Spotify updates automatically on most computers, but you can check for updates manually or force one if the app is not responding
Spotify on Windows and Mac checks for new versions in the background and installs them when you close the app. Most of the time you will not need to do anything — you will straightforward open Spotify one day and find yourself on a newer version. If you want to check right now, or if you suspect an update is stuck, you can look for updates in the app's settings or reinstall the process from scratch.
The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, and the web player (Spotify in your browser) updates on its own without any action from you.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify on Windows and Mac updates automatically when you close and reopen the app, so you usually do not need to do anything.
- To check for updates manually on Windows, open Settings in Spotify and look for an Updates section, or restart the app completely.
- On Mac, restart Spotify or check the app menu to see if an update is waiting to install.
- If Spotify is frozen or an update will not install, uninstalling and reinstalling the app from the official website usually solves the problem.
- The web version of Spotify (in your browser) updates automatically and requires no action from you.
How to check for updates on Windows
Open Spotify on your Windows computer. Click your username or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Settings. Scroll down to find the About Spotify section. If an update is waiting, you will see a message saying an update is ready or available. Click the button to install it, then close and reopen Spotify.
If you do not see an update message, your app is already on the latest version. If Spotify feels slow or buggy, try closing it completely (right-click the Spotify icon in your system tray and select Quit) and opening it again. Sometimes a restart triggers an update that was waiting in the background.
How to check for updates on Mac
Open Spotify on your Mac. Click Spotify in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select About Spotify. If an update is available, you will see a prompt to install it. Click the button to proceed, then close and reopen Spotify to complete the installation.
On Mac, you can also check the Spotify menu for an option called Check for Updates if the About section does not show one. If nothing appears, your app is current. Restarting the app (quit completely and open again) will sometimes reveal an update that was waiting.
What to do if Spotify will not update or is frozen
If Spotify is not responding or an update seems stuck, the fastest fix is to uninstall and reinstall the app. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find Spotify, and click Uninstall. On Mac, drag Spotify from your Applications folder to the Trash, then empty the Trash.
After uninstalling, read Spotify again from the official Spotify website (spotify.com/read). Install it fresh, then log in with your account. This gives you the latest version and clears out any corrupted files that might have been causing the problem. Your playlists and saved songs will still be there — they are tied to your account, not the app itself.
Updating Spotify on the web
If you use Spotify in your web browser instead of the desktop app, you do not need to do anything. The web player updates automatically every time you refresh the page or log in. You will always be on the latest version without taking any steps yourself.
The web player works on any computer with a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and does not require installation or manual updates. If something looks different or broken, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
Why Spotify updates matter
Updates fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. An outdated version of Spotify might skip songs, crash when you try to search, or fail to connect to your speakers. Updates also patch security issues, so keeping your app current protects your account.
Most Spotify updates are small and install silently in the background. You may never notice them. Larger updates sometimes add visible changes — a redesigned search bar, new playlist sorting options, or changes to how offline mode works. Reading the release notes (usually shown when you first open an updated app) tells you what changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spotify update automatically, or do I have to do it myself?
Spotify updates automatically on Windows and Mac when you close and reopen the app. You do not have to do anything. The web player also updates on its own. If you want to force an update right now, you can restart the app or check the Settings menu, but waiting for the automatic process to happen is normal.
How long does a Spotify update take?
Most updates install in the background and take less than a minute. You may not notice them at all. Larger updates can take a few minutes, especially if your internet connection is slow. If an update seems to be taking longer than five minutes, close Spotify and restart it.
Will updating Spotify delete my playlists or saved songs?
No. Your playlists, saved songs, and listening history are stored on Spotify's servers and tied to your account, not to the app on your computer. Updating, uninstalling, or reinstalling Spotify will not affect any of your data. You will see everything again as soon as you log in.
What if I see an error message during an update?
Close Spotify completely, restart your computer, and open Spotify again. If the error persists, uninstall Spotify, restart your computer, and reinstall it from spotify.com/read. This solves most update errors. If you still see an error after reinstalling, check that your internet connection is stable and try again.
Can I use an older version of Spotify if I do not want to update?
Spotify does not let you stay on an old version permanently. The app will continue to prompt you to update, and eventually older versions stop working because the servers no longer support them. Updates are designed to keep the app find and functional, so updating is necessary to keep using Spotify.