Does Spotify Work On Phones Without SIM Cards? (Explained)

If you’re a Spotify user then you’ll know that the wealth of content that its app delivers is hard to live without.

You may find that you want to get Spotify to work on all of your devices, even those without SIM cards.

In this article, we take a look at whether it really is possible to get Spotify to work on phones without SIM cards.

Here’s Everything you Need to Know about Spotify & SIM Cards:

Spotify functionality is not dependent on SIM cards and it can be used with an internet connection provided by WiFi. Using a SIM-free device will prevent you from using Spotify on cellular data, but so long as you download content to your device, you can still listen to Spotify wherever you go.

Can you Listen to Spotify Without a SIM Card on any Phone?

Old phones need not be chucked out and forgotten. They are still useful pieces of tech, even if you don’t actually use them as phones anymore.

Without a SIM card, your phone cannot make calls or texts because it is not connected to a carrier. However, it still can access the internet via a Wi-Fi connection and this allows you to still use many apps, including Spotify.

Both Android phones and iPhones can be used without a SIM card, however, it may be necessary to activate your phone for the first time with a SIM card.

Once your phone has been activated, or if it is an old phone that was once in use, you can download the Spotify app via a WiFi connection and continue your Spotify experience.

The phone sitting in the back of your drawer gathering dust can be used to listen to Spotify and so much more, all without the need for a SIM card.

Can you use Spotify with a Wi-Fi Connection Only?

Spotify relies on the internet for streaming music and downloading content from its library for offline play.

However, Spotify does not mind where you make your connection to the internet, which means you can most certainly use a Wi-Fi connection and stick to that alone. 

A stable Wi-Fi connection can actually be very handy because it does not use up your data allowance on your phone and, moreover, is a great way to download as much Spotify content as you want.

This is especially important if you are using a device without a SIM card because once you leave the area in which you are connected to the Wi-Fi, you will no longer be able to stream music.

Using a SIM-free device to enjoy Spotify will mean that you need to make the most out of your Wi-Fi connections and plan accordingly for when you’ll need music for offline listening.

Can you Listen to Spotify Without Cellular Data?

As you may have realized from the information above, it is definitely possible to listen to Spotify without using your cellular data, so long as you use a Wi-Fi connection.

It is worth remembering, however, that you will only be able to stream and download music in places with a WiFi connection.

Without a SIM card, you will not be able to use cellular data and, therefore, streaming music in the car or in places without WiFi will not be possible.

Nevertheless, Spotify allows you to download songs and podcasts for offline play. So even when you do not have access to an internet connection, you can still play the content that you downloaded previously.

Users on a Free plan with Spotify will only be able to download podcasts, whereas Spotify Premium members can download up to 10,000 songs.

You should be aware that it is necessary to connect to Spotify over the internet once every 30 days in order for your downloads to be renewed.

Will any Old iPhone Work with Spotify Over Wi-Fi?

Spotify will work with any old iPhone over the WiFi so long as it meets the minimum requirements for the app to run.

Spotify states that iOS 13.0 or later is needed for the app to run on your device. So long as your device can be updated to iOS 13.0 or later, you should have no problem using Spotify with a WiFi connection.

Please also check out our article with tips to solve Spotify freezing on iPhones. 

Does Spotify Store Any Information on the SIM Card?

Spotify stores both cached data and any downloads, including the app itself, on your device. The SIM card is not used to store any data from Spotify. 

In fact, according to the Spotify community forums, the devices that the developers use to test Spotify do not even have SIM cards inserted.

For troubleshooting tips, head over to our article about common problems with Spotify Premium not working on phones.

Final Thoughts

Using Spotify without a SIM card is not just possible, it’s also extremely useful. We’ve discussed how it makes use of old phones and turns them into dedicated music players, but using Spotify SIM-free is also sometimes necessary.

If you are traveling abroad and do not want to buy a local SIM card and are happy to rely on WiFi connections at your hotel, cafes, and restaurants, using Spotify without a SIM will be crucial.

Just ensure that you download all your favorite playlists, albums, and podcasts so that you don’t get stuck without them when you’re on the beach and no longer have access to the internet.

Sources

Will My Android Phone Work Without a SIM Card? 

How To Listen To Spotify Offline (Desktop And Mobile)