Tidal’s game-changing feature lets your friends open shared songs in Spotify

Tidal, the music streaming platform, has introduced an exciting new feature to its desktop app that could potentially revolutionize how users share music. This feature, known as universal links, allows Tidal users to share songs with friends who may not be Tidal subscribers. The recipients can then listen to the shared track on their preferred streaming service without needing to install the Tidal app on their device. This means that users can now share their latest musical discoveries with friends, regardless of their streaming platform preference.

The discovery of this update was made by a Reddit user on the Tidal subreddit, who shared screenshots of the patch notes and the feature in action. Tidal Version 2024.03.27 of the desktop app is currently live and rolling out to users.

Sharing music across platforms is straightforward. Users simply need to click the three dots next to a song’s title, select Share, and then choose Copy Track Link to generate a shareable link. When recipients open the link, they are directed to a special Tidal web page where they can choose their preferred streaming service from a list of supported platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. Once selected, the chosen service opens in a web browser, allowing the recipient to listen to the shared track without needing the Tidal app.

While similar tools for sharing music across platforms have existed for years, Tidal’s implementation of universal links is significant as it marks the first time a major music streaming service has incorporated this feature. Unlike other methods that may require creating playlists, Tidal’s universal links offer users the flexibility to share individual songs seamlessly.

However, there are still some questions surrounding the update. It’s unclear if the feature will be available on the mobile app, as the rollout has been confirmed only for desktop users so far. Additionally, its global availability remains unknown, raising questions about when users worldwide can expect to access the feature on both desktop and mobile platforms. Despite these uncertainties, Tidal’s move towards greater flexibility and affordability is commendable, and other leading streaming platforms may soon follow suit.