The fastest way depends on which service you use
Most music streaming services let you download songs directly to your computer, but the exact steps change depending on whether you use Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or another platform. The download button is usually visible in the app or web player, but some services require a paid subscription before downloads work. Once downloaded, the music stays on your hard drive even if your internet goes down — though most services encrypt the files so they only play in that app.
The process takes less than a minute per song once you know where to look. This guide walks you through the download process for the most common services, what to expect after you download, and what happens if your subscription ends.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music all have download buttons in their desktop apps — right-click a song or album and select the download option.
- Downloaded music is encrypted and only plays within the app that downloaded it, so you cannot move files between services.
- Most services require a paid subscription to download; free accounts can stream but not save songs offline.
- Downloaded files take up hard drive space, so check how much room you have before downloading entire albums or playlists.
- If your subscription ends, downloaded music stops playing even though the files remain on your computer.
Downloading from Spotify
Open Spotify on your PC and find the song, album, or playlist you want to download. Right-click on it and select Download from the menu that appears. A small download icon (usually a downward arrow) will show next to the title once the download starts, and it changes to a checkmark when the download finishes.
Spotify only lets you download if you have a paid subscription — Premium, Duo, or Family accounts all work. Free accounts cannot download. You can download up to 10,000 songs across all your devices combined, though each device has its own storage limit. Downloaded songs stay on your computer as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel, the files remain but will not play.
Downloaded Spotify files are stored in a folder on your hard drive, but they are encrypted and only work inside the Spotify app. You cannot copy them to another music player or send them to someone else. If you want to move your music to a different service later, you will need to manually recreate your playlists there.
Downloading from Apple Music
In the Apple Music app on Windows or Mac, find the song or album you want. Click the three-dot menu button next to the title and select Add to Library, then click the cloud icon with a downward arrow to download it. The cloud icon changes to a checkmark once the download is complete.
Apple Music requires a paid subscription to download — the free trial period does not include download access. You can download unlimited songs, but your computer's storage is the only limit. Like Spotify, downloaded Apple Music files are encrypted and only play in the Apple Music app. If your subscription lapses, the files stop playing.
Apple Music stores downloaded files in a hidden folder that you cannot easily access or move. If you want to use the same music in a different app or on another device, you will need to download it again through that service's app.
Downloading from Amazon Music
Open Amazon Music on your PC. Find the song or album, click the three-dot menu, and select Download Song or Download Album. A download progress bar appears, and the button changes to a checkmark when finished.
Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can download songs. Amazon Music Free (the ad-supported version) does not include downloads. You can download up to 100 songs per device, with a maximum of 4 devices. This is a tighter limit than Spotify or Apple Music, so plan accordingly if you want a large offline library.
Downloaded Amazon Music files are also encrypted and only work in the Amazon Music app. Canceling your subscription stops playback of downloaded songs, though the files stay on your drive. If you want to keep music after leaving Amazon Music, you will need to find it elsewhere.
Downloading from YouTube Music
In the YouTube Music app or web player, find a song and click the three-dot menu. Select Download. The download icon fills in as the file transfers, and a checkmark appears when done.
YouTube Music Premium is required to download — the free version does not support it. You can download up to 100,000 songs per account. Downloaded files are encrypted like the other services and only play in YouTube Music. If your subscription ends, downloaded music becomes unplayable.
YouTube Music downloads work on your computer, phone, and tablet, but each device counts toward your 100,000-song limit. If you download the same song on two devices, it counts twice against your total.
Storage and file management
Downloaded music takes up hard drive space — a typical song is 3 to 5 megabytes, so 100 songs use roughly 400 megabytes. An entire album might be 50 to 100 megabytes. Before downloading large playlists, check how much free space your computer has. Right-click your C: drive (or whichever drive holds your operating system) and select Properties to see available space.
You cannot move encrypted music files between apps or services. If you download a song in Spotify, you cannot copy that file to Apple Music or play it in Windows Media Player. Each service keeps its files locked to its own app. This is why music services do this — it protects the rights of artists and record labels.
If you run out of storage, delete downloaded songs you no longer need. In most apps, right-click a downloaded song and select Remove Download or Delete. The song stays in your library and you can download it again later.
What happens when your subscription ends
Downloaded music is tied to your active subscription. If you stop paying, the files remain on your hard drive but will not play. You will see a lock icon or error message when you try to listen. The files themselves do not disappear — they just become unusable.
If you resubscribe later, the downloaded files usually become playable again without needing to re-download. However, this depends on the service and how long your subscription was inactive. To be safe, assume you will need to download again if you cancel and come back.
This is different from music you purchase outright (like from iTunes or Bandcamp), which stays playable forever. Streaming downloads are a convenience for offline listening while you subscribe, not a permanent copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download music from a free streaming account?
No. Spotify Free, Apple Music Free Trial, YouTube Music Free, and Amazon Music Free do not include downloads. You need a paid subscription with Spotify Premium, Apple Music, YouTube Music Premium, or Amazon Music Unlimited to download songs.
Can I move downloaded music from one service to another?
No. Downloaded files are encrypted and locked to the app that downloaded them. You cannot copy a Spotify download to Apple Music or any other player. If you switch services, you will need to recreate your playlists and download them again in the new app.
What if I download a song and then delete it from the service?
The downloaded file stays on your computer and remains playable as long as your subscription is active. Deleting a song from the service's library does not automatically remove it from your downloads. You have to manually delete the downloaded file if you want to free up space.
Do downloaded songs use my internet when I play them?
No. Once downloaded, songs play entirely from your hard drive with no internet needed. This is the main reason to download — so you can listen offline on a plane, in a car, or anywhere without a connection.
How much storage do I need for downloaded music?
Most songs are 3 to 5 megabytes each. A typical album is 50 to 100 megabytes. If you download 1,000 songs, expect to use 3 to 5 gigabytes of space. Check your available hard drive space before downloading large playlists, especially on older computers or laptops with smaller drives.