Spotify gives users access to hundreds of thousands of artists and songs directly on their computer or smartphone. While the service itself often requires the internet to stream music, users can also download tracks to listen to whenever in offline mode. This article will show you how to add playlists to your library, how to download them to your device, and how to listen to music in offline mode through Spotify.

What to Know

  • On desktop: Open the Spotify desktop app > click three dots in the top left corner > select File > click Offline Mode.On mobile: Open the Spotify app > select Settings > tap Playback > Toggle Offline.

How to Go Offline in Spotify on Desktop

If you like to listen to music on your computer, then chances are you’re usually connected to the internet. However, sometimes you may need to go offline for travel, or just for general internet outages. If you want to be prepared, you can always have some playlists downloaded to your computer so you can listen even without an internet connection.

You must subscribe to Spotify Premium to download music for offline playback. Folks who only use the free version of Spotify will not be able to download or listen to music without an internet connection.

  • First, find a playlist you want to download. You can make your own or find one someone else has created.
  • Next, locate the downward pointing arrow beside the heart near the top of the playlist.
  • Click the arrow to download the playlist. Spotify will automatically add the playlist to your library before downloading it.

Enable Offline Mode on the Desktop

Once you have downloaded the playlist, you can then play it at any time. If you need to take Spotify offline for any reason, you can also do so manually from the menu.

First, find a playlist you want to download. You can make your own or find one someone else has created.

Next, locate the downward pointing arrow beside the heart near the top of the playlist.

Click the arrow to download the playlist. Spotify will automatically add the playlist to your library before downloading it.

  • Locate the three dots in the top left-hand corner of the Spotify desktop app.
  • Click the dots and then select File.
  • Click Offline Mode to take Spotify offline.

How Do I Go Offline in the Spotify App? 

If you prefer listening to music on the Spotify mobile app, then you can also download playlists to your smartphone and listen to music without a data connection. Follow the steps below to get started.

Locate the three dots in the top left-hand corner of the Spotify desktop app.

Click the dots and then select File.

Click Offline Mode to take Spotify offline.

  • Launch Spotify on your smartphone or smart device.
  • Find a playlist you like and want to download.
  • Click the downward-facing arrow near the top of the playlist to download the playlist to your device. You can also click the three dots and then select Download to this device from a new menu that appears.

Enable Offline Mode on Mobile

That playlist is now ready to listen to when you are in Offline mode. You can also download music to your Apple or Android watch. Simply look for the option when browsing the various features and settings after tapping the three dots at the top of the playlist.

Launch Spotify on your smartphone or smart device.

Find a playlist you like and want to download.

Click the downward-facing arrow near the top of the playlist to download the playlist to your device. You can also click the three dots and then select Download to this device from a new menu that appears.

You can activate Offline Mode in the mobile app at any time by following the steps below.

  • Locate and tap your profile icon at the top of the app.
  • From Settings, select Playback.
  • Now toggle Offline to set your Spotify mobile app to offline mode. You can also have it automatically go back online after a certain number of days.

Locate and tap your profile icon at the top of the app.

From Settings, select Playback.

Now toggle Offline to set your Spotify mobile app to offline mode. You can also have it automatically go back online after a certain number of days.

  • How do I mark a playlist for offline sync on Spotify?
  • Open the Spotify app on your desktop device and the Spotify app on your mobile device, making sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. On the desktop app, you’ll see your mobile device appear under the Devices section. Click your mobile device and select Sync This Device with Spotify, and then click to select the playlists you want to mark for offline sync. These playlists will be available for offline listening on your mobile device.
  • Where does Spotify store offline music on a Mac?
  • To find the location of your Spotify Premium offline music on a Mac, open Spotify on your Mac and click the arrow next to your profile picture. Then, click Settings > Offline songs storage to view the location of your Spotify offline music.
  • Where does Spotify store offline music on a Windows PC?
  • To find the location of your Spotify Premium offline music on a Windows PC, open Spotify and click More (three dots) > Edit > Preferences. Scroll down and select Show advanced settings, and then find the Offline songs storage header. You’ll see the location of your Spotify offline music underneath; use File Explorer to navigate to this location.

Open the Spotify app on your desktop device and the Spotify app on your mobile device, making sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. On the desktop app, you’ll see your mobile device appear under the Devices section. Click your mobile device and select Sync This Device with Spotify, and then click to select the playlists you want to mark for offline sync. These playlists will be available for offline listening on your mobile device.

To find the location of your Spotify Premium offline music on a Mac, open Spotify on your Mac and click the arrow next to your profile picture. Then, click Settings > Offline songs storage to view the location of your Spotify offline music.

To find the location of your Spotify Premium offline music on a Windows PC, open Spotify and click More (three dots) > Edit > Preferences. Scroll down and select Show advanced settings, and then find the Offline songs storage header. You’ll see the location of your Spotify offline music underneath; use File Explorer to navigate to this location.

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