How to use the Spotify Web Player

You can avoid cluttering your computer desktop by not installing apps if you don’t have to. Some platforms like Spotify have a web-based version called the Spotify Web Player that you can use to enjoy all its features from your computer browser. There’s just no hassle of installing any software on your computer.

The web version of Spotify is called Spotify Web Player, and you’ll hardly find any difference in features with the application. So, in this detailed article, we will learn how to use the Spotify Web Player on your computer browser.

Can you listen to Spotify on a laptop or a PC?

We already know that the answer to this question is yes. Spotify has both an application and a web player that lets you enjoy Spotify on your computer or laptop. This guide will focus on the Spotify web player, how it works, and its difference from the software version.

Spotify has ensured that its web player has almost a similar interface to that of their application. In fact, it follows the concept of progressive web applications, meaning it can be used as the software version.

How to use the Spotify Web Player on your computer

The Spotify Web Player feature is a great choice for those who don’t have access to the mobile app or for those who just prefer to use their web browser. If you don’t frequently use the Spotify app, you can still easily use the web player feature because it is designed to be user-friendly. Additionally, the Spotify web player feature allows you to access the same library of over 80 million songs available in the app.

Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to access Spotify Web Player from your PC or laptop.

Step 1: Launch your web browser to open the Spotify Web Player on your computer. Then visit Spotify’s website at open.spotify.com.

Step 2: After that, select Log In. And if you don’t already have an account, then choose Sign Up to create a new account. You can do that with your email address or your Facebook account.

Step 3: You can login with your username and password or with your Facebook account.

Web browsers that support Spotify Web Player

Most well-known web browsers support Spotify. You can enjoy seamless online music streaming from your PC or Mac. Here are the browsers that support Safari Web Player:

1. Google Chrome
2. Mozilla Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge
4. Opera
5. Safari

Home page layout of Spotify Web Player

The Home page of the Spotify web player is personalized based on each user’s individual listening habits and preferences, providing them with an easy way to access the songs or podcasts they enjoy. As you listen to more content, the home page will update to reflect your current tastes. You’ll receive recommendations for songs from your favorite artist or genre.

As we’ve already discussed earlier, the web version of Spotify shares a similar interface to its app version. So, what you’ll see will be familiar and easier to navigate.

Search for a track on Spotify Web Player

Spotify offers access to a great deal of music and podcasts that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to find on other streaming platforms. With more than 80 million tracks, that number is huge. Despite the vastness of its library, you can easily find the song or podcast you are looking for just by using its ‘search’ option.

1. Click on the ‘Search’ option, and a text box will appear
2. Next, enter the name of the song, the artist’s name, or the name of a genre in the text box
3. You’ll be displayed a list of search results even while you are typing your search query
4. Select the track from the list

Once you start listening to songs from Spotify, you will start getting preferences and suggestions based on your listening habits on the home page.

Music streaming with Spotify Web Player

Streaming music with the Spotify web player is easy and convenient. There are almost identical features on the web app that you would find on the desktop app. You should look for the ‘More’ (three dots icon) option beside playlists or individual soundtracks. When you click on the ‘More’ icon, you’ll get a bunch of features. And they are:

Go to artist radio: When you select this option, it gives you access to a bunch of other songs related to the artist, playlist, or from the song that you chose.

Add to Your Library: This option lets you save the song to your library so you can access it later.

Add to playlist: With this feature, you can store the selected song in your personalized playlist. It can be an existing playlist of yours, or you can make a new one and store it there.

Share: This feature gives you two further options. First, you get Copy Album Link option, where you get a Spotify URL of your selected song. And the second option is the Embed album option. This feature lets you embed your chosen song on another platform, such as a website.

Save music on your Spotify library

On the “Your Library” section of the Spotify Web Player, you’ll find all your favorite songs, playlists, and artists under a single umbrella. You can save an entire album, playlists, or an individual track by clicking the ‘heart’ icon.

Moreover, you can follow your favorite artists by adding them. You’ll receive an instant notification when your followed artist releases a new track or album. Additionally, Spotify will recommend songs from the artist that you follow.

Find out about Spotify Web Player Hotkeys

If you are using the Spotify Web Player instead of the desktop version, you could try a bunch of hotkeys. However, remember that the hotkeys for the desktop application are different than those we are about to share with you. Moreover, the functions for hotkeys may vary from browser to browser.

 Nonetheless, the hotkeys are a useful way to control various functions of your Spotify Web Player with just your keyboard. However, you need to download the respective Spotify Web Player Hotkey extensions.

Google Chrome hotkeys for Spotify Web Player

First, you need to install the Spotify Web Player Hotkeys extension on your Google Chrome web browser. After that, follow the hotkeys below:

1. Pause or Play: Alt+Shift+P
2. Play Next Track: Alt+Shift+.
3. Play Previous Track: Alt+Shift+,
4. Save Track: Alt+Shift+F

Mozilla Firefox hotkeys for Spotify Web Player

First, you need to add the Firefox add-on known as Spotify Hotkeys on your browser. Once you have done that, follow the hotkeys below:

1. Pause or Play: Alt+Shift+P
2. Play Next Track: Alt+Shift+.
3. Play Previous Track: Alt+Shift+,
4. Shuffle: Alt+Shift+F
5. Repeat: Alt+Shift+R
6. Play Album: Alt+Shift+B

Download the Spotify Web Player as a shortcut

As the Spotify Web Player is made using the progressive web application scheme, you get a near similar experience as the desktop app. So, if you install the shortcut of your Spotify web player application on your desktop, then you can enjoy it as a desktop application. All you have to do is click the desktop shortcut and you’ll be directed to your Spotify web application.

