Spotify won’t download playlists over cellular on your iPhone unless you allow it. Open Spotify, tap your profile picture, go to Settings and privacy > Data-saving and offline, and turn on Downloads over cellular (called Download using cellular in some versions). Also check that Spotify is allowed to use cellular data in iPhone Settings, that Low Data Mode is off, and that you have a Premium plan, which downloads require.
Quick Answer
Spotify > profile picture > Settings and privacy > Data-saving and offline > Downloads over cellular on. Then iPhone Settings > Cellular > Spotify on.
Fix It Step by Step
- In Spotify, tap your profile picture, then Settings and privacy.
- Tap Data-saving and offline and turn on Downloads over cellular. In older versions, it’s under Audio Quality or Music Quality.
- Make sure Offline mode is off while downloading.
- Open iPhone Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data), scroll to Spotify and turn it on.
- In Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, turn off Low Data Mode if downloads still pause.
- Go back to the playlist and tap the Download arrow.
Why Downloads Stall
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Cellular downloads off in Spotify | Turn on Downloads over cellular |
| Spotify blocked from cellular in iOS | Settings > Cellular > Spotify on |
| Low Data Mode or Data Saver | Turn them off while downloading |
| Free plan | Downloads need Premium (podcasts are the exception) |
| Not enough storage | Free space in Settings > General > iPhone Storage |
| Device download limit | Premium allows downloads on a limited number of devices; remove old ones |
To tidy playlist names, see renaming a Spotify playlist on iPhone.
Troubleshooting
- Stuck on “Waiting to download”: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off, or restart the app.
- Songs vanish after a while: Spotify needs you to go online at least once every 30 days to keep downloads.
- Worried about data use? Lower Download audio quality in the same menu.
- Tuning playback sound: See Spotify equalizer settings.
- Linking accounts: See connecting Spotify to a Google account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much data does downloading a playlist use?
It depends on the number of songs and the download quality. Higher quality uses much more data per song.
Why does Spotify default to Wi-Fi?
To avoid using your mobile data allowance by surprise.
Does this apply to iPad with cellular?
Yes. The settings are the same.
Summary
- Turn on Downloads over cellular in Spotify.
- Allow Spotify to use cellular data in iPhone Settings.
- Turn off Low Data Mode.
- Check Premium, storage and your device limit.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.