Spotify is expanding its free managed accounts for kids in several countries. Starting July 15, 2026, parents in the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands can create these accounts for children under 13. The new option is free and works on any Spotify plan. This makes it easier for families to give kids safe access to music.
Managed accounts focus on audio only. Videos and the looping Canvas visuals are turned off by default. Kids’ profiles are private and unsearchable. They can’t upload photos but can pick from a set of avatars. This helps protect their privacy while still letting them have a fun profile.
Explicit songs are blocked automatically. Parents and guardians can control which songs and artists children can listen to. This gives families more control over what kids hear. To add a managed account, open the Spotify app menu, tap Add account, then Add a child under 13 or create a managed account. Follow the prompts to set preferences.
Spotify first introduced managed accounts last October. Back then, it was only available on the Premium Family plan. Now, it’s free and open to more markets. It will soon expand to Canada, New Zealand, and many countries in Europe and Latin America.
Talking to Spotify with AI
Spotify is also rolling out a new AI feature called “Talk to Spotify.” It lets Premium users control the app with voice or text commands. You can use it on mobile devices from the Home or Now Playing screens. The feature is in beta and available in the US, Ireland, and Sweden for users 18 or older. It works on both iOS and Android, in English only.
You can say things like, “Play some artists I haven’t heard before,” then add, “Add some Bad Bunny” or “Make it more upbeat.” You can also ask questions about songs, artists, albums, genres, or your listening history. From the Now Playing view, you can get details about the song or artist you’re listening to.
Spotify says this conversational experience aims to make the platform more personal and useful for every listener. However, responses won’t always be perfect since the feature is still in beta. To use it, just press the mic button in the search field or type your command.
More Ways to Discover Music with Release Radar
Spotify updated Release Radar, its weekly playlist that delivers new music every Friday. It now includes new personalization options like “Discover new artists,” “Editors’ picks,” “Easy listen,” and “Pop.” These options appear at the top of the playlist, with up to five choices to narrow down recommendations.
The playlist’s recommendation system was improved and given a fresh look with a new cover and header. Spotify also added new session controls to help you fine-tune the music you get on Release Radar, available on both mobile and desktop.
Release Radar has been around since 2016. It drops up to two hours of new songs every week. These latest updates give listeners more control over what they hear. They make it easier to find music that fits your mood or taste.
Overall, Spotify is expanding what it offers for families and individual users. Managed accounts provide safer, tailored access for kids. The new AI features let adults interact with the app in smarter ways. These updates show how Spotify blends family-friendly tools with cutting-edge tech to keep listeners engaged.
Based on
- Spotify is expanding free access to kid-friendly managed accounts — engadget.com
- ‘Talk To Spotify’ Lets You Create Playlists And Learn About Songs With Voice Commands — engadget.com
- Spotify Release Radar’s New Personalization Options Improve Your Music Recommendations — engadget.com
- Spotify expands its AI push with a ChatGPT-like music assistant | TechCrunch — techcrunch.com
- Spotify is now an AI chatbot, too | The Verge — theverge.com
