Spotify Now Keeps Your Music Playing Offline Without Downloading It

Spotify’s new feature could be a lifesaver when you forget to download your music and are left without an internet connection. The streaming app is introducing a new way to keep the music playing, even when your device unexpectedly goes offline. The new Offline Backup feature is now rolling out for Premium users.

Unlike the Download feature, Spotify’s Offline Backup doesn’t require you to manually tap any buttons. The app will automatically create a playlist called Offline Backup, filled with your queued and recently streamed tracks, including both downloaded and cached music. As per the company, this playlist will evolve over time by learning your listening habits.

When you open Spotify without an internet connection, the Offline Backup playlist is the first thing you see under, “No data, no drama.” You can also organize the tracks by vibe or mood with categories like Peaceful, Energetic, Indie Poo, Romantic, and more. Selecting one of these will give you a list of songs that fit the genre or mood.

Spotify mixes your downloaded songs with music it thinks you might enjoy, and for the most part, it’s a solid experience. You can also add Offline Backup to your libarary for quick access anytime.

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The tracks under the Offline Backup playlist aren’t part of your offline downloaded music playlists. They also don’t appear in the offline search functionality under Your Library, which has been broken for as long as I can remember. But you can search for music within the playlist. While downloaded music has a download icon next to it, there’s no clear indication if a song is part of the Offline Backup playlist.

To ensure the Offline Backup feature works for you, make sure:

• You’re on the latest version of the app.
• You’ve listened to at least five songs recently.
• Offline listening is enabled (Settings > Data Saving > Offline Listening).

Spotify’s new feature is now available for Premium users globally. It’s now rolling out on Android and iOS as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. At the time of writing this story, I’ve had it work on my Apple iPhone 16 Pro but not on my Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.