How to Get and Use Spotify on iPad/iPad mini/Pro/Air

Can You Get Spotify on iPad/iPad mini/Air/Pro?

It should be stated at the outset that not all iPad versions can support Spotify. You can only install the official Spotify app on a compatible iPad from the App Store. Spotify currently lists iPadOS 16.1 or later as the minimum supported version for its mobile app. To determine whether your device can run the official app, the table below provides a clear Spotify compatibility breakdown across all iPad families:

How to Download and Install Spotify on iPad

If you use an iPad that meets the current system requirements, installing Spotify is much the same as installing other App Store apps. Here is how to download Spotify on iPad from the App Store:

Step 1. Launch the App Store on your iPad and tap the search field.

Step 2. Enter Spotify and look for the official Spotify: Music and Podcasts app. Check the developer information before installing it.

Step 3. Tap the Download icon to download and install Spotify on your iPad and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, your passcode, or your Apple Account credentials if prompted.

Step 4. Once the installation finishes, tap Open. You can sign in with an existing Spotify account or create a new one. Your existing playlists, library, and algorithm preferences will sync automatically.

How to Download Spotify Music on iPad for Offline Listening

While the Spotify for iPad app is free to use for ad-supported streaming, downloading music for offline listening requires a Spotify Premium subscription. (Free users can, however, download podcasts on Spotify).

The iPad's larger battery and storage capacity make it a great offline media hub for flights or road trips. If you are using a Premium account, you can download Spotify albums, playlists, and podcasts for offline playback on your iPad.

Step 1. Connect the iPad to the internet and open the Spotify app.

Step 2. Navigate to any playlist or album (you cannot download individual songs directly, so just drop them into a playlist first).

Step 3. Tap the Download arrow. Wait until the download finishes.

Step 4. Open your downloaded content when you need to listen without an internet connection.

Spotify currently allows up to 10,000 downloaded tracks across as many as five devices. You also need to connect to Spotify online at least once every 30 days to keep your downloads active.

How to Use Spotify on iPad/iPad mini/iPad Air/iPad Pro

Use Spotify Connect

Your iPad can act as a massive, comfortable remote control for your entire home audio system using Spotify Connect. Tap the speaker icon on the currently playing Spotify track to instantly route the audio from your iPad to your smart TV, Wi-Fi speakers, or desktop computer.

Use Spotify offline on iPad

Downloaded content can be played when you lose your internet connection. You can also deliberately turn on Spotify's Offline Mode so that the app only plays content already downloaded to the device.

1. Click the Profile picture in the top-left corner of your Spotify app.
2. Tap Settings and privacy and Data-saving and offline buttons.
3. Turn the Offline mode on. Once it is enabled, content that hasn't been downloaded becomes unavailable until you reconnect.

Keep Spotify Playing in the Background on iPad

Spotify can continue playing while you use other apps on an iPad. Start a song or podcast in the Spotify app, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or press the Home button on older iPads) to leave Spotify. Playback should continue while you browse Safari, check email, use Notes, or switch to another app.

You can also lock the iPad's screen after starting playback, and Spotify can continue playing in the background. This is useful for listening while the display is off and conserving battery.

Maximize the Spotify Interface on iPad

Spotify is well-optimized for iPadOS multitasking, meaning you do not have to stop the music just to check your email or browse the web. You can easily keep your playlists accessible while working on other tasks.

1. Open Spotify, then tap the three small dots at the top center of your screen to trigger the multitasking menu.
2. Choose Split View to snap the music player to one side of the screen, allowing you to open a second app right next to it.
3. Alternatively, select Slide Over to turn the app into a floating window that you can swipe away and summon back whenever needed.

If you are using a more recent iPad Air or iPad Pro, you can also utilize Stage Manager. This feature allows you to freely resize the app window and group it with other applications, creating a highly productive, desktop-like workspace.

How to Download Spotify on Older iPads without App Store

If your older iPad is stuck on legacy software (such as iOS 9, 10, or 12) that cannot be updated to iPadOS 16.1 or later, Spotify is not compatible with this iPad. The most reliable workaround for these iPads is to download your favorite Spotify playlists as local audio files (like MP3) onto a Mac or Windows PC, and then sync them directly to your iPad's native Music app using Music app or Finder.

This completely bypasses App Store compatibility restrictions and lets you listen to your tracks offline without needing a Spotify Premium subscription on the tablet.

Download Spotify Songs to Computer via DRmare Spotify Music Converter

To turn Spotify music into local MP3 files on your computer, you can use DRmare Spotify Music Converter.

Step 1. Download and install DRmare Spotify Music Converter on your Mac or Windows PC. Open the software, and you can see the built-in Spotify Web Player. Here, you can directly search for and add Spotify tracks to the conversion queue.

Step 2. Click the Menu icon (top right) > Preferences > Conversion. Set the output format to MP3 (or M4A/FLAC) and adjust the bit rate (up to 320 kbps) or sample rate for higher audio fidelity.

Step 3. Click the Convert button at the bottom-right corner. The software will batch-download and convert the selected tracks to your computer's local drive while retaining full ID3 tags and original sound quality.

Sync Downloaded Spotify Tracks to Your Older iPad

Once the converted MP3 files are saved on your computer, transfer them to your older iPad for offline playback using Finder (Mac) or the Music app (Windows).

On Mac (macOS Catalina or later):

1. Open the Apple Music app on your Mac and drag the converted MP3 folder into your library.
2. Connect your iPad to your Mac using a USB cable, then open Finder.
3. Select your iPad under Locations in the Finder sidebar.
4. Navigate to the Music tab, check Sync music onto [Your iPad Name], select the converted playlists, and click Apply.

On Windows PC

1. Launch the Apple Music app on Windows and drag and drop your converted Spotify files into it.
2. Connect your iPad to your PC via a USB cable and launch the Apple Devices app.
3. Select your iPad from the sidebar and click Music.
4. Check the box to sync music to [Your iPad Name], select your imported tracks or playlists, and click Apply at the bottom right.

Disconnect your iPad once the sync finishes. Open the native Music app pre-installed on your iPad, where you will find all your synced Spotify tracks ready for offline listening, no App Store downloads, Spotify app installation, or active internet connection required.

How to Fix Spotify Not Working on iPad

If Spotify doesn't work correctly on your iPad, here are the most common fixes:

• App won't install: Double-check your software version (Settings > General > Software Update). If your iPad is too old to run iOS 16.1, you can't install the native app, but you can still use the Spotify Web Player via Safari or Chrome.
• Downloads disappeared: This usually happens if you've hit your 5-device limit (Spotify automatically wipes the device you haven't used in a while), or if you went 30 days without connecting to Wi-Fi.
• App crashes constantly: A clean reinstall usually fixes this. Delete the app via Settings > General > iPad Storage to clear the cache entirely, restart your iPad, and redownload it. Keep in mind that reinstalling will wipe your offline downloads, so you'll need to re-sync them.
• Spotify says it's offline: Open Spotify's settings and check whether Offline Mode has been enabled accidentally. If it isn't enabled, try another app or website on the iPad. If those also fail to connect, the issue may be with the Wi-Fi or cellular connection rather than Spotify.

FAQs About Spotify on iPad

In Conclusion

Ultimately, getting Spotify on your iPad comes down to a quick compatibility check. If your device runs iPadOS 16.1 or newer, installation takes seconds, though offline music listening still requires a Premium subscription and keeps your tracks locked inside the app. For older iPads stuck on legacy software, you aren't out of options either: you can always stream through the web player or sync converted local audio files straight to your iPad's built-in Music app.