Spotify on Mac is mainly a streaming app, and it works very similarly to the Windows version. You can open the desktop app and listen to millions of songs online. With a Premium account, you can also download music for offline listening, with no ads and no internet needed. But everything still stays inside the Spotify app, so it is not the same as saving normal audio files.
With Spotify Premium Spotify, downloads are useful for everyday listening, but the files are locked inside the app and cannot be used as regular audio files. To download Spotify music on Mac, there are two main options: use Spotify's offline mode or use Spotify music downloaders like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. These tools let users save songs locally on Mac, often in MP3 format, making them more flexible across devices.
In this guide, we'll show how to download Spotify music on Mac using both the official Premium method and downloader tools. First, let's make sure you have the desktop app installed, since the Spotify Web Player does not support offline downloads.
Download Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks as MP3 and more. Keep full sound and listen offline anytime.
Part 1. How to Download and Install Spotify App on Mac
First, let's make sure you have the desktop app installed, since the Spotify Web Player does not support offline downloads.
01In Safari or Chrome on your Mac, go to Spotify's download page.
02Click the Download button to download the Spotify app for Mac. The file will be saved in your "Downloads" folder.
03Once the download is complete, open the installation file from your "Downloads" folder, and drag the Spotify app icon into your Applications folder. This will install the app on your Mac.
Part 2. How to Download Spotify Music to Mac (Official Premium)
If you have Spotify Premium Spotify, you can download songs, albums, or playlists directly for offline listening. This is the official way to save music on Mac, but the files will still stay inside the Spotify app and cannot be used as normal audio files.
Sign Up for Spotify Premium on Mac
If you're eligible, you can also sign up for the Premium free trial to unlock offline features - just make sure you haven't tried Premium with this account before.
01On any official platform, log into your Spotify account.
02Click on your profile name in the top-right corner, then tap "Upgrade to Premium" to explore the details and benefits of Spotify Premium. If you're on the desktop app, click "Your Library" in the left sidebar, then tap "Upgrade" to learn about the benefits, which include unlimited streaming, offline downloads, and ad-free playback.
03Tap "Get Started" or "Try free for xxx" and follow the prompts to sign up. After the trial, Spotify Premium costs $11.99 per month. Set a calendar reminder to cancel the trial before it ends if you decide not to continue with the subscription.
Use the Spotify App to Download Music on Mac
Once you're a Premium subscriber, you can download your favorite playlists, albums, and songs directly from the app. It works just like other music apps - your downloaded music will be available inside the app under the "Downloaded" section (which you can filter to show only downloads). You can also enable "Offline Mode" in the Apple menu for a more immersive experience.
While it offers freedom, there are some limitations. Going offline doesn't mean permanent downloads. There's a 30-day offline limit, which means you'll need to connect online at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription and keep those downloads. If you're okay with that, then let's get started!
01In your Applications folder, or from the Dock, tap the Spotify app to open it.
02Log in with your Spotify Premium account (Offline listening is only available with a Premium subscription).
03Use the search bar to find the albums, playlists, or songs you want to download.
04To start downloading, tap the Download button (the downward arrow) next to the playlist or album. This will start saving your content for offline listening.
05Once your download finishes, click Your Library in the app to access your saved music.
06Tap the Downloaded filter to view only the songs you've saved for offline listening.
07To switch to offline-only mode, go to the Spotify menu at the top-left of the screen and enable Offline Mode. This ensures Spotify only plays your downloaded music, without using any data to stream songs.
Find Spotify Downloads Stored on Mac
Your downloads are available for offline listening directly in the app under the "Downloaded" section.
However, these downloads are encrypted with digital rights management (DRM), meaning you can't access the standalone music files directly on your Mac. Instead, the music is locked within the app, and you can only play it through the app itself. You can, however, adjust the download location for better storage management. While this setup protects the rights of content creators, it also means you won't be able to transfer the files or use them in other apps.
01Launch the Spotify app from your Applications folder or Dock.
02Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
03Scroll down to the Storage section to view your default download location.
04If you'd like to change where your music is saved, click the Change location button and choose a new folder.
05To directly access your current downloads, open the Finder app and go to the following location:
Part 3. How to Download Spotify Music to Mac as MP3 (Unofficial without Premium)
While a Premium subscription lets you download music for offline listening, finding the music files in plain formats like MP3 for your offline music library can be tough. Thankfully, ViWizard Spotify Downloader is a great solution for anyone who wants free MP3s or uses the free Spotify tier to download music, podcasts, and audiobooks without any limits.
