You can add MP3 files to Spotify using the Local Files feature, but only on your computer — not on phones or tablets

Spotify lets you upload MP3 files you own and listen to them alongside your regular library. These files appear in a "Local Files" playlist that syncs to other devices where you're signed in, as long as those devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. The process takes about five minutes and works on both Windows and Mac.

The catch: Spotify doesn't store your files on its servers. Instead, it reads them from your computer's hard drive. This means your local files only play when your computer is on and connected to the same network, or when you're using the same device where the files are stored. If you travel or switch devices, those songs won't follow you the way your regular Spotify songs do.

Key Takeaways

  • Local Files must be stored in a folder on your computer, and Spotify needs permission to read that folder before the songs will appear.
  • Your MP3 files will show up in Spotify on any device signed into your account, but only when that device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
  • You can create a playlist that mixes local files with regular Spotify songs, and that playlist will appear on your phone or tablet when you're home.
  • Spotify works best with MP3 files that have correct metadata — the song title, artist name, and album information embedded in the file itself.

Step 1: Organize your MP3 files into a single folder

Create a new folder on your computer and move all the MP3 files you want to add into it. You can name this folder anything — "My Music", "Local Files", or "Spotify Uploads" all work fine. The folder location doesn't matter much, but keeping it in your Documents or Music folder makes it easier to find later.

Before you move files, check that your MP3s have correct metadata. Right-click any MP3 file, select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and look for the Title, Artist, and Album fields. If these are blank or say "Unknown", Spotify will have trouble organizing the songs. You can edit this information in most media players — Windows Media Player, iTunes, or free tools like MusicBrainz Picard all let you fill in these details.

Step 2: Open Spotify settings and enable Local Files

Open Spotify on your computer and click your profile name in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. Scroll down until you see "Local Files" — it's usually near the bottom of the list.

Toggle the "Local Files" switch to the on position. A new option will appear that says "Add a Local File Source" or "Add a Folder". Click this button and navigate to the folder where you stored your MP3 files. Select that folder and click Open. Spotify will now scan the folder and import any MP3 files it finds.

Step 3: Wait for Spotify to scan your files

After you select your folder, Spotify needs a moment to read all the files. This usually takes less than a minute, but if you have hundreds of songs it might take longer. Don't close Spotify or shut down your computer during this time.

Once the scan is complete, you'll see a new "Local Files" section appear in your library on the left side of the Spotify window. Click on it to see all the songs Spotify found. If some files are missing, it usually means they're in a format Spotify doesn't recognize (like WAV or FLAC) or the metadata is corrupted.

Step 4: Create a playlist with your local files

You don't have to use a separate Local Files playlist — you can add these songs to any existing playlist. Right-click any local file and select "Add to Playlist", then choose which playlist you want it in. You can also create a new playlist just for local files by clicking the plus icon next to "Playlists" in your library.

Once your local files are in a playlist, that playlist will appear on your phone or tablet when you're connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. The songs won't download to your phone, but you'll be able to see them and play them as long as your computer is on and connected.

What to do if your files don't appear

If Spotify scanned your folder but some songs didn't show up, the most common reason is missing or incorrect metadata. Open the file in a media player like iTunes or Windows Media Player and add the song title, artist name, and album. Save the changes and go back to Spotify Settings. Click the folder path next to "Local Files" and select the same folder again — this forces Spotify to rescan and pick up the updated information.

Another reason files might not appear is the file format. Spotify reads MP3, M4A, and OGG files, but not WAV, FLAC, or other formats. If you have files in an unsupported format, you'll need to convert them first. Free tools like Audacity or VLC can convert most audio files to MP3.

Playing local files on your phone or tablet

When you're home on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, open Spotify on your phone or tablet and look for the Local Files section in your library. You'll see any playlists that contain local files. Tap a song to play it — Spotify will stream it from your computer to your phone in real time.

If you leave your Wi-Fi network or turn off your computer, those local files will no longer play. You can't download them to your phone the way you can with regular Spotify songs. This is a limitation of how Spotify's Local Files feature works — the company doesn't store your files on its servers, so they can only play when your computer is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to local files when I'm away from home?

No. Local files only play when your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as the computer where the files are stored. Once you leave that network, the songs won't play. If you need to listen to files on the go, you'll need to convert them to a different format and use a different music player, or upload them to a cloud storage service like Google Drive.

What happens if I delete the MP3 files from my computer?

The songs will disappear from Spotify on all your devices. Spotify doesn't make a copy of your files — it just reads them from your hard drive. If you delete the files, Spotify has nothing to play. Keep your MP3 folder backed up in case you accidentally delete something.

Can I add local files to a playlist with regular Spotify songs?

Yes. You can create a single playlist that contains both local files and songs from Spotify's catalog. When you're home on Wi-Fi, all the songs will play in order. When you're away from home, the Spotify songs will play but the local files will skip.

Do local files count toward my Spotify storage limit?

No. Local files are stored on your computer, not on Spotify's servers, so they don't use any of your Spotify account space. You can add as many as your computer's hard drive can hold.

Why do some of my MP3 files show up as "Unknown Artist" or "Unknown Album"?

This happens when the metadata in the file is missing or blank. Edit the file in a media player like iTunes or Windows Media Player, fill in the artist name and album title, save the changes, and then rescan the folder in Spotify Settings. Spotify will pick up the corrected information on the next scan.