As a full-stack developer and Linux Mint expert, I am often asked how to install the popular Spotify music streaming application. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the pros and cons of the two main installation methods: using Snap versus manually installing the .deb package. We will walk step-by-step through both methods, along with associated prerequisite repo configuration.
By the end, you should be prepared to:
- Understand the Spotify installation options for Linux Mint
- Add the necessary repositories to your system
- Install and run Spotify via either Snap or the .deb package
- Configure Spotify for first use, manage settings, and customize the experience
- Update and fully uninstall Spotify using best practices
So whether you‘re new to Linux Mint or a seasoned pro, you‘re sure to find helpful tips ahead for setting up Spotify just the way you like it!
Prerequisites
Before installing Spotify through either method, we need to ensure snap support is configured on the system. We‘ll also add Spotify‘s official repositories so packages can be installed directly.
Enable Snapd
Snapd provides containerized snap packages that bundle dependencies. Enter the following commands in the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) to set up snapd:
sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapdThis removes any conflicting files, updates repositories, and installs snapd. Type "y" if prompted to continue installing.
With snapd enabled, Spotify and other snap packages can now be installed. Snaps auto-update independently of the distro‘s built-in package manager.
Add Spotify Repositories
Although Spotify isn‘t included in Linux Mint‘s main repositories, we can add Spotify‘s official ones:
echo deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list
sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys 4773BD5E130D1D45This adds Spotify‘s apt repo for stable releases and the required signature key to authenticate the software source.
With prerequisites met, let‘s move on to the two Spotify install methods…
Installation Method #1: Via Snap
Thanks to the snapd configuration we just added, installing Spotify as a snap package takes one simple command:
sudo snap install spotify
The major advantage of snap packages is simplified dependency and update management. Spotify will auto-update itself in the background without needing manual intervention. Snaps isolation from the system also reduces compatibility issues.
However, there are downsides to consider with the snap approach. Performance may suffer slightly compared to native apps since snaps run as containers. Startup times can be slower as well. Also, removing snaps leaves behind configuration data that accumulates over time.
Overall assessment: For most use cases, Spotify via snap provides a quick, convenient method with automatic updates. Power users desiring maximum performance may still prefer manual .deb installs instead.
Installation Method #2: Manual .deb Install
The manual installation process takes a few more steps but offers increased performance compared to the snap method.
Install Spotify‘s official .deb package with:
sudo apt install spotify-client
This leverages the apt repositories we configured earlier to fetch Spotify‘s latest client release. Installation questions can be confirmed by typing "y".
With Spotify installed natively rather than as a containerized snap, you benefit from faster load times and lower memory overhead. System updates handle upgrading Spotify along with other packages.
The drawback of using apt repositories is missing out on automated updates that snaps provide separately. We‘ll cover update management more in a later section.
Overall assessment: For those who prefer native apps or need ultimate performance, manually installing the Spotify .deb package is ideal. You just have to be more vigilant about running updates.
Post-Install Setup
With Spotify installed and running, let‘s cover some important usage tips:
Initial Account Setup
Launch Spotify from the menu or by running spotify in the terminal. The first time opening Spotify, you‘ll enter or sign up for an account:
Browse the available music (free listening comes with ads) or upgrade to a paid Premium subscription within the app.
Keyboard Shortcuts
One major advantage of the native Linux client over web player is shortcuts for quicker navigation:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play/Pause | Ctrl + Space |
| Skip Track | Ctrl + Right/Left arrows |
| Volume Up/Down | Ctrl + Up/Down arrows |
See Spotify‘s settings to customize even more shortcuts available.
Preferences and Settings
Configure Spotify‘s behavior via the Edit > Preferences menu:
Notable settings like bitrate quality, autoplay, and offline device syncing are available here. Tweak them to best suit your listening preferences.
Updating and Uninstalling
Updates
Snap installs auto-update in the background without any action needed.
For .deb installs, run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade periodically to grab Spotify updates along with other system packages.
Uninstallation
To fully remove Spotify and associated configuration/data files, run:
Snap install:
sudo snap remove spotify
rm -rf ~/snap/spotify Repository install:
sudo apt remove spotify-client
rm -rf ~/.config/spotify
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list This removes the main Spotify package, user data folders, and any repo configuration we added earlier.
Summary
With Spotify installed via Snap or manual repository method, you now have full access to stream music on your Linux Mint desktop. We walked through prerequisites, install steps, post-configuration, and updates/uninstallation processes.
As a developer and Power user, I personally run Spotify via the manual deb package. But the simplicity of the Snap approach may outweigh the slight performance gains for many users.
Hopefully this guide has demystified the setup process and provided a few helpful usage tips as well. Let me know if any part needs more detail or if you have lingering questions!
