You can add music to Spotify in three ways: upload local files from your computer, use Spotify's built-in tools to add songs to playlists, and create a local file library that syncs across your devices

The most straightforward method is adding songs you already own to a playlist. Open Spotify, find the song you want, right-click it (or tap and hold on mobile), and select "Add to Playlist." You can create a new playlist or add it to an existing one. This works for any song already in Spotify's catalog.

If you have music files on your computer that aren't in Spotify's catalog — perhaps a live recording, a demo, or something from an independent artist — you can upload those as local files. Spotify will then treat them like any other song: you can add them to playlists, play them on shuffle, and see them in your library. The process differs slightly between Windows and Mac, and there are some file format limitations to know about.

Key Takeaways

  • Songs already in Spotify's catalog can be added to any playlist by right-clicking and selecting "Add to Playlist" on desktop or tapping the menu on mobile.
  • Local files (music you own on your computer) must be in MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, or WAV format to upload to Spotify.
  • On Windows, you enable local files in Settings, then add the folder containing your music; on Mac, the process is the same but you may need to grant Spotify folder access.
  • Local files sync to your other devices only if you have a Spotify Premium account and have enabled offline sync for those files.
  • Spotify's local file feature does not work with DRM-protected files, such as music purchased from iTunes before 2009.

Adding songs from Spotify's catalog to your library

The simplest way to build your music collection in Spotify is to add songs that are already in the service. Search for the song, artist, or album you want. Once you find it, right-click the song title on desktop and select "Add to Playlist." On mobile, tap the three dots next to the song and choose "Add to Playlist."

You can add the song to an existing playlist or create a new one on the spot. If you create a new playlist, you can name it and decide whether it's public (visible to other Spotify users) or private (only you can see it). After you add a song, it stays in that playlist until you remove it, and you can add the same song to multiple playlists.

Uploading local files on Windows

To add music files stored on your Windows computer, first make sure your files are in a supported format: MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, or WAV. Spotify cannot read DRM-protected files, which includes most music purchased from iTunes before 2009 or protected AAC files.

Open Spotify and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to "Local Files" and toggle the switch to "On." Then click "Add a Source" and select the folder on your computer that contains your music files. Spotify will scan that folder and add any compatible files to a "Local Files" section in your library. You can add multiple folders if your music is spread across different locations.

Once local files are enabled, they appear in your library under "Local Files" on the left sidebar. You can add them to playlists just like any other song. If you want to listen to them on your phone or other devices, you need a Spotify Premium account and must download the playlist for offline listening on each device.

Uploading local files on Mac

The process on Mac is nearly identical to Windows, but you may encounter a permissions prompt. Open Spotify, click "Spotify" in the top menu, then select "Settings." Scroll to "Local Files" and toggle it on.

Click "Add a Source" and navigate to the folder containing your music. On newer versions of macOS, Spotify may ask for permission to access that folder. Click "OK" when prompted. Once you grant access, Spotify scans the folder and adds compatible files to your library under "Local Files."

If Spotify doesn't find your files after you add the folder, check that the files are in MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, or WAV format. Files in other formats or protected with DRM will be skipped.

Syncing local files across devices

Local files you upload on your computer stay on that computer by default. To listen to them on your phone, tablet, or another computer, you need a Spotify Premium account. Add the local files to a playlist, then on your phone or other device, download that playlist for offline listening. Spotify will sync the local files along with the regular songs in the playlist.

Keep in mind that local files only sync to devices where you have downloaded the playlist. If you delete the local file from your computer, it will also disappear from your other devices the next time Spotify syncs. The original file on your computer must remain in the same folder for this to work.

File formats and compatibility

Spotify accepts local files in five formats: MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, and WAV. If you have music in other formats like WMA or AIFF, you will need to convert them first using a free tool like Audacity or VLC Media Player. Most music you download or rip from a CD will already be in one of these formats.

Spotify will not read DRM-protected files, which are encrypted to prevent copying. This includes iTunes purchases from before 2009 and some audiobooks. If you try to add a protected file, Spotify will skip it silently. You can check if a file is protected by right-clicking it, viewing properties, and looking for DRM or copy protection information.

Troubleshooting local files that don't appear

If you added a folder but your local files don't show up in Spotify, first check that the files are in a supported format. Open the folder and look at the file extensions: they should end in .mp3, .m4a, .ogg, .flac, or .wav. If they don't, convert them using a free tool before adding them to Spotify.

Next, restart Spotify completely. Close the app, wait a few seconds, and open it again. Spotify sometimes needs a restart to recognize newly added files. If files still don't appear, remove the folder from Local Files settings and add it again. On Mac, also check that you granted Spotify permission to access the folder — go to System Preferences, Security & Privacy, Files and Folders, and make sure Spotify has access to the folder you're trying to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload music I don't own to Spotify?

Technically, Spotify's local file feature does not check ownership, so you can upload any file on your computer. However, you should only upload music you own or have the right to use. Uploading copyrighted music you don't own violates copyright law and Spotify's terms of service.

Will my local files play on Spotify's free tier?

Yes, you can add and play local files on a free Spotify account, but only on the device where you uploaded them. To listen to local files on other devices, you need Spotify Premium and must download the playlist for offline listening.

What happens if I move or delete the original file on my computer?

If you move the file to a different folder, Spotify will no longer find it and it will disappear from your library. If you delete it, it vanishes from all your devices. Keep the original files in the same folder you added to Spotify's Local Files settings.

Can I upload a podcast or audiobook as a local file?

Spotify accepts any audio file in a supported format, so technically you can upload a podcast or audiobook as a local file. However, Spotify is designed for music, and these files may not behave the way you expect — they won't have metadata like artist or album information unless you add it manually.

Why does Spotify say "Local File" instead of the song title?

This happens when the audio file is missing metadata tags — the embedded information that tells Spotify the song title, artist, and album. You can fix this by editing the file's metadata using a free tool like MusicBrainz Picard or MediaInfo, then re-adding the folder to Spotify.