How to Use Tidal with Serato DJ Offline/Online in 2025 [Ultimate Guide]

By Miley Swift Updated on 2025-08-15 / Update for Tidal Tips

Many DJs are eager to use Tidal with Serato DJ Pro/Lite, especially with the demand for high-quality audio. While the official online integration is seamless, a common question remains: can you use Tidal with Serato offline? This ultimate guide will not only show you how to connect Tidal to Serato both online and offline but also provide solutions for common issues, ensuring you can mix your favorite tracks without any limitations. Now let's dive in!

how to use tidal with serato offline

Part 1. Can You Use Tidal on Serato DJ Lite/Pro

Does Tidal work with Serato DJ Lite or Serato DJ Pro? Yes, the answer is yes. Tidal and Serato DJ are now officially integrated online, allowing you to directly connect Tidal to Serato for DJing. However, it's important to note that you cannot officially access the Tidal streaming server from Serato when you are offline. If you want to know how to use Tidal with Serato offline, please refer to Part 3.

Serato DJ comes in two versions: Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro. The Serato DJ Lite app is a free entry-level version, more suitable for beginners to learn and practice the basic of DJing. On the other hand, the Serato DJ Pro version is more advanced with additional capabilities and features designed for experienced DJs. It offers powerful tools like access to millions of tracks and the ability to live-stream DJ sets.

Both Serato DJ Lite and Pro are compatible with Tidal on desktop, enabling DJs to mix, analyze, scratch, and cue high-quality digital music files directly from Tidal's vast catalog. To connect Tidal to Serato smoothly as an audiophile streaming service online, make sure you have the following in place:

✅ Have an active individual Tidal Plan subscription account with DJ Extension (Previously known as the Tidal HiFi or HiFi Plus plan);
✅ Install Serato DJ Pro V2.1 or above, or Serato DJ Lite V1.1 or above;
✅ Make sure you have a stable, reliable and strong internet connection.

Benefits of Integrating Tidal with Serato

🎚 Access to an Extensive Music Library: One of the biggest advantages of linking Tidal with Serato is the instant access to an extensive music library. Tidal boasts millions of tracks across various genres - from hip-hop and EDM to jazz and classical - giving DJs the flexibility to build dynamic, diverse sets on the fly.

See also: Best Tidal Audiophile Playlists Recommended

🎚 High-Fidelity Audio Streaming: Tidal is renowned for its high-resolution quality audio streaming, including HiFi and Master-level streaming. When using Tidal on Serato, you can stream high-quality tracks into your mixes, ensuring pristine sound and a professional-grade listening experience.

🎚 Real-Time Music Discovery: The integration of Tidal and Serato also allows for real-time music discovery. You can explore new releases, trending tracks, and curated playlists within Serato. This helps you stay ahead of musical trends and keep your sets fresh and exciting.

🎚 Seamless Workflow: The online integration between Serato and Tidal is designed to be seamless. You can easily browse, search, and load tracks from Tidal into Serato interface - no app switching or extra steps needed. It's DJing made smoother and smarter.

Part 2. How to Use Tidal on Serato DJ Lite/Pro Online with Tidal Plan

This part will walk you through the official process of using Tidal with Serato DJ Pro/Lite online. To get started, make sure you have an active Tidal individual subscription with the DJ extension and the latest version of Serato DJ Pro or Lite installed. Then, follow these simple steps.

tidal plan with dj extension

2.1 How to Connect Tidal to Serato DJ Pro/Lite

Step 1. Run the Serato DJ Pro/Lite app on your computer.

launch serato dj app

Step 2. On the top-right side, click 'Setup' > 'Library + Display' > 'Music Streaming'.

Step 3. Tick 'Show Streaming Services', then tap 'Tidal' as the streaming service.

set tidal as streaming service on serato

Step 4. Select 'Sign up / Login to Tidal' to open your browser. Next, log in to your existing Tidal account or sign up for a new one.

