How to Install, Play, Download Spotify to Linux

By Adam Gorden Updated on February 28, 2024

spotify for linux

There's over 70 million tracks and more than 2.6 million podcast titles on Spotify. With this great music streaming platform, you are able to easily and quickly find those tracks you love. Currently, Spotify is compatible with various devices, including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices, as well as some smart devices.

So, does Spotify work on Linux? In fact, Spotify doesn't offer its service to those people who use the computer running Linux. But fortunately, those engineers from Spotify develop several different ways of installing Spotify for Linux. Since that, you are allowed to enjoy the largest streaming service and catalog in the Linux ecosystem.

If you are not familiar with the process to install and play Spotify on Linux, the post will show you how to do it with two easiest solutions, including installing Spotify on Ubuntu and using Spotify web player on Linux. Also, we are going to share an alternative method to play Spotify music on Linux without the official client.

linux spotify download mp3

Part 1. How to Install Spotify App to Linux

Here you can find different methods to install Spotify to the Linux system. The experience may differ from our other Spotify Desktop clients, such as Windows and Mac. Follow the below steps to install Spotify on Linux, then listen to Spotify on your Linux machines.

Method 1: Install Spotify to Linux via Snap [Universal]

With the launch of Spotify Snap, a universal app package that works across Linux flavors, it's getting much easier for Spotify users to install the Spotify app on their Linux machines. Snap packages ensure a consistent experience and easy installation, making it a popular choice for many Linux users.

If you don't have access to or prefer not to use the Ubuntu Software Center, installing Spotify via the command line with Snap is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

  1. If your system does not have Snapd installed, you can do so via the command line. Open your terminal and enter:
  2. sudo apt-get update

    sudo apt-get install snapd

  3. Once Snapd is installed, you can install Spotify using the Snap package manager with a single command:
  4. sudo snap install spotify

  5. After installation is complete, you can find the Spotify app in your application menu. Simply click on the Spotify icon to launch the application.
  6. Upon launching Spotify for the first time, you'll be prompted to log in to your Spotify account. Enter your credentials to access your playlists, saved music, and all the features Spotify has to offer.

Note for Non-Ubuntu Users:
If you're running a Linux distribution other than Ubuntu, you'll need to ensure that Snapd is installed on your system before proceeding with the installation. Visit the Snapcraft website for instructions specific to your distribution. Once Snap is installed, you can proceed with the sudo snap install spotify command to get Spotify on your Linux machine.

Method 2: Install Spotify to Linux via APT [Debian, Ubuntu, Mint]

Using the APT package manager, you can easily install Spotify on Debian-based distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint. Follow these steps to get Spotify up and running on your system:

  1. Before installing Spotify via APT, you need to add the Spotify repository key to ensure the authenticity of the packages.
  2. In your terminal, execute the following command:

    sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys 4773BD5E130D1D45

  3. Next, add the Spotify repository to your system's list of package sources. This allows APT to locate the Spotify packages.
  4. For Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, run the following command:

    echo deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list

  5. Once you've added the repository, update your package list to reflect the changes and install Spotify:

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install spotify-client

  6. After the installation is complete, you can launch Spotify from your applications menu or by running spotify in the terminal.

With Spotify installed via APT, your system's package manager will handle updates automatically. This means you'll receive the latest features and security patches seamlessly.

Method 3: Install Spotify to Linux via Flatpak [Universal Linux Package]

Flatpak provides a universal packaging system that works across different Linux distributions, including Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, and more. Installing Spotify via Flatpak ensures a straightforward process and easy updates.

  1. If you haven't already installed Flatpak on your system, you can do so using your package manager. For Debian-based systems like Ubuntu or Linux Mint, run the following command:

    sudo apt install flatpak

  2. Flathub is the official repository for Flatpak applications. You'll need to add it to your system to access Spotify and other Flatpak apps. Use the following command to add the Flathub repository:

    flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

  3. Now that Flatpak and the Flathub repository are set up, you can install Spotify with a single command. In your terminal, run:

    flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client

  4. Flatpak will download and install Spotify along with any necessary dependencies. Once the installation is complete, you can launch Spotify from your applications menu or by running flatpak run com.spotify.Client in the terminal.
  5. After installation, you can start enjoying Spotify on your Linux system. Launch the Spotify app from your applications menu or by entering flatpak run com.spotify.Client in the terminal.

