How to Install Spotify on Linux Mint 21/20

Spotify is a world-renowned music streaming service that offers users access to millions of songs, podcasts, and other audio content. Launched in 2008 in Sweden, it has since expanded globally, revolutionizing the way people consume and discover music. This introduction will delve into the key features of Spotify, its various plans, and the devices and platforms it supports.

Key Features

• Vast Music Library: Spotify boasts an extensive collection of over 70 million tracks, offering users a virtually limitless supply of music to suit their tastes.
• Personalized Recommendations: Spotify’s sophisticated algorithm curates playlists and suggests songs tailored to individual preferences, enhancing users’ listening experience.
• Podcasts: Users can access various podcasts, from news and politics to comedy and storytelling, all within the Spotify app.
• Offline Listening: Premium users can download songs and playlists for offline listening, making it perfect for areas with poor or no internet connection.

Plans

1. Free Plan: Ad-supported, shuffle play, limited skips, and basic streaming quality.
2. Premium Plan: Ad-free, unlimited skips, higher streaming quality, offline listening, and multi-device support.
3. Family Plan: All Premium features for up to 6 family members, with a family mix playlist and parental controls.
4. Student Plan: Discounted Premium subscription for eligible students, with access to ad-supported Hulu and SHOWTIME.

Device & Platform Compatibility

• Desktop: Spotify is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
• Mobile: Spotify has dedicated apps for Android and iOS devices.
• Web: Users can access Spotify via the web player, which is compatible with most web browsers.
• Smart Speakers: Spotify supports a range of smart speakers, including Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod.
• Gaming Consoles: Spotify can be enjoyed on gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox.

This comprehensive guide will further demonstrate how to install Spotify on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 with the command line and two separate methods: via the Spotify APT repository or utilizing the natively installed Flatpak manager with the Flathub repository.

Section 1: Install Spotify with APT

Step 1: Update Linux Mint

Before proceeding, the first step is to update your Linux Mint system, ensuring all packages are up-to-date to avoid any conflicts during installation:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Import Spotify Repository

The first installation option is to import the repository from Spotify and install it using the APT package manager. This method is ideal for most users, especially when keeping the package up-to-date.

First, install the necessary packages to install Spotify using the APT method:

sudo apt install curl libcanberra-gtk-module dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https -y

Next, import the GPG key by running the following command. This key is used to verify that the packages you’ll install are authentic and come from the official source:

curl -sS https://download.spotify.com/debian/pubkey_7A3A762FAFD4A51F.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/spotify.gpg > /dev/null

With the GPG key imported, you can now add the official Spotify repository to your system:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/spotify.gpg] http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list

Step 3: Update Package Lists

After adding the Spotify repository, update your package lists to reflect the newly imported repository:

sudo apt update

Step 4: Install Spotify

With the repository in place, you can now proceed to install the Spotify client using the following command:

sudo apt install spotify-client

Section 2: Install Spotify with Flatpak and Flathub

The second option for installing Spotify is to use the Flatpak package manager, which comes pre-installed on Linux Mint. Most likely, Flathub is already enabled on your system. This guide will provide the commands to enable Flathub, just in case it’s not present, and then proceed with the Spotify installation.

Step 1: Enable Flathub

First, ensure that Flathub is enabled on your system. Flathub is a repository for Flatpak applications that offers a wide range of software, including Spotify. Run the following command in your terminal to enable Flathub if it’s not already set up:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration if it doesn’t already exist, ensuring you have access to the applications available on Flathub.

Step 2: Install Spotify

With Flathub enabled, you can now proceed to install Spotify using the following Flatpak command:

flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client -y

This command installs the Spotify client from the Flathub repository. The -y flag automatically confirms the installation, streamlining the process.

Section 3: Launch Spotify

Now that you have the Spotify client installed on your system, several ways exist to launch the application.

