Spotify is currently the most popular audio subscription streaming service in the world with over 286 million users which includes 130 million subscribers. Right now Spotify has over 50 million available tracks, over 1 million podcasts titles, and over 4 billion playlists.
According to Spotify’s website they “are the largest driver of revenue to the music business today.”
Variety of Plans to Meet Your Needs
Spotify for Free
This is the basic service that Spotify offers to anyone. You get 6 skips per hour and will have to listen to advertisements throughout the day. If dealing with ads and limited skips isn’t something you want to deal with then check out one of the premium options that can fit almost any situation.
Spotify Premium Individual
All premium accounts share all of these great features
- Unlimited Streaming of over 50 million songs
- Play albums, podcasts, and playlists offline
- No ad interruptions
- Unlimited Skips
- No limitations when traveling abroad
Spotify Premium Family
This is Spotify’s discount subscription plan for up to 6 family members who live together. There is the plan manager who then sends an invite to the family members to link their accounts and can control any explicit music for the family. Each person gets their own individual premium account so one person doesn’t have to listen to other users’ music.
If you have young kids, below 12, you can get access to Spotify Kids which has music and content specific to kids age 0-6 and 5-12.
As an added bonus there is a shared playlist called Family Mix that incorporates a little of what everyone listens too
Spotify Premium Student
This is a discounted version of the individual premium account. It is done on a yearly basis and can only be claimed for 4 years.
In order to qualify attendance at an accredited college or university has to be verified by SheerID.
How to Turn on Downloading on Desktop
In order to turn on downloads on the desktop app, there are a few things that have to be done before you can. First, you have to be subscribed as a premium user, so if you haven’t done that yet choose the best option and follow the subscription process.
Spotify often has some sort of deal or discount available to new users. These can range from an extended trial period, sometimes up to three months, to discounts and partnerships. Do a quick search if you need a subscription.
If you finished subscribing or already had a subscription, next make sure that you are logged in using your premium account. If you have done these two things then you are ready to start downloading your playlists.
Spotify doesn’t allow desktop app users to download podcasts or albums. If there is an album or song that you want to be downloaded specifically there is a fairly simple workaround, add those to a customized playlist.
Once you have curated your perfect playlists downloading them is extremely simple. All you have to do is click the playlist you want from the side menu bar, wait for a second while it loads then toggle the download switch at the top of the playlist screen to on.
Downloading will begin automatically and a downward-pointing arrow in front of a green circle appears once the download is successful.
To turn your desktop app to Offline mode click File or the Apple menu at the top of the screen, Apple users have the added step of having to click Spotify in the menu, then select Offline Mode. You will only be able to play the music you’ve downloaded.
How to Turn on Downloading on Mobile
With the exception of podcasts, which can be downloaded on mobile and tablet using a free service account, you will need to once again make sure that you have a subscription and are logged in with your premium account. If you need help with that just refer to the first few paragraphs of the downloading desktop section.
Unlike the desktop app, Spotify’s mobile app allows you to download playlists, albums, and podcasts. Downloading is just as easy, all you do is go to the album, podcast, or playlist you want and click the download icon (download toggle switch for the Android app).
Once again the download will start immediately and once the download is complete a green circle with a downward arrow will appear.
In order to switch to offline mode on the mobile app tap the Home icon, next tap on the Settings icon, click playback, and then switch offline on.
Having hours of downloaded content can really help save data usage if you don’t have an unlimited plan. I do it every time I go on a long road trip or fly so I can still enjoy my favorite music and podcasts even in places with no cell coverage.
How long will I Keep My Downloads
You will be able to keep your downloads as long as you have a premium subscription and connect to an internet connection at least once every 30 days.
Spotify also allows up to 10,000 songs to be downloaded that can be spread on up to 5 different devices. So you can create a custom audio experience with each of your devices.
Insights
Spotify has made it simple to enjoy music wherever you go with the options to download albums, podcasts, and playlists to your device to listen to offline. If you’ve been on the fence about trying out a subscription service try a free trial and see if it fits your lifestyle.
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