Now, though, the company is going a step further with a feature called Offline Backup. So what is Offline Backup, and how does it work when you need it?
Is Spotify’s audio really lossless, or just close enough?
Whether or not it makes a difference is another matter.
What is Spotify Offline Backup?
A fallback for a fallback
Gradually rolling out as of October 2024, Offline Backup is a contingency playlist that’s automatically generated for iPhones and Android devices in case you haven’t downloaded any playlists or podcasts on your own. It only includes recently streamed and queued songs, the idea being that you won’t use any more storage than Spotify normally caches. The app is making use of data it already has.
It can be sorted by artist, genre, and mood, and Spotify says that it will evolve over time based on your listening habits. One of the company’s priorities is keeping the playlist fresh, although there are obvious limitations – if you’ve been binging on Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan lately, don’t expect the app to have your favorite rap, classical, orambient musicready to go.
You can also save an Offline Backup mix to your library if it hits a sweet spot.
How do you trigger Offline Backup?
No muss, no fuss
The beauty of Offline Backup is that you don’t have to do anything – assuming you’ve got the latest version of Spotify on your phone or tablet, the playlist should appear automatically in the app’s homescreen when your device goes offline. If you want to trigger it manually, your best bet is flipping onAirplane Modein Quick Settings (Android) or Control Center (iPhone/iPad). you may also try disabling Wi-Fi and cellular individually if you’re worried about disconnecting Bluetooth accessories.
There are some criteria to meet, however:
There’s also a possibility that the feature hasn’t rolled out to you yet. So if you’re counting on Offline Backup, try testing it first. If the playlist doesn’t appear on your homescreen, you’ll have to download one or more playlists of your own choosing.
Should you use Offline Backup?
A matter of practicality versus taste
That depends on your circumstances. When you’re low on device storage, Offline Backup is better than nothing if you’re not comfortable with silence. If you’ve got plenty of room to work with, however, you should be downloading your own playlists, given more control over their length and variety. That’s especially true on long trips – a 24-hour Favorites playlist might consume a lot of space, but you’ll be thankful if you’re ever stuck on a seven-hour drive.
Q: Do other music services have a version of Offline Backup?
Not directly. The closest equivalent is probablyYouTube Music’s Offline Mixtape/Smart Downloads feature, but that fetches up to 500 songs in advance, depending on your settings. It’s definitely using storage beyond what the app would normally use, and may not be available if the app hasn’t had time for an overnight download over Wi-Fi.
