You can add MP3 files stored on your computer to Spotify using the Local Files feature

Spotify on Windows lets you upload MP3 files you own — music you've downloaded, recorded, or ripped from CDs — and play them alongside your regular Spotify library. These files appear in a "Local Files" section and sync across your devices if you use Spotify Premium. The process takes about five minutes and requires only that your MP3 files are in a folder Spotify can find.

This feature works only on the desktop version of Spotify for Windows, not the mobile app or web player. Your local files will not play on other devices unless you have Spotify Premium and have turned on syncing in your settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Local Files must be enabled in Spotify settings before your MP3s will appear in the app.
  • You need to tell Spotify which folder contains your MP3 files — it does not search your entire computer automatically.
  • MP3 files must be properly tagged with artist and song title information, or Spotify may not recognize them.
  • Local Files sync to other devices only if you have Spotify Premium and have turned on offline sync in settings.
  • Spotify plays local files at the same quality as streamed music, but they do not count toward your listening history or recommendations.

Enable Local Files in Spotify Settings

Open Spotify on your Windows computer. Click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left corner, then select Settings. Scroll down until you see the Local Files section — it appears near the bottom of the Settings page.

Toggle the switch next to Local Files to turn it on. The switch will turn green when it is active. This step tells Spotify to look for and display any MP3 files you add to your designated folder.

Choose or Create a Folder for Your MP3 Files

While still in Settings with Local Files enabled, you will see an option that says Add a Source or a list of folders Spotify is already watching. Click Add a Source to select a folder on your computer that contains your MP3 files.

A file browser window will open. Navigate to the folder where your MP3 files are stored, or create a new folder if you do not have one yet. You can create a folder anywhere on your computer — the Desktop, Documents, or a dedicated Music folder all work fine. Select the folder and click Select Folder. Spotify will now scan that folder for MP3 files.

If you have MP3 files in multiple folders, you can add more than one source by clicking Add a Source again. Spotify will watch all of them.

Make Sure Your MP3 Files Are Tagged Correctly

Spotify recognizes your MP3 files by reading their metadata — the hidden information inside each file that lists the artist name, song title, album, and other details. If your MP3 files have missing or incorrect tags, Spotify may not display them properly or may group them incorrectly.

To check and fix tags on Windows, right-click an MP3 file and select Properties. Click the Details tab. You should see fields for Title, Artist, Album, and Genre. If these are blank or wrong, you can edit them directly in this window. Fill in at least the Title and Artist fields — these are the most important for Spotify to recognize the file.

If you have many files to tag, consider using a free tagging tool like MusicBrainz Picard or MediaInfo, which can read and fix tags in bulk. This takes more time upfront but makes your local library much easier to navigate in Spotify.

Wait for Spotify to Scan and Display Your Files

After you add a folder as a source, Spotify scans it for MP3 files. This can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes depending on how many files you have. You do not need to do anything — just leave Spotify open while it works.

Once the scan is complete, your local files will appear in Spotify under a section called Local Files in the left sidebar. You can also search for them by name in the search bar at the top of Spotify, just as you would search for any other song. If your files do not appear after five minutes, close Spotify completely and open it again — sometimes a restart forces the scan to finish.

Add Local Files to Playlists and Create Mixes

Once your MP3 files appear in Spotify, you can treat them like any other song. Right-click a local file and select Add to Playlist to include it in an existing playlist, or create a new playlist just for your local files. You can also drag local files directly into a playlist from the Local Files section.

You can mix local files and streamed Spotify songs in the same playlist. This is useful if you have a rare recording or unreleased track that is not available on Spotify — add it to a playlist with similar songs from Spotify's catalog and play them all together.

Sync Local Files to Other Devices (Premium Only)

If you have Spotify Premium, you can sync your local files to other computers and devices. Go back to Settings, find Local Files, and look for an option called Sync local content across devices or similar wording (the exact label varies by Spotify version). Toggle this on.

When this is enabled, your local files will download to any other Windows or Mac computer where you are signed into Spotify Premium. The files themselves must be on your computer — Spotify does not upload them to the cloud — but Spotify remembers which files you own and makes them available on your other devices if those files exist there too. This means if you have the same MP3 file on both your laptop and desktop, Spotify will play it on both.

Local files do not sync to phones or tablets, even with Premium. The Spotify mobile app does not support local files.

Troubleshooting: Files Not Showing Up

If you added a folder but your MP3 files are not appearing in Spotify after waiting several minutes, check these common issues. First, make sure Local Files is actually turned on in Settings — the toggle should be green. Second, verify that your MP3 files are in the exact folder you selected as a source. Files in subfolders inside that folder may not be recognized, depending on your Spotify version.

Third, check that your MP3 files have the correct file extension. Right-click a file and select Properties — the filename should end in .mp3, not .wav, .flac, or another format. Spotify on Windows only recognizes MP3, WAV, and FLAC files, but MP3 is the most reliable. If your files are in a different format, you will need to convert them first using a free tool like Audacity or VLC Media Player.

Finally, restart Spotify completely. Close it entirely (not just minimize), wait ten seconds, and open it again. Sometimes the app needs a fresh start to recognize newly added files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play local files on my phone if I have Spotify Premium?

No. The Spotify mobile app does not support local files on any device — iPhone, Android, or tablet. You can only play local files on the Windows or Mac desktop version of Spotify. If you want to listen to a local file on your phone, you would need to use a different music player app.

What happens to my local files if I unsubscribe from Spotify Premium?

Your local files stay on your computer and remain in Spotify. You can still play them on the device where they are stored. However, if you had turned on sync across devices, they will no longer sync to your other computers — only Premium members can use that feature.

Do local files count toward my Spotify Wrapped or listening history?

No. Spotify tracks only the songs you stream from its catalog, not the local files you play. Local files will not appear in your year-end Wrapped summary or affect your personalized recommendations.

Can I add a folder that is on an external hard drive or USB stick?

Yes, but only if that drive is connected to your computer. Spotify can read from external drives, but it will lose access to the files if you unplug the drive. For reliable access, keep your local files on your computer's main hard drive or a permanently connected network drive.

Why does Spotify show my local file twice, or with a different name than I gave it?

This usually means the file's metadata tags are incomplete or conflicting. Right-click the file, select Properties, click Details, and make sure the Title and Artist fields match what you want Spotify to display. Save the changes and restart Spotify to see the update.