Streaming is great until you lose signal, and the song skips over the same word over and over... Whether you're traveling, commuting, or trying to cut down on mobile data use, offline listening makes sure your music is always available. Most streaming services offer this feature, but the details vary. Here’s what you need to know.

Offline listening lets you download songs, albums, or playlists so they play without an internet connection. Most services require a subscription for this, and each has its own rules on how much you can download, how long downloads stay active, and how many devices you can store them on.

Platforms that support offline listening

Most platforms limit offline listening to paid subscribers. Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, YouTube Music, and others lock this feature behind premium plans. Some, like Audiomack, offer free downloads, but with restrictions.

How to download music for offline listening

Each service has a slightly different process. On most platforms, downloads happen within the app, and songs are saved inside the app rather than as files on your device. Here's how it works for major platforms:

Spotify lets premium users toggle the download button on playlists, albums, or podcasts.

Apple Music users can tap the cloud icon next to a track, album, or playlist. TIDAL and Deezer work similarly, offering a download button for albums and playlists.

YouTube Music allows downloads for premium subscribers, with a smart download feature that refreshes content automatically.

Amazon Music Unlimited and SoundCloud Go+ users can download tracks through their respective apps, while Audiomack provides free downloads for select songs.

Things to know about offline downloads

Downloaded music isn’t permanent. Most streaming services require an internet connection at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription. If you don’t reconnect, your downloads disappear.

Storage limits depend on the service. Apple Music, TIDAL, and YouTube Music allow downloads based on available device storage, while Spotify caps offline downloads at 10,000 songs per device.

Device limits vary. Spotify allows offline playback on up to five devices, while Amazon Music and YouTube Music support up to ten. Apple Music doesn’t enforce a strict device limit.

If you frequently switch between devices, check your platform’s policies before downloading.

What else do you get with a premium plan?

Beyond offline listening, premium plans unlock additional features. Spotify Premium includes audiobooks and AI-powered playlist recommendations. Apple Music offers lossless audio, Spatial Audio, and seamless integration with Apple devices.

TIDAL HiFi includes higher-quality sound and exclusive releases. YouTube Music Premium removes ads and allows background play. Amazon Music Unlimited integrates with Alexa devices and provides discounts for Prime members.

Choosing the best platform for offline listening

Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music are solid all-around choices, offering large libraries, personalized recommendations, and reliable offline support. TIDAL and Qobuz cater to audiophiles with high-resolution audio.

Audiomack and SoundCloud focus on independent artists and remixes. JioSaavn is a go-to for Indian music. If price is the biggest factor, Audiomack provides the most value with free offline downloads.

Offline listening is a must-have for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on an internet connection to play music. While most platforms require a paid subscription for this feature, each service has its own approach to downloads, device limits, and audio quality.

Before choosing a streaming service, consider storage needs, subscription costs, and what else you get with a premium plan.

For those switching services, [Free Your Music] (https://freeyourmusic.com/) makes it easy to transfer playlists without losing your saved songs.