Hi, I'm Liam, a music producer with years of experience navigating the digital music landscape. I've spent countless hours exploring various platforms, including SoundCloud, to discover new talent and share my own work.

## Offline Listening on SoundCloud: Separating Fact from Fiction

The question of offline listening on SoundCloud is a common one, and the answer requires a bit of nuance. Here's a breakdown to clarify the situation:

The Short Answer:

You cannot listen to the entire SoundCloud library offline. However, SoundCloud Go+, their premium subscription service, **allows offline listening for downloaded tracks**.

Understanding the Difference:


1. Free SoundCloud Users: As a free user, you primarily stream music directly from SoundCloud's servers. This requires an active internet connection. You cannot download tracks for offline playback with a free account.


2. SoundCloud Go+ Subscribers: This paid tier unlocks several perks, one being offline listening.

* Downloading Tracks: Go+ users can download specific tracks, albums, and playlists within the SoundCloud app.
* Offline Playback: Once downloaded, these tracks are stored locally on your device and accessible without internet.
* Limitations: Importantly, not all tracks are downloadable. Rights holders (artists and labels) have the option to restrict downloads for their music.

Why SoundCloud Operates This Way:

* Music Licensing: The music industry involves complex licensing agreements. Offering unlimited offline listening to all tracks would require SoundCloud to negotiate significantly different deals with rights holders, which might not be financially viable.
* Protecting Artists: Restricting offline access for free users helps ensure artists are fairly compensated for their work through advertising revenue or Go+ subscriptions.
* Competitive Landscape: Other streaming giants like Spotify and Apple Music operate under similar models, offering offline playback exclusively for premium subscribers.

Important Note: While there are ways to download music from SoundCloud using third-party apps or websites, these methods are often unreliable, ethically questionable (as they may violate copyright), and potentially risky for your device's security.

In Conclusion: While SoundCloud doesn't offer universal offline listening, its Go+ subscription provides a legal and convenient way to enjoy your favorite tracks on the go, even without internet access.

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To make individual playlists available for offline listening, open the playlist and click the save offline button next to the Likes button. You'll see how many tracks are left to save for offline listening in the orange progress bar on the bottom of your screen on iOS, or in the pull-down menu on Android.read more >>