Spotify launched in India on 26 February 2019.
The launch marked Spotify’s entry into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing music markets. The service became available through its mobile and desktop apps, offering both free, ad-supported listening and Premium subscriptions. Spotify also added locally relevant features, including Indian-language music, Bollywood catalogues, and playlists tailored to regional tastes.
India was a significant expansion target because of its huge smartphone population and rapidly improving mobile internet access. However, Spotify entered a crowded market that already included services such as Gaana, JioSaavn, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. This is why the date is sometimes confused with Spotify’s launches in other Asian markets: Indonesia launched in 2016, while South Korea followed in 2021.
The 2019 date refers specifically to Spotify’s public launch in India, not to an earlier test, announcement, or licensing negotiation. The launch expanded Spotify’s international footprint beyond Europe, the Americas, and selected Southeast Asian markets.