You can add songs to Spotify in two ways: upload local files from your computer, or save songs that already exist on Spotify to your library

The method you use depends on whether the song is already on Spotify or whether you have an audio file on your device that Spotify doesn't carry. If the song exists on Spotify — which is true for most mainstream music — you save it to your library with one click. If you have a local file (a song you recorded, a rare bootleg, or music Spotify doesn't distribute), you upload it to your account and play it through the Spotify app.

Both methods work on desktop and mobile, though the steps differ slightly. Desktop gives you more control over local files, while mobile is faster for saving existing songs.

Key Takeaways

  • Songs that already exist on Spotify can be saved to your library by clicking the heart icon or the three-dot menu, which takes seconds.
  • Local files (songs stored on your computer) must be uploaded through Spotify's desktop app and synced to your account before you can play them on other devices.
  • Your Spotify account can store up to 100,000 local files across all your devices combined.
  • Local files you upload will not appear in search results — you must navigate to them through your local files folder or a playlist you add them to.

Saving a song that already exists on Spotify

If the song is already on Spotify, saving it takes one action. Open Spotify on your phone or computer, find the song, and tap or click the heart icon next to the song title. The heart fills in and the song moves to your Liked Songs library. You can also right-click the song (on desktop) or tap the three dots (on mobile) and select "Save to Your Library" or "Like".

Once saved, the song appears in your Liked Songs and in any playlist you add it to. Spotify's algorithm also uses your saved songs to recommend new music. Saved songs stay in your library until you unlike them — removing them from Liked Songs does not delete them from playlists you have added them to.

Uploading a local file to Spotify on desktop

Local files are audio files stored on your computer — usually MP3s, but Spotify also accepts WAV, FLAC, OGG, and AAC formats. To upload them, you must use the Spotify desktop app (not the web player). Open Spotify on your computer and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to Local Files and toggle the switch to "On".

Next, click "Add a Local Source" and select the folder on your computer that contains your audio files. Spotify scans that folder and adds any compatible files to a "Local Files" section in your library. You can add up to five folders. Once added, local files appear under "Local Files" in the left sidebar — click it to see all your uploaded songs.

To add a local file to a playlist, right-click the song and select "Add to Playlist", then choose which playlist you want it in. Local files in playlists will play on any device where you are logged into Spotify, as long as that device also has the local files feature enabled and can access the source folder (on desktop) or has synced the playlist (on mobile).

Playing local files on your phone

Local files you upload on desktop can play on your phone, but the process is different from desktop. On iPhone, open Spotify, go to Settings, and toggle "Local Files" to on. The app then syncs any local files from playlists you follow — it does not sync files from your Local Files folder directly. This means you must add local files to a playlist on desktop first, then follow that playlist on your phone.

On Android, the process is similar: go to Settings, find Local Files, and turn it on. Android also syncs local files from playlists you follow. Note that local files take up storage space on your phone, so if you have many local files in playlists, they may use significant device storage.

Troubleshooting local files that won't upload

If you add a folder to Local Files but songs don't appear, check that the audio files are in a supported format: MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, or AAC. Spotify will not recognize other formats like ALAC or M4A. You can convert files using free tools like Audacity or VLC Media Player if needed.

If files appear in Local Files but won't play, make sure the Spotify desktop app has permission to access the folder. On Windows, right-click the folder, select Properties, go to Security, and check that your user account has Read and Read & Execute permissions. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Files and Folders, find Spotify, and make sure it has access to the folder containing your files.

If a local file plays on desktop but not on mobile, check that Local Files is enabled on your phone and that you have added the song to a playlist on desktop. Mobile devices sync playlists, not the Local Files folder itself, so any local file you want on your phone must be in a playlist first.

Limits and what happens to local files

Your Spotify account can store up to 100,000 local files total across all devices. This limit is per account, not per device, so if you upload 50,000 files on one computer and 60,000 on another, you will exceed the limit and some files will not sync. If you hit the limit, remove files from your Local Files folders on desktop or delete them from playlists to make room.

Local files are tied to your Spotify account, not to the device they were uploaded from. If you delete the audio file from your computer, it will no longer play on any device, including your phone. Spotify does not store a copy of the file — it only stores a reference to the file on your computer. If you want to keep a local file playable on mobile, keep the original file on a computer that stays powered on and connected to the internet, or use cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive and point Spotify to that folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a song I recorded myself to Spotify?

Yes. Save your recording as an MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, or AAC file, add the folder containing it to Local Files in Spotify settings, and it will appear in your Local Files library. You can then add it to playlists and play it on any device where you are logged in and have Local Files enabled.

What if a song is not on Spotify?

If a song does not exist on Spotify, you cannot save it through the normal method. Your only option is to obtain the audio file (download it, rip it from a CD, or record it) and upload it as a local file using the steps above.

Do local files count toward my monthly listening stats?

No. Spotify only tracks listening stats for songs that exist in Spotify's catalog. Local files you upload and play do not appear in your Spotify Wrapped or monthly statistics.

Can I share a playlist that contains local files with a friend?

You can share the playlist, but your friend will only see the local files in the playlist — they cannot play them unless they also have those same audio files uploaded to their own Spotify account. Spotify does not distribute the files themselves, only the reference to them.

Why do some songs not have a heart icon to save?

Some songs may be unavailable in your region or may have been removed from Spotify. If you cannot find the heart icon, try searching for the song by artist name or album to see if a different version is available. You can also check if the song is available in your country by looking at the song's page on Spotify's web player.