You use Spotify to listen to music and catch up on podcasts almost every day. But once you're offline, playing content becomes a challenge.
In fact, Spotify supports offline listening. As a Premium user, you can download up to 10,000 tracks and enjoy them anytime without needing an internet connection.
In this article, we'll guide you through the process of using Spotify's offline listening feature, including how Premium users can download and set up offline playback. We'll also share some alternative options for non-subscribers, helping you enjoy Spotify even when you're offline.
Can you listen to Spotify offline?
Yes, as long as you subscribe to Spotify Premium. Spotify offers an offline listening feature for Premium users, allowing you to download music in advance and play it even without an internet connection. This feature is especially useful for commuting, business trips, or when you have limited data.
However, there are some limitations. For instance, you need to connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to keep your offline content playable.
Listen to Spotify offline with Premium Subscription
Once you subscribe to Premium, you can download Spotify content on multiple devices, and offline playback will no longer be restricted. However, Spotify only supports downloading entire albums, podcasts, or playlists. If you want to save a single song, you'll need to add it to a playlist before downloading.
The download process is simple: open the album, playlist, or podcast you want to download and click the "Download" button on the page. Once the download is complete, these items will appear in your offline library, ready to be played anytime without an internet connection.
Turn on Spotify Offline Mode
After downloading the content you want to listen to, it's recommended to enable "Offline Mode." This way, even when you're offline, Spotify won't try to load online resources, helping to avoid buffering or unnecessary data usage.
To enable Offline Mode on your phone or tablet (iOS/Android):
- Open the Spotify app and tap your profile picture at the top.
- Go to "Settings."
- Find and tap the "Playback" option.
- Turn on the "Offline" switch.
Enabling Offline Mode on Desktop (Windows / Mac):
For Mac users: Click the Apple menu at the top of the screen > Spotify > Offline Mode.
For Windows users: Click the "..." in the top left corner > File > Offline Mode.
Once Offline Mode is enabled, Spotify will automatically hide any content you haven't downloaded, and the entire interface will display as "Offline." At this point, you can enjoy music without worrying about poor signal or failed loading.
For an even better offline listening experience, you can adjust the download audio quality in your preferences. Depending on your preferences and the storage capacity of your device, you can choose "High" or "Very High."
Managing Downloads on Spotify
The offline feature is certainly convenient, but over time, downloaded content can accumulate and take up a lot of storage space. If you find your device running low on space or if Spotify starts crashing or lagging, it might be a good idea to clean up some downloads that you don't listen to often.
You can go to "Your Library," find the albums or podcasts you no longer need, and click the green "downward arrow" icon next to them to delete.
Besides manual management, sometimes you'll notice that certain downloaded content "disappears on its own." This is usually caused by one of the following reasons:
- No internet connection for over 30 days
- Uninstalling and reinstalling the Spotify app
- Downloading content on more than 5 devices (the system will automatically remove content from the least-used devices)
- SD card issues or outdated app versions
Additionally, all downloaded content is tied to your current account. If you switch accounts or your subscription expires, the downloaded content will no longer play. To use offline playback for the long term, a stable and reasonably priced Premium subscription is essential.
How to Get Spotify Premium for Less?
While the offline playback feature is incredibly appealing, the official Premium subscription can be quite expensive, adding up to a significant cost over time. For many, paying just for the offline feature doesn't seem worth it.
Fortunately, I found a more affordable way: purchasing a shared Spotify Premium account on GamsGo. The price is only half of the official rate, or even lower, but you still get all Premium features, including offline downloads, ad-free listening, and more.
What I like most is that even though it's a shared account, each user has their own individual profile. You can still add favorites, create playlists, and download music without worrying about mixing up with others, offering peace of mind and stability.
How to Listen to Spotify Offline Without Premium?
The offline playback feature on Spotify is only available to Premium users, but if you haven't subscribed yet, you can try the following two methods to enjoy offline listening.
Use Spotify’s Free Trial
Spotify often offers new users a free trial of Premium, typically lasting one month, and sometimes up to three months during promotional periods. During the trial, you can use offline listening, download songs, and enjoy playback without an internet connection.
Simply go to the official website, register for an account, and choose the trial plan. Keep in mind that after the trial ends, it will automatically renew as a paid subscription, so be sure to cancel before it expires to avoid unnecessary charges.
Use Third-Party Download Tools
There are several third-party tools or software available, such as Audials One and Sidify, that can record the audio you play on Spotify in the background and save it as a local file for offline playback.
However, most of these tools only offer basic functionality in their free versions, and if you want higher sound quality or faster processing, you will likely need to pay separately. Additionally, their compatibility can vary depending on the device, and the performance may differ across systems.
Conclusion
In summary, while free trials or third-party tools can provide a way to listen offline to some extent, these methods often have limitations and may not meet long-term needs.
If you use Spotify frequently, I recommend subscribing to Premium directly. Not only is it more stable and hassle-free, but the offline listening experience is also smoother and more reliable. You can get a complete Spotify Premium account at a more affordable price through platforms like GamsGo, offering great value for the features and convenience.
FAQ
How to listen to Spotify offline?
To use the offline playback feature, you must be a Spotify Premium user. After subscribing, add and download the songs, albums, or podcasts you want while connected to the internet. Once completed, switch to offline mode in the app to play your downloaded content without an internet connection.
How do I switch to offline mode on Spotify?
On mobile or tablet, go to "Settings & Privacy" by tapping your profile picture, then enable "Offline Mode" under "Data Saver & Offline." On desktop, Mac users can go to Spotify > Offline Mode in the top menu, while Windows users need to click the "..." icon in the top left, select "File" > "Offline Mode" to enable it.
How many songs can I download on Spotify?
Spotify Premium users can download up to 10,000 songs per device, with a maximum of 5 devices allowed for offline use. This means a single account can store approximately 50,000 downloaded songs.
How long does offline mode last on Spotify?
Offline mode for Spotify Premium users lasts up to 30 days. During this time, you can play your downloaded content without an internet connection. If you don't connect to the internet for more than 30 days, offline content will stop playing, and you will need to reconnect to restore access.
Does Spotify still track when offline?
Yes, even when you're offline, Spotify tracks your playback data locally. Once you reconnect to the internet and open the app, the data will sync automatically to update your listening history, personalized recommendations, and play statistics.
