If you love listening to music on your iPhone 11, Spotify is probably one of your go-to apps. But what happens when you don’t have an internet connection — maybe you’re on a flight, going camping, or saving mobile data? That’s where downloading Spotify albums for offline listening comes in handy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to download a Spotify album on an iPhone 11, step by step. You’ll also learn what you need to enable offline mode, how much storage you’ll need, and how to fix common download issues.
Whether you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber or just exploring the app’s features, this tutorial covers everything you need to know.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
By the end of this guide, you’ll know:
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How to download any Spotify album to your iPhone 11
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How to listen offline without Wi-Fi or mobile data
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How to troubleshoot when downloads don’t work
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How to manage your downloads and storage efficiently
Let’s start by making sure you have the right setup.
What You Need Before Downloading Albums
Before downloading any album, make sure these requirements are met:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Spotify Premium | You need an active Premium subscription to download music for offline use. |
| Internet connection | Required only while downloading. Once done, you can listen offline. |
| Sufficient storage space | Each album can take anywhere from 50 MB to 500 MB depending on track length and quality. |
| Latest Spotify app | Update Spotify from the App Store to avoid glitches. |
Tip: Check your subscription status under Settings → Account → Plan inside the Spotify app.
How to Download a Spotify Album on an iPhone 11 (Step-by-Step)
Now let’s get to the main part — downloading your favorite album directly to your iPhone 11.
Step 1: Open the Spotify App
Locate the Spotify icon on your iPhone 11’s Home Screen and tap to open it.
Step 2: Search for the Album
Tap the Search tab at the bottom, then type the name of the album you want to download in the search bar.
Step 3: Select the Album
From the search results, tap on the album title. You’ll be taken to the album’s detail page showing the cover art, artist name, and tracklist.
Step 4: Tap the Download Button
Right below the album title, you’ll see a downward arrow (⬇️) next to the word Download. Tap it once.
When the arrow turns green, your download has started.
Step 5: Wait for the Download to Complete
Spotify will download all tracks from that album to your device. You’ll see a small green arrow icon next to each track once it’s saved offline.
That’s it — your Spotify album is now downloaded and ready for offline listening!
How to Enable Offline Mode on iPhone
After downloading albums, you’ll want to make sure Spotify doesn’t try to use the internet when you’re offline.
To turn on Offline Mode:
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Open Spotify.
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Tap your profile icon in the top left.
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Go to Settings and Privacy → Playback.
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Scroll down and toggle on Offline Mode.
When Offline Mode is on, Spotify will play only downloaded music — perfect for flights or areas with poor reception.
How to Check Download Progress
If your internet is slow or you’re downloading multiple albums, you may want to track progress.
Here’s how:
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Open the album page you’re downloading.
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You’ll see a circle animation around the download arrow.
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Once completed, the arrow becomes solid green.
To check all active downloads, go to Your Library → Downloaded.
How to View All Downloaded Albums
Spotify groups all offline albums together for easy access.
To find them:
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Open Spotify.
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Tap Your Library at the bottom.
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Tap Downloaded at the top menu.
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Select Albums.
Now you’ll see a list of every album stored locally on your iPhone 11.
How to Delete a Downloaded Album
When your phone storage starts filling up, you might want to delete old downloads.
Here’s how:
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Go to Your Library → Albums.
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Tap the album you want to remove.
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Tap the green download arrow to turn it gray.
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Spotify will remove the files from your device.
This frees up storage while keeping the album available for streaming.
How to Manage Storage Space
Downloaded music can quickly consume your iPhone’s storage, especially if you save dozens of albums.
To manage your storage:
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Open Spotify → Settings and Privacy → Storage.
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You’ll see how much space Spotify uses for downloads and cache.
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Tap Delete cache to free up temporary data.
You can also check iPhone Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Spotify to see its total size.
Pro Tip: If storage is limited, consider downloading playlists instead of full albums.
How to Change Download Quality
Spotify lets you choose between different audio qualities, which directly affect file size and clarity.
To change quality settings:
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Open Spotify → Settings and Privacy → Audio Quality.