Here’s how to install the Spotify web player as a shortcut on your desktop using your Google Chrome browser. You can do it by using other browsers, but we will focus on Chrome.  

1. Click on the ‘More’ (three dots icon) menu located in the top-right corner of your Google Chrome browser
2. Next, select ‘More tools’ from the list of options
3. Then tap on the ‘Create shortcut’ option
4. After that, a ‘Create Shortcut?’ window appears; there, check the ‘Open as window’ box and click on the ‘Create’ option.
5. Now you’ll notice the Spotify web player’s desktop shortcut icon.

Pros & Cons of the Spotify Web Player

The Spotify web player has benefits and drawbacks like any other application, especially compared to the desktop or mobile application. Here we will focus on some of the important pros and cons.

Benefits of the Spotify Web Player

1. Near Identical features & interface: Spotify web player’s user interface and features are not that different from the Spotify desktop application. Thus, allowing ease of operation.
2. Very Portable: Because of a similar interface to its application version, the Spotify web player is device independent. You can easily login on to any device and from any location and enjoy its full features.
3. Saves storage space: The Spotify web Player saves space because you are not downloading the app and the songs on your end device, in this case, your desktop.
4. Browser extensions or add-ons: Special hotkeys to control the functions of your Spotify Web player from your browser.
5. Block Ads on Spotify web player: While the Spotify application will display ads in its free version, in the web player, you can block them by using an Adblocker browser extension.

Drawbacks of the Spotify Web Player

1. No offline music playback feature: You cannot download songs for offline listening as you could on the app version of Spotify.
2. Streams at a lower Bit rate: The Spotify web players stream your music at a lower bit rate compared to its app variant.
3. No function control shortcuts from your headphone: You cannot use the features of your headphones to access your media playback shortcuts for your Spotify web player.
4. Get lower bandwidth:Free and premium users of Spotify get lower bandwidth when they use the web player compared to the app. The free users get 128 kbps for the Spotify web player and 160 kbps for the app version. And the premium users get 256 kbps and 320 kbps, respectively.

Reasons & Fixes for the ‘Spotify Web Player not working’ issue

Numerous factors could be at play if your Spotify web player isn’t functioning properly. In this section, we will find out why your Spotify Web Player is not working and the possible remedies you can try.

Outdated Web Browser

If you have not updated your web browser in quite some time then there is a chance the Spotify Web Player might not work. Moreover, it is a great practice to keep your browser up to date for seamless operation. Here are some of the compatibility versions for some of the web browsers:

1. Chrome 66 or higher
2. Firefox 60 or higher
3. Edge 18 or higher
4. Opera 49 or higher
5. Safari 12.1 or higher

Weak or no internet connection

It is one of the first things you need to check when your Spotify Web Player doesn’t work properly. Ensure that you are linked to a cellular or WiFi network. And check whether you’ve set your phone in the ‘Airplane’ mode.

Check your WiFi network

Sometimes shared or public networks, such as your school, work, coffee shops, etc., might restrict access. So, decide whether you want to use Spotify in such networks or remove any restrictions.

Playback Protected Content is not enabled

You need to enable this on your web browser, or else, you’ll receive warnings and error messages when playing the Spotify Web Player. Enabling it will let you play protected content on your browser without any interruptions.

Google Chrome users need to enter “chrome://settings/content” in the URL field. After that, select “Additional content settings” > “Protected content IDs” and check the box for the “Sites can play protected content” option. Now you’ll be able to play protected content on any site, including the Spotify Web Player.

Use Spotify Web Player in Incognito Mode

Sometimes when your Spotify doesn’t work on your browser, try playing it in Incognito mode. If it does, then the culprit is your browser extensions. So, disable the extension that is causing this.

Might need to clear the cache or cookies

Browser caches can be a cause for your Spotify Web Player not working. The best course of action for you would therefore be to clear the cache and cookies from your browsers.

Can I listen to Spotify without the app?

Yes, you can listen to songs and podcasts from Spotify without ever downloading its app. By visiting the Spotify Web Player site and logging in to your account, you can listen to all their songs. The features and functions of the web player are almost identical to that of the app.

Read also: Apple Music vs Spotify – Choosing the Ultimate Music Streaming Service

Is Spotify Web Player free?

Spotify has two features, a free version where you’ll get ads and an ad-free premium version with subscription fees. The monthly subscription for Spotify premium is $9.99.

Can I play Spotify offline?

You can download songs on your Spotify app to listen to them offline. However, you don’t have that feature on Spotify Web Player.

Wrapping Up

We have covered everything there is on how to use the Spotify Web Player and other helpful information. We hope you will find this comprehensive guideline very informative and helpful.

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