An Android Authority poll of 11,000 shows 57% still download music despite streaming services. Learn why local files beat outages, lost licenses, and lock-ins.
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Despite the dominance of streaming services, the habit of downloading music is still very much alive, and the results of a recent Android Authority poll make that clear. The survey was sparked by headline-grabbing news that an archival project had allegedly created a Spotify clone of roughly 300 TB, reviving the question of whether listeners have fully switched to streaming.
The poll drew an unexpectedly large response, with more than 11,000 participants. The outcome surprised even the organizers: about 57% of respondents said they still download music files. It suggests that for a sizable share of the audience, downloading tracks remains the preferred format, despite the convenience and reach of streaming.
The remaining 43% said they rely entirely on streaming services and don’t use local files. That choice is easy to explain: subscription platforms work on virtually every device, offer vast catalogs, and often include ad-supported free tiers. Where internet connections are stable, streaming really is the simplest option.
Even so, downloading has clear advantages. Local files can be played without a network connection—crucial when coverage is weak or data is limited. They also work across a wide range of devices, from older phones and MP3 players to in-car CD systems, and in any app, without being tied to a single service’s ecosystem.
There’s another factor at play: streaming platforms periodically lose content because of licensing changes, while in-app offline downloads require regular subscription checks and don’t let you freely move your tracks. For many listeners, that makes downloading the most reliable way to keep access to favorite albums and artists over time.