Downloading Spotify podcasts for offline listening is available to both free and Premium users by clicking the download icon next to any episode. With over 6 million podcasts on Spotify, you can save entire shows or individual episodes on desktop and mobile devices, adjust settings like “Download Audio Only” for video podcasts, and enable automatic downloads for followed shows. Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or simply want to save data, offline podcast listening keeps your favorite content accessible anytime, and services that help creators grow their audience, such as those offering Spotify plays for podcasters, are becoming increasingly popular as the platform expands its audio offerings.
How Do You Download Spotify Podcasts on Desktop?
Downloading podcasts on desktop (PC or Mac) is straightforward and gives you full control over your library. The Spotify desktop app displays entire podcast seasons clearly, making it easy to browse, follow shows, and download specific episodes. Once you click the download button, episodes save in the background without interrupting your workflow.
Open the Spotify desktop app on Windows or Mac and log in with your Premium or free account. Click Search, then select Podcasts to find episodes. Alternatively, open a podcast show and click Follow to save the entire show to your library. After following a podcast, it appears under Your Episodes in the left sidebar.
Use the Podcasts & Shows filter to narrow the list if needed. Scroll to the episode you want to download, hover over it, and click Download. You can also click the More button (three dots) and select Download from the menu.
To access your saved and downloaded episodes, click Your Library in the left sidebar, then select Your Episodes. Scroll to the top of the episode list and click Sort by, then select Release Date to arrange episodes chronologically. Click Sort by again to toggle between ascending (oldest to newest) and descending (newest to oldest) order. Play downloaded episodes directly from Your Episodes.
How Do You Download Spotify Podcasts on Mobile Devices?
Downloading podcasts on mobile (iPhone and Android) is designed for convenience and speed. With just a few taps, you can save episodes while browsing or listening, and they’ll be ready for offline playback during commutes, flights, or anywhere without reliable internet access.
Open the Spotify app on your iPhone or Android device and log in with your Premium or free account. Tap Search and enter the podcast or episode name. Open the podcast from the search results and tap Follow to add the show to your library, or tap Add for individual episodes.
Find the episode you want to download and tap the Download button next to it. The episode will save to your device automatically. To view saved episodes, tap Your Library at the bottom of the screen, then tap Your Episodes. Swipe down to reveal the search bar and Sort option.
Tap Sort, then choose Release Date to arrange episodes chronologically. Tap Sort again to toggle between ascending (oldest to newest) or descending (newest to oldest) order. Play downloaded episodes directly from Your Episodes, even when you’re offline.
Can You Enable Auto-Download for Spotify Podcasts?
Yes, you can download Spotify podcasts offline automatically on mobile devices. This feature is called Auto-download and works for any podcast you follow.
Once enabled, new episodes will download as soon as they’re released, so you don’t have to check manually. You can also control how many episodes are saved—choose between 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or all new episodes. This helps manage storage while still keeping up with your favorite shows.
Following podcasts also improves your recommendations, making it easier to discover new content based on your interests.
Steps to enable Auto-download:
- Open Spotify and go to Your Library
- Tap Podcasts & Shows
- Select a podcast
- Tap the Settings icon
- Turn on Auto-download episodes
- Tap Manage download settings to set limits
You can turn this feature on or off for individual shows or disable it entirely for all podcasts.
How Do You Download Audio-Only from Video Podcasts?
Some podcasts include video, but not everyone wants to download large video files. Spotify allows you to download Spotify podcasts offline in audio-only format, which saves both storage and data.
This is especially useful if you follow video-heavy podcasts but prefer listening on the go.
Steps to enable audio-only downloads:
- Open Spotify and tap your profile icon
- Go to Settings and privacy
- Select Data-saving and offline
- Toggle on Audio-only downloads for video podcasts
You can also enable Audio-only streaming to prevent videos from playing when you’re online.
Where Can You Find Your Downloaded Spotify Podcasts?
After downloading episodes, finding them is simple. On both desktop and mobile, downloaded podcasts appear under Your Episodes in your library, where they remain visible even without an internet connection. You can also filter content by selecting Podcasts and then Downloaded, which keeps offline episodes easy to access.
- On Desktop: Open the Spotify desktop app and log in to your account. Click Your Library in the left sidebar, then select Your Episodes. Look for the download icon on episodes. Enable Offline Mode to see only downloaded episodes. Play downloaded episodes directly from Your Episodes.
- On Mobile (iPhone & Android): Open the Spotify mobile app and tap Your Library at the bottom. Tap the Podcasts filter, then tap Downloaded to show saved episodes. Play downloaded episodes from Your Episodes.