Step 5. After that, it will pop up a new window. Then hit 'Open Serato DJ Pro/Lite' to redirect back to it.

open serato dj to access tidal

Step 6. When you are back to Serato DJ Pro/Lite, the 'music streaming' option should be indicated as a logged-in account.

use tidal in serato

Step 7. Here you can switch the streaming quality to HiFi or else and close Settings. Now, you can use Tidal on Serato DJ Pro/Lite online for mixing with ease.

FYR: How to Link Tidal to Serato [Official Guide]

2.2 How to Add Tidal Music to Serato DJ Pro/Lite

For quick access to your music library, you can create a playlist on Tidal on the Tidal web player or the Tidal desktop app. After creating a playlist, you should expand the 'Tidal' option from Serato's 'crates/playlists pane' to reveal your playlist.

sync tidal playlists on serato

Also, you can create Tidal playlists within the Serato DJ app. Hit the 'New Streaming Playlist' option to make a new playlist for Tidal music. You can drag & drop your files to the created playlist and then you can find them in your Serato app.

create a tidal playlist on serato

💥 Note: One thing you should know is that you are not allowed to add Tidal music to regular Serato DJ Pro/Lite crates or smart crates. That is because Tidal resources are DRM-protected files which you only can play as cached files. If you're looking to play Tidal tracks offline, transfer them to other platforms, or integrate them more flexibly into your sets, you should use a third-party tool like AudFree Tidal Music Converter in Part 3. This tool allows you to download and convert Tidal tracks into local files that can be used freely in Serato and other DJ software.

2.3 How to Search for Tidal Music in Serato DJ Pro/Lite

After enabling 'Tidal' as a streaming service in the Serato app, you can select the 'Streaming Search' button located beside the search bar. When you hit it, the search focus will shift to the 'ALL' crate so that you can search for music. If you want to return to your previously selected track and crate, simply click the button again. The button will be greyed out if there is an issue with your internet connection or server connection.

search tidal tracks in serato dj

2.4 How to Analyze Tidal Tracks in Serato DJ Pro/Lite

On the main screen, you can hit the 'Analyze Files' button or drag & drop the selected Tidal music to the button to let Serato analyze Tidal playlists.

After analyzing the Key & BPM, the full waveform will be displayed. You can then add Cue points, loops, and other Serato information to the track. When you eject and reload the track onto the deck, it will analyze 'on-the-fly'. Besides, it ensures your Serato data remains intact.

See also: How to Connect Spotify to Serato DJ Pro & Lite

Part 3. How to Use Tidal with Serato Lite/Pro Offline without Subscriptions

While Serato does allow Tidal users to log into their accounts and play Tidal music online with paid Tidal subscriptions, the biggest drawback is that you cannot access your Tidal playlists on Serato offline. This can be a major limitation for live performances or travel.

Therefore, we will provide you with an advanced way to add Tidal to Serato DJ for offline working. An essential tool you need is the AudFree Tidal Music Downloader. It allows you to download Tidal music to your computer for free use without an internet connection. You can also use it to convert Tidal music to MP3 and more popular audio formats. This smart AudFree converter can decrypt Tidal music files without affecting their original quality or ID3 tags. Moreover, it also supports downloading podcasts and audiobooks from Tidal.

After obtaining the local music files from Tidal, you can import them into Serato DJ Pro & Lite for offline playback, treating them like any other local music file you own. This approach provides the flexibility to DJ without an internet connection while still accessing Tidal's high-quality catalog.

AudFree Tidal Music Converter

audfree tidal music downloader
  • Losslessly download Tidal music to your computer
  • Convert Tidal music to MP3/Lossless/FLAC/AIFF/M4A/M4B/WAV
  • Stay 100% original audio quality and the whole metadata
  • Work at 37X faster conversion speed in batches
  • Adjust output settings for Serato DJ, like bitrate, sample rate, etc.

3.1 How to Download Music from Tidal for Serato DJ Locally

Now, we will show you how to use the AudFree Tidal Music Converter to download and convert Tidal music to local files. Then you can easily mix Tidal on Serato DJ Pro & Lite for offline DJing.

