Spotify offline: how to listen to your music without the internet

Train, subway, plane, hiking, dead zone... When the connection drops, Spotify can keep playing, provided you've prepared your downloads in advance.

In this guide, we see specifically:

• What Spotify allows offline (and what it doesn't allow);
• how to download your playlists and albums for offline listening;
• How to listen to Spotify in airplane mode without any unpleasant surprises;
• significant limitations (number of titles, devices, renewal of rights);
• solutions to the most common problems.

1. Can you really use Spotify offline?

Yes, but not via streaming. To listen to Spotify offline, you must first download the content to the app.

Spotify specifies in particular that:

• On Premium, you can download albums, playlists, and podcasts.
• With the free version, you can only download podcasts.
• There are limits (titles/devices) and a requirement to log in regularly.

👉 Remember: without downloading, you can't listen without internet — even if you can still see your playlists in the app.

2. How to download Spotify music to listen to offline

2.1. Before you begin: 3 simple prerequisites

1. A Premium subscription if you want to download music (free accounts are limited to podcasts).
2. Space on your device: Spotify recommends at least 1 GB of free space to avoid failures.
3. A stable connection (ideally Wi-Fi) for fast downloads without using up all your data.

2.2. Downloading a playlist or album on mobile (iOS/Android)

The principle is always the same:

• open the album or playlist;
• activate the Download button (often an arrow);
• Wait until the download is complete (icon/indicator "downloaded").

Practical tip: prepare one or two "Travel" playlists (music + podcasts), which are easier to manage than 30 separate albums.

2.3. Download to computer (Windows/Mac)

Spotify also allows downloading to computers with Premium, for certain content. The idea remains the same:

• go to a playlist;
• activate the download;
• Verify that the titles are available offline.

3. Activate offline mode (and avoid unpleasant surprises)

In theory, Spotify automatically plays your downloads when you no longer have internet access. But if you want to be sure that the app never attempts to stream, enable offline mode in the settings.

Spotify explains that this mode is specifically designed to ensure that only your downloads are played.

👉 In practical terms: this is the best setting if you are on an unstable network (train, hotspot, campsite) and want to avoid disconnections.

4. Listen to Spotify in airplane mode: the reliable method

To listen to Spotify in airplane mode without frustration, follow these steps:

1. Download your playlists/albums beforehand (ideally using Wi-Fi).
2. Verify that they are marked as downloaded.
3. Then activate airplane mode.
4. Open Spotify and start playing your music from the downloaded section.

If everything has been downloaded correctly, airplane mode will not prevent playback: you will be playing locally via the app, without a network connection.

5. Limitations to be aware of when using Spotify offline

5.1. Limit on securities and devices

Spotify states:

• up to 10,000 songs downloaded per device;
• on up to 5 different devices.

If you reach the device limit, Spotify may refuse new downloads—or remove them from a less frequently used device.

5.2. Obligation to reconnect regularly

To keep your downloads, Spotify requires you to log in at least once every 30 days (to validate your rights and collect listening data).

👉 In practice: if you are going to be away from a network for a long time (travel, boat, etc.), connect before you leave, and keep this rule in mind.

5.3. Reinstalling the app deletes downloads

Spotify specifies that after reinstalling, you must download your music and podcasts again.

So if you have a large offline library, avoid uninstalling Spotify the day before you leave.

6. Common problems: Why doesn't Spotify work offline?

6.1. “I can see the playlist, but nothing starts playing.”

It happens when:

• the tracks are not actually downloaded (displayed playlist ≠ stored content);
• Spotify is attempting to stream because offline mode is not enabled.
• You are no longer a Premium member (offline music depends on your subscription).

6.2. “Download fails”

Spotify recommends checking the following:

• the internet connection;
• available space (at least 1 GB recommended);
• the limit of 5 devices;
• and restart/reinstall the app if necessary.

6.3. “My downloads have disappeared”

Spotify lists several common causes:

• you have not logged in for more than 30 days;
• you have reinstalled the app;
• you have exceeded 5 devices (downloads can be removed from a less frequently used device);
• App not up to date / SD card unstable (if used).

7. Reduce the price of Spotify Premium if you use it a lot

If you often prepare Spotify music offline, it usually means that you use Spotify intensively and therefore a Premium subscription makes sense for you (downloads, convenience, continuous listening).

The sticking point is the monthly budget, especially if you have several subscriptions (Spotify + Netflix + Disney+ + Prime Video, etc.). A simple approach is to split the cost of a multi-user subscription when the offer allows it (for example, "Duo"/"Family" plans, according to the conditions set by Spotify).

Rather than managing this manually (refunds, reminders, etc.), a platform such as Spliiit allows you to share the cost of a subscription and centralize payments in a simpler way: you retain your usage (including offline listening), but you avoid paying alone if you have available seats or if you join an existing seat.

FAQ – Spotify offline

Does Spotify offline work without Premium?

For music: no, Spotify states that downloading albums/playlists is linked to Premium. However, without a subscription, you can download podcasts.

How much music can I download?

Spotify mentions up to 10,000 tracks per device, on a maximum of 5 devices.

Do you need to connect from time to time?

Yes: Spotify requires you to go online at least once every 30 days to keep your downloads.

Can you listen to Spotify offline on a watch or other device?

It depends on the device and the ecosystem (some watches/solutions support offline mode, others do not). The best approach is still to download to a compatible device and test offline before departure.

Spotify says "offline" but I have internet: what should I do?

Spotify has a help page dedicated to issues with "Spotify being in offline mode" and network troubleshooting (Wi-Fi, router, restrictions, etc.).

Key points to remember

• Spotify offline works great... if you download your playlists in advance.
• To listen to Spotify in airplane mode, download first, then start playback from the downloaded content.
• Keep in mind the limits: 10, 000 songs/device, 5 devices, and connection at least every 30 days.
• If you use Spotify Premium every day, optimizing the cost through supervised sharing (when the offer allows it) can make a real difference—and Spliiit is designed to simplify this.

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