Where Lightify keeps its files
%APPDATA%\Lightify (paste that into File Explorer's address bar). The sign-in lives in .lightify_cache, and settings in lightify_config.json.
// setup guide
Set up Lightify in about five minutes.
You do this once. For Lightify 2.1 and later. Lightify doesn't need the Spotify app installed or open.
// what you need
Windows 10 or 1164-bit
Spotify PremiumSpotify only streams to apps like Lightify on Premium
A web browserUsed once, to sign in
Create your Spotify app
Lightify signs in through your own free Spotify developer app. That keeps your login between you and Spotify.
- Go to developer.spotify.com/dashboard and log in with your Spotify account.
- Click Create app and fill in:
- App name
Lightify(or anything you like)- App description
- Anything
- Redirect URI
- The address below, then click Add
- APIs / SDKs
- Tick Web API
http://127.0.0.1:8901/callback - Accept the terms and click Save.
- Open the app's Settings and copy the Client ID. It's a 32-character code.
The redirect URI must be exactly http://127.0.0.1:8901/callback: no trailing slash, no https.
Signing in with a different Spotify account? New Spotify apps start in development mode, which only lets in accounts you list. Open your app, go to User Management, and add the name and email of each Spotify account that will use it. Your own account (the one that created the app) works without this.
Install Lightify
- Download the installer from the download page.
- Run it. The installer isn't code-signed yet, so Windows may show "Windows protected your PC". Click More info, then Run anyway.
- Choose whether to install for just you or everyone on the PC, tick I accept the licence, then click Install.
Lightify keeps itself up to date: when a new version is ready, a Restart button appears at the bottom right. Turn this off under Settings → Updates if you prefer.
To make sure the file wasn't changed on the way to you, compare it with SHA256SUMS.txt on the download page. In PowerShell, in your Downloads folder:
Get-FileHash .\Lightify_*_x64-setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256
Sign in
- Open Lightify. The first time, it shows the Spotify sign-in page.
- Paste your Client ID and click Authorise.
- Your browser opens Spotify's login page. Log in and click Agree.
- The browser shows You're signed in. Close that tab and go back to Lightify.
If the browser didn't open, or you closed it by mistake, click Retry.
Allow playback first launch only
Right after you sign in, Lightify's player asks Spotify for permission to stream, and your browser opens once more. Approve it. From then on, Lightify appears as its own speaker (Lightify) in Spotify Connect and plays on this PC.
// done
That's it.
Next time, Lightify opens straight to your library.
Good to know
Sign out or switch accounts
Close Lightify, delete %APPDATA%\Lightify\.lightify_cache, then open Lightify again.
Remove Lightify
Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Lightify → Uninstall. Your sign-in and settings are kept unless you tick Also remove my settings and Spotify sign-in. Your downloaded music is never touched.
Already have Lightify installed?
A new installer replaces the older version in place and keeps your sign-in, so you won't be asked again.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| "That doesn't look like a Client ID" | Copy the Client ID again from your app's Settings page. It's 32 letters and numbers, not the Client Secret. |
| Spotify shows "INVALID_CLIENT: Invalid redirect URI" | In your app's Settings, check that the redirect URI is exactly http://127.0.0.1:8901/callback. |
| "Spotify blocked this account for your app" | Add the account under User Management in your Spotify app (see step 1). |
| "Couldn't open the sign-in port" | Another Lightify is probably mid-sign-in. Close all Lightify windows and try again. |
| Music doesn't start | Make sure you approved the playback permission in step 4, and that the account is Premium. |
Downloads
Spotify playback login and the downloader login are separate. The first time you download something, open Settings, click Connect Spotify Downloader, then open Spotify and select OnTheSpot from the device picker. Once that connects, try the download again.
Downloaded tracks are saved to the download folder set under Settings → Downloader. The downloader starts when you use it and closes itself after five minutes with nothing downloading. Only download files you have the rights or permission to use. See the Legal / Terms / Privacy page.