How to Unblock Spotify in 2025 and Get Worldwide Coverage
Spotify is the go-to streaming platform for employees and students who rely on the motivational boost of music to get tasks done. However, Spotify isn’t available in all countries, plus some workplaces and schools use firewalls to limit its access. That’s the reason we compiled this guide to show you how to get Spotify unblocked, so read on.
Written by Samson Kiarie (Writer)
Reviewed by Jackie Leavitt (Co-Chief Editor)
Last Updated:
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Key Takeaways: How to Unblock Spotify
- Browse to nordvpn.com and grab a 72% discounted plan.
- Download the app.
- Choose a server and connect.
Best VPNs to Access Spotify
- NordVPN — Cutting-edge security meets fast speeds. NordVPN’s best deal is available at a 72% discount.
- Surfshark — Affordable protection for the whole family. New Surfshark subscribers get up to 66% (plus 3 months free) reduced rates on long-term commitments.
- ExpressVPN — Intuitive protection for VPN newcomers. Get 25% off the first year with ExpressVPN, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Facts & Expert Analysis on Unblocking Spotify
- Spotify uses geo-restrictions to lock out residents of restricted countries and limit access to the music library in some regions.
- Some learning institutions and workplaces configure firewall rules that make Spotify inaccessible.
- A VPN like NordVPN enables you to bypass school or office firewalls and Spotify country restrictions to enjoy music anywhere, anytime, regardless of whether you have a Spotify premium account or a free one.
Listening to background music on Spotify while working or studying may boost motivation and mood, improving focus on a task. Yet, despite these benefits, some schools and workplaces block one of the most popular music streaming services. If this applies to you, you’ll need a VPN to get Spotify unblocked.
Maybe you can’t listen to your productivity playlist on Spotify at school or the office, but fret not. If Spotify is blocked in your country or you want to access Spotify’s library in a different region, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll discuss a workaround to help you unblock Spotify today (hint: it involves using a virtual private network). Read on to also discover the best VPNs for Spotify.
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10/26/2021
Cloudwards.net updated the article to include a step-by-step guide on how to unblock Spotify.
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10/01/2024
We updated this tutorial and reassessed the VPN positions based on our latest testing.
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10/22/2024
Updated to add PrivadoVPN as the best free option for Spotify.
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02/11/2025 Facts checked
Added more details for the best VPNs to unblock Spotify.
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03/06/2025 Facts checked
This article was updated with more details about NordVPN and how to access Spotify in restricted areas.
How to Get Spotify Unblocked for School or Work
If you can’t access Spotify at school or the office, the network administrator might have configured the firewall to block the app. That happens for several reasons, including:
- The school is under the impression that Spotify causes students to lose focus and concentration, negatively affecting their performance.
- Some workplaces deem Spotify to be counterproductive and think listening to music may distract employees, causing their productivity to wane.
- Spotify violates your office or school administrative policies.
- Some institutions block Spotify to save bandwidth costs.
The administrator blocklists Spotify on the network firewall such that any outbound traffic to the website or downloaded app is blocked. To do so, the firewall inspects the data packets you send out over the internet to learn their web destination. If it finds any IP address or source headed to Spotify, it automatically blocks that request.
However, using the Spotify web player at open.spotify.com rather than the desktop application can sometimes bypass network restrictions since school or workplace firewalls may not specifically block the web version.
Alternatively, if you’re unable to access Spotify through your school or workplace Wi-Fi, switching to mobile data or creating a personal hotspot can bypass network restrictions completely.
install a VPN to bypass firewall restrictions.
If you want to get Spotify unblocked at school or work, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to circumvent the firewall Spotify block with a VPN. A VPN scrambles your internet traffic in an encrypted tunnel so the firewall won’t be aware that you’re accessing Spotify. As a result, you’ll be able to listen to your Spotify playlists regardless of the firewall rules.
Make sure to enable split tunneling in your VPN to route only Spotify traffic through the VPN while keeping other applications on your regular network, which can improve overall streaming performance and battery life.
In addition, look for VPNs with a kill switch feature that automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your real location from being exposed and maintaining your access to Spotify.
We’ll use NordVPN — the best VPN service — to demonstrate the steps to unblock Spotify.
- Go to NordVPN’s Website
Visit NordVPN’s website and create an account. Then, select and purchase a plan. Longer plans offer the most value for the money. Follow the prompts until you get to the download page.
- Install NordVPN’s App on Your Device
Install NordVPN app on your device and log in.
- Choose a Server
Select a location where Spotify is available and connect to it.
