You can add local audio files to Spotify on desktop, but not on mobile apps

Spotify lets you upload your own music files — songs you've recorded, rare bootlegs, or tracks not available on Spotify's catalog — and play them alongside your regular library. The feature works on Windows and Mac desktop apps, and on some Android phones through a workaround. You cannot add local files through the iPhone or iPad app, and the files must be in a format Spotify recognizes: MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, or FLAC.

The process is straightforward on desktop: you point Spotify to a folder on your computer, and it scans for audio files and adds them to your library. On Android, you can store files on your phone and import them into Spotify's local files folder. Your uploaded files sync across your devices if you're signed into the same account, though they won't play on devices where the original file isn't stored.

Key Takeaways

  • Desktop Spotify (Windows and Mac) can read MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, and FLAC files from any folder on your computer.
  • You must enable local file access in Spotify settings before the app will scan for and import your audio files.
  • Local files appear in your library and can be added to playlists, but they only play on devices where the actual file is stored.
  • Android phones can store local files and play them through Spotify, but the iPhone app does not support this feature at all.

Adding local files on Windows or Mac

Open Spotify on your desktop and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to the Local Files section. Toggle on "Show Local Files" — this tells Spotify to start looking for audio files on your computer.

Next, click "Add a Source" and navigate to the folder where your audio files are stored. You can add multiple folders if your music is scattered across different locations. Spotify will scan each folder and import any files in a supported format. The scan happens automatically, and new files added to those folders later will appear in Spotify within a few minutes.

Once imported, your local files show up in a "Local Files" section at the bottom of your library. You can search for them by filename, add them to playlists, and play them just like any other track. If you remove a file from your computer, it disappears from Spotify the next time the app syncs.

Playing local files across your devices

Local files sync to other devices only if you're logged into the same Spotify account and the original file exists on that device too. If you add a local file on your Windows laptop and then open Spotify on your Mac, that track won't play on the Mac unless you've also copied the file to your Mac.

This is different from Spotify's regular catalog, where the same song plays anywhere you log in. Local files require the actual audio file to be present. The most practical setup is to keep your local files in a cloud storage folder — Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox — and sync that folder to each device where you want to play them. Then point Spotify to that synced folder on each device.

If you're using Spotify Premium, you can download regular Spotify tracks for offline play, but local files cannot be downloaded in the same way. They play only when the file is accessible on that device.

Adding local files on Android

Android phones can play local files through Spotify, though the process is less direct than on desktop. First, copy your audio files to your phone's storage — usually into a folder like Music or Documents. You can do this by connecting your phone to a computer and dragging files over, or by downloading files directly to your phone.

Open Spotify on Android and go to Settings. Scroll to Local Files and toggle on "Show Local Files." Tap "Add a Source" and select the folder where you've stored your audio files. Spotify will scan and import them. They'll appear in your library under Local Files and can be added to playlists.

Keep in mind that local files on Android take up storage space on your phone, and they won't sync to other devices the way Spotify's regular library does. If you delete the file from your phone, it disappears from Spotify.

File format requirements and troubleshooting

Spotify accepts MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, and FLAC files. If you have audio in other formats — WAV, WMA, or AIFF — you'll need to convert them first. Free tools like Audacity or VLC can convert files to MP3 or FLAC without losing quality. Make sure your files have proper metadata (artist name, song title, album) so they're easy to find in your library; files without metadata show up as "Unknown Artist" or "Unknown Album."

If Spotify isn't finding your files after you've added a source folder, check that the files are actually in a supported format. Right-click a file and check its properties to see the file type. Also make sure Spotify has permission to read the folder — on Windows, this is usually automatic, but on Mac you may need to grant Spotify access in System Preferences under Security & Privacy.

If local files worked before but have stopped appearing, restart Spotify. The app sometimes needs to rescan folders, and a restart forces it to do so. If files are still missing, remove the source folder from Spotify settings and add it again.

Limitations and what you cannot do

Local files cannot be shared with other Spotify users, even if you add them to a public playlist. Only you can see and play them. If you send someone a playlist that includes local files, they'll see the playlist but won't be able to play those specific tracks — they'll see a grayed-out entry instead.

You also cannot upload files to Spotify's servers for backup or syncing across all your devices. Local files must physically exist on each device where you want to play them. This means if you're traveling and want to listen to a local file on a different computer, you need to have copied that file to that computer beforehand.

The iPhone and iPad apps do not support local files at all, even if you've added them to your account on desktop or Android. If you need to listen to local files on an Apple device, your only option is to use the Spotify web player on a browser, though this requires an internet connection and the file must be on a computer that's currently running Spotify with local files enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a playlist with local files with other people?

Other users can see the playlist, but they cannot play the local files in it. They'll see those tracks grayed out. Only tracks from Spotify's regular catalog will play for them. If you want to share music with others, uploading it to Spotify's catalog or using a different sharing method works better.

Do local files count against my storage limit?

Yes. Local files take up space on your device just like any other file. On a phone with limited storage, adding many large audio files can fill up your device quickly. Using cloud storage and syncing only the files you need can help manage this.

What happens if I move my audio files to a different folder?

Spotify will stop finding them. You'll need to remove the old folder from Local Files settings and add the new folder. Any playlists that included those files will show them as grayed out until you re-add the source folder.

Can I use local files on Spotify Free, or only Premium?

Local files work on both Spotify Free and Premium accounts. The feature is not limited to paid subscribers. However, you cannot download local files for offline play on Free accounts the way Premium users can download regular Spotify tracks.

Why does Spotify say "Local Files" but won't show any tracks?

Make sure you've toggled "Show Local Files" on in Settings, and that you've added at least one source folder. Also check that your audio files are in a supported format (MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, or FLAC). If files still don't appear, restart Spotify and check that the folder path is correct and hasn't been moved or deleted.