Spotify Local Files lets you play MP3s you own alongside your Spotify library

Spotify's Local Files feature lets you add MP3 files stored on your computer to your Spotify library on Windows. When you enable Local Files, Spotify scans folders you choose, finds the MP3s inside, and lets you play them in playlists alongside songs from Spotify's catalog. The files stay on your computer — Spotify doesn't upload them or store them in the cloud.

This works only on the Spotify desktop app for Windows, not the web player or phone apps. You need a Spotify account (free or paid), and the MP3 files must be in a folder on your computer that Spotify can access. Once you set it up, your local files appear in a "Local Files" section in your library.

Key Takeaways

  • Local Files only works on the Windows desktop app, not on Spotify's web player or mobile apps.
  • You must enable Local Files in Spotify settings, then point Spotify to the folder where your MP3s are stored.
  • Spotify scans the folder automatically, so new MP3s you add later will appear in your library without extra steps.
  • Local files play on your computer and any other device where you sign in with the same Spotify account, as long as that device has the files stored locally.

Enable Local Files in Spotify settings

Open Spotify on your Windows computer and go to the settings menu. Click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top left, then select Settings. Scroll down to the Local Files section. You will see a toggle switch next to "Local Files" — click it to turn it on.

Once Local Files is enabled, Spotify shows you a button labeled Add a Local Folder. Click this button and a file browser window opens. Navigate to the folder on your computer where your MP3 files are stored, select it, and click Select Folder. Spotify will scan that folder and any subfolders inside it for MP3 files.

Organize your MP3 files so Spotify recognizes them

Spotify reads MP3 files more reliably when they have proper metadata — the information tags inside the file that list the song title, artist name, and album. If your MP3s are missing this information, Spotify may not display them correctly or may not find them at all.

Before adding files to Spotify, open them in a music player or metadata editor like MediaInfo (free) or MusicBrainz Picard (free) and check that each file has an artist name and song title filled in. If the tags are blank, fill them in. You can also organize your files into subfolders by artist or album — Spotify will respect that structure when it displays your local files.

Find your local files in the Spotify library

After Spotify finishes scanning, go to your library by clicking Your Library in the left sidebar. Scroll down and you will see a section called Local Files. Click on it to see all the MP3s Spotify found. You can also search for a specific local file using the search bar at the top of Spotify — if the file has proper metadata, it will appear in the search results.

Local files appear with a small computer icon next to the song name, so you can tell them apart from Spotify's catalog. You can add them to playlists, create a dedicated playlist for local files only, or play them individually. When you add a local file to a playlist, that playlist will only play the local file on devices where the file is stored.

What happens when you play local files on other devices

If you sign into Spotify on another Windows computer with the same account, you can see your local files in your library, but you can only play them if that computer also has the same MP3 files in the same folder location. Spotify does not sync the files between devices — it only recognizes files that are physically stored on each device.

Local files do not work on Spotify's mobile apps or web player at all. If you create a playlist that includes both local files and Spotify songs, the Spotify songs will play on your phone, but the local files will skip. This is a limitation of how Spotify's licensing works — local files are your own files, so Spotify can only play them on devices where you own the file.

Troubleshoot files that don't appear in Spotify

If you added a folder but some MP3s are not showing up, check that the files have proper metadata tags. Open the file in a music player, right-click it, and select Properties or Details to see if the artist and title fields are filled in. Files with missing or incomplete tags often do not appear in Spotify's scan.

You can also try removing the folder from Spotify and re-adding it. Go back to Settings, find Local Files, and click the X next to the folder you added. Then click Add a Local Folder again and select the same folder. Spotify will re-scan it. If files still do not appear after re-scanning, the files may be in a format Spotify does not support — Spotify works with MP3, M4A, and OGG files, but not WAV or FLAC.

Move or delete local files without breaking your playlists

If you move an MP3 file to a different folder on your computer, Spotify will lose track of it and the song will stop playing in your playlists. To avoid this, keep your local files in the same folder you added to Spotify. If you need to reorganize, move the files while Spotify is closed, then remove and re-add the folder in Spotify settings.

If you delete an MP3 file from your computer, Spotify will remove it from your library automatically the next time you open the app. Any playlists that included that file will show a greