The fastest way depends on which streaming service you use
Most music streaming services let you download songs directly to your computer, but the method and what you can do with the file afterward varies by platform. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all offer downloads, but each one works differently and comes with restrictions on where you can play the file.
The simplest approach is to use your streaming service's built-in download feature while you're logged in on your computer. This keeps the song tied to your account and your subscription — you cannot transfer it to another device or keep it if you cancel. If you want a permanent copy you own outright, you'll need a different method, like purchasing the song from iTunes or Amazon Music Store instead of streaming it.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all have download buttons in their desktop apps, but downloaded songs only play while your subscription is active.
- Downloaded songs from streaming services are locked to that app and account — you cannot move them to another music player or device without a subscription.
- If you want to own a song permanently, you can buy it from iTunes, Amazon Music Store, or Bandcamp instead of streaming it.
- Recording a song from YouTube or another video site and converting it to audio is legal for personal use in most places, but the quality is usually lower than a purchased or streamed file.
Downloading from Spotify on Windows or Mac
Open Spotify on your computer and find the song you want to download. Click the three dots next to the song title, then select "Download" from the menu. The song will show a small download icon next to it once it starts, and a checkmark once it finishes. Downloaded songs appear in your "Liked Songs" library and in the "Downloads" section of your sidebar.
Downloaded Spotify songs only play in the Spotify app on that specific computer. If you log out, uninstall Spotify, or your subscription expires, you lose access to the downloaded file. Spotify also removes downloads automatically if you don't open the app for 30 days, so the feature works best for songs you listen to regularly rather than archiving.
Downloading from Apple Music on Mac or Windows
In Apple Music, find the song and click the three dots next to it. Select "Add to Library" first if it is not already in your library, then click the three dots again and choose "Download." On Mac, you can also right-click the song and select "Download." The song will appear in your library with a small cloud icon showing it has been downloaded.
Apple Music downloads work only in the Apple Music app or iTunes on the computer where you downloaded them. Like Spotify, they require an active subscription to play. If you want to keep a song forever, you can buy it from the iTunes Store instead — purchased songs download as actual files you own, not subscription-locked copies.
Downloading from YouTube Music and Amazon Music
YouTube Music's download feature works only on the mobile app, not on the desktop website or computer app. If you want a copy on your computer, you'll need to use a third-party tool to record the audio from the website, which is legal for personal use but often produces lower quality than the original file.
Amazon Music offers downloads in its desktop app. Click the three dots next to a song and select "Download." Like other streaming services, downloaded songs require an active subscription to play. Amazon also sells individual songs and albums in the Amazon Music Store, where you can buy permanent copies instead of streaming them.
Buying and downloading songs you own
If you want a song file you can keep forever, independent of a subscription, you can buy it from iTunes, Amazon Music Store, Bandcamp, or Google Play Music Store. Purchased songs download as actual files — usually MP3 or AAC format — that you own outright and can play in any music player, transfer to other devices, or keep even if the service shuts down.
Prices are typically $0.99 to $1.29 per song, though independent artists on Bandcamp often set their own prices and sometimes let you pay what you want. Once you buy a song, it appears in your library and downloads automatically to your computer. You can also re-download it from your account at any time in the future.
Recording audio from YouTube and other websites
If a song is only available on YouTube or another video site and you want a copy on your computer, you can use a screen recording tool or audio extraction software to capture it. On Windows, the built-in Xbox Game Bar (press Windows key + G) can record audio from any website. On Mac, QuickTime Player can record system audio. Both produce MP3 or WAV files you can keep and play anywhere.
This method is legal for personal use in most countries, but the quality depends on the source — YouTube's audio is usually compressed, so the downloaded file will not sound as good as a purchased or officially streamed copy. The process also takes as long as the song itself, so it is slower than using a download button in a streaming app.
What to do if a song is not available to download
Some songs are not available for download even if your streaming service offers the feature. This usually means the artist or rights holder has restricted downloads for that particular track. In that case, you can still listen to it in the app, but you cannot save a copy to your computer.
If you need a permanent copy and the song is not available for purchase anywhere, your only option is to record the audio from YouTube or another source where it is available. Check Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon Music Store, and Google Play Music Store first — independent artists often sell songs there that are not available through major retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a song from Spotify and play it in another app like iTunes?
No. Spotify downloads are locked to the Spotify app and your account. They cannot be transferred to iTunes, Windows Media Player, or any other music player. If you want a file you can play anywhere, you need to buy the song from iTunes or Amazon Music Store instead of streaming it.
What happens to my downloaded songs if I cancel my subscription?
Downloaded songs from streaming services stop playing immediately when your subscription ends. The files remain on your computer but are unplayable without an active account. Purchased songs, by contrast, stay playable forever because you own them outright.
Is it legal to record a song from YouTube to my computer?
Recording audio for personal use is legal in most places, including the United States. However, sharing the file or using it commercially is not. The quality is also usually lower than a purchased file because YouTube compresses the audio.
Can I download songs to my phone and computer at the same time?
Yes, most streaming services let you download the same song on multiple devices as long as you are logged into your account on each one. However, each download counts toward your device limit — Spotify allows downloads on up to four devices, for example.
Why does Spotify say a song cannot be downloaded?
Some artists and rights holders restrict downloads even on paid accounts. This is a licensing decision by the copyright owner, not Spotify. You can still stream the song in the app, but you cannot save it offline.