Why Choose ViWizard Spotify Downloader for Mac?
ViWizard Spotify Downloader is a powerful tool that lets you download content from Spotify, whether you have a Premium subscription or not. With ViWizard, you can download individual songs, playlists, albums, podcasts, artists, and even audiobooks from Spotify. The best part is that ViWizard converts these downloads into common audio formats like MP3, WAV, FLAC and more with high-quality sound. This means you can enjoy your music however you want, without being restricted to the Spotify app or needing a Premium subscription.
If you're using Spotify without a Premium account or plan to cancel it, ViWizard allows you to download any music track you want from Spotify to your Mac. This gives you a Premium-like experience for free and lets you build your offline music library without needing a Premium account.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
Step 1: Upload Spotify Songs to ViWizard Software
Run ViWizard Spotify Music Converter on your Mac computer. Then it completely loads the Spotify app. Once done, log into Spotify account and find any music track or playlist in Spotify you want to download to Mac. Then simply drag your chosen titles to the interface of ViWizard.
Step 2: Adjust the Output Profile for Spotify Music
Click the menu bar of Mac and choose the Preferences option. Then you'll be able to select the output format. ViWizard supports MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, and M4B. You can also customize other parameters including channel, bit rate, and sample rate if you like.
Step 3: Begin to Download Spotify Music on Mac
To start downloading Spotify songs on Mac, go back to the main window of ViWizard and click on the Convert button at the right corner. It will begin to download music from Spotify to Mac at up to 5× faster speed with original audio quality and ID3 tags preserved.
Part 4. How to Transfer Spotify Music to iPhone, iPad and iPod as MP3
For those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and accustomed to using the Apple Music app across their devices, transferring Spotify downloads to Apple Music allows for seamless integration and backup of your music library.
Step 1: Add Spotify Downloads to Apple Music (or iTunes) on Mac
01Launch the Apple Music app on macOS Catalina and later, or iTunes on earlier versions.
02Click on "File" in the menu bar, then select "Add to Library" or "Import". Navigate to the folder where your downloaded Spotify songs are stored, select them, and click "Open". This will add the songs to your Apple Music library.
03Create playlists in Apple Music (or iTunes) for better organization if you have multiple tracks or albums.
Step 2: Sync Your Music to iOS Devices
01Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your Mac.
02On macOS Catalina and later, open Finder. For earlier versions, open iTunes:
- In Finder, click on your device's name under "Locations". Click on "Music" in the sidebar, check the "Sync Music" box, choose "Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres", select the playlists or songs, and click "Apply".
- In iTunes, click on the device icon in the top-left corner. Click on the "Music" tab, check the "Sync music onto [device name]" box, and choose "Selected artists, albums, genres, and playlists". Select the playlists or songs you want to transfer and click "Apply".
Step 3: Access Your Music on iOS Devices
01On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, open the Apple Music app.
02Your synced songs and playlists should appear in your library. You can now enjoy your Spotify downloads on your iOS device, just like any other Apple Music content.
Pro Tip: How to Fix Spotify Not Downloading Songs on Mac
If you're experiencing issues with downloading the Spotify app or downloading music on your Mac, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem.
01Try a Different Internet Connection
Sometimes, your internet connection might be the issue. Switching to a different network can help.
01Connect to a different Wi-Fi network or use a mobile hotspot.
02Ensure your internet connection is stable and has sufficient speed.
02Install Spotify App in Safe Mode
Installing Spotify in Safe Mode can bypass some software conflicts.
01Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key as it boots up.
02Once in Safe Mode, download and install the Spotify app from the official website.
03Check Spotify Isn't Blocked by Firewall
Your firewall settings might be blocking Spotify. Here's how to check and adjust them:
01Go to the Apple menu and select "System Preferences".
02Click on "Security & Privacy" and then the "Firewall" tab.
03Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your password.
04Click "Firewall Options" and make sure Spotify is allowed through the firewall. If it's not listed, add it manually.
04Clean Uninstall Spotify App
A clean uninstall can resolve many issues. Follow these steps:
01Go to "Go" in the menu bar, select "Utilities", then open "Activity Monitor".
02Quit any processes related to Spotify.
