Figuring out how to use Spotify takes only a few minutes, even if you have never streamed music before. Spotify is the world’s most popular music app, giving you access to more than 100 million songs, millions of podcasts, and audiobooks from your phone, computer, or smart speaker. This beginner’s guide walks you through everything from creating an account to building your first playlist.
We will also explain the difference between the free and Premium plans so you know exactly what you get without paying, and share a few tips that make the app easier and more enjoyable to use. No technical experience is needed, just a device and an internet connection.
Getting started with Spotify
Spotify works on almost everything: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, web browsers, game consoles, and smart speakers. You only need one account, and it syncs your music and playlists across every device you sign in on. Setting up takes just a couple of minutes and does not require a credit card if you stick with the free plan.
Before you dive in, it helps to know the layout. The Home tab shows recommendations, Search lets you find anything, and Your Library stores your saved songs, albums, and playlists. If you want more tutorials like this, browse our how-to guides.
Spotify Free vs Premium
Spotify offers a genuinely useful free tier, but it comes with limits. Understanding them helps you decide whether Premium is worth it for you.
| Feature | Spotify Free | Spotify Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Full song catalog | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | No |
| On-demand play (phone) | Limited / shuffle | Yes |
| Offline downloads | No | Yes |
| Audio quality | Up to 160 kbps | Up to 320 kbps |
How to use Spotify step by step
Follow these steps to go from zero to playing your favorite music.
- Download Spotify from the App Store or Google Play, or go to spotify.com on a computer.
- Tap Sign up and create a free account with your email, or use Google, Apple, or Facebook.
- Open the Search tab and type an artist, song, album, or genre you like.
- Tap any result to start playing, and tap the heart icon to save songs you love.
- Go to Your Library and tap Create playlist to build your own collection.
- Add songs to a playlist by tapping the three dots next to a track and choosing Add to playlist.
- Explore the Home tab for personalized mixes like Discover Weekly that update automatically.
Creating and sharing playlists
Playlists are the heart of Spotify. You can make as many as you want, name them, add a cover image, and reorder songs by dragging them. To share a playlist, tap the three dots and choose Share, then send the link to friends or post it to social media. You can also make a playlist collaborative so others can add songs.
- Discover Weekly and Daily Mixes
- Liked Songs auto-playlist
- Podcasts and audiobooks in one app
- Spotify Connect to smart speakers
- Ads between songs
- Shuffle-only on many phone playlists
- No offline downloads
- Limited skips per hour on mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spotify free to use?
Yes. Spotify Free gives you the full catalog with ads and some limits, such as shuffle-only play on many phone playlists and no offline downloads. Premium removes these limits for a monthly fee.
Do I need to pay to make playlists?
No. Both free and Premium users can create unlimited playlists, save songs, and follow other people’s playlists. Playlist creation is available to everyone.
Can I use Spotify on my computer and phone?
Yes. Spotify works on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web browsers, consoles, and smart speakers. Sign in with the same account and your music and playlists sync across all of them.
How do I listen to Spotify offline?
Offline listening requires Spotify Premium. Once you upgrade, you can download songs, albums, and playlists to your device and play them without an internet connection.
What is Discover Weekly?
Discover Weekly is a personalized playlist Spotify creates for you every Monday, based on your listening habits. It is a popular way to find new music that matches your taste.