Supported Formats
Serato DJ Import MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, AAC (for Mac), OGG, ALAC (for Windows 10 & Mac), AIF, WL.MP3, MP4
AudFree Tidal Music Converter Output MP3, FLAC, M4A, WAV, M4B, AIFF, Lossless
Step 1Add Tidal music to AudFree Tidal Music Converter
load tidal songs to audfree tidal music converter
Download and open the AudFree Tidal Music Downloader on your Windows or Mac computer. Then log into your Tidal account in the built-in Tidal music web player. Next, please select the songs you want to use on Serato. Then click '+ ♫' > 'Add to List'.
Step 2Set audio output parameters of Tidal for Serato DJ
adjust output format of tidal for serato dj
It is possible to manually change the Tidal audio output format to a Serato-enabled one before downloading. Select the 'Menu' button on the main interface, and then press the 'Preferences' > 'Conversion' section. Here, you can choose Tidal music format, such as FLAC, MP3, WAV, etc., and modify the bit rate, audio channel, and sample rate.
See also: How to Convert Tidal to WAV
See also: Tidal Master vs HiFi Quality
Step 3Download music from Tidal for Serato Locally
download music from tidal for serato locally
Now, simply go to the 'Converting' section and click the 'Convert' button in the lower-right corner. The program will then begin the conversion at a speed up to 37X, based on the output settings you selected. Once the conversion is complete, a red notification will appear on the 'Converted' icon. Click this icon to find the folder on your PC containing all your downloaded Tidal streams.
Video GuideHow to export Tidal music for adding to Serato
You can see a short video on how to use the AudFree Tidal Music Converter to get free local Tidal music.

3.2 How to Use Tidal on Serato DJ Offline

Now, you have owned the Tidal local files. You can easily add Tidal to Serato DJ for offline use according to the following guide.

Step 1. Start by launching your Serato software on your desktop and logging into your account.

Step 2. Click the 'File' button, then it will show you various locations on your local computer. Navigate to the Tidal downloads folder on your computer's hard drive.

click file on serato dj

Step 3. Drag and drop the Tidal music files directly onto the 'All...' icon, which, as a hint, is at the top left of the playlist window.

add tidal music to serato

Step 4. Now, you have streamed the Tidal tracks to Serato, it is possible to play Tidal on Serato offline without difficulty.

💥 Tips: You can go to the Serato Support Service to see how to connect local Tidal files to your Serato's library in detail. Then you can mix all songs from your Tidal playlist in Serato.

Part 4. How to Fix Tidal Not Working in Serato

When DJing Serato with Tidal, you may encounter issues like Tidal not working in Serato DJ, Tidal not connecting to Serato or Tidal playlist not showing in Serato, etc. In such cases, several troubleshooting methods can help resolve the such problems.

1. Check Your Network Connectivity

If you find that Tidal is not working or not showing up in Serato, don't be worried. First, make sure that your computer is connected to a stable internet connection. That's because using Tidal with Serato DJ requires a stable internet connection to work properly. If the network connection is weak, you can try restarting your router or modem to see if it helps.

reset network to solve tidal not working in serato

2. Update Your Serato DJ Software to the Latest Version

Make sure that you have the latest version of Serato DJ software installed on your computer. You can check for updates by going to the "Help" menu and selecting "Check for Updates". If there is a new update available, download and install it.

3. Log Out of Tidal and Log Back in Again

Sometimes, logging out of Tidal and logging back in can help resolve your Tidal not working on Serato DJ Pro/Lite. To do this, open Tidal in Serato DJ and click your profile picture. Then select "Log out" and log back in again.

4. Relaunch the Serato DJ Software and Restart Computer

Restarting your computer can help resolve issues with software. Close Serato DJ Lite/Pro, then restart your computer. Once your computer has restarted, launch Serato DJ and try connecting to Tidal again.

5. Refresh Tidal Playlists in Serato DJ

If you find your Tidal playlist not showing in Serato DJ Pro/Lite, please go to the 'Setup' button, then select 'Library + Display' > 'Music Streaming'. Next, toggle the 'Show Streaming Services' option off and enable it again to refresh your Tidal playlist in Serato DJ.

