How To Install the Spotify Preview Client On Ubuntu

Now that Spotify is available in the U.S., geeks and music lovers alike are flocking to the platform. But Spotify only officially supports Windows and OS X. Here's how to install the Spotify preview client on Ubuntu Linux 11.04.

Note: This How To works on Debian distributions only. If you follow the instructions on its website, you can't download the client via Aptitude. Follow these steps to download the deb files to install the client on an Ubuntu 11.04.

To get started, download the latest version of the spotify-client-gnome-support deb file, and the latest version of the spotify-client-qt deb file.

Double-click on the spotify-client-qt deb file to open it. When the software loads the file, click on Install.

Once that is finished, repeat the above steps with the spotify-client-gnome-support deb file.

Now that you've installed Spotify, launch it by searching for Spotify in Unity.

Or, this is easier, open the terminal and type: spotify.

Hit Enter.

Once Spotify launches, log in. Now you can hear your favorite and off-the-beaten track tunes on your Linux machine.

Note: At this time, Ubuntu supports paid versions of Spotify only.

I'll keep you updated on different ways to install Spotify on Linux. For now, use the instructions above. This is the easiest way I've found.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Eric Finkenbiner is a senior contributor at BYTE. Follow him Follow him @mybrotherischad or email him at Eric.Finkenbiner@BYTE.com.