How to Bypass the Spotify Region Lock & Country Restrictions
Spotify has approximately 365 million monthly active users in more than 180 countries around the world. Despite the extensive global coverage, there are some countries where you can’t access Spotify, including China, Ethiopia, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Cuba and Venezuela.
If you’re a resident of one of these countries, you’ll get the error message “Spotify is currently not available in your country” when you try to access the platform. Spotify checks your IP address to determine your actual location. If your IP address is related to one of the restricted countries, the system automatically blocks your access.
Moreover, Spotify offers a unique library for each region. For example, Spotify users in grayed-out areas like Belarus won’t be able to access some songs and albums available to their counterparts in the U.S. The service does this to abide by the copyright and licensing agreements it signs with artists and music labels.
some tunes and albums for copyright reasons.
How to Change Spotify Country to Access Any Spotify Library
Since the system uses your IP address to determine which songs to serve up or to block you if you’re in a restricted country, using a VPN may be the perfect workaround. A VPN assigns you an IP address different from the country you’re in.
For example, if you’re in China, connecting to a server in the U.S. tricks Spotify into thinking you’re accessing it from the U.S. This means you can access the Spotify library in any country and unlock a world of diverse music, podcasts and artists that may be restricted elsewhere.
With a VPN, you can also access Spotify’s audiobook selection, which might be geo-restricted in certain regions, expanding your entertainment options beyond just music. Using a VPN also enables access to Spotify visualizers and third-party visualization tools that might be restricted in certain regions, enhancing your music experience.
Besides bypassing geographic restrictions, some VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark offer built-in ad blockers that can enhance your Spotify experience by eliminating ads when using the browser version of Spotify. While these ad blockers don’t typically work on the desktop or mobile apps, they provide an additional benefit for free Spotify users streaming through a web browser.
An alternative method to bypass Spotify’s region lock is changing your DNS server settings to services like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1), which can sometimes help you access content without using a VPN.
Setting up a proxy server can also help mask your real IP address and enable Spotify access in restricted locations, though this method offers less security than a full VPN solution.
Spotify Free Account Restrictions
Using a VPN is beneficial to both Spotify Premium and free account users. If you use the premium service, the VPN enables you to access your music and podcasts anywhere in the world — even in restricted countries.
A Spotify Premium account offers additional benefits when unblocking content, including offline downloads that allow you to save music beforehand and listen without an internet connection in restricted areas. If you frequently travel between countries, downloading your favorite tracks before departure ensures uninterrupted access to your music library.
Typically, free account users can access their Spotify accounts for 14 days when they travel abroad. When that period is over, you’ll be required to change the location settings in your Spotify account and log in again.
A VPN removes the hassle of changing your location every time you travel abroad — you only need to connect to a server in your home country. Here’s how to listen to region-locked songs on Spotify using a VPN.
The 3 Best Spotify VPN Services to Listen to Blocked Songs
We examined various VPNs through the lens of speed, bandwidth and online privacy and security to determine the most suitable services for Spotify. Three VPNs came out on top, and we’ll discuss their strengths (and weaknesses, if any), starting with NordVPN— our best VPN for streaming music on Spotify.
1. NordVPN — Best for Countries Where Spotify Is Restricted
speeds to enjoy lag-free music on Spotify.
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is the top VPN for accessing Spotify, as it has a network of more than 5,200 servers to unblock the music service. It is one of the fastest VPNs and is not that expensive compared to services like ExpressVPN. You’ll find more details on why it’s better in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison guide.
For users in countries with strict internet censorship, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers make your VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic, effectively hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN. This is especially useful in countries that block both Spotify and VPN services, ensuring a smooth music streaming experience even under heavy internet restrictions.
NordVPN also offers solid digital privacy and security, which you can learn more about in our NordVPN review. It has an automatic kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, secure protocols and encryption, and DNS leak protection. The tools work in unison to encrypt your traffic and cloak your IP address to bypass Spotify geo-restrictions and firewalls.
The VPN also offers a setting that keeps your device invisible on the local network when connected to a VPN. This feature is particularly useful in school or work environments where network administrators might monitor devices, as it prevents potential VPN traffic leaks caused by operating system limitations.
One of NordVPN’s standout features is Meshnet, which allows secure file sharing of any size between devices. While not directly related to streaming music, this feature makes NordVPN a more versatile tool for students and workers who need to share files securely without size limitations.
If you primarily access Spotify through a web browser, NordVPN’s browser extension features location spoofing that can set your browser to use the location and time zone of the proxy server you’re connected to. This creates a more convincing appearance that you’re physically located in your chosen country, reducing the chance of detection when accessing region-specific Spotify content.
