Spotify rolls out Pins carousel to tidy mobile library

What is the new Pins carousel?

Spotify has begun testing a feature that creates a separate carousel for items that users choose to pin. This carousel appears at the top of the Library section on the mobile app and holds songs, albums, podcasts or playlists that the listener marks as important.

How it appears on the mobile interface

When the feature is active, the Library screen displays a thin horizontal strip labeled Pins. Inside the strip are larger cover images that scroll horizontally, much like the existing Recently Played row. Tapping any item opens it directly, bypassing the longer list of saved content.

Why Spotify introduced the feature

Feedback from long‑time users indicated that the Library view can become overwhelming after months of adding tracks and shows. As collections grow, finding a favorite playlist or a single song often requires scrolling through dozens of rows. The Pins carousel is designed to give listeners a quick shortcut to the content they use most.

User feedback and library clutter

In a recent post on the Spotify newsroom, the company cited internal surveys that showed a desire for a more organized personal space. Listeners reported spending extra time searching for items they had saved weeks earlier.

Benefits for power listeners

For users who curate extensive libraries, the Pins carousel offers several practical advantages:

Instant access to favorite tracks without scrolling.
Visual prominence for playlists that are part of daily routines.
Reduced visual noise in the main Library view.
Potential to surface new releases that fit a user’s pinned genre.

Quick access to favorite content

Because the carousel is always visible at the top of the screen, a tap on a pinned album can start playback in seconds. This mirrors the convenience of the Quick Play button that many streaming services provide.

Potential impact on streaming habits

By making it easier to reach preferred music, Spotify may encourage more frequent listening of curated content. The feature could also influence how artists and record labels think about playlist placement, knowing that pinned items receive higher visibility.

Comparison with competitor features

Apple Music offers a "Favorites" section that groups liked songs, but it does not provide a dedicated scrolling carousel on the mobile home screen. The official Apple Music page describes its library layout as a simple list, which can still feel crowded for heavy users.

How to use the Pins carousel

During the testing phase, users can enable the carousel from the Settings menu. The steps are straightforward:

Open the Spotify app on a mobile device.
Navigate to Settings and look for the "Library" section.
Toggle the option labeled "Show Pins carousel".
Return to the Library screen and locate the new Pins row.
Press the three‑dot menu on any song, album, playlist or podcast and select "Pin to top".

Once pinned, the item will appear in the carousel automatically. Users can remove an item by opening the same menu and choosing "Unpin".

Step by step guide

For visual learners, the process can be broken down into a few quick screenshots that show the toggle switch, the three‑dot icon, and the pinning confirmation. These images are part of the in‑app tutorial that Spotify rolls out alongside the feature.

Future possibilities and user expectations

Spotify has hinted that the Pins carousel could evolve beyond a simple row of covers. Potential upgrades might include:

Customizable order based on play count or recent activity.
Integration with collaborative playlists, allowing groups to pin shared content.
Analytics that show how often pinned items are accessed compared to the rest of the library.

Possible expansions

Industry analysts from the Music Business Association suggest that personalization tools like Pins could become a standard feature across streaming platforms. As the market matures, listeners may expect more granular control over how their libraries are displayed.

For now, the feature remains in a limited rollout, but early responses indicate that many users appreciate the cleaner look and faster navigation. If the test proves successful, Spotify is likely to make the Pins carousel a permanent part of the mobile experience, further cementing its reputation for user‑centric design.