HostsEdit - Command line utility for editing Windows HOSTS file; Linux and Mac Users. Although I do not use either Linux or a Mac, I often get requests for 'How To' on that system, so here are a few resources: Block unwanted advertisements with /etc/hosts file on Linux; Mac OS X 10.2 or later. Spotify AdBlock - Host file. This is the most up-to-date list and will block all annoying Spotify ads & analytics. The original list was maintained by /u/CHEF-KOCH but his GitHub account got banned where he hosted the Spotify AdBlock list (dead link).
- The app should appear on your iPhone. Tap on it to open and enjoy Spotify Premium. Mac OS/Windows PC: Use Hosts File to Block Ads. This method is for Mac OS and Windows PC, and here we will be using the hosts file to get Spotify Premium for free and enjoy features like ad-free music listening and unlimited skips.
- For steps to edit the Hosts file and allow iTunes to communicate with the update server, see iTunes: Troubleshooting iTunes Store on your computer, iPhone, iPad, or iPod—follow steps under the heading Blocked by configuration (Mac OS X / Windows) Rebuild network information The hosts file may also be blocking the iTunes Store.
- The only solution for completely remove ads changing the hosts file is to stick with an older version (I suggest 1.0.95.289) and block updates, because in the newest versions if you add 'spclient.wg.spotify.com' to the hosts file you block some songs (among other things, radio, social etc.), if you remove 'spclient.wg.spotify.com' from hosts.
- Hello, Yesterday I wanted to connect to the mac os application of Spotify. But a problem has occurred and this page is displayed: What should I do? × Close We use cookies to.
- Remove ads on Spotify using hosts file (Windows only) How does it work? You block Spotify ads by blocking ad servers on your computer using a file called 'hosts' (C: Windows System32 drivers etc): you give a fake IP address to a domain.
Use the app to play music files stored on your device, which we call local files.
/how-bad-are-ads-on-free-spotify.html. Note: Files or downloads from illegal sources are not permitted.
For: Premium
- On desktop, import your local files (with the 'Desktop' steps).
- Add the files to a new playlist.
- Log in on your mobile or tablet using the same WiFi as your desktop.
- Go to Settings > Local Files and switch on Local audio files.
Note: You need to allow Spotify to find devices in the prompt that shows. - Download the playlist with your local files.
Didn’t work?
Make sure:
- You're logged in to the same account on both your desktop and mobile
- Your devices are connected to the same WiFi network
- The app is up-to-date on both devices
- Your device is up-to-date
- The Spotify app has access to your local network. Check in your iPhone/iPad settings under Spotify
For: Premium
- On desktop, import your local files (with the 'Desktop' steps).
- Add the files to a new playlist.
- Log in on your mobile or tablet using the same WiFi as your desktop.
- Download the playlist with your local files.
Didn’t work?
Make sure:
- You're logged in to the same account on both your desktop and mobile
- Your devices are connected to the same WiFi network
- The app is up-to-date on both devices
- Your device is up-to-date
- Click , then Settings.
- Scroll to Local Files and switch Show Local Files on.
- Switch off any sources you don't want.
- Click ADD A SOURCE to select another folder.
Music from that folder is now in Local Files in the menu on the left.
Supported file types
Note: Some of your files may be protected in restricted formats. Install QuickTime on your computer to allow most of these tracks to be played on Spotify.
- .mp3
- .m4p (unless it contains video)
- .mp4 (if QuickTime is installed on your computer)
The iTunes lossless format (M4A) isn't supported.
If your file isn’t supported, we do our best to match it with songs from the Spotify catalog. The version we match with might differ from the original.
Last updated: 24 September, 2020
Community Answers
Play 'local files' on my mobile device
What's the easiest way to be able to play 'local files' that reside on my desktop device on my mobile? After bringing them in to the desktop Spotify client as a playlist I'm able to play them there, a..
How do you add Local Files to the Desktop app?
Answer: We have an extensive record collection, but if the track you’re after hasn’t found its way on to Spotify yet, don’t worry! You can add any personal music you have with a feature..
Can you upload your own music?
Yeah, I've tried to figure it out but I can't seem to find how I have to do it anywhere.
More at the Community
While Spotify is letting us listen to streaming music completely for free, it's at the same time appending some restrictions to our listening experience. One of the most annoying things could be the ads that will randomly appear in the songs during the playback. To get ad-free music, Spotify encourages us to upgrade from free to its premium service by paying $9.99 monthly. In fact, except for subscribing to Spotify premium, there are more ways to block Spotify ads. Here are the top 4 Spotify ad-blocking methods you can follow.
Method 1. Block Ads on Spotify by Upgrading to Spotify Premium
The most popular way to remove ads on Spotify is to upgrade Spotify free account to Premium version, which will requires $9.99 monthly subscription fee. After subscribing to Spotify Premium, you'll be able to listen to any Spotify track, album and playlist without ads in 320kbps high quality, as well as to download Spotify music offline on any device.
Tutorial: How to Get Spotify Premium
Step 1. Go to homepage of Spotify official site. Find 'Get Spotify Premium' option from the page and click it.
Step 2. Spotify offers a 3-month trial plan that costs $0.99 a month for you to try the service before you decided to keep the premium subscription. Choose your payment method and enter the info and details as it requires.
