To use Spotify offline, you must first download music from Spotify to my computer or mobile device and then switch on Offline Mode in the app. There are two paths: Premium subscribers can download music, playlists, and podcasts, while free users can only download podcasts and eligible audiobooks.
What you need to use Spotify offline
Before you begin, make sure you have the Spotify app installed on your device. If you want to download music or playlists for offline listening, you need an active Spotify Premium subscription. Free accounts can only download podcasts and select audiobooks. You also need sufficient free storage space on your device, as downloaded content takes up local memory.
How to download music, playlists, and podcasts
Downloading content on Spotify is a simple process that works the same for albums, playlists, and podcasts. Open the Spotify app and navigate to the album, playlist, or podcast you want to save. Look for the download icon, which is a downward arrow, usually located near the top of the screen or next to the content's title. Tap or click this arrow to start the download. While the download is in progress, the arrow will be gray or show a progress indicator. Once complete, the arrow turns green, confirming the content is saved to your device and ready for offline playback.
Note that you cannot download individual songs directly. Songs must be part of a playlist or an album to be downloaded. If you want a single song offline, add it to a new or existing playlist first, then download that playlist.
How to enable Offline Mode
After downloading your content, you need to turn on Offline Mode. This ensures Spotify only shows and plays downloaded content, preventing accidental streaming when you're not connected. The steps vary slightly depending on your device.
On Android and iOS mobile devices
Open the Spotify app and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. Go to "Settings and privacy." On Android, tap "Data-saving and offline." On iOS, tap "Playback." Find the "Offline mode" switch and toggle it on. When Offline Mode is active, a banner may appear at the top of the app, and any content that isn't downloaded will be grayed out and unplayable.
On Mac desktop
Open Spotify on your Mac. In the Apple menu at the top-left of your screen, click "Spotify" and then select "Offline Mode" from the dropdown menu. A checkmark next to the option indicates it's enabled.
On Windows desktop
Open Spotify on your Windows PC. Click the three-dot menu (or "File" in the top-left corner) and select "Offline Mode" from the menu. A checkmark will appear next to it when enabled.
Download limits and requirements
Spotify has specific limits to keep things fair for artists and the platform. You can download up to 10,000 tracks on each of up to 5 different devices. That means you can have the same or different content on multiple phones, tablets, or computers, as long as you stay within the 5-device cap. If you try to download to a 6th device, Spotify will automatically remove downloads from the device you used least recently.
Your downloads don't last forever. You must go online with the Spotify app at least once every 30 days. This lets Spotify collect play data and compensate artists. If you stay offline longer than 30 days, your downloaded files will be removed, and you'll need to re-download them after reconnecting. Additionally, downloads are permanently lost if you reinstall the Spotify app or if your Premium subscription expires. If you downgrade to the free tier, you'll lose access to all downloaded music, though you may still listen to Spotify offline without premium by sticking to downloaded podcasts.
Managing downloads and storage
Keeping your offline library organized helps you manage storage space and find content quickly. This deletes the local files from your device but keeps the content in your Spotify account, so you can re-download it later if you want.
By default, Spotify downloads over Wi-Fi to save mobile data. If you prefer to use cellular data, go to "Settings and privacy" > "Data-saving and offline" and toggle on "Downloads over cellular." Be aware that downloading large playlists over cellular can consume a significant amount of your data allowance.
When Offline Mode is enabled, any content that hasn't been downloaded appears grayed out in your Library. This is normal and indicates that the content is unavailable without an internet connection. You can still see your full library, but only downloaded items will play. If you want to listen to something that isn't downloaded, you'll need to turn off Offline Mode and connect to the internet to stream it.
To save storage space, periodically review your downloads and remove anything you no longer listen to regularly. You can check how much space Spotify is using in your device's settings, but within the app, the download arrows on each item show what's currently saved. Managing your downloads ensures you always have room for new music and that your offline experience stays smooth.
For the wider topic, see how to download music as MP3.
