Amazon Music lets you save songs, albums, and playlists to your phone or tablet so you can listen without an internet connection
The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Amazon Music on a phone, tablet, or computer. On mobile devices, you tap a download icon next to the song or album you want to keep. On a computer, you right-click and select a download option from the menu. The music then stays on your device until you delete it, even if your subscription lapses — though you won't be able to play it once your membership ends.
Downloaded music takes up storage space on your device. A single song typically uses 5 to 10 megabytes, so a full album might take 50 to 100 megabytes. If you download hundreds of songs, you could use several gigabytes. Check how much free space your phone or tablet has before downloading large playlists.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone or Android, open a song or album, tap the download icon (usually a downward arrow), and the music saves to your device for offline listening.
- On a computer, right-click the song or album and select "Download" or a similar option from the context menu.
- Downloaded music uses storage space on your device and remains playable only while your Amazon Music subscription is active.
- You can delete downloaded music anytime to free up space by finding it in your library and selecting the remove or delete option.
Downloading on iPhone and iPad
Open the Amazon Music app and find the song, album, or playlist you want to save. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to the title, or look for a download button — it usually looks like a downward-pointing arrow. Tap it, and the app will begin downloading the music to your device.
You can check the download progress in your library. Go to the "Library" or "Your Music" section and look for a "Downloads" tab or folder. Songs that are still downloading will show a progress bar. Once the download finishes, the icon changes to show the music is stored locally on your phone.
If the download fails, make sure you have enough storage space and a stable internet connection. Try deleting the partially downloaded file and starting again. On iPhone, you can also check Settings > Amazon Music to see if the app has permission to use your device's storage.
Downloading on Android phones and tablets
The process on Android is nearly identical to iPhone. Open the Amazon Music app, find the song or album, and tap the download icon — usually a downward arrow or a cloud with a down arrow. The app will start saving the music to your device's storage.
Android stores downloaded music in the app's private folder by default, so you won't see it in your regular file manager. To manage your downloads, open the Amazon Music app and go to Library or Your Music, then look for a Downloads section. From there you can see what's stored locally and delete files you no longer need.
If you run out of storage space, Android will warn you before the download completes. Delete other files or apps to make room, or remove previously downloaded music from Amazon Music to free up space for new downloads.
Downloading on Windows and Mac computers
On a computer, open Amazon Music in your web browser or use the Amazon Music desktop app if you have it installed. Find the song or album you want to save, right-click it, and look for a "Download" option in the menu that appears. Click it to save the music to your computer.
The desktop app stores downloads in a folder on your hard drive. On Windows, this is usually in your user folder under Music or Documents. On Mac, check your Music folder or the Amazon Music app's preferences to see where downloads are stored. You can then play these files in the Amazon Music app or in other music players, depending on the file format.
Downloaded music on a computer takes up hard drive space just like on a phone. If your computer's storage is running low, delete downloaded music you no longer listen to regularly. You can always re-download it later as long as your subscription remains active.
What happens to downloaded music when your subscription ends
Downloaded music remains on your device after your subscription ends, but you cannot play it. The Amazon Music app will block playback and ask you to renew your subscription. The files themselves stay on your phone, tablet, or computer until you delete them manually.
If you reactivate your subscription later, you can play the downloaded music again without re-downloading it. The app recognizes the files and restores access immediately. This means you don't lose storage space if you pause your subscription temporarily and plan to return.
Freeing up space by removing downloaded music
To delete downloaded music on a phone or tablet, open the Amazon Music app and go to your Library or Downloads section. Find the song or album you want to remove, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Remove Download" or "Delete." The music disappears from your device, freeing up storage space.
On a computer, the process depends on whether you're using the web version or the desktop app. In the web version, right-click the song and look for a "Remove Download" option. In the desktop app, find the downloaded file in your Music folder and delete it like any other file, or use the app's settings to manage downloads.
Removing a download does not cancel your subscription or delete the song from your library. You can still stream it over the internet, and you can re-download it anytime you want to listen offline again.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck
If a download stalls or fails, first check your internet connection. Switch to a stronger Wi-Fi network if you're on a weak signal, or move closer to your router. Then try the download again by tapping the download icon once more.
If the problem persists, restart the Amazon Music app. Close it completely and open it again, then attempt the download. On a phone, you can also try restarting your device entirely — this clears temporary files that might be blocking the download.
Make sure you have enough free storage space on your device. If your phone or tablet is nearly full, the download may fail silently. Delete files you don't need, clear your app cache, or remove previously downloaded music to make room. If you still have trouble, check that your Amazon Music subscription is current and that you're logged into the correct account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download music from Amazon Music Unlimited and Amazon Music Prime?
Yes, both subscription tiers allow downloads. Amazon Music Free (the ad-supported tier) does not include offline listening. If you have a free account, you must upgrade to either Prime or Unlimited to save music to your device.
How many songs can I download?
Amazon Music does not publish a hard limit on the number of songs you can download. The practical limit is your device's storage capacity. A phone with 64 gigabytes of storage can hold hundreds of songs, but downloading thousands of songs will fill up your device quickly.
Can I transfer downloaded music to another device?
No. Downloaded music is tied to your Amazon Music account and the specific device you downloaded it on. You cannot copy the files to another phone or share them with someone else. To listen on a different device, you must download the music again on that device using your own account.
Do I need Wi-Fi to download music?
No, but Wi-Fi is recommended. You can download over cellular data, but it uses your phone's data allowance and is slower. Downloading large playlists over cellular can quickly consume your monthly data limit, so most people download on Wi-Fi at home or at a coffee shop.
What file format does Amazon Music use for downloads?
Amazon Music downloads are typically in MP3 or AAC format, depending on your subscription tier and device. These are standard audio formats that work on most devices and music players. The exact format varies, so check your device's settings or the Amazon Music app preferences if you need to know the specific format for a particular download.