How to Download and Install Spicetify on Your Computer

What Spicetify is and what it does

Spicetify is a command-line tool that modifies the Spotify desktop application to add features Spotify does not include by default. It lets you customize the look of Spotify, add themes, change the interface layout, and install extensions that add new functionality — like showing lyrics, displaying album art differently, or adding keyboard shortcuts.

Spicetify works by injecting code into Spotify's files after you install it. It does not replace Spotify; it layers on top of it. When you update Spotify, Spicetify usually stops working until you run it again, which takes a few seconds.

Before you download, understand that Spicetify is a third-party tool made by volunteers, not by Spotify. Using it violates Spotify's terms of service, though the risk of account suspension is low in practice. Spotify can detect it and has disabled accounts in rare cases. If your Spotify account matters to you — if you have playlists you cannot afford to lose — weigh that risk before proceeding.

Key Takeaways

Spicetify requires the Spotify desktop app (not the web player or mobile app) and either Git or Node.js installed on your computer first.
Windows users download from GitHub using either Git Bash or by downloading a .zip file directly; Mac and Linux users use a terminal command.
After installation, you run Spicetify once to back up Spotify's files, then run it again to apply changes.
Spicetify stops working when Spotify updates, but reinstalling takes less than a minute.
Using Spicetify breaks Spotify's terms of service, and while account bans are uncommon, they are possible.

What you need before you start

You must have the Spotify desktop application installed on your computer. Spicetify does not work with the web player or mobile apps. Download Spotify from spotify.com if you do not have it yet.

You also need either Git or Node.js installed. Git is a version control system; Node.js is a JavaScript runtime. Most people find Git easier. On Windows, download Git from git-scm.com. On Mac, you can install Git through Homebrew (a package manager) by opening Terminal and typing brew install git, or download it directly from git-scm.com. On Linux, use your package manager: sudo apt install git on Ubuntu or Debian, or the equivalent for your distribution.

If you already have Node.js installed (you can check by opening Terminal or Command Prompt and typing node --version), you can skip Git. Otherwise, install one or the other.

Installing Spicetify on Windows

Open Git Bash (search for it in the Start menu after you install Git). In the Git Bash window, type or paste this command and press Enter:

iex "(Get-Content -Path $PROFILE -Encoding UTF8 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) -replace 'iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spicetify/spicetify-cli/master/install.ps1'')')" | iex

If that does not work or you prefer not to use Git Bash, download the Spicetify installer directly from the Spicetify GitHub releases page (github.com/spicetify/spicetify-cli/releases). Look for the file named spicetify-VERSION-windows-x64.zip (replace VERSION with the latest version number). Unzip it to a folder on your computer, then open Command Prompt, navigate to that folder, and type spicetify to run it.

After installation, open Command Prompt and type spicetify backup apply. This backs up Spotify's original files and applies Spicetify's modifications. Spotify will restart automatically.

Installing Spicetify on Mac and Linux

Open Terminal. On Mac, you can find it by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal", and pressing Enter. On Linux, open your terminal application from your applications menu or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

Paste this command and press Enter:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spicetify/spicetify-cli/master/install.sh | sh

The installer will download and set up Spicetify automatically. After it finishes, type spicetify backup apply and press Enter. This backs up Spotify and applies Spicetify's changes. Spotify will restart.

What to do after Spicetify is installed

After the first installation, Spicetify is active. You can now add themes and extensions. Themes change how Spotify looks; extensions add new features. Both are stored in Spicetify's config folder.

To find themes and extensions, visit the Spicetify community repositories on GitHub. Popular themes include Dribbblish, Comfy, and Fluent. To install a theme, download it to your Spicetify config folder (the location varies by operating system — the installer tells you where it is), then edit the Spicetify config file to point to that theme, and run spicetify apply again.

The exact steps for adding themes and extensions depend on which ones you choose. Each theme or extension has its own instructions. Start with the official Spicetify documentation at spicetify.app to understand the folder structure and config file format.

What happens when Spotify updates

When Spotify releases a new version, Spicetify stops working. Spotify's update overwrites the files Spicetify modified. To fix it, open Command Prompt or Terminal and type spicetify restore apply. This restores Spotify's original files and reapplies Spicetify's modifications. The whole process takes less than a minute.

If spicetify restore apply fails, try spicetify backup apply instead. If that also fails, uninstall Spotify completely, reinstall it fresh, and run spicetify backup apply again.

Uninstalling Spicetify

If you want to remove Spicetify and return Spotify to normal, open Command Prompt or Terminal and type spicetify restore. This restores Spotify's original files. Spotify will restart and look and behave exactly as it did before Spicetify was installed.

To remove Spicetify itself from your computer, delete the Spicetify folder and remove it from your system PATH (the list of places your computer looks for programs). On Windows, you can do this through System Properties > Environment Variables. On Mac and Linux, edit your shell configuration file (usually .zshrc or .bashrc) and remove the Spicetify line. If you are not comfortable with this, leaving Spicetify installed but unused is harmless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Spotify ban my account for using Spicetify?

Spotify's terms of service forbid modifying the app, so using Spicetify technically violates them. Account bans are rare, but they do happen. Spotify can detect Spicetify and has disabled accounts in isolated cases. The risk is low enough that many people use it without incident, but it is not zero.

Does Spicetify work on the Spotify web player or mobile app?

No. Spicetify only works on the Spotify desktop application for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It cannot modify the web player or mobile apps.

What do I do if Spicetify is not recognized as a command?

This usually means Spicetify was not added to your system PATH, or the installation did not complete. On Windows, try reinstalling Git or Node.js and running the installer again. On Mac and Linux, check that the Spicetify line was added to your .zshrc or .bashrc file by opening Terminal and typing cat ~/.zshrc or cat ~/.bashrc.

Can I use Spicetify with Spotify Premium and Free accounts?

Yes, Spicetify works with both. It modifies the interface and adds features, but does not change whether you have ads or can skip songs — that is controlled by your account type.

What if Spicetify breaks after a Spotify update?

Run spicetify restore apply in Command Prompt or Terminal. If that does not work, try spicetify backup apply. If both fail, uninstall Spotify completely, reinstall it, and run spicetify backup apply again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.