How Do You Listen to Spotify Podcasts Offline?
Once episodes are downloaded, listening to Spotify offline is simple. You don’t need Wi-Fi or mobile data—just open the app and press play.
On desktop:
- Enable Offline Mode from settings
- Go to Your Library → Your Episodes
- Play downloaded episodes
On mobile:
- Go to Settings and privacy
- Turn on Offline mode
- Open Your Episodes and start listening
Premium users get a smoother offline experience, but free users can still listen to downloaded podcasts without any issues.
Can You Convert Spotify Podcasts to MP3 Files?
There are times when keeping podcasts inside Spotify isn’t enough. If you want to save Spotify podcasts as MP3 files and take them anywhere, you’ll need extra help. Third-party converters allow both Premium and free users to download music, podcasts, and eligible audiobooks at faster speeds than real-time recording.
These tools support multiple formats, including MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC. Audio quality stays intact, and episode titles, cover art, and metadata are preserved. After installing the Windows or Mac version, you can convert and download podcasts for offline listening and transfer them to smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, TVs, or other devices.
According to Spotify’s official newsroom, the platform now hosts millions of podcast titles, making it one of the largest podcast libraries globally. This growth has driven demand for flexible listening options beyond the app itself.
Steps to Convert Spotify Podcasts to MP3
- Download and install a Spotify converter (Windows or Mac)
- Log in to your Spotify account within the tool
- Select the podcast episodes you want
- Choose an output format (MP3 is recommended)
- Start the conversion and save files
This method is useful if you want full control over your files, though it requires additional software.
What Should You Do If Spotify Podcasts Won’t Download?
Occasionally, downloads don’t finish as expected. These issues are usually caused by small settings problems or connection issues and can often be fixed with simple adjustments.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Storage Location | Switch from SD card to internal storage in Settings > Storage, then restart the app |
| Internet Connection | Run a speed test, switch to stronger Wi-Fi, or toggle Download Using Cellular setting |
| Storage Space | Check device storage settings and delete files or apps to free up room |
| App Issues | Uninstall Spotify, restart device, reinstall from App Store or Google Play |
Check where your downloads are being saved. If you’re using an SD card, switching to your device’s internal storage might help. SD cards can sometimes slow things down or cause issues with saving files. A weak internet connection can also cause downloads to fail or slow down. Try running a speed test, switching to a stronger Wi-Fi network, or turning off Wi-Fi and using mobile data if necessary.
Make sure your device has enough free space. If storage is low, Spotify won’t be able to save new downloads. Check your phone’s Storage settings to see if there’s enough space. If not, delete some files or apps to free up room. If nothing else works, reinstalling Spotify can clear up hidden issues.
Research from Pew Research Center shows that podcast listenership continues to grow, with millions of Americans tuning in monthly. As more users download episodes for offline access, understanding troubleshooting steps becomes increasingly important.
Conclusion
Wrapping it up, being able to download Spotify podcasts offline gives you full control over when and how you listen. No buffering, no data worries—just smooth, uninterrupted episodes wherever you go. If you’re using Spotify Premium, the built-in download feature makes things quick and effortless. On the free plan, while there are a few limitations, there are still smart workarounds that can help you enjoy your favorite podcasts offline without missing a beat.
At the end of the day, the best method depends on your needs—convenience, quality, or flexibility. Pick what fits your routine, hit download, and turn every moment—commutes, workouts, or downtime—into a chance to catch up on great content.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can free Spotify users download podcasts for offline listening?
Yes, both free and Premium Spotify users can download podcasts for offline listening. Simply click or tap the download icon next to any episode, and it will save to your device for playback without an internet connection.
2. How many podcast episodes can you download on Spotify?
Spotify allows users to download up to 10,000 episodes across five different devices. This limit applies to both free and Premium accounts, giving you plenty of storage for your favorite shows.
3. Do downloaded Spotify podcasts expire?
Downloaded podcasts on Spotify do not expire as long as you go online at least once every 30 days. This allows Spotify to verify your account and refresh your downloads. If you don’t connect within 30 days, you’ll need to re-download the episodes.
4. Can you download video podcasts on Spotify?
Yes, you can download video podcasts on Spotify. On mobile devices, you can choose to download only the audio portion by enabling “Audio-only downloads for video podcasts” in Settings > Data-saving and offline. This saves storage space and data.
5. How do you delete downloaded podcasts on Spotify?
To delete downloaded podcasts, go to Your Library > Your Episodes, find the episode you want to remove, and click or tap the download icon again to remove it from your device. You can also manage downloads in Settings > Storage to free up space.