How to Download Spotify Music on macOS Catalina 10.15 [2 Easy Ways]

Part 1. How to Download Spotify Music on macOS Catalina via Official Way

Speaking of playing Spotify music on macOS 10.15, it couldn't be a tough task. It's easy once you've subscribed to Spotify Premium plans. You can download Spotify music on Mac Catalina and get Spotify songs for offline playback. Now, let's follow the guide below to learn how to download Spotify for Catalina with Spotify Premium.

Step 1. Go to Spotify download page via the web browser on your Mac computer. Then tap the Download button on the page to download Spotify on Catalina.

Step 2. Install and open the Spotify app. Then log in to your Spotify Premium account details.

Step 3. Now, find the playlists or albums that you'd like to download. Note that Spotify doesn't allow to download a single track directly.

Step 4. At last, switch the 'Download' on to start to download Spotify songs on Catalina.

Step 5. After that, you can enable the Offline Mode on Spotify to play Spotify music offline.

Note: You can also follow the steps above to download Spotify music from macOS 10.15 Catalina to macOS 15 Sequoia.

Drawbacks of Using the Official Way:

1. Need a Spotify Premium Account: You must have an active Spotify Premium account.
2. Get DRM-protected Spotify Music Files Only: It is noted that the downloaded Spotify audio files are protected and can be played within the Spotify app only. That means you can't play Spotify downloaded files anywhere.
3. Not MP3 Files: The downloaded Spotify music is in a special OGG Vorbis audio format, not in MP3 format, which can't be used with other devices or players.
4. 30-Day Check-In: You must go online at least once every 30 days to keep your Spotify downloads active. Otherwise, your downloads will be inaccessible.
5. Device Limit: You can only download up to 10,000 songs on up to 5 different devices.
6. Can't Download Single Tracks Directly: You can't download an individual song on Spotify. You need to add a single track to a playlist for downloading in advance.

View also: How to Bypass Spotify Download Limit

Part 2. How to Download Spotify Music on macOS 10.15 via Third-party Tool

From the above, we know the disadvantages of using Spotify Premium to download Spotify on Catalina. So here, we can get an indispensable third-party tool, AudFree Spotify Music Downloader to help us.

As the one-stop Spotify music downloading software, it's specialized in downloading unlimited songs, albums, playlists, audiobooks, podcasts, etc. for both Spotify free and premium subscribers. With the built-in converting technology, it also can export Spotify tracks into common and DRM-free MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, etc. without damaging the original files. After that, you can keep Spotify music forever and listen to Spotify music offline anywhere, without the Spotify app.

Now, please download AudFree Spotify Music Converter for Mac on your macOS Catalina and proceed to the process. If you'd like to get high-quality tracks, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium or just use the Spotify free plan.

Step 1Import Spotify songs to AudFree

Please launch the AudFree Spotify Music Downloader for Mac on your macOS 10.15 computer. The Spotify web player will open within the app and you need to log in to your Spotify account. Next, find the playlist, album, track, etc. you want to download, click the Spotify audio content, tap '+ ♫' and click 'Add to list' to load the file.

Step 2Set output format and other audio parameters

The default output format is Lossless. So, to alter the format, you can click the 'AudFree Spotify Music Converter for Mac' from the Apple's menu bar. Then choose 'Preferences' > 'Conversion'. It's available to customize other audio parameters for output audio quality, including bit rate, sample rate, etc.

Step 3Download Spotify music on macOS Catalina

Hit on the 'Convert' button at the bottom-right corner on the Converting window. This great tool will download added Spotify music and save them offline on your Catalina computer.

Disclaimers: Please don't distribute downloaded Spotify songs to others. In general, it's considered legal to download streaming music for personal use. Our mention is to make users enjoy better Spotify music playback on all devices.

Part 3. Troubleshooting: Common Issues of Spotify on Catalina

Sometimes, users may encounter minor issues while using Spotify on macOS Catalina. So, in this part, there are some solutions to help you fix the most common problems.

Problem 1: Spotify Can't be Opened Error on Catalina

If the app is not downloaded from the App Store directly, the macOS will show the security warning. It is macOS' way of protecting you.

Fix: Approve the Installation Manually

Step 1. Find the Spotify installer file you downloaded on your computer.

Step 2. Then right-click it and select the "Open" option. If it pops up the same dialog, please tap the Open button to start the installation.

Tips: You can also navigate to the System Preferences > Security & Privacy window, and click the 'Open Anyway' confirm your intent to install Spotify on macOS Catalina.

Problem 2: Spotify Crashes/Freezes/Not Working or Songs Won't Play on Catalina

This is often caused by a corrupted cache file on Spotify.

Fix: Clear Spotify App Cache

Step 1. First, quit the current running Spotify app on your Mac.

Step 2. Then go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder....

Step 3. Next, copy and paste ~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client/ into the dialog box and press Enter.

Step 4. Now, pick up all the Spotify cached files and folders and move them to the Trash to clear Spotify cache.

After that, restart Spotify app and try it again.

Part 4. FAQs about Spotify on Catalina

Is the Latest Spotify App Compatible with macOS Catalina 10.15?

Yes, the current version of the Spotify desktop app fully works on macOS Catalina. You can download it from the official Spotify website directly.

Why Can't I Download Spotify Songs on My Mac Catalina?

First, you need to ensure that you have a stable and strong internet connection, enough disk space and a valid Spotify Premium account. If all these are ok, please note that you can't download a single song from Spotify, only playlists and albums. If you are a Spotify free account user, you can't download music from Spotify.

How Can I Download Spotify Songs for Free on macOS Catalina?

You need to use a third-party Spotify downloader to download Spotify music without Premium on macOS Catalina.

Is It Legal to Download Spotify Music on macOS Catalina using AudFree Spotify Music Converter?

Yes, as long as you do not distribute the downloaded Spotify music anywhere. You can only use them for personal use.

Will My Spotify Account Get Banned for Using a Downloader to Download Spotify on Catalina?

It is extremely rare for Spotify to ban users for this. Reputable tools like AudFree Spotify Music Converter are designed to be safe and are used by millions without any issue.

Part 5. In Conclusion

After following the steps above, getting your favorite Spotify playlists onto your macOS Catalina device is easier than you might think. Ultimately, the best method comes down to your needs.

For simple and hassle-free offline listening within the Spotify ecosystem, using Spotify Premium subscription to download Spotify music on macOS Catalina is the most direct route. It's perfectly integrated for users who just want to listen on the go without an internet connection.

However, for true flexibility and ownership, using a dedicated tool like AudFree Spotify Music Converter is the superior choice. It empowers you to save any Spotify song or playlist as a permanent and DRM-free MP3 file. This allows you to transfer your music to any device and keep it forever, regardless of your subscription status.

Choose the method that best fits your listening habits and start enjoying your Spotify music offline on your Catalina today.