Do you want to listen to your favorite Spotify songs while flying or when you don’t have internet? Good news—you can! With Spotify’s offline mode, you can enjoy your playlists even when your phone is in Airplane Mode.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use Spotify in Airplane Mode, step by step. Whether you’re preparing for a flight, traveling to a remote area, or just saving data, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get started and make sure your music never stops!
Does Spotify Work in Airplane Mode?
When you enable Airplane Mode, all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi and mobile data, are turned off. While this prevents streaming, it doesn’t stop you from listening to downloaded Spotify music.
Enjoy Spotify Music in Airplane Mode
Once you’ve downloaded your favorite songs, you can listen to them without interruptions, whether you’re on a flight or need some offline time. However, this feature is exclusive to Premium users, meaning you’ll need a subscription or a free trial to access it.
Making the Most of Spotify’s Offline Mode
Spotify allows Premium users to download up to 10,000 songs on five different devices for offline listening. The Offline Backup feature, introduced in 2024, automatically downloads playlists for offline use, ensuring you always have music ready, even if you lose your internet connection.
Keeping Your Music Playing in Airplane Mode
When Airplane Mode is enabled, Spotify automatically switches to Offline Mode and plays your downloaded songs. However, if a small internet connection exists, Spotify might try to reconnect, causing brief interruptions. Keeping Airplane Mode on ensures Spotify stays offline and runs smoothly.
Note: Occasionally, Spotify might prompt you to disable Airplane Mode or connect to Wi-Fi, even when Offline Mode is active. Restarting the app or manually toggling Offline Mode can fix this.
Airplane Mode on Desktop
On desktop devices, Airplane Mode completely cuts off internet access, so only downloaded tracks and local files will be available for playback.
How to Use Spotify in Airplane Mode (For Premium Users)
Spotify offers two subscription options: Spotify Free and Spotify Premium. With
, you can download songs, albums, playlists, and podcasts to enjoy without an internet connection, even when your device is in Airplane Mode.
Since Spotify typically requires an internet connection for streaming, playing music in Airplane Mode might seem tricky. However, Premium users can easily access their downloaded content offline. Follow these steps to listen to Spotify in Airplane Mode:
Step 1: Download Spotify Music
To listen to Spotify in Airplane Mode, you must download your songs, albums, playlists, or podcasts in advance while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. This feature requires an active Spotify Premium subscription and a compatible device such as a smartphone or tablet that supports offline playback.
Note: The number of songs or podcasts you can download depends on the storage space available on your device. Make sure you have enough room to save your favorite content for offline listening.
- Open the Spotify App – On your smartphone or tablet, launch the Spotify app. It is available for iOS and Android devices, and you can download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) if you haven’t already.
- Connect to the Internet – Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data to start downloading music.
- Log in to Your Premium Account – Make sure you’re signed in with your Spotify Premium account, as offline listening is only available for Premium users.
- Choose Your Music – Navigate to your library, playlist, album, or podcast that you want to listen to in Airplane Mode.
- Download Your Content – Tap the Download button next to your selected album or playlist.
- Wait for the Download to Complete – Allow Spotify to fully download your selected music before switching to Airplane Mode. Once downloaded, your content will be available for offline listening anytime.
Step 2. Enable Airplane Mode
You can turn on Airplane Mode on your device to test offline playback. Once Airplane Mode is enabled, Spotify will automatically switch to Offline Mode, allowing you to access and play only your downloaded content.
Note: Be sure to download your music, playlists, or podcasts beforehand, as you won’t be able to download or stream new content while in Airplane Mode.
Step 3. Play Spotify in Airplane Mode
While in Airplane Mode, go to your Downloads section and play your music as usual. All your downloaded songs, albums, and playlists will be available in your library for offline listening.
- Open the Spotify App – While in Airplane Mode, launch the Spotify app on your device.
- Filter Your Downloads – Go to your Library and tap on the Downloaded filter at the top to display only your downloaded music and podcasts.
- Play Your Music – Select and play any downloaded playlist, album, or podcast, and enjoy uninterrupted listening during your flight or offline time.
How to Use Spotify on Airplane Mode (For Free Users)
Spotify Free users cannot download music for offline listening, as this feature is exclusive to Spotify Premium. However, there are still a few workarounds you can try to listen to music in Airplane Mode without a subscription.
1. Use Spotify’s Offline Podcasts
While Free users can’t download songs, Spotify does allow podcast downloads for offline listening. If you enjoy podcasts, you can download episodes while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data and listen to them later, even in Airplane Mode.
2. Use Offline Mode on a Computer
If you have previously played a song or playlist on your computer, Spotify may cache some tracks temporarily. While this isn’t a guaranteed offline option, some songs may still play without an internet connection for a short period.
3. Use Third-Party Tools (At Your Own Risk)
Some users turn to Spotify music converters like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter or AudFree Spotify Converter to convert Spotify songs to MP3. This allows you to save music files on your device and play them without needing an internet connection. However, using third-party tools to bypass Spotify’s restrictions may violate Spotify’s terms of service.
4. Try Spotify Premium’s Free Trial
If you haven’t used Spotify Premium before, you may be eligible for a free trial, which lets you download music for offline use. Once the trial ends, you’ll need to subscribe to keep using offline mode.
How to Fix Spotify Not Working in Airplane Mode (For Advanced Users)
If you’re unable to listen to Spotify in Airplane Mode, there might be an issue preventing offline playback. Here are several troubleshooting methods to fix Spotify not working in Airplane Mode.
Ensure Your Music is Downloaded
Check if you have downloaded all your Spotify songs, playlists, or podcasts before going offline. If not, reconnect to the internet and save your music for offline playback.
Enable Offline Mode
Spotify may not automatically switch to Offline Mode. Manually enable it by going to:
Settings > Playback > Toggle on Offline Mode
Update Your App and Device
Ensure both Spotify and your device’s operating system are updated to the latest version. Then, turn off your internet connection and try playing your downloaded music to check if offline playback is working.
Verify Device Compatibility
Not all devices support Spotify’s Offline Mode. If your device doesn’t allow offline listening, you won’t be able to use Spotify in Airplane Mode.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix Spotify issues in Airplane Mode and enjoy your music offline without interruptions.
Conclusion
Using Spotify in Airplane Mode is a great way to enjoy your favorite music and podcasts without an internet connection. If you’re a Spotify Premium user, you can download songs, albums, playlists, and podcasts in advance and listen offline anytime, whether you’re on a flight, commuting, or in an area with no internet access.
For Spotify Free users, offline listening is limited to downloaded podcasts, but options like Spotify Premium trials or third-party tools may help if you need more flexibility.
To ensure a smooth offline experience, always download your content beforehand, enable Offline Mode, and check your device compatibility. If you ever face issues, simple troubleshooting steps like updating Spotify and rechecking your offline settings can help.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can make the most of Spotify’s Airplane Mode and enjoy your music anytime, anywhere—without interruptions.