Using Spotify App

There is an important difference between the desktop version and the app: on the computer version you listen to your favorite song directly, while the mobile version does not play a specific song, but a random song by the chosen artist. That may be the song you wanted to hear, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. The paid version of Spotify does not have this limitation. This allows you to play the desired song anywhere and anytime. This article is about the non-subscription app version.

First download the app:

Spotify – Android device
Spotify – iPad/iPhone

Don’t have an account yet? Read how to create one in the tip ‘Create a Spotify account’.

Open the app and log in if necessary. The home screen appears. Here you can click through to all kinds of playlists and tips from Spotify. You will use the menu bar at the bottom the most. Navigate to all important parts in the app with this.

The menu bar contains the following options:

• Home
  View your recommended music playlists.
• To search
  The ‘Search’ option will search for artists, songs, albums and playlists. In addition, here you will find an overview of popular playlists, ‘Markets’, ‘New releases’ and ‘Podcasts’. You can also browse by mood or genre.
• Library
  Under ‘Library’ are all the songs you’ve recently played and your playlists you created or saved.

With Spotify, of course, you want to listen to music. Search for songs, artists or albums yourself.

• In the menu bar at the bottom, tap To search.
• Tap the “Artists, songs, or podcasts” field and enter a search term.
• Results appear depending on the search term. Tap one of the results.
• Tap the green play button to hear any song by this artist. You can’t choose a song yourself with the free version of Spotify.

While a song is playing, a bar with the title of the song appears at the bottom.

• Tap that bar to reveal more options.
• In the middle you will find the pause/play button. Tap to start or pause a song.
• Tap the right arrow to listen to the next song. With the free version, skipping is limited to a few songs. So only use this button if you really can’t stand a song.
• Optionally, tap the circle icon with a line to the right if you never want to hear a particular song again.
• Nice number? Then tap the heart icon on the right and add the song to your favorite music playlist.
• Tap the down arrow in the top left to return to the menu.

Playlists are ideal for storing music collections. Just for your own enjoyment or to share with others. Create a playlist like this:

• In the menu bar at the bottom, tap Library.
• Tap at the top left if necessary Playlists.
• Tap on Create playlist.
• Name the playlist and tap Create.

The list is now in the ‘Library’.

You can fill a playlist with music yourself. Adding a song to a playlist works like this:

• Find a song as described above and tap it. Want to add the song you’re listening to right now? Then tap the play bar at the bottom.
• Tap the three dots on the right.
• Tap on Add to.
• Select a playlist.

Delete a playlist like this:

• At the bottom of the menu bar, tap Library.
• Tap on Playlists.
• Tap the name of the playlist you want to delete.
• Tap the three dots under the playlist name.
• Tap on Delete playlist.
• Tap on remove to confirm your choice.

Do you still want to remove a song from the playlist? It goes like this:

• At the bottom of the menu bar, tap Library.
• Tap on Playlists.
• Tap the playlist that contains the song you want to remove from the list.
• Under the green button with ‘Shuffle’, tap Edit playlist.
• Tap the three dots to the right of a number and tap Remove from this playlist.
• Tap the left arrow at the top to return.

For example, share a playlist, album or song with others.

• Tap what you want to share.
• Tap the three dots on the right.
• Tap on To share.
• Choose how you want to share. For example via Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp or SMS. Click Copy link for a link to paste. For example in an email.
• The next steps depend on the sharing option you chose.