Spotify allows users to download music for offline playback. However, the downloads will consume your device's internal storage. In this case, many Spotify users want to save Spotify music to an SD card to free up their phone space. It is noted that only Spotify Premium users can download Spotify songs to SD card on Android devices. Besides, the downloaded Spotify music files are encrypted and can only be played within Spotify. If you want permanent Spotify files on SD card that works on any device and player, you will need an alternative solution.
In this article, we'll show you two available methods on how to download Spotify to SD card on Android and other devices, whether you're using Spotify Free or Premium account. Also, you will get tips to fix the common Spotify SD card issues. Let's start.
Part 1. How to Download Spotify Songs to SD Card with Premium
Before downloading Spotify music to SD card, you need to learn which devices support Spotify SD card storage. Please check the table below to learn more.
| Device | Save Spotify Downloads to SD Card | Need Spotify Premium? |
|---|---|---|
| Android Phone/Tablet | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS (iPhone/iPad) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Windows | ❌ | ✅ |
| Mac | ❌ | ✅ |
How to Download Music from Spotify to SD Card on Android with Premium
Note:
- Make sure your SD card has at least 1GB of free memory and the card is formatted at FAT32 or exFAT for better Android compatibility.
- A Spotify Premium account is required to download Spotify music to SD cards.
- The downloaded Spotify music on the SD card can be played in the Spotify app only.
If you are a Spotify Free user, you can skip to Part 3 to download and transfer Spotify music to SD card for playback.
Section 1. How to Change Spotify Storage to SD Card
Step 1. On the Spotify Android app, click on the 'Your Library' section at the bottom.
Step 2. Go to 'Settings' and tap the 'Other' > 'Storage' tabs.
Step 3. Choose 'SD card' as the target place to store your Spotify music downloads.
Step 4. Now, click 'OK' and you can change Spotify storage location to SD card.
Section 2. How to Download Spotify Playlist to SD Card with Spotify Premium
Step 1. Open the Spotify app on your Android device, and log in to your Premium account.
Step 2. Browse and find playlist, album, etc. you want to download in the Spotify music library.
Step 3. Pick up the target audio content you like and tap the 'download' icon or toggle to start downloading.
Step 4. Once done, you will get Spotify downloaded music files in your SD card for offline listening.
Part 2. Limitations of Spotify Downloads to SD Card
Though you can save Spotify music to SD card on your Android device, there are some restrictions that you need to know.
1. Spotify Downloads Are Not MP3 Files
The Spotify downloads you store on your SD card are encrypted cache files protected by DRM. They are in special OGG Vorbis audio format. In this case, they can't be recognized by standard music players.
2. Spotify Downloads Require Account Verification
You need to verify your account online every 30 days to keep your downloads available.
3. An Active Spotify Premium Account Is Required
To download Spotify music on an SD card, you need a Spotify Premium. Besides, once your subscription expires or is canceled, you can't access your downloads in your Spotify library.
4. Downloads May Disappear
The Spotify downloads may disappear if you reinstall Spotify, log out of your account, switch device, update Android, or remove the SD card improperly.
5. Downloads Only Work Inside Spotify
You can't move Spotify downloads to a USB drive, transfer to other devices or software, or burn to a CD.
Part 3. How to Download Spotify Music to SD Card Permanently without Premium
If you want to save Spotify songs to SD card permanently and use anywhere, we have found an alternative way for you.
All you need is AudFree Spotify Music Downloader, which can download Spotify music without premium. This intelligent software can batch convert any Spotify content to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, etc. with zero sound quality loss. After the conversion, you are free to save Spotify downloads to SD card.
Besides, it is capable of preserving all the metadata info, such as ID3 tags of music. So, when you play Spotify music from an SD card with a built-in music player on your device, it will be no different from listening to music on the Spotify app.
AudFree Spotify Music Downloader
- Download Spotify music without Premium locally
- Convert Spotify to MP3, AIFF, Lossless, WAV, FLAC, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Download Spotify to SD card, USB drive, and more external devices
- Work at 13X fast speed, support to define other parameters
How to Download Spotify Music for SD Card on Computers without Premium
You can hit the above green Try It Free button to install the AudFree Spotify Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. Then open the program once it is installed. Later, please refer to the detailed tutorial below to download Spotify songs without Premium for SD card with this software.
- Step 1. Import Spotify Music to AudFree Spotify Music Converter
- In the Spotify web player on AudFree program, tap the track or playlist you like. Then press on the '+ ♫' icon at the right. Later, in the new window, touch the 'Add to list' button to load music tracks.
- Step 2. Set Spotify Output Parameters for SD Card
- Go to the top-right 'Menu' tab and select the 'Preference' > 'Conversion' section. Then you can opt to convert Spotify to MP3, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, M4A, and more you want. It is recommended to choose MP3, which allows you to save as much storage for your SD card as possible. If you want higher audio quality, FLAC is the best choice. It's also available to customize other audio parameters, including the bit rate, sample rate, audio channel, and the like to make higher-quality audio. After that, tap 'OK'.
- Step 3. Download Spotify Music for SD Card Locally and Losslessly
- Please kick off the conversion process by simply tapping the 'Convert' button from the bottom-right corner of the Converting list interface. Within minutes, you can locate the converted Spotify music files in the destination folder you set before. Afterward, you can move the converted Spotify music to any external hard drives, including an SD card.