Troubleshooting:
If you encounter any issues during the installation process, refer to the Flatpak documentation or community forums for assistance.

Method 4: Install Spotify to Linux via AUR [Arch Linux]

Arch Linux users can easily install Spotify using the Arch User Repository (AUR), which provides a convenient way to access and install packages maintained by the community. Follow these steps to get Spotify up and running on your Arch Linux system:

  1. To simplify the installation process from the AUR, it's recommended to have an AUR helper tool installed. Popular options include yay and yay-git. If you don't have one installed, you can install it from the official repositories:
    • For yay:

      sudo pacman -S yay

    • For yay-git (for bleeding-edge version):

      sudo pacman -S yay-git

  2. Once you have an AUR helper installed, installing Spotify is straightforward.
    • Use the following command to install Spotify from the AUR:

      yay -S spotify

    • If you are using yay-git:

      yay -S spotify-dev

  3. During the installation process, you may be prompted to review the package details and confirm the installation. Review the information and proceed with the installation by entering 'Y' when prompted.
  4. After the installation is complete, you can launch Spotify from your applications menu or by running spotify in the terminal.

Additional Notes:
To update Spotify in the future, you can use your AUR helper tool. Simply run:

  • For yay:

    yay -Syu spotify

  • For yay-git:

    yay -Syu spotify-dev

Troubleshooting:
If you encounter any issues during the installation process, refer to the Arch Linux wiki or the AUR package page for Spotify. Community forums and resources can also provide valuable assistance.

Method 5: Install Spotify to Linux via Manual .deb Package [Debian, Ubuntu, Mint]

Spotify for Linux is also available as a Debian package, making it easy to install the Spotify client on Debian-based distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint. Follow these steps to install Spotify using the .deb package:

  1. First, open a terminal (you can use Ctrl+Alt+T as a shortcut) and enter the following command to add the Spotify repository to your system's software sources:
    • sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list'

  2. This command adds the Spotify repository to your list of package sources.
  3. Next, you'll need to add the GPG key to ensure the authenticity of the Spotify packages. Enter the following command:
    • sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 0DF731E45CE24F27EEEB1450EFDC8610341D9410

  4. This command adds the GPG key for the Spotify repository to your system.
  5. With the repository added and the GPG key in place, update your package list to reflect the changes and install Spotify using the following commands:
    • sudo apt-get update

    • sudo apt-get install spotify-client

  6. This will update your package list and then install the Spotify client on your system.
  7. After the installation is complete, you can launch Spotify by searching for it in your applications menu. In Ubuntu, you can find it in the Unity Dash.
  8. Simply type "Spotify" in the search bar, and the Spotify icon should appear. Click on it to launch the Spotify desktop client.

Part 2. How to Play Spotify Music on Linux

Aside from using the Spotify desktop client, you can also enjoy Spotify music on your Linux machine through the Spotify web player. This allows you to stream your favorite tracks directly from your web browser without the need for a dedicated application. Here's how to get started:

  1. Launch your preferred web browser on your Linux system. Popular options include Firefox, Chrome, Chromium, or any other modern browser.
  2. Navigate to the official Spotify Web Player website. Additionally, you can download the latest release from the GitHub project page. This version is specifically optimized for Linux systems.
  3. Download Spotify Web Player for Linux:
    1. Visit the GitHub project page for the Spotify Web Player for Linux.
    2. Look for the latest release or stable version available for Linux.
    3. Download the appropriate package for your Linux distribution. This may be a .deb package for Debian/Ubuntu-based systems, an .rpm package for Fedora/openSUSE systems, or a universal package like .tar.gz for other distributions.
  4. Install Spotify Web Player for Linux:
    • For .deb packages (Debian, Ubuntu, Mint):

      sudo dpkg -i spotify-webplayer-linux.deb
      sudo apt-get install -f

    • For .rpm packages (Fedora, openSUSE):

      sudo rpm -i spotify-webplayer-linux.rpm

    • For universal packages like .tar.gz:

      tar -xzf spotify-webplayer-linux.tar.gz
      cd spotify-webplayer-linux
      ./install.sh

  5. Once installed, launch Spotify Web Player from your applications menu or by entering spotify-webplayer in the terminal.
  6. Log in to your Spotify account or create a new one if you haven't already. Enjoy streaming your favorite music, playlists, and podcasts directly from your web browser!

