Spotify Premium's offline mode lets you listen to music without an internet connection, saving mobile data and avoiding buffering. With over 100 million songs available, you can download up to 10,000 tracks across five devices. This guide covers how to set up offline mode on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac, including common troubleshooting steps. For broader legal downloading tips, see The Complete Guide to Saving Audio Legally.

What You Need for Spotify Offline Mode

Offline mode is a Spotify Premium feature. A Premium Individual plan costs $10.99/month in the US, £9.99/month in the UK, or €9.99/month in the EU. Family ($16.99/month) and Duo ($14.99/month) plans also include offline downloads. Free users cannot download music—they can only stream with ads. If you're considering alternatives, YouTube Premium vs Free Downloads compares similar services.

How to Download Music on Android

Step 1: Update the Spotify App

Open the Google Play Store, search for Spotify, and tap Update if available. The latest version ensures download stability.

Step 2: Find Music to Download

  • Open Spotify and browse for a playlist, album, or podcast.
  • Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the item.
  • Select Download. A green arrow will appear when downloading starts.

Step 3: Enable Offline Mode

  1. Go to Settings (gear icon in top-right corner).
  2. Toggle Offline on. A green banner will show “Offline Mode.”
  3. Your downloaded songs are now playable without internet.

Step 4: Manage Downloads

To remove a download, tap the green arrow again. To see all downloaded content, go to Your Library > Downloads. Each device can hold up to 10,000 songs.

How to Download Music on iPhone / iPad

Step 1: Update the App

Open the App Store, search for Spotify, and tap Update.

Step 2: Download a Playlist or Album

  • Tap the playlist or album to open it.
  • Tap the Download toggle (a downward arrow icon). It will turn green when downloading.

Step 3: Switch to Offline Mode

  1. Tap Home > Settings (gear icon).
  2. Toggle Offline on. You’ll see “You’re offline” at the top.

Step 4: Check Storage

Go to Settings > Storage to see how much space your downloads use. You can delete old downloads to free up room.

How to Download Music on Windows / Mac

Step 1: Install the Desktop App

Download from spotify.com/download. The web player does not support downloads.

Step 2: Download Music

  • Find a playlist, album, or podcast.
  • Click the Download toggle (downward arrow) next to the Play button.
  • Green arrows indicate downloaded items.

Step 3: Enable Offline Mode

  1. Click your Profile (top-right) > Settings.
  2. Under Playback, toggle Offline on.
  3. Alternatively, click the three-dot menu next to your name and select Offline Mode.

Step 4: Manage Downloads

Go to Settings > Storage to see download location and size. Default location: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage (Windows) or ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify/PersistentCache (Mac).

Download Limits and Best Practices

Spotify allows up to 10,000 songs per device on a maximum of 5 devices. To stay within limits:

  • Download only playlists you listen to often.
  • Remove old downloads before adding new ones.
  • Use Download on playlists rather than individual tracks to save time.

If you hit the limit, you’ll see “You’ve reached your download limit.” Delete some downloads and try again. For more on managing audio files legally, see YouTube Premium Download Setup.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Downloads Not Showing

Ensure you are logged into the same account on all devices. Go to Settings > Account to verify.

Download Stuck or Failing

  • Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular).
  • Restart the app: force close and reopen.
  • Clear cache: Settings > Storage > Clear Cache.

Offline Mode Not Working

If you can’t play downloaded tracks, re-download them. Also, check that offline mode is enabled. On desktop, sometimes toggling offline mode off and on again helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download music on multiple devices?

Yes, up to 5 devices. Each device has its own 10,000-song limit.

Do downloads expire?

No, but if you haven’t gone online for 30 days, Spotify may prompt you to reconnect. Downloads remain until you remove them.

Can I transfer downloads to another device?

No. You must download separately on each device.

Does offline mode use battery?

Less than streaming, but playing stored files still uses battery. Lower screen brightness to save power.

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