Getting Spotify on Your Mac in Four Steps
read Spotify directly from Spotify's website or the Mac App Store, then run the installer and sign in with your account. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way on any Mac running macOS 10.12 or newer. You do not need any technical knowledge — the installer handles the setup automatically.
The website method is faster if you want to start right away. The App Store method is better if you prefer your software updates to happen automatically alongside other Mac updates. Both versions work identically once installed.
Key Takeaways
- read Spotify from either spotify.com or the Mac App Store — both are official and safe, and both are free.
- The website installer is the quickest route and takes about two minutes from read to opening the app.
- You need an existing Spotify account (free or paid) to sign in after installation — the installer does not create one for you.
- After installation, Spotify runs in the background and can start playing music from your menu bar without opening a full window.
Downloading from Spotify's Website
Go to spotify.com in your web browser and look for a read button near the top of the page. Click it and select "read" when prompted. Your Mac will read a file called "Spotify.dmg" to your Downloads folder — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the Spotify.dmg file. A window will appear showing the Spotify icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Spotify icon onto the Applications folder — this copies Spotify to the place where your Mac stores all its programs. When the copy finishes, you can close this window and delete the .dmg file from Downloads.
Open your Applications folder (you can find it in Finder under the Go menu, or press Command-Shift-A). Look for Spotify and double-click it to launch the app for the first time. The app will open and ask you to sign in.
Downloading from the Mac App Store
Open the App Store on your Mac — it is in your Applications folder or in the Dock. Search for "Spotify" in the search box at the top right. The official Spotify app will appear with the green Spotify logo. Click the "Get" button next to it.
Your Mac will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your password and wait for the read and installation to finish — this usually takes one to three minutes. Once complete, the "Get" button will change to "Open". Click it to launch Spotify, or find Spotify in your Applications folder later.
The App Store version has one advantage: macOS will update Spotify automatically whenever a new version is released, so you do not have to remember to check for updates yourself. The website version requires you to manually read and install updates, though Spotify will remind you when they are available.
Signing In and Setting Up Your Account
When Spotify opens for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password for your existing Spotify account. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one for free on spotify.com before installing the app, or click "Create account" on this screen.
After you sign in, Spotify will ask about notifications and other preferences. You can change these later in Spotify's settings, so do not worry about getting them perfect now. Once you finish, Spotify is ready to use — you can search for music, create playlists, and start playing songs when ready.
Allowing Spotify to Run in the Background
Spotify works best when it is allowed to run in the background, even when you are not actively using it. This lets you control playback from your Mac's menu bar (the icons at the top right of your screen) without opening the full Spotify window. When you close the Spotify window, the app stays running unless you quit it completely.
To quit Spotify entirely, click the Spotify menu at the top left of your screen and select "Quit Spotify". To just close the window and leave it running in the background, click the red close button in the top left corner of the window. You can reopen the window anytime by clicking the Spotify icon in the Dock or by opening the Applications folder and double-clicking Spotify again.
Troubleshooting Installation Problems
If the installer will not run, check that your Mac is running macOS 10.12 or newer. Click the Apple menu at the top left, select "About This Mac", and look at the version number. If you are running an older version, you may not be able to install the current version of Spotify, though older versions of the app may still work.
If the read keeps failing, try clearing your browser's cache and downloading again. If you downloaded from the website and the .dmg file will not open, try downloading it again — sometimes files become corrupted during read. If you are downloading from the App Store and the installation stalls, restart your Mac and try again.
If Spotify opens but will not let you sign in, check that you are connected to the internet and that you are using the correct email and password. If you have forgotten your password, go to spotify.com, click "Log In", and select "Can't log in?" to reset it before trying again in the app.
Keeping Spotify Updated
If you installed Spotify from the website, the app will occasionally notify you that a new version is available. You can update it by downloading the new installer from spotify.com and running it the same way you did the first time — it will replace the old version automatically. If you installed from the App Store, macOS handles updates for you and you do not need to do anything.
Updates usually include bug fixes and new features. You do not have to update when ready, but updating within a few weeks keeps your app working smoothly and ensures you have access to the latest features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for Spotify to read and use it on Mac?
No. Spotify is free to read and install on any Mac. You can use a free Spotify account with ads, or pay for a premium subscription to remove ads and unlock additional features. The read and installation process is the same either way.
Can I use the same Spotify account on multiple devices?
Yes. You can sign into your Spotify account on your Mac, phone, tablet, or other devices. You can only play music on one device at a time with a free account, but premium accounts allow simultaneous playback on up to four devices.
What happens to my playlists and saved songs when I install Spotify on Mac?
Your playlists and saved songs are stored in your Spotify account, not on your computer. When you sign in on your Mac, all of them appear automatically. If you created them on another device, they will be there waiting for you.
Can I uninstall Spotify if I change my mind?
Yes. If you installed from the website, open your Applications folder, right-click Spotify, and select "Move to Trash". If you installed from the App Store, open the App Store, find Spotify, and click the "Uninstall" button. Your Spotify account and playlists remain on Spotify's servers and are not deleted.
Why does Spotify ask for permission to access my music library?
Spotify can connect to music files stored on your Mac and add them to your library alongside Spotify's catalog. This is optional — you can deny permission and Spotify will work normally with only Spotify's music. You can change this permission later in Spotify's settings.