without having to switch between different views. However, many long-time users have complained that the new layout hides useful features behind extra clicks, prompting Spotify to offer a manual toggle for some users.

How the New UI Differs from the Old One

Left sidebar: The old UI had a permanent sidebar with “Home,” “Search,” “Your Library,” and a list of playlists. The new UI replaces this with a single “Your Library” button that opens a slide-out panel.
Navigation bar: The new design moves “Home” and “Search” to a small bar at the top left, rather than the left sidebar.
Playback bar: The bottom bar is more compact, with the progress bar thinner and the controls slightly rearranged.
Context menus: Right-click menus have been streamlined, with fewer options visible at first glance.
Album art: The new UI displays larger album art in the now-playing view, which some users find distracting.

How to Enable or Disable the New UI (Step-by-Step)

Open the Spotify desktop app on Windows or macOS.
Click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the Display section.
Look for a toggle labeled New design or New UI. If present, toggle it on to enable the new UI, or off to revert to the classic layout.
Restart Spotify for the change to take effect if it does not apply immediately.

If you do not see the toggle, try updating Spotify to the latest version, as the option may have been added in a recent update. Alternatively, you can try logging out and back in, or clearing the app cache, but these are less likely to help if the toggle is genuinely absent.

What to Do If the Toggle Is Missing

Spotify has rolled out the new UI in waves, meaning not every user receives the option at the same time. If you cannot find the “New design” toggle, you are likely in a group that has been forcibly migrated to the new interface. In that case, there is no official way to revert, but some users have reported that using an older version of the Spotify installer can restore the old UI temporarily. However, Spotify will likely force-update the app eventually, and using outdated software may pose security risks. Another workaround is to use the web player at open.spotify.com, which still uses the older layout for many users, though this is not a permanent solution.

Common Problems and Fixes

Toggle does nothing: If you toggle the new design off but the layout does not change, try restarting the app completely (quit from the system tray or menu bar, then reopen).
UI looks broken after switching: Sometimes the app fails to reload the interface correctly. A full restart usually fixes this. If not, log out and log back in.
New UI is missing features: Some users report that the new design lacks a “Sort by” option in playlists. This is a known limitation; you can still sort by dragging tracks manually.
Can’t find the toggle: As mentioned, the toggle is not available to everyone. Check Spotify’s community forums for updates on your region.

Comparing the New UI vs. Old UI

The old UI is generally preferred by users who want quick access to their playlists and a more traditional desktop feel. The new UI is cleaner and more consistent with the mobile app, but it requires more clicks to reach your library. For example, in the old UI, you could see your playlists on the left sidebar at all times. In the new UI, you must click the “Your Library” button to expand the panel, and even then, it may not show all your playlists unless you click the “Playlists” filter. This extra step is a common source of frustration. On the other hand, the new UI makes it easier to switch between your library and the home feed, and the search bar is more prominent.

Costs and Availability

There is no cost associated with enabling or disabling the new UI. Both interfaces are part of the standard Spotify desktop app, which is free to download, though a premium subscription is required for some features like offline listening. The new UI is being rolled out to all users gradually, with no option to pay to skip the queue. If you are a free user, you may receive the new UI later than premium users, but Spotify has not confirmed any difference in rollout timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I find the “New design” toggle in settings?

The toggle is only available to users who have been selected for the early rollout. If you don’t see it, Spotify has likely already applied the new UI to your account without an opt-out option. You can try updating the app, but if the toggle is not there, there is no official way to revert.

Does the new UI affect performance?

Some users have reported that the new UI uses more memory and CPU, especially when the “Your Library” panel is open. If you experience lag, try disabling hardware acceleration in Spotify’s settings, which can sometimes help.

Can I use the old UI on mobile?

No, the mobile app has always used a similar layout to the new desktop UI. There is no option to switch to the old desktop-style UI on mobile.

Will Spotify remove the old UI completely?

Spotify has not announced a definitive date, but it is likely that the old UI will be phased out entirely once the new design is stable and all users have been migrated. The toggle is a temporary measure for testing purposes.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to switch between UIs?

No, there is no keyboard shortcut. You must go through the Settings menu each time.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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