Quick Answer: It is easy to add local files to Spotify as long as you have the compatible audio files. Just go to the Spotify app's Settings, locate the Local Files section and proceed to import your own music files to Spotify.
On Windows or Mac: Open Spotify app, log in to your account, tap your profile, go to Settings, find Local Files, enable Show local audio files, then choose Add a Source and select the folder to import your local audio files to Spotify. After that, go to Your Library > Local files to locate them.
On iPhone or Android: Open Spotify app, go to Settings and privacy, choose Apps and devices, turn on Local audio files, then add your music files to Spotify.
"Can you add local files to Spotify playlist?" Yes. Spotify allows users to import their local music files to the platform for playing. In this case, you can create the perfect personalized playlist on Spotify. Now, let's see how to add local songs to Spotify library on your Windows/Mac desktop and iPhone/Android mobile devices. Let's go.
Part 1. Requirements to Add Local Files to Spotify
Before putting local files onto Spotify, make sure that you have met the following requirements.
1. The Latest Spotify Mobile or Desktop App
Make sure that you have installed or updated Spotify app to the latest version. In this case, you may avoid the Local Files option not showing or not working issue. Besides, the Spotify web player doesn't support Local Files feature.
2. Compatible File Formats and Store Locally
It is noted that Spotify doesn't support all file types. You may have the proper file formats for Spotify stored locally on your device, such as MP3, M4P or MP4 audio file.
| File Format | Supported? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .mp3 | ✅ (Fully Supported) | Works on almost all devices. |
| .m4p | ✅ (Fully Supported) | Audio only |
| .mp4 | Partial Support | Must have Apple QuickTime installed on your computer. |
| .flac, .wma, .wav | ❌ | Must convert these lossless files to MP3 first. |
3. Allow Spotify to Access Your Local Files
Make sure that you have allowed Spotify to access your local audio files on your device. If not, go to your device's app permissions settings to enable it.
Part 2. How to Add Local Files to Spotify iPhone/Android
If you use Spotify app on an Android or iOS device, then you may prefer to add and play local files on Spotify on mobile. Now, let's take a look at how to import local files to Spotify iPhone and Android.
How to Add Local Files to Spotify on iPhone/iPad
Step 1. Open the Spotify app on your iPhone/iPad and sign in to the same Spotify account you were using before.
Step 2. Go to the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Then scroll down and select the Local Files section.
Step 3. Enable the switch for "Local Audio Files". After that, go back to "Your Library" in the bottom-right corner of the home screen. Find the Spotify playlist with your local files and select the download icon.
How to Put Local Files on Spotify Android
Step 1. Launch the Spotify app on your Android device and select the "Your Library" section in the bottom bar of the app.
Step 2. At this point, you will be able to find a Spotify playlist or album that contains your uploaded local files. Tap on a local music track and you have free control over its playback.
Step 3. To download a playlist of local files, simply hit on the download arrow icon from the menu.
Part 3. How to Add Local Files to Spotify on Mac/Windows PC
If you are using Spotify app on your computer, you can refer to the following guide to get local files on Spotify library on Windows and Mac.
How to Import Local Files to Spotify on Windows 11/Windows 10
Step 1. Open your Spotify desktop app on Windows, and click on your profile icon and name in the top-right corner. Then select the Settings button.
Step 2. Toggle the Show Local Files icon in the Local Files section. Then click the Add A Source icon in the Music Library section.
Step 3. Select a target local folder in the Show Songs section and click the OK button. Go back to "Your Library" in the left column of the main screen to find the uploaded local files.
Step 4. Now, you can locate uploaded own songs in the Local Files section at the left-sidebar of Spotify's main interface.
How to Add Local Files to Spotify on Mac
Step 1. Launch the Spotify app on your Mac computer and log in to your personal Spotify account in detail.
Step 2. Go to the "Settings" section in the left sidebar and select the "Edit" and "Preferences" options.
Step 3. In the new window, scroll down to Local Files and toggle the switch next to it. Then touch 'Add A Source' to browse the files on your computer. Later, you can select the destination music folder, including the music files you wish to import.