NordVPN recently introduced NordWhisper, a specialized protocol designed to bypass networks that restrict VPN usage. Unlike traditional VPN protocols, NordWhisper doesn’t have distinct traffic signatures that reveal it as a VPN connection, making it particularly effective for accessing Spotify in countries with sophisticated internet restrictions.
In terms of advanced security, NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature has evolved into Threat Protection Pro, which provides more comprehensive protection by blocking intrusive ads, preventing tracking and stopping malware before it can reach your device. When streaming Spotify, this feature enhances your experience by removing distracting ads and potential security threats.
An additional advanced security feature, the dark web monitor, has been enhanced to track up to 50 email addresses, monitoring them for data leaks. This provides additional peace of mind for Spotify users who want to ensure their streaming account credentials haven’t been compromised.
NordVPN has also implemented post-quantum encryption technology to protect your data against future cyber threats, including those potentially posed by quantum computing. This forward-thinking security measure ensures your Spotify streaming remains private even as encryption-breaking technology advances.
2. Surfshark — Best Budget VPN for Unblocking Spotify
Very Fast
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Very Fast
Surfshark is able to unblock Spotify from 100 countries. With fast speeds and unlimited simultaneous connections, you can share an account with your whole family, and you won’t experience any buffering or random disconnects. Surfshark is also one of the most secure VPNs and has a full security suite plan to protect your data.
As one of the most affordable VPNs, you won’t break the bank with Surfshark. This premium VPN costs just $2.19 per month on the two-year plan. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind. Read our Surfshark review to learn more.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Best Easy-to-Use VPN for Accessing Spotify
you need to enjoy uninterrupted music on Spotify.
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is another excellent VPN for Spotify for a good reason. It’s a high-speed VPN with an unparalleled ability to bypass geo-restrictions — the perfect combination for a Spotify VPN. Besides getting you into Spotify regardless of your country of residence, it ensures seamless music streams.
ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol is specifically engineered for streaming services like Spotify, offering the perfect balance of speed and security. Compared to traditional VPN protocols, Lightway establishes connections much more quickly, uses less battery and maintains stability even when switching networks, ensuring your Spotify streaming remains uninterrupted when you’re on the move.
You can read more about why we like this service so much in our ExpressVPN review. However, its biggest issue is the price — it’s more expensive than many similar VPNs. There isn’t a monthly plan, so you’ll need to commit for at least a year, though we recommend the two-year plan to get the best deal. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
Can I Unblock Spotify With a Free VPN?
We don’t recommend free VPNs because most of them aren’t trustworthy. They’ll claim to offer their services free of charge, but often engage in unscrupulous activities to turn a profit behind that facade. Some sell your data to third parties, whereas others are honeypots for hackers and snoopers.
Most free VPNs also impose strict bandwidth limitations that can cause buffering when streaming music on Spotify, making them less ideal for continuous listening sessions.
That said, PrivadoVPN — our best free VPN — defies the odds. Despite being free, it offers solid online privacy and security, and has 10 free server locations to help you bypass Spotify geoblocks.
In addition, it includes 10GB of data per month, which should be enough for streaming Spotify. Even when you pass 10GB, you’ll still be able to use the VPN for Spotify, but with reduced speeds and random server selection.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to unblock Spotify and access your playlists at school, work or in countries where the music streaming service is restricted. The key to unblocking Spotify is to find a secure and reliable VPN. When using Spotify on public WiFi networks, a VPN provides essential protection that encrypts your connection and shields your data from potential hackers.
While our top three VPNs for Spotify get the job done, we recommend getting started with NordVPN for its all-around performance. Take NordVPN for a test drive with peace of mind, knowing you can request a full refund within 30 days if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
After unblocking Spotify, you can also enjoy your music on portable Spotify players and other dedicated devices by maintaining your VPN connection or downloading songs for offline use.
Have you tried unblocking Spotify using a VPN? Which VPN services did you use? Do you listen to music while working or studying? Do you prefer instrumental music, or tunes with lyrics to boost your productivity? We’d like to hear about it. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ
To listen to blocked songs on Spotify, open your VPN and connect to a server where those songs are available. Log in to your Spotify account and enjoy the music.
Yes, you can. A VPN enables you to use popular music services in countries where they are restricted or to listen to songs that aren’t available in your region or country.
It’s super easy. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in a country where Spotify is supported. Next, open Spotify and create your account (if you don’t already have one). Choose the songs you want to listen to and enjoy.