Spotify lets you add MP3 files from your computer to your library, but only on the desktop app — not on your phone or the web player

If you have MP3 files that aren't on Spotify (unreleased tracks, live recordings, or music from independent artists), you can upload them to your Spotify library using the desktop application for Windows or Mac. Spotify calls this feature Local Files. Once you add them, you can listen on any device where you're signed in, create playlists that mix Local Files with regular Spotify tracks, and even sync them to your phone if you're on a Premium account.

The catch: Local Files don't sync to the free tier, and they won't play on other people's devices if you share a playlist. You also can't upload files directly to Spotify — you're pointing the app to MP3s already stored on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • You add Local Files only through the Spotify desktop app on Windows or Mac, not through the phone app or web player.
  • Your MP3 files must be stored on the same computer where you're running Spotify, or on a network drive your computer can access.
  • You need a Spotify Premium account to listen to Local Files on your phone; free accounts can only play them on desktop.
  • Other people can see Local Files in shared playlists but won't be able to play them unless they have the same files on their own computer.
  • Spotify supports MP3, M4A, and OGG file formats, but not WAV, FLAC, or other lossless formats.

Setting up Local Files on your computer

Open the Spotify desktop app and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to the Local Files section. You'll see a toggle that says "Show Local Files" — turn it on. Below that, you'll see "Local File Storage" with a button that says "Add a Source" or shows folders you've already added.

Click "Add a Source" and navigate to the folder on your computer where your MP3 files are stored. You can add multiple folders if your music is scattered across different locations. Spotify will scan these folders and index any compatible audio files it finds. This can take a few minutes if you have a large music library.

Once Spotify finishes scanning, go to your Library (the heart icon) and look for a section called "Local Files" at the bottom. Your MP3s should appear there, organized by artist and album name if that metadata is embedded in the files.

File format and metadata requirements

Spotify accepts MP3, M4A (iTunes format), and OGG files. It does not support FLAC, WAV, ALAC, or other lossless formats, even though those files may have better sound quality. If you have files in unsupported formats, you'll need to convert them to MP3 first using a free tool like Audacity or VLC.

The metadata in your files — the artist name, album title, and track name stored inside the file — determines how Spotify displays and organizes them. If a file has no metadata, Spotify may label it "Unknown Artist" or "Unknown Album." You can edit metadata using free tools like MusicBrainz Picard or directly in iTunes before adding the files to Spotify.

File names alone don't matter to Spotify; only the embedded metadata does. A file named "Song.mp3" with no metadata tags will appear as "Unknown" in your library, even if the file name is descriptive.

Playing Local Files on your phone

If you have Spotify Premium, you can download Local Files to your phone and listen offline. Open the Spotify app on your phone, go to Settings, and turn on "Show Local Files." Then go to any playlist that contains Local Files and tap the download button (the arrow pointing down). Spotify will download those files to your phone.

This only works on Premium accounts. Free accounts can see Local Files in playlists but cannot download or play them on mobile devices. You can still play Local Files on your computer with a free account.

Local Files take up storage space on your phone just like any other download. If you're running low on space, you can remove them from your phone in the same way you'd remove any other downloaded playlist.

Sharing playlists with Local Files

You can add Local Files to playlists and share those playlists with other people. When someone opens your shared playlist, they'll see the Local Files listed, but they won't be able to play them unless they have the exact same files on their own computer in a folder Spotify is scanning.

This is a significant limitation if you're trying to share unreleased music or rare recordings with friends. They'll see the track title and artist name, but clicking play will either skip the track or show an error. If you want others to hear your Local Files, you'll need to send them the MP3 file directly or upload it to a music platform that allows sharing, like SoundCloud or Bandcamp.

Troubleshooting Local Files that don't appear

If you've added a folder but your MP3s aren't showing up in Spotify, check these things first. Make sure the files are actually in the folder you added — sometimes files end up in subfolders. Verify that the files are in a supported format (MP3, M4A, or OGG). Check that the file names or metadata don't contain special characters that might confuse Spotify, like forward slashes or quotation marks.

Restart the Spotify app after adding a new folder. Sometimes Spotify doesn't immediately scan new sources. If files still don't appear, try removing the folder from Local File Storage and adding it again. You can also check Spotify's cache by going to Settings and clicking "Clear Cache" — this forces Spotify to re-scan your folders.

If you're using a network drive or external hard drive, make sure it's connected and accessible to your computer before opening Spotify. Spotify won't scan folders on drives that are offline or disconnected.

Keeping Local Files organized and backed up

Local Files are only as reliable as the storage they're on. If your computer crashes or your hard drive fails, your Local Files are gone — Spotify doesn't back them up to the cloud. Keep your MP3 files in a dedicated folder and consider backing them up to an external drive or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.

If you move your MP3 files to a different folder or computer, Spotify will lose track of them. You'll need to update the Local File Storage path in Settings to point to the new location. This is another reason to keep your files organized in one place.

If you're syncing Local Files to your phone and you delete them from your computer, they'll stay on your phone until you manually remove them. This can use up storage space without you realizing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add Local Files on the Spotify mobile app?

No. You can only add Local Files through the desktop app on Windows or Mac. You can view and play them on your phone if you have Premium and have downloaded them, but you cannot add new files from your phone.

What happens to Local Files if I unsubscribe from Premium?

Local Files stay in your library on desktop. You can still play them on your computer with a free account. However, any Local Files you downloaded to your phone will no longer play, and you won't be able to download new ones.

Can I upload Local Files to Spotify so other people can play them?

No. Local Files stay on your computer and don't upload to Spotify's servers. Other people can only play them if they have the same files on their own computer. If you want to share music widely, you'd need to upload it to a platform like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or DistroKid.

Do Local Files count toward my storage limit on my phone?

Yes. Downloaded Local Files take up the same storage space as any other downloaded playlist. If you're running low on phone storage, removing Local Files is one way to free up space.

What file formats does Spotify accept for Local Files?

Spotify accepts MP3, M4A, and OGG formats. It does not support FLAC, WAV, ALAC, or other lossless formats. If your files are in an unsupported format, you'll need to convert them to MP3 using a free tool like Audacity or VLC.