Podcasts have become a staple of daily commutes, workouts, and downtime. Spotify, one of the largest podcast platforms, offers millions of episodes across genres. However, downloading podcasts for offline playback on Spotify is not always straightforward—especially for free users. This guide explains exactly how to download podcasts from Spotify, what the limitations are, and what alternatives exist if you need more flexibility. We focus on legal methods and clearly mark where workarounds may violate terms of service. For a broader overview of legal audio saving, see the complete guide to saving audio legally.
Understanding Spotify’s Download Feature
Spotify allows users to download podcasts for offline listening, but the feature is tied to your subscription tier. Here’s how it works:
- Spotify Premium subscribers can download any podcast episode directly within the app. The downloads are stored encrypted and can only be played inside Spotify.
- Spotify Free users cannot download podcasts for offline playback. The download button is grayed out or missing entirely. This is a deliberate restriction to encourage Premium subscriptions.
If you are a Premium user, the process is simple: open the podcast episode, tap the download arrow (downward-facing icon), and the episode will be saved. You can manage your downloads in the “Your Library” > “Podcasts” section. Downloaded episodes have a green arrow indicator. Spotify allows up to 10,000 total downloads across all devices, though individual podcast limits may apply. For more on the differences between tiers, see Spotify free download limits.
How to Download Podcasts on Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Premium users, downloading on mobile is the primary method. Follow these steps:
- Open the Spotify app on your iPhone or Android device.
- Navigate to the podcast you want to download. You can search or browse your library.
- Tap on an episode to open its details page.
- Look for the download icon—a downward arrow—usually located near the play button or in the three-dot menu. Tap it.
- The icon will turn green, indicating the download is in progress or complete.
- To listen offline, ensure you are in offline mode: go to Settings > Playback > turn on “Offline” (or toggle airplane mode).
Free users will see the download icon but tapping it prompts a “Get Premium” message. There is no official workaround within the app. However, some third-party tools claim to bypass this, but we discuss the risks below.
How to Download Podcasts on Desktop (Windows/Mac)
Spotify’s desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux) also supports downloads for Premium users. The process is similar:
- Open the Spotify desktop app and log in with a Premium account.
- Find the podcast episode you want.
- Click the download icon (downward arrow) next to the episode title.
- Downloaded episodes appear in the “Your Library” > “Podcasts” section under “Downloads.”
Note that the desktop app requires an internet connection to play even downloaded content unless you enable offline mode. To do this, go to File (Windows) or Spotify (Mac) > Offline Mode. The app will then play only downloaded files. For a detailed setup, see Spotify Premium offline mode.
One limitation: Spotify does not allow you to export downloaded podcast files as MP3s. They remain within the app’s encrypted storage. If you need portable audio files, you must use alternative methods.
Alternative Methods: Third-Party Tools and Legal Concerns
If you are a free user or want to download podcasts as MP3 files for use in other players, third-party tools exist. However, they come with caveats:
- Online downloaders (e.g., websites that accept Spotify links) often violate Spotify’s terms of service. They may also expose you to malware or copyright infringement.
- Audio capture software (e.g., Audacity with virtual audio cable) can record audio in real-time. This is legal for personal use in many jurisdictions but is time-consuming and may violate Spotify’s terms.
- Browser extensions (e.g., “Spotify Downloader” Chrome extensions) are often shut down quickly and may compromise your account security.
We do not endorse any specific third-party tool. Instead, we recommend exploring legal alternatives that provide similar functionality. For a comparison of free and paid services, check free vs paid audio download services.
For a broader perspective on saving audio legally, read our complete guide to saving audio legally.
Legal Alternatives for Offline Podcast Listening
If you cannot use Spotify’s download feature, consider these legal options:
- Use other podcast apps that allow free downloads. Many apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Overcast let you download episodes for offline playback without a subscription. Most are free or offer a one-time purchase. See our best podcast download apps for recommendations.
- RSS feeds: Most podcasts have an RSS feed that you can subscribe to in any podcast app. You can then download episodes directly. This is the most open and legal method. Learn how with RSS feed podcast download.
- YouTube Music: If the podcast is also on YouTube, you can use YouTube Premium to download videos for offline viewing. See our YouTube Premium download setup guide for details.
For a comparison of free vs. paid download options, check YouTube Premium vs. free downloads.
Spotify Podcast Download Limitations
Even with Premium, Spotify imposes restrictions:
- Download limit: Up to 10,000 total downloads across all devices. Individual podcasts may have a cap (e.g., 100 episodes per show).
- Expiration: Some downloaded episodes may expire after 30 days if the podcast is removed or updated. You need to re-download.
- Device limit: You can download on up to 5 devices (Premium plan).
- No export: You cannot transfer downloaded files to another app or device.
For more on Spotify’s free tier limitations, see Spotify free download limits.
Using Spotify’s Local Files Feature for Podcasts
If you have podcast episodes as audio files from other sources (e.g., downloaded via RSS), you can add them to Spotify using the Local Files feature. This works on desktop:
- In Spotify desktop, go to Settings > Local Files.
- Enable “Show Local Files” and add folders containing your audio files.
- Create a playlist with those local files.
- On mobile, sync the playlist by connecting to the same Wi-Fi network (Premium required for offline sync).
This method does not download podcasts from Spotify, but it lets you consolidate your offline library. For a detailed walkthrough, see Spotify local files sync guide.
Note: Local files must be in a compatible format (MP3, M4A, etc.) and must not be DRM-protected.
Conclusion
Downloading podcasts from Spotify for offline playback is straightforward for Premium users but impossible for free users through official means. If you need portable files, legal alternatives like dedicated podcast apps or RSS feeds are safer and more flexible. Third-party tools carry risks and likely violate terms of service. Always prioritize legal methods to support creators and protect your device.
For more on podcast downloading tools, see our best podcast download apps list.
Related Articles
- The Complete Guide to Saving Audio Legally
- Spotify Premium Offline Mode
- Spotify Free Download Limits
- Spotify Local Files Sync
- Best Podcast Download Apps