Option 1: Launch from Terminal

APT Method Users

For users who installed Spotify using the APT method, you can launch Spotify directly from the terminal by entering the following command:

spotify

Flatpak Method Users

Alternatively, if you installed Spotify using Flatpak, you will need to launch the application using the command below in a terminal instance:

flatpak run com.spotify.Client

Option 2: Launch from Desktop

Launching Spotify from the terminal might not be the most practical approach for everyday use. Instead, you can quickly access the application from your desktop by following this path:

Taskbar > Sound & Video > Spotify

Example of Spotify application icon on Linux Mint taskbar:

Section 4: Getting Started with Spotify on Linux Mint

This section will cover some general tips, customizations, and other useful information to help you get started with Spotify on Linux Mint. These tips are designed to enhance your experience and make using Spotify more convenient and enjoyable.

General Tips

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize keyboard shortcuts to navigate and control Spotify more efficiently. Some common shortcuts include:
  • Play/Pause: Space
  • Next Track: Ctrl + Right Arrow
  • Previous Track: Ctrl + Left Arrow
  • Volume Up: Ctrl + Up Arrow
  • Volume Down: Ctrl + Down Arrow
• Global Hotkeys: To control Spotify even when it’s not in focus, consider installing a global hotkey daemon like playerctl or configuring your desktop environment’s hotkey settings.

Customizations

• Spotify Theme: Customize your Spotify interface with themes and skins. You can find various themes online, such as spicetify-themes. Use the Spicetify command-line tool to apply these themes to your Spotify client.
• Change Cache Location: To save disk space on your primary partition or to use a different drive for caching, you can change the cache location in Spotify’s settings. Go to Settings > Local Files > Cache Location, and then select a new location for your cache files.

Other Tips

• Enable Hardware Acceleration: For better performance and reduced CPU usage, you can enable hardware acceleration in Spotify. Go to Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Compatibility, and toggle the “Enable hardware acceleration” option.
• High-Quality Streaming: Spotify Premium users can enjoy higher-quality audio streaming. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Music Quality, and select the “High quality streaming” option.
• Private Listening: If you don’t want your listening activity to be visible to others, enable Private Session. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the Spotify client, and select “Private Session” from the dropdown menu.

Following these tips and customizations can enhance your Spotify experience on Linux Mint, making it more efficient, personalized, and enjoyable. Remember to explore the application and its settings to discover even more ways to optimize your listening experience.

Example of Spotify client was opened on a Linux Mint desktop:

Section 5: Additional Commands & Tips

This section will discuss how to update and remove Spotify on Linux Mint, depending on the installation method used. We will also provide some additional tips to enhance your experience.

How to Update Spotify

To keep Spotify up-to-date and ensure you have the latest features and bug fixes, use the following commands based on your installation method:

APT Update Method

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Update Method

flatpak update

How to Remove Spotify

If you no longer need Spotify on your system, use the appropriate commands for your installation method to remove the application:

APT Remove Method

sudo apt remove spotify-client

Remove the Spotify repository if you do not plan to reinstall the application in the future:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list

Lastly, remove the GPG key:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/spotify.gpg

Flatpak Remove Method

Uninstall Spotify and delete its data using the following command:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data flathub com.spotify.Client -y

Conclusion: Installing Spotify on Linux Mint

In this guide, we have demonstrated how to install Spotify on Linux Mint using two different methods: APT and Flatpak. Both methods have their advantages, and the choice depends on your preference and system requirements. Once installed, you can follow the tips and customizations mentioned in this guide to enhance your Spotify experience on Linux Mint. Keep your application up-to-date and explore additional resources to make the most out of this popular music streaming service.

Additional Resources and Links

To further improve your experience with Spotify on Linux Mint, we have compiled a list of official resources and documentation to assist you in troubleshooting and learning more about the application:

• Official Spotify Website: spotify.com
  • The official website offers information about Spotify features, pricing plans, and the latest news and updates.
• Spotify Support: support.spotify.com
  • Access official support articles and get help with common issues and questions related to the Spotify application.
• Spotify for Linux Documentation: Spotify for Linux
  • Official documentation on how to install and use Spotify on Linux systems.
• Spicetify GitHub Repository: khanhas/spicetify-cli
  • The official GitHub repository for Spicetify, a command-line tool to customize Spotify’s appearance and functionality.
• Flatpak Documentation: flatpak.org
  • Official Flatpak documentation to learn more about installing, updating, and managing Flatpak applications.