One common source of confusion for new Spotify users is that when they try to play a specific song from an album, Spotify doesn’t always start with the exact track they tapped. Instead, it might play a different song from the same album—or even something completely unrelated. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to play songs in order on Spotify without a Premium subscription, both on desktop and mobile devices.
Can I Play Spotify Songs in Order without a Premium Subscription?
Spotify offers two main account types, each with its own features and limitations: Spotify Free and Spotify Premium. With the Free version, you can access Spotify’s vast music library and stream songs online. However, when it comes to on-demand playback—especially playing albums in order—there are a few restrictions.
On mobile devices, Free users are generally limited to shuffle mode when playing albums. While you can view all the tracks within an album, tapping on an individual song will often trigger a shuffle playback instead. Some curated playlists may allow ordered playback, but albums typically do not. If you try to disable shuffle mode on your phone, the app will prompt you to upgrade to Premium. Additionally, ads and skip limits can interrupt your listening, which may be frustrating for those wanting a more seamless experience.
To unlock full control over your listening—such as playing any song in an album in its intended order—a subscription is usually required. Both Spotify Premium and the newer Basic subscription offer this capability. While the Basic plan excludes audiobooks, it still provides most Premium perks, including on-demand, in-order playback.
Device type also plays a role in what’s possible. If you’re using Spotify on a desktop or tablet, you’ll have more freedom even with a Free account. These platforms don’t enforce shuffle-only restrictions, meaning you can play albums, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks in order—though you’ll still encounter occasional ads.
If upgrading to Premium isn’t an option, you might want to explore third-party tools. Some of these tools can help extend the functionality of the Free version, offering more control over your Spotify experience without a subscription.
How to Play Spotify Songs in Order without Premium Subscription?
On desktop
If you’re using Spotify on a desktop or tablet—even with a free account—you can easily play an album in the exact order it was intended, without manually queuing each track. Here’s how:
Play an Album in Exact Order
-
Open Spotify on your desktop or tablet and log into your account.
-
Search for the album using the search bar at the top. You can enter the album name or artist. If it’s already saved in your Library, you can find it from the side menu.
-
Click on the album to open its profile page.
-
Press the Play button to start the album. Alternatively, click directly on the first track to begin playback.
-
Check your playback settings at the bottom of the screen:
-
Make sure Shuffle (two crossed arrows) is turned off.
-
Ensure Repeat One (circular arrow with a “1”) is also off.
-
-
Click the Queue icon (three lines with a play symbol) in the bottom-right corner to confirm the album is queued in the correct order.
Customize Playback Order
Want to play the album in your own custom order? You can:
-
Open the Queue using the icon at the bottom-right.
-
Click and drag tracks to rearrange them within the queue.
-
To add tracks from other albums or playlists, right-click a song, select “Add to queue”, and it’ll appear at the end of your current list.
On Mobile
With a Spotify Premium or Basic subscription, you can play albums in their intended order on your mobile device. Shuffle-only mode still applies to Free users, but subscribers have full control over playback.
-
Open the Spotify app on your iOS or Android device and log into your Premium or Basic account.
-
Use the Library tab or the search bar to find the album you want to play. If it’s saved in your library, use the “Albums” filter at the top to narrow your view.
-
Tap on the album to open its profile page.
-
Tap the Play button to begin playback. For Free users, this will trigger shuffle mode by default.
-
While the album is playing, tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen to expand it.
-
Tap the queue icon (three horizontal lines) to view the upcoming tracks in the order they’ll be played.
-
To adjust the playback order, tap and hold the three horizontal lines next to a track and drag it to a new position in the queue.
Conclusion
Playing an album in order on Spotify can be a smooth experience once you know the steps—and it all depends on the type of account and device you’re using. While Free users face limitations like shuffle-only playback on mobile, desktop and tablet apps offer more flexibility. For those seeking full control and an uninterrupted listening experience, upgrading to a Premium or Basic subscription is the best way to enjoy albums exactly as the artist intended.