Step 4. Local music will be added to your Spotify library for a while. Then you can find your uploaded songs in the Local Files option in the left column of Spotify's main screen.
If you want to add local files to a Spotify playlist, you can right-click on the target local audio file. Then choose 'Add to Playlist' to make it.
View also: How to Create Spotify Playlist
Part 4. How to Fix Spotify Local Files Not Showing or Working
Sometimes you may encounter issues like Spotify local files are missing, fail to play, stop working, etc. Now, you can check and follow the fixes below.
Issue 1. Spotify Local Files Are Missing/Greyed Out
Fix: First, check whether the certain songs are still exist. Make sure that these files have not been moved or renamed on your device. Also, ensure that the target folder is still selected as a Local Files source.
Issue 2. Spotify Local Files Won't Play
Fix: First, check whether the original file can work outside Spotify. If yes, remove the track from the Spotify playlist and add it again. Also, update and restart Spotify app and your device.
Issue 3. Spotify Local Files Not Syncing to iPhone/Android
Fix: Make sure your iPhone, Android and computer are connected to the same local WiFi network. Ensure that the Spotify app is updated on all your devices. Also, you must be using the same Spotify account and check that your local files are enabled on the desktop app.
Part 5. Tips to Use Spotify Local Files
With the tutorials above, you may have imported local files to your Spotify library. Here in this part, we will show you some tips to use your local files for Spotify.
1. Avoid Moving or Renaming the Added Local Files to Spotify
After imporing your local music files to Spotify, please avoid moving or renaming the original files. Otherwise, Spotify can not find the file and the track may be unavailable on your library.
2. Keep Your Music Files in One Main Folder on Your Device
If you have a lot of local music files that needed to add to Spotify, you should save them in one organized folder. In this case, you can tell Spotify which location to scan easily.
3. Backup Your Local Files in a Seperate Location
It is noted that Spotify can't be served as a service to back up your local music files. If your original file is deleted from your device, Spotify can't restore it. So, you'd better back up your important audio files in another location on your device.
4. Get Spotify Music as Local Audio Files
Some users may have found Spotify files' limits due to the fact that Spotify songs are encoded in a special format. If you want to get local Spotify music files and add them back to your library for playback without limits, it is best to download Spotify music as local files. Under the circumstances, you'd better turn to a professional AudFree Spotify Music Downloader to get Spotify local downloads.
In fact, this tool can download Spotify music to your computer locally whether you subscribe to Spotify Premium or not. What's more, it supports converting Spotify to MP3, WAV, FLAC and other common formats for offline playback on other preferred devices. As for the ID3 tags of the songs, it also keeps them intact for better management of your Spotify library, including artist, album, title and more. After that, you will keep Spotify audio as local files and listen to Spotify music offline anywhere and anytime.
Part 6. FAQs about Spotify Local Files
Can I Import Local Files to Spotify from iTunes?
You can't import iTunes library to Spotify directly as the iTunes songs are copyright protected and some songs may not be accessible. In this case, you can resort to AudFree Apple Music Converter to get the iTunes local files first and then add them to Spotify.
Do I Need a Spotify Premium Account to Add Local Songs to Spotify?
No. All Spotify Free and Premium users are allowed to import local audio files to Spotify for management and playback.
Can Anyone View My Local Files on Spotify?
Nope. The local files on Spotify are private and it is only visible to you. But if you add local files to your public playlists, then others will see them but not play them. In this case, if you don't want others to see them, you can make your Spotify playlists private.
View also: How to Make Spotify Playlist Private
Part 7. Summary
Whatever local files you have, you can easily add them to your Spotify library. Now, you can not only play Spotify tracks but also your own local music files via Spotify desktop and mobile app. By the way, you can download and save Spotify music as local files via AudFree Spotify Music Converter and then import them to your Spotify account for playback. Besides, if you encounter some obstacles in getting Spotify local files, please leave them in the comments section. We will give possible solutions in time.
Chief Editor
