Getting Spotify for free? What I found while snooping around
There are a thousand “tricks” going around, but let me tell you what I’ve actually seen, no beating around the bush.
The easiest and most legal option: the one-month free trial
If you’ve never had Premium, Spotify gives you a whole month to try it for free. This is official and no trick. But you have to pay attention: they ask you to enter a card to sign up and, if you don’t cancel before the month is up, they start charging you for the plan you choose (like $12.99 per month in the USA or $6.49 per month in other places like Venezuela). It’s a clear deal, but you have to remember to cancel if you don’t want to pay.
For students or families
If you’re a student at a recognized university, things get better. You can get Premium for almost half price (around $6.99/month in the USA). It’s a real discount, not a scam.
The other option is to get in on a Family plan. If someone in your family or a close friend has one (for up to 6 people), they can invite you. But watch out, Spotify requires that everyone lives at the same address and sometimes verifies it. It’s not an option for just anyone.
Promotions with other brands are real, but with fine print
I’ve seen offers valid until 2026, like if you buy a new Xiaomi or OnePlus phone, you can get 2 to 4 months of Spotify free. This is an official promotion. The big catch is that it only works if you’re a new user of Premium. If you’ve already tried the paid version before, it doesn’t apply.
Another curious one is Microsoft Rewards. If you use the Bing search engine with a Microsoft account, you can get up to 3 months free. It works, but you have to use Bing and it’s meant for those who haven’t been Premium before.
And the most exclusive one: if you work at Starbucks as an employee, it’s one of the benefits they have. Crystal clear, but it’s not an option for most people.
“Modified” apps and shady methods
This is where things get ugly. There are “mod” versions of the Spotify app for Android circulating that promise free Premium. There are also tutorials that talk about changing the device ID to trick Spotify and create new accounts.
- My impression: These methods are a lottery. The modified app can stop working from one day to the next, bring viruses, or Spotify can directly block your account. Changing the device ID sounds like a huge technical mess and probably violates the terms of service. I don’t recommend it at all; the headache isn’t worth it.
If all else fails, think about this
The free version of Spotify exists and it’s legal. It has ads and some limitations on mobile (like not being able to choose the exact song you want in a playlist), but the music plays. Sometimes we obsess over jumping the fence when the door is open, even if it has some conditions.
The final decision is yours. You can try the official free month and cancel, look for a promotion that suits you, or settle for the free version. What I’d tell you is to avoid the shortcuts that smell fishy.