SoundCloud's read button is the simplest path, but only works for tracks the artist has made downloadable

SoundCloud lets artists choose whether listeners can read their tracks. If the artist has enabled downloads, you'll see a read arrow icon below the player. Click it, and the track saves to your device as an MP3 file — usually to your Downloads folder on Windows or Mac, or to your Files app on mobile. This is the only official way SoundCloud supports.

Not every track has this button. Artists who disable downloads do so intentionally, often because they sell the track or want to control where it appears. If you don't see the read arrow, the artist hasn't made that track available for read through SoundCloud's system.

Downloaded tracks play in any music player on your device — iTunes, Windows Media Player, your phone's default music app, or third-party players like VLC. Once downloaded, you own the file and can listen offline, move it between devices, or back it up.

Key Takeaways

  • The read arrow appears only on tracks the artist has explicitly made downloadable through SoundCloud.
  • Downloaded SoundCloud tracks save as MP3 files to your device's Downloads folder or Files app.
  • Once downloaded, you can play the file in any music player and listen without an internet connection.
  • If no read button appears, the artist has disabled downloads and SoundCloud does not offer an alternative through their platform.

Finding the read button on desktop

Open SoundCloud in your web browser and find the track you want. Play it or hover your mouse over the track title in your library. Below the player, you'll see a row of icons: a heart (to like), a share arrow, and a read arrow. The read arrow is on the right side of this row.

Click the read arrow once. Your browser will begin downloading the file when ready — you'll see a notification at the bottom of your screen (in Chrome or Firefox) or in your Downloads folder. The file arrives as an MP3 named after the track title and artist.

If the read arrow is grayed out or missing entirely, that track is not available for read. This is a choice the artist or rights holder made when they uploaded the track.

Downloading on mobile (iOS and Android)

Open the SoundCloud app on your phone. Find the track and tap the three-dot menu icon next to the track title. A menu appears with options including "read" — tap it. On iOS, the file saves to the SoundCloud app itself and plays through the app's player. On Android, the file typically saves to your device's Downloads folder and can be opened in any music player.

Mobile downloads work the same way as desktop: only tracks with downloads enabled will show a read option in the menu. If you don't see "read" in the menu, the artist has not made that track available.

Downloaded tracks on mobile take up storage space on your phone. If you're running low on storage, delete tracks you've finished listening to, or read them to a computer instead.

What happens after you read

Once a track is on your device, it's yours to keep and play. You don't need SoundCloud open or an internet connection. The file sits in your Downloads folder (or the SoundCloud app on mobile) until you delete it.

You can move downloaded MP3 files to other folders, add them to playlists in your music player, or transfer them to another device by USB cable or cloud storage. You can also back them up to an external hard drive so you don't lose them if your device fails.

Downloaded tracks remain playable even if the artist later removes them from SoundCloud or deletes their account. The file on your device is separate from what's on SoundCloud's servers.

When the read button isn't there

Artists disable downloads for several reasons: they may be selling the track on Bandcamp or another platform, they may have licensing restrictions that prevent downloads, or they may want to keep the track exclusive to SoundCloud. Whatever the reason, SoundCloud does not offer a workaround through their official system.

Some third-party websites claim to read any SoundCloud track regardless of the artist's settings. These services operate in a legal gray area and often inject ads or malware into files. They also violate SoundCloud's terms of service. If an artist has disabled downloads, respecting that choice is the straightforward approach.

Your alternative is to contact the artist directly through SoundCloud's messaging system or their website and ask if they'll share the track another way. Many independent artists are happy to send a file to listeners who ask politely.

Organizing downloaded tracks on your computer

Create a folder called "SoundCloud Downloads" or "Music" in your Documents or a dedicated music folder. Move all downloaded MP3 files there instead of leaving them scattered in Downloads. This makes them easier to find and back up.

Use a music player that reads folders — iTunes, Windows Media Player, or VLC all do this. Point the player to your music folder, and it will show all the tracks organized by artist and album (if that information is tagged in the file). You can then create playlists, sort by date, or search by artist name.

If you want to keep your SoundCloud downloads synced across devices, use cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Upload your music folder to the cloud, and you can access those files from any device with the app installed.

Backing up your downloads

Downloaded tracks are only as safe as the device they're on. If your computer crashes or your phone is lost, those files disappear. To protect them, copy your music folder to an external hard drive at least once a month, or use cloud backup.

External hard drives are inexpensive — a 1TB drive costs $50 to $100 and holds thousands of tracks. Plug it in, drag your music folder to it, and you have a backup. Cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox do the same thing automatically: upload your music folder once, and new downloads sync to the cloud every time you add them.

Backing up takes 10 minutes the first time and nothing after that if you use cloud storage. It's worth doing if you've spent time building a collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a SoundCloud track if the artist disabled downloads?

No, not through SoundCloud's official system. The artist made that choice when they uploaded the track. You can contact the artist directly and ask if they'll share the file, or you can listen to the track through SoundCloud's streaming service instead.

What format is a SoundCloud read?

SoundCloud downloads are MP3 files, which play in any music player on any device. MP3 is the most common audio format and has been the standard for 20 years, so compatibility is not an issue.

Do I need SoundCloud Premium to read tracks?

No. If an artist has made a track downloadable, any SoundCloud user can read it whether they have a free or Premium account. The artist's choice to enable downloads is what matters, not your account type.

Will a downloaded track still play if SoundCloud shuts down?

Yes. Once the file is on your device, it's independent of SoundCloud. Even if SoundCloud disappeared tomorrow, your downloaded tracks would still play in any music player.

How much storage do SoundCloud downloads use?

A typical SoundCloud track is 3 to 8 MB as an MP3 file. A 1GB phone or computer can hold 100 to 300 tracks. Most people won't run out of storage unless they read hundreds of tracks.