SoundCloud's download rules depend on what the artist allows

Not every track on SoundCloud can be downloaded. The artist who uploaded it decides whether downloads are turned on or off for each song. If a track has a download button next to the play button, the artist has permitted it. If there is no download button, the artist has disabled downloads and you cannot save that file through SoundCloud's official tools.

When downloads are allowed, SoundCloud offers a straightforward method built into the platform itself. You do not need software, browser extensions, or third-party websites. The process takes seconds and saves the file to your computer in MP3 format.

Key Takeaways

  • Only tracks with a visible download button can be saved through SoundCloud's official method, because the artist controls this setting for each song.
  • The download button appears next to the play controls when the artist has enabled downloads, and clicking it saves an MP3 file directly to your Downloads folder.
  • Downloaded tracks are yours to keep and play offline, but you must respect the artist's copyright and the terms they set for how the music can be used.
  • If a track has no download button, the artist chose not to allow downloads, and there is no official way to save that file through SoundCloud.

Finding and clicking the download button

Open SoundCloud in your web browser and search for the track you want. Once the song is playing or paused, look at the row of icons below the waveform. You will see a play button, a heart icon for liking, a share icon, and sometimes a download icon that looks like a downward-pointing arrow. If the download icon is there and not grayed out, the artist has allowed downloads.

Click the download icon. Your browser will begin downloading the file immediately. The MP3 will save to your computer's default Downloads folder unless you have changed where your browser saves files. The download usually completes within a few seconds, depending on the track length and your internet speed.

If you do not see a download icon at all, or if it appears grayed out, the artist has not enabled downloads for that track. In that case, you cannot save the file through SoundCloud's official system.

What happens after you download

Once the file is on your computer, you own that copy and can play it in any music player — iTunes, Windows Media Player, VLC, or any other program that reads MP3 files. You can also transfer it to a phone, tablet, or portable music device. The file is yours to keep even if the artist later removes the song from SoundCloud.

However, the download does not give you the right to sell the track, post it online, or use it in your own projects unless the artist has explicitly said you can. Most SoundCloud artists allow downloads for personal listening only. If you want to use a track in a video, podcast, or remix, check the artist's profile or the track description to see what they permit, or contact them directly to ask.

Using the SoundCloud mobile app

The SoundCloud mobile app for iPhone and Android works differently than the website. On the app, you can save tracks to your library by tapping the heart icon, but this does not download the file to your phone — it only bookmarks the song so you can find it later when you open the app.

True offline downloading on mobile requires a SoundCloud Go+ subscription, which is a paid service. With Go+, you can download tracks directly to your phone and listen without an internet connection. If you do not have a subscription, the mobile app does not offer a way to save MP3 files to your device.

If you need the MP3 file on your phone, download it on a computer using the method above, then transfer the file to your phone via a USB cable or cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Checking file quality and format

SoundCloud downloads come as MP3 files, which is the standard format for music on computers and phones. The quality depends on what the artist uploaded. Most tracks are 128 kbps or 192 kbps, which sounds good on headphones and speakers but is lower quality than a CD or a lossless file from a music store.

If you need higher quality audio, check whether the artist offers the track on Bandcamp, their own website, or a music store like iTunes or Spotify. Those platforms sometimes offer FLAC or WAV files, which preserve more detail. SoundCloud's download function does not give you a choice of quality — you get what the artist uploaded.

Troubleshooting download problems

If the download button does not appear or does not work, first check that you are logged into your SoundCloud account. Some artists restrict downloads to followers or logged-in users only. If you are logged in and the button still does not show, the artist has turned off downloads for that track.

If the download starts but does not finish, your internet connection may have dropped. Try again, or try a different browser. If the file downloads but will not play, your music player may not support MP3 files — try opening it in VLC, which plays nearly every audio format.

If you are downloading many tracks at once, do them one at a time rather than clicking multiple download buttons in quick succession. SoundCloud's servers can sometimes throttle or pause downloads if too many requests come from the same account in a short period.

Respecting artist rights and terms

When you download a track, you are getting a copy of someone's creative work. The artist set the download permission, and you should respect that choice. Using a downloaded track in a way the artist did not permit — such as selling it, remixing it without permission, or including it in a commercial project — violates their copyright.

Many SoundCloud artists are independent and rely on streams and sales to earn money. If you enjoy a track, consider supporting the artist by following them, sharing their music, or purchasing their work on Bandcamp or another platform where they earn more per sale than SoundCloud pays per stream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download a track if the artist disabled downloads?

No, not through SoundCloud's official system. If there is no download button, the artist chose not to allow it. You can still listen to the track on SoundCloud whenever you want, but you cannot save a copy to your computer.

Will downloading a track remove it from my SoundCloud library?

No. Downloading saves a copy to your computer, but the track stays on SoundCloud and in your library. You can listen to it online anytime, and you also have the MP3 file offline.

Can I download tracks from a private SoundCloud account?

Only if the artist has enabled downloads and shared the link with you or made it public. If a profile is private and you do not have access, you cannot download the tracks on it.

What if I download a track and the artist later deletes it from SoundCloud?

The file on your computer stays. You own that copy and can keep it forever. Deleting the track from SoundCloud does not affect the files you have already downloaded.

Is it legal to download SoundCloud tracks?

Yes, if the artist has enabled downloads. By providing a download button, the artist is giving you permission to save the file. Using it beyond personal listening — such as in a commercial project or remix — requires additional permission from the artist.