Can You Listen To Spotify On Airplane Mode? 7 Surprising Facts You Need To Know

If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve probably wondered: Can you listen to Spotify on airplane mode? The short answer is yes—but with some limitations.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down exactly how to use Spotify offline, what works (and what doesn’t), and how to maximize your listening experience while flying.

Table of Contents

1. How to Listen to Spotify on Airplane Mode (Step-by-Step Guide)

Yes, you can listen to Spotify in airplane mode—if you prepare in advance. Here’s how:

Step 1: Download Music for Offline Listening

Open Spotify and go to Your Library.
Find a playlist, album, or podcast and toggle “Download”.
Wait for downloads to complete (check the green arrow icon).

Step 2: Enable Airplane Mode

Swipe down on your device and turn on Airplane Mode.
Wi-Fi and cellular data will turn off, but downloaded music stays available.

Step 3: Open Spotify & Play Offline

Launch Spotify—it will show “Offline Mode” at the top.
Only downloaded content will be playable.

⚠️ Important: You must download music before going offline.

2. What Works (and What Doesn’t) in Airplane Mode

Feature	Works Offline?
Downloaded Songs	✅ Yes
Podcasts (Downloaded)	✅ Yes
Streaming New Music	❌ No
Lyrics	❌ No
Discover Weekly	❌ No
Daily Mixes	❌ No (unless downloaded)

3. Why Spotify Premium is Essential for Offline Listening

If you want to listen to Spotify on airplane mode, you need Spotify Premium.

Free users cannot download songs.
Premium users ($10.99/month) get offline access.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the 3-month free trial (if available) to test offline features before a trip.

4. How Many Songs Can You Download on Spotify?

Spotify allows up to 10,000 downloads per device on up to 5 devices.

That’s roughly 500+ hours of music.
Downloads expire if you stay offline for 30+ days.

5. Troubleshooting: Why Isn’t My Offline Spotify Working?

If your downloaded songs won’t play in airplane mode, try these fixes:

✅ Restart Spotify – Close and reopen the app.
✅ Check Downloads – Ensure songs are fully downloaded (green arrow).
✅ Re-login – Sometimes logging out and back in helps.
✅ Update Spotify – An outdated app can cause glitches.

6. Airplane Mode vs. Offline Mode: What’s the Difference?

Airplane Mode = Disables all wireless signals (Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth).
Offline Mode = Spotify-only setting that blocks streaming.

You can use Offline Mode without Airplane Mode if you want to save data.

7. Alternative Ways to Listen to Music on a Plane

If Spotify isn’t working, try these:

🎧 Download MP3s – Use services like Amazon Music or Apple Music.
🎧 USB Drive + Headphones – Some planes have USB music support.
🎧 In-Flight Entertainment – Many airlines offer free music.

Final Verdict: Yes, You Can Listen to Spotify on Airplane Mode!

✔️ If you download music first, Spotify works perfectly offline.
✔️ Premium is required for downloads.
✔️ No streaming, lyrics, or new recommendations in airplane mode.

For more Spotify tips, check out:

Now you’re ready to enjoy uninterrupted music on your next flight! 🎶✈️

Got questions? Ask in the comments!