Besides, if you want to download music for SD card from other music services, you can use AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder. This desktop tool can help you download music from Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Apple Music, SoundCloud, Line Music, Deezer and so on.
How to Move Spotify Downloads to SD Card from Computer
Now, your Spotify songs have been saved in a normal format on your computer's local drive. So, it is time to learn how to put music on SD card from Spotify. Let's see the details together.
Step 1. Please insert your SD card into your Windows or Mac computer via a card reader.
Step 2. Click on 'This PC' or 'File Explorer' or 'Finder' on your computer and double-click on the SD card in the drive list.
Step 3. Simply copy Spotify music from the converted folder to the SD card. Once done, eject your SD card from your computer.
Step 4. Then you can insert the SD card containing Spotify music tracks to your Android device or other devices.
Step 5. Now, start enjoying Spotify stored on an SD card for offline playback. You can play these Spotify downloads on car stereos, MP3 players like Sony Walkman, smart TVs, USB music players, etc.
Part 4. How to Fix Spotify Music to SD Card Common Issues
When trying to use Spotify on an SD card, some users encounter errors. For example, Spotify pops up a notification like this, "We can't move your data because your SD card may have a problem". Then they are unable to successfully select the Spotify storage location and Spotify won't download to SD card. Based on this, you can follow the tips below to fix Spotify SD card issue.
Issue 1: Spotify Doesn't Recognize the SD Card
When Spotify acts as though your SD card does not exist, the issue almost invariably stems from how the Android operating system itself recognizes (or fails to recognize) that external storage device. Spotify cannot bypass the system level to read a memory card that has been blocked by the Android system or has failed to mount successfully.
Step 1. Go to Android Settings > Storage or Device Maintenance to verify whether the SD card appears in the storage details list. If it is missing or appears grayed out and inaccessible, please power off your device instantly. Remove the card tray carefully, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the gold contact pins on the back of the card, and then reinsert it firmly into your device.
Step 2. If the Android system detects the SD card but Spotify still fails to recognize it, the issue is most likely due to an incompatible file system format. Return to your device's storage settings interface, select your SD card, tap the "three-dot" menu icon in the top right corner, and then select "Format". You will need to format the SD card to either FAT32 or exFAT format; please note that this action will permanently delete all existing data on the card, so be sure to back up all important files beforehand.
Issue 2: Spotify Storage Option Is Missing
This is most likely because Spotify's access permissions have been revoked, or the app is experiencing a software glitch.
Step 1. Long-press the Spotify app icon on your home screen or in the app drawer, then tap "App Info" (usually represented by a lowercase "i" icon) to access its system management page. Next, navigate to the "Permissions" section, select "Storage" (the specific name may appear as "Files and media" depending on your Android version), and explicitly change the permission setting to "Allow".
Step 2. If the permissions are set correctly but the option remains hidden, the issue may stem from a stuck app cache. Return to the "App Info" page, tap the "Storage" option, and then select "Clear Cache". Once this is complete, force-close the app and relaunch it to allow Spotify to rescan and recognize your hardware configuration.
View also: How to Clear Spotify Cache
Issue 3: Spotify Keeps Downloading to Internal Storage
This issue typically occurs following a major app update or a system restart.
Step 1. Go to Spotify app's Settings > Other > Storage.
Step 2. Choose the SD Card option under the Storage section and confirm it. Spotify will immediately begin an automatic transfer process, migrating your downloaded encrypted data from internal storage to your external memory card.
When performing this operation, please ensure that your phone is not connected to a computer via USB in "File Transfer" mode, as doing so will temporarily lock the SD card and force Spotify to download data back to internal storage.
Part 5. FAQs about Spotify to SD Card
Where Are Spotify Downloads Stored on Android?
Spotify downloads you saved on Android is archived to Android/data/com.spotify.mobile.android.ui/files/spotifycache/Storage/.
View also: Where to Find Spotify Downloads
Can I Transfer Spotify Downloads to Another SD Card?
No. Files downloaded from Spotify are encrypted and directly tied to the specific device and account used to perform the download. If you switch to a new SD card, you must redownload your music to the new card via the in-app settings within the Spotify application. But if you download Spotify music as local files via AudFree Spotify Music Converter, you can directly transfer them to another SD card for use.
Does Spotify Work with a 256GB or 512GB SD Card?
Yes. As long as your Android device supports 256GB or 512GB memory cards, Spotify can use that storage space. However, please note that Spotify has a download limit: you can download a maximum of 10,000 songs per device (across up to 5 devices in total); therefore, you will reach this song limit before you manage to fill up a 512GB memory card. But you can use AudFree Spotify Music Converter to bypass Spotify download limit.
Is Saving Spotify Music to an SD Card Legal?
Yes, this is completely legal. Spotify natively offers this feature within its app, allowing Premium subscribers to manage their mobile storage space. These files remain protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) and can only be played within the official Spotify application.
Part 6. Conclusion
If you are a Spotify Premium user, the official method is easier to save Spotify to SD card on Android. For Spotify free users and want to use music files anywhere via SD card, you can reach the same goal just by using AudFree Spotify Music Downloader. It helps to download Spotify music locally and then you can save Spotify to an SD card without premium. With it, all users can keep Spotify music forever on any device without worrying about storage.
By the way, do you have any other ideas for putting Spotify on an SD card? Please let us know by commenting below.
Chief Editor