Step 3. Click 'Start My Spotify Premium' button at the end of the page to complete the subscription.
Note: You can cancel the premium membership anytime during the 3-month trial. If you don't cancel before the trial ends, you will be charged $9.99 + applicable tax each month by Spotify.
Method 2. Download Spotify Songs with Spotify Ad Blocker
Thanks to the fast growth of some 3rd-party Spotify music downloading services, blocking ads in Spotify has become possible and easy even without getting Spotify premium account. In other words, with these powerful tools, you'll be able to download ad-free Spotify music offline with even free account.
TunesKit Spotify Music Converter is such a smart ad blocker for Spotify that can remove the ads from Spotify songs while downloading Spotify music as MP3. It works with both free and premium users and only needs a few clicks to download any Spotify track, album or playlist offline. Besides, while removing ads, it also keeps the original sound quality and ID3 tags, including 320kbps bit rate, artist, title, date, etc. of every piece of Spotify songs.
Tutorial: How to Get Spotify Ad Free with TunesKit Spotify Ad Blocker
Step 1. Download and install TunesKit Spotify Music Converter on your computer. It works with the latest Mac and Windows OS, as well as the most up-to-date Spotify app.
Step 2. Open the program and it will launch Spotify app simultaneously. After that, browse the Spotify account and drag any track/album/playlist to TunesKit interface.
Step 3. Click 'Preferences' from top menu bar and select the output format as MP3 or AAC, WAV, FLAC, etc. Make changes to the bit rate, sample rate, audio channel if you like.
Step 4. Click 'Convert' button and wait for a while till the process completes. Then you'll be able to enjoy the ad-free Spotify songs offline on any MP3 player or mobile device.
- See Also: How to Remove Ads from Spotify with TunesKit Spotify Ad Blocker
Method 3. Block Spotify Ads with Free Spotify Ad Blocker
In case you are looking for free ways to skip ads on Spotify, we also provide two most popular Spotify ad blocker freeware that you can have a try.
1. EZBlocker
Rather than a free Spotify ad blocker, EZBlocker is more like an ad muter for Spotify which blocks ads on Spotify from loading. To be specific, whenever an ad loads upon the playback of Spotify track, EZBlocker will pause Spotify in the background until the ad is over. As a pure ad blocking tool for Spotify, EZBlocker only mutes the ads without affecting other sounds at all.
There's no setup required. To use the app, you can simply drag it to any folder and run. The following guide will show you how to install EZBlocker on your computer in order to mute ads in Spotify.
Tutorial: How to Remove Ads on Spotify with EZBlocker
Step 1. Download EZBlocker from its official site. Make sure you are running Windows 8/10 or Windows 7 with .NET Framework 4.5+.
Step 2. Right click the EZBlocker.exe and select 'Run as Administrator'.
Step 3. Then it will start Spotify app automatically. You can start playing any track and it will then mute the ads from Spotify music in the background.
Tips: Although EZBlocker is free in blocking Spotify ads, it sometimes may not work as stably as expected. For instance, it might accidentally mute a song instead of ad.
2. StopAd
As another free ad blocker for Spotify, StopAd is able to block ads in Spotify desktop app on Windows and Mac, as well as in Spotify web player. But it currently doesn't block audio advertisements in the Spotify mobile app yet.
Tutorial 1: How to Block Ads in Spotify Desktop App
Step 1. Download and install StopAd application on your computer.
Step 2. Open the program, navigate to 'Settings' in the bottom left corner of StopAd main window.
Step 3. Click 'Applications' > 'Search app'. Then enter Spotify.
Step 4. Check-mark it and then click 'Add to filtering'.
Tutorial 2: How to Block Ads in Spotify Web Player
Step 1. Install Web Assistant from StopAd.
Step 2. Launch the app, click on the green/grey hand at the bottom left corner, on the right from 'Ad Blocker' click on the green button and enable 'Ad Blocker'.
Step 3. Then you can add or remove any site like Spotify from the list so that it will block the ads for Spotify web player when you are using it.
Method 4. Block Ads in Spotify by Modifying Host File
Does spotify limit the amount of songs you can download. Another popular way to block ads for Spotify is revising the host file on your Windows or Mac.
Step 1. If you are using Windows OS, go to C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts. For Mac users, you should open the host file in Terminal by typing vim /etc/hosts or sudo nano /etc/hosts.
Step 2. Open the host file and then paste this list at the bottom of the file. Save the edited file.
Step 3. Launch Spotify and start playing the track or playlist with no ads.
Spotify Mac Download
Conclusion & Suggestion
All those 4 methods work great in helping you remove ads from Spotify music. If you don't mind paying extra money, upgrading to Premium or buying TunesKit Spotify Music Downloader is highly recommended as you are able to enjoy the extreme high quality of the Spotify music without ads. But if you prefer to free solutions, the EZBlocker and StopAd could be better options.
Spotify Hosts File Mac
Or do you have any other app or software that could block Spotify ads efficiently? Why not share it in comments here?
Mac Spotify Host Files App
Matt Smith is an amateur writer engaged in Tuneskit in 2013. He is a movie lover who write a lot of movie reviews for many websites and blogs.