Where you can download music depends on your streaming service and what you own

Most major streaming services let you download songs to your phone or computer so you can listen offline. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all offer this feature, but the details differ — some limit how many devices can have downloads, others delete your downloads if you stop paying, and a few let you keep what you download forever. You can also buy and download music outright from iTunes, Bandcamp, or Amazon Music, which means the files stay yours even if you cancel your subscription. The method you choose depends on whether you want to own the music or just access it while subscribed.

Downloaded files take up storage space on your device, so check how much room you have before downloading large libraries. A typical song uses 5 to 10 MB; a 100-song playlist uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB. Understanding the differences between services helps you pick the right download method for how you listen to music.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all let you download songs for offline listening, but you need an active subscription to play them.
  • Downloaded music from a subscription service disappears if you cancel, so ownership is temporary — buying music outright is the only way to keep it permanently.
  • Spotify limits downloads to three devices; Apple Music has no device limit but syncs across your library; YouTube Music downloads work on phone and tablet only.
  • Buying music from iTunes or Bandcamp gives you files you can move between devices and keep forever, even if those services shut down.
  • Downloaded files take up storage space on your device, so check how much room you have before downloading large libraries.

Downloading from Spotify

Spotify Premium members can download individual songs, albums, or playlists by tapping or clicking the download icon next to the title. On your phone, open the song or playlist, look for the down arrow icon, and tap it. On desktop, right-click the song and select "Download" from the menu. Downloaded tracks appear in a "Downloads" section in your library that you can access even without an internet connection.

Spotify limits downloads to three devices at a time, and you can only listen to downloaded music while logged into your account. If you cancel Spotify Premium, your downloads stop working within 30 days. Each download uses storage space on your device — a typical song takes about 5 to 10 MB, so a 100-song playlist uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB. You can remove downloads by tapping the download icon again to toggle it off, which frees up space without removing the song from your library.

Downloading from Apple Music

Apple Music subscribers can download songs by tapping the plus icon and then the cloud icon with a down arrow. On iPhone or iPad, open the song or album, tap the three dots, and select "Add to Library," then tap the cloud icon to download. On Mac, click the cloud icon next to the song title. Downloaded music appears in your library and syncs across all your Apple devices signed into the same account, so you don't need to download the same song multiple times.

Unlike Spotify, Apple Music has no limit on the number of devices you can download to, but you need an active subscription to play the files. Downloaded tracks stay in your library as long as you're subscribed; canceling removes access within 30 days. Apple Music downloads use about 5 to 10 MB per song depending on audio quality. You can delete downloads by swiping left on the song (iPhone) or right-clicking and selecting "Remove Download" (Mac), which removes the file from that device but keeps the song in your library.

Downloading from YouTube Music

YouTube Music Premium members can download songs, albums, and playlists by tapping the download icon (a down arrow) next to the title. Downloads work on phones and tablets only — the desktop version does not support offline listening. Open a song or playlist, tap the three dots, and select "Download." Downloaded music appears in a "Downloads" section accessible from the library menu.

YouTube Music keeps downloads for 30 days if you don't play them; playing a download resets the timer. If you cancel YouTube Music Premium, downloads stop working immediately. Each download uses 5 to 10 MB of storage per song. You can remove downloads by tapping the three dots next to the song and selecting "Remove Download," which deletes the file from your device but keeps the song in your library for future download.

Downloading from Amazon Music

Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can download songs to phones and tablets by tapping the download icon (a down arrow) next to the song title. On desktop, right-click the song and select "Download." Downloaded tracks appear in a "Downloads" section of your library. Amazon Music also offers a separate tier called Amazon Music HD for higher audio quality, which also supports downloads with the same process.

Amazon Music limits downloads to four devices, and you need an active subscription to play them. Canceling your subscription removes access to downloads within 30 days. Each download uses 5 to 10 MB of storage. You can delete downloads by tapping the download icon again or right-clicking and selecting "Remove Download" on desktop, which removes the file without deleting the song from your library.

Buying and downloading music to keep forever

If you want to own music outright, you can buy individual songs or albums from iTunes (now part of Apple Music on Mac and the Apple Music app on iPhone), Amazon Music, or Bandcamp. iTunes charges $0.99 to $1.29 per song or $9.99 and up per album. Amazon Music lets you buy songs and albums separately, with prices similar to iTunes. Bandcamp is an independent music platform where artists set their own prices, often lower than major retailers.

When you buy music, you receive audio files that stay yours permanently — they don't disappear if a service shuts down or you cancel a subscription. Downloaded purchases can be moved between devices, backed up to external drives, and played on any device that supports the file format (usually MP3 or AAC). You own the files outright, but you don't own the copyright, so you can't redistribute or sell them. Purchased music typically uses 5 to 10 MB per song, the same as subscription downloads, and you can store it anywhere you want.

Managing storage when downloading music

Downloaded music takes up storage space on your phone, tablet, or computer. A typical song is 5 to 10 MB; a 100-song playlist uses 500 MB to 1 GB. Before downloading large libraries, check how much free space you have. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, open Settings > Storage. On Mac, click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.

If you're running low on space, delete downloads you don't listen to regularly. Most streaming services let you remove individual downloads without removing the song from your library — you can re-download it later. You can also lower audio quality in your streaming app's settings to reduce file size, though this makes music sound less clear. External hard drives or cloud storage services like Google Drive or iCloud can back up purchased music files, but they won't help with subscription downloads, which require the streaming app to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download music from a streaming service and keep it if I cancel?

No. Downloaded music from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music stops working when your subscription ends. The files remain on your device but won't play without an active subscription. Only purchased music from iTunes, Amazon Music, or Bandcamp stays yours permanently.

What happens if I download music on one device and want to listen on another?

Subscription downloads are tied to the app on each device. You must download the song again on the second device. Purchased music files can be moved between devices by transferring the files directly or re-downloading them from your purchase history, depending on the service.

Can I download music to my computer and transfer it to my phone?

Purchased music files can be transferred between devices using a USB cable, cloud storage, or file-sharing apps. Subscription downloads cannot be transferred — you must download them separately in the app on each device. Check your streaming service's terms, as some restrict moving files between devices.

How much storage does a full album use?

A typical album with 12 to 15 songs uses 60 to 150 MB of storage, depending on song length and audio quality. High-quality audio uses more space than standard quality. Check your device's storage settings before downloading large libraries.

Can I download music offline and listen without internet?

Yes, downloaded music plays without an internet connection. However, subscription services verify your account periodically — if you go too long without connecting to the internet, some services may stop playing your downloads until you reconnect.