You can save a Spotify playlist offline in the app, but only if you have a Spotify Premium subscription

Spotify's offline feature lets you listen to a playlist without an internet connection, but it works differently than downloading an MP3 file to keep forever. When you save a playlist for offline listening, Spotify stores a temporary copy on your device that stays valid as long as your Premium subscription is active. If your subscription lapses, those offline copies stop working.

The process takes less than a minute, and the playlist will sync across your devices if you're signed into the same account. The storage space used depends on the playlist size — a 50-song playlist typically uses 200 to 400 MB, while a 200-song playlist might use 800 MB to 1.5 GB.

Key Takeaways

  • Only Spotify Premium members can save playlists for offline listening; the free tier does not support this feature.
  • Offline playlists remain playable only while your Premium subscription is active and you stay signed in to your account.
  • On the Spotify app, tap the download icon next to any playlist to save it offline on that specific device.
  • Offline playlists take up device storage space, so check available space before saving very large playlists.

How to save a playlist offline on your phone

Open the Spotify app and find the playlist you want to save. This can be one of your own playlists, a playlist someone shared with you, or a Spotify-created playlist. Tap the three dots (menu icon) next to the playlist name, then select "Download" or look for a download icon — the exact wording varies slightly between iOS and Android.

Once you tap download, Spotify begins storing the playlist on your phone. A small download icon will appear next to the playlist name, and you'll see a progress indicator showing how much has been downloaded. Depending on your internet speed and playlist size, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. You can use the app while the download happens in the background.

How to save a playlist offline on your computer

The process on desktop is nearly identical. Open Spotify on your computer, navigate to the playlist, and look for the download icon — usually a downward arrow — next to the playlist name. Click it, and Spotify will begin storing the playlist locally on your hard drive.

On Windows and Mac, you can check how much storage your offline playlists are using by going to Settings, then Offline Storage. This shows you the total space used and lets you delete offline playlists if you need to free up room on your computer.

What happens when you lose internet or travel

Once a playlist is downloaded, you can play it without any internet connection. This is useful on flights, during commutes with spotty service, or in areas where data is limited. Spotify will play the downloaded version automatically when you're offline, and you won't use any mobile data.

If you're traveling internationally, keep in mind that Spotify's licensing agreements vary by country. If you download a playlist in one country and travel to another where Spotify operates differently, the offline copy may stop working. This is rare but can happen, so it's worth knowing before you rely on offline playlists for a long trip.

Storage limits and managing offline playlists

Spotify Premium accounts can store up to 10,000 songs offline across all your devices combined. For most people, this is far more than they'll ever need — even 200 large playlists would not come close to that limit. However, storage space on your actual device (phone or computer) is the real constraint.

If your phone or computer is running low on storage, delete offline playlists you no longer listen to. On your phone, go to Settings in the Spotify app, tap Offline Storage, and you'll see a list of downloaded playlists with the option to remove them. On desktop, the same menu shows what's taking up space and lets you delete individual playlists.

Why an offline playlist is not the same as a downloaded file

A Spotify offline playlist is not a file you own or can transfer elsewhere. It's a temporary copy that Spotify maintains on your device as long as you're a Premium subscriber and the app stays installed. If you cancel your subscription, those offline copies become unplayable — the app will no longer let you listen to them, even if they're still taking up storage space on your device.

If you want to keep music permanently, you would need to purchase it from a store like iTunes or Bandcamp, or use a different service that lets you download files you own outright. Spotify's offline feature is designed for convenience during travel or commutes, not for long-term ownership.

Troubleshooting offline playlists that won't download

If a playlist won't download, the most common reason is that you don't have enough free storage space on your device. Check your phone or computer's available storage and try deleting other apps or files to make room. A second common issue is that the app needs an update — go to your device's app store and check for a newer version of Spotify.

If the playlist still won't download after freeing space and updating, try signing out of Spotify completely and signing back in. This refreshes your connection to Spotify's servers and often fixes download problems. If it still doesn't work, restart your device and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download a playlist if I don't have Spotify Premium?

No. The offline download feature is only available to Premium subscribers. Free Spotify accounts can listen to playlists with an internet connection, but cannot save them for offline use.

Will my offline playlist update if new songs are added?

No. When you download a playlist, Spotify saves a snapshot of it at that moment. If the playlist owner adds new songs later, those won't appear in your offline copy unless you delete it and download it again.

Can I share my offline playlists with someone else?

No. Offline playlists are tied to your account and device. Someone else would need to download the playlist themselves using their own Premium account and device.

How much data does downloading a playlist use?

Downloading uses data only during the initial download process. Once saved, playing an offline playlist uses no data at all. The initial download size depends on audio quality settings — higher quality uses more data and storage space.

What if I uninstall and reinstall Spotify?

Your offline playlists will be deleted when you uninstall the app. After you reinstall and sign back in, you'll need to download them again.