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Under Download, select one of these options:
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Low: Smallest file size, lowest quality
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Normal: Balanced option (default)
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High: Better sound, larger size
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Very High: Studio-quality audio, uses most space
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If you want the best experience and have plenty of space, choose Very High. For mobile data saving, stick to Normal.
Can You Download Albums Without Spotify Premium?
Unfortunately, no. Spotify only allows offline downloads for Premium subscribers.
Free-tier users can save albums to their library, but playback still requires an active internet connection.
If you frequently travel or work offline, upgrading to Spotify Premium is well worth it.
Why Your Spotify Album Won’t Download
Sometimes, downloads don’t start or stop midway. Here are common causes:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Download button not appearing | Free account | Upgrade to Premium |
| Songs stuck at 0% | Weak Wi-Fi | Reconnect or switch to cellular |
| Green arrow not showing | Download incomplete | Wait or restart app |
| Album missing tracks | Regional restrictions | Try adding via playlist |
| Downloaded songs disappeared | App cache cleared | Re-download album |
How to Fix Spotify Download Errors on iPhone
If your downloads aren’t working, try these proven fixes:
1. Check Your Internet Connection
Switch from cellular to Wi-Fi or vice versa. Spotify needs a stable connection during downloads.
2. Restart the Spotify App
Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone and close the app, then reopen it.
3. Log Out and Log Back In
Go to Settings → Log Out, wait a moment, then log back in with your Premium account.
4. Clear Cache
Head to Settings → Storage → Delete Cache. This won’t remove downloaded music but can fix glitches.
5. Update the App
Go to the App Store → Updates, and install the latest version of Spotify.
6. Restart Your iPhone 11
A quick reboot can refresh system memory and fix download errors.
Tips for Saving Data and Storage
Here are some smart strategies to keep your iPhone 11 running smoothly while enjoying offline music:
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Download over Wi-Fi only. Avoid using cellular data unless you have an unlimited plan.
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Delete old downloads regularly. Keep your storage organized.
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Download playlists instead of multiple albums. Saves space and simplifies management.
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Use “Normal” quality for everyday listening. You’ll barely notice the difference.
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Store downloads on iCloud backup (optional). Though Spotify files themselves don’t back up, preferences do.
Best Practices for Offline Listening
If you’re traveling, commuting, or working in areas with weak signals, here’s how to get the best offline experience:
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Pre-download before leaving Wi-Fi. Start downloads well in advance.
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Enable Offline Mode. Prevents Spotify from trying to reconnect online.
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Turn on Low Power Mode. Saves battery during long offline sessions.
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Organize your library. Group albums by genre or mood for easy access.
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Check license renewals. Spotify may require you to go online at least once every 30 days to verify your account.
Conclusion
Downloading a Spotify album on your iPhone 11 is simple once you know where to look. With just a few taps, you can take your favorite albums anywhere — whether you’re on a road trip, at the gym, or simply avoiding spotty Wi-Fi.
Here’s a quick recap:
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You need Spotify Premium to download albums.
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Tap the Download arrow on the album page.
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Use Offline Mode to listen without the internet.
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Manage storage through Settings → Storage.
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Troubleshoot using the fixes outlined above.
Now you can enjoy uninterrupted music, wherever life takes you.
FAQs About Downloading Spotify Albums on iPhone 11
1. Can I download a Spotify album on iPhone without Premium?
No, offline downloads are a Premium-only feature.
2. How many albums can I download on my iPhone 11?
Spotify allows up to 10,000 songs per device, depending on storage space.
3. Will my downloaded albums stay forever?
No. You need to reconnect to the internet at least once every 30 days to keep them active.
4. Can I transfer downloaded Spotify albums to another device?
No, downloads are encrypted and tied to your account and device.
5. What happens if I delete the Spotify app?
All downloaded albums will be removed. You’ll need to re-download them after reinstalling.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Premium Required | Only Premium users can download albums offline. |
| Easy Steps | Tap the Download arrow on any album. |
| Storage | Manage space in Spotify → Settings → Storage. |
| Offline Mode | Turn it on to avoid streaming data usage. |
| Fix Issues | Restart, clear cache, or reconnect Wi-Fi to fix download errors. |
In short: To download a Spotify album on your iPhone 11, open the album, tap the download icon, and you’re ready to enjoy offline music anywhere. It’s that easy!