Additional Notes:

  • Spotify Web Player is compatible with most modern web browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, Chromium, and Microsoft Edge. Ensure your browser is up to date for the best experience.
  • Spotify Web Player requires an active internet connection to stream music. Ensure you are connected to the internet while using the web player.
  • Check the GitHub project page regularly for updates to the Spotify Web Player for Linux. You can download and install newer versions to access the latest features and improvements.

Part 3. How to Download Spotify Music to Linux

Linux users looking to download their favorite Spotify playlists into playable MP3 files have various options available. One popular tool for this task is spotDL (Spotify-Downloader), an open-source project hosted on GitHub.

spotdl
How to Use spotDL for Downloading Spotify Songs

Are you still looking for how use spotDL to download Spotify songs into MP3? Don't worry, here's we'll show you how to download and install it successfully to your Windows, Mac, or Linux.

However, if you prefer an alternative method or are not comfortable with Python, there are other options available, such as the ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. Although ViWizard doesn't have a native Linux version, you can use it on Windows or macOS to download Spotify music and then transfer the files to your Linux machine. You can then use a USB drive, cloud storage, or any other preferred method to move the downloaded music files. You can easily play them on your Linux system. Simply open your preferred music player, such as Rhythmbox, Clementine, or VLC, and enjoy your music library offline.

Notes:

  • For spotDL, ensure you have Python installed on your Linux system. You can install it using your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install python3 for Debian/Ubuntu).
  • While ViWizard does not have a native Linux version, it is a powerful option for downloading and customizing Spotify music on Windows and macOS systems.
  • Most Linux music players support MP3 playback out of the box. If not, you may need to install the necessary codecs or plugins for your player.
spotify music converter

Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter

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  • Download Spotify songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, audiobooks
  • Convert Spotify music to lossless MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, M4B
  • Support playing offline Spotify music on any device at any time
  • Compatible with Windows and macOS, as well as, the latest Spotify

How to Download Spotify Playlists to MP3:

Step 1Add Spotify music to ViWizard

Launch ViWizard Spotify Music Converter and it will load Spotify Desktop client automatically. Then log into your Spotify account and find songs you want to listen to on your Linux machine. Now drag any playlist or track from Spotify to the interface of ViWizard.

add spotify music

Step 2Set the output audio parameters

After adding Spotify songs to the converter, click the top menu > Preferences. Then you can select the output format as you like, including MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, M4A, and M4B. You can also change other parameters like audio channel, bit rate, and sample rate.

select output format

Step 3Start downloading Spotify music

Click the Convert button to start downloading and converting Spotify music to plain format with ID3 tags kept. Once converted, click the Converted icon to find the downloaded tracks. Then you can easily share those offline songs to Linux for playing anytime.

convert spotify songs

How to Play Spotify Playlists on Linux with Clementine:

Clementine is a highly regarded multiplatform music player for Linux. You can easily integrate your converted Spotify music tracks into Clementine.

  1. First, ensure you have Clementine installed on your Linux machine. You can install it using your package manager. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can use the following command:

    sudo apt install clementine

  2. Once Clementine is installed, launch the application from your applications menu or by searching for "Clementine" in the system launcher.
  3. Click on the Tools menu in the menu bar at the top of the Clementine window. Select Preferences to open the Preferences window.
  4. In the Preferences window, click on the Music Library tab on the left sidebar.
  5. Click on the Add new folder button to specify the folder where your converted Spotify music files are located. This will allow Clementine to scan and add these music files to its library for playback.
  6. Navigate to the folder where you saved the converted Spotify music files.
  7. Select the folder containing your Spotify music tracks and click Open or Select Folder to add them to Clementine's library.
  8. With your Spotify music added to Clementine, you can now start playing them on your Linux machine.
  9. Simply select the desired Spotify playlist or track from Clementine's library, and click on the Play button to begin playback.

Conclusion

To install Spotify for Linux, you need to use Snap or Deb Package. Then you can get the Spotify app for Linux. But you could also choose to use Spotify Web Player on Linux. For a better listening experience, we do recommend ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. With its help, you can easily download Spotify songs to Linux for playing through any media player on the Linux machine.

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