03Open Finder, go to "Applications", find Spotify, and move it to the Trash.
04Hold the Option/Alt key and click "Go" in the menu bar.
05Select "Library" > "Caches" and delete the "com.spotify.client" and "com.spotify.client.helper" folders.
06Go to Spotify's download page, download the app, and install it again.
Read More: How to Fix Spotify App Not Working on Mac [2026 Guide]
Bonus: Best Spotify Downloaders for Mac to Download Spotify Music as MP3 for Free
Besides ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, there are also other options. Although they work differently, they all share the same purpose: saving Spotify songs, playlists, or albums directly to your Mac.
01ViWizard Spotify Music Converter for Mac
If you want a simple Spotify downloader for Mac that is easy to set up and use, ViWizard fits basic everyday needs. It lets you add Spotify tracks, playlists, or albums, with a built-in Spotify player for browsing, then convert them into formats like MP3 or FLAC while keeping metadata such as artist, album, and cover art. The workflow is straightforward, so it works well for saving music offline without extra settings. On Mac, it suits small to medium libraries, but speed can be slightly slower than Windows, though still acceptable for normal use.
- Easy Mac app that works well even for beginners
- Supports Spotify songs, playlists, albums, podcasts, and audiobooks
- Keeps key info like artist name, album, track title, and cover art
- Good for everyday downloading without technical steps
- Simple flow where you just add tracks and start converting
- Works fine for small to medium music libraries
- Includes Spotify library backup feature
02ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter for Mac (Spotify supported)
If you need one tool to handle Spotify plus other platforms like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, the All-in-One version is built for that. It brings everything into one interface with 10+ audio converters, where you load content, choose a format, and convert in batches. It works well for managing music from different services in one place. Performance depends on system resources, and larger batch jobs on Mac can run slower, so it is mainly used for convenience across platforms rather than top speed.
- Works with Spotify plus other platforms
- Lets you manage different music services in one app
- Easy batch conversion across platforms
- Simple and consistent interface across services
- Useful if you use more than one music app
- Built-in Spotify player for easier browsing and conversion
03NoteBurner / Sidify / MacSome Spotify Music Converter for Mac
If you want a stable Spotify converter for Mac that handles full playlists with little effort, NoteBurner, Sidify, and MacSome follow a very similar workflow. You can connect through the Spotify desktop app or built-in library, then run batch conversion while keeping metadata like track info and album art. Setup is simple and does not require technical steps, but downloads on Mac can take longer due to extra toolkits. They are widely used as reliable options, but the similar design across brands can make them hard to tell apart.
- Very stable on Mac, even with large playlists
- Works with Spotify app and Spotify Web Player
- Supports formats like WAV, AAC, ALAC, and FLAC
- Keeps music info like album art and track details
- Easy to use with a familiar layout
- Widely used and trusted by many users
- Handles batch downloads smoothly
04TuneFab Spotify Music Converter for Mac
If you want a faster Spotify downloader for Mac that handles large playlists more smoothly, TuneFab is built for better speed and batch performance. It is often bundled in an All-in-One setup with other converters, and includes a built-in Spotify web player that makes browsing and converting easier in one place. It works well for frequent use where speed and stability matter. It runs on a subscription model and needs a stable internet connection, so it is usually chosen for consistent performance rather than low cost.
- Faster than many basic converters
- Clean and modern Mac-style design
- Built-in Spotify web player for easier use
- Handles large playlists well
- Keeps metadata organized like artist and album info
- Good balance of speed and stability
05SpotDL (open-source)
If you want a free Spotify downloader for Mac focused on automation, SpotDL is a command-line tool designed for technical use. It downloads playlists through terminal commands instead of a normal app interface and supports bulk downloads that can be automated with scripts. It is lightweight and works well for larger or repeated tasks where control matters more than design. It requires command-line setup and is not beginner-friendly, and since it matches songs from external sources, results can sometimes be less consistent than traditional converters.
- Free and open-source
- Works on Mac using terminal
- Flexible for advanced users
- Supports bulk playlist downloads
- Can be automated with scripts
- Lightweight and uses very little system space
- Popular in tech and developer communities
Conclusion:
The process of downloading music from Spotify to Mac is pretty simple with the help of the above tools. If you want to save Spotify music with the original audio quality and ID3 tags, ViWizard Spotify Music Converter could be a better choice for you.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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