6. Use AudFree Tidal Music Converter

You can use this tool to download and convert Tidal music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, etc. for offline use. In this way, you can mixing Tidal on Serato DJ Pro/Lite offline without connecting to Tidal.

7. Contact Serato or Tidal Support Center

If none of the above methods work, you can contact Serato or Tidal support for further assistance. They will be able to provide you with more specific troubleshooting steps based on your issue.

See also: How to Fix Tidal Not Working

Part 5. FAQs about Add Tidal Music to Serato

Q1: What DJ Software Does Tidal Work with Besides Serato?

A: Tidal is integrated with several popular DJ software platforms, including Serato, Djay Pro, Pioneer, Denon, Rekordbox, and Virtual DJ. The list also includes DJUCED and Edjing. This allows DJs to stream high-fidelity music from Tidal's extensive library directly into their DJ software for mixing and music creation.

See also:

How to Play Tidal on Denon Prime 4 [Latest]

How to Use Tidal with djay Pro Offline/Online

Q2: What Is the Music Quality When Using Tidal on Serato DJ Pro/Lite?

A: The streaming quality depends entirely on your Tidal subscription plan. As of now, Tidal is primarily focused on offering HiRes FLAC audio quality, which provides a high-fidelity listening experience. For DJs, this means you can stream high-resolution tracks directly into Serato, provided your subscription supports it.

Q3: Can You Use Serato Lite without A Controller While Playing Tidal Music?

A: Yes, you can. You can mix TIDAL on Serato DJ Pro/Lite using only your laptop, without the need for a controller or other equipment. On desktop computers, however, you will need to use your computer keyboard to control the software.

Q4: Can You Play Tidal Offline on Serato DJ Pro/Lite?

A: No, you cannot. Tidal's official integration with Serato is for online use only. To play Tidal music offline, you must first download the tracks to your computer as local files using a third-party tool like AudFree Tidal Music Downloader. Once downloaded, you can add these local files to Serato for offline DJing.

Q5: How Do I Record Tidal Tracks in Serato?

A: Officially, you cannot record tracks from Tidal directly within Serato. However, you can use a third-party audio recorder to help you. For example, AudFree Audio Capture allows you to record any sound playing on your computer, including Tidal music, and save it as a local file.

Q6: How Much Does it Cost to Use Tidal on Serato DJ?

A: To use Tidal with Serato DJ, you must subscribe to a Tidal plan that includes the DJ extension. This plan currently costs $19.99 per month. It's important to have an active subscription to access the service within Serato.

Q7: Why is Tidal Streaming Not Working in Serato?

A: This issue often points to a problem with your internet connection or account login. Please refer to Part 4 of this guide for detailed troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem.

Q8: Why Did Serato Remove Certain Features (Like Stems) From Tidal Integration?

A: The issue is that Tidal, not Serato, discontinued the use of Stems due to copyright reasons. Tidal has decided to remove this functionality from its integration with DJ software.

FYI: Tidal blocked DJs from using Stems

Q9: What Do I Do if Serato DJ Doesn't Recognize My Downloaded Tidal Files?

A: First, make sure the downloaded files are in a format supported by Serato (such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, or AIFF). Next, ensure the files are stored in a folder that Serato can access, and then rescan your Serato library to recognize the new tracks.

In Summary

While Serato offers a seamless online integration with Tidal for DJs, the lack of an official offline mode can be a major limitation. This guide has shown you how to navigate both methods: the official online connection for real-time streaming and the powerful offline method using the AudFree Tidal Music Downloader. By converting Tidal tracks to local files for Serato DJ, you can enjoy the freedom of DJing anywhere without an internet connection, while still benefiting from Tidal's high-quality audio.

Miley Swift

Miley Swift

Staff Editor

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Miley Swift is a professional content creator in the field of music entertainment and tech. Passionate about Tidal streaming technology, she is adept in offering and updating relevant tech skills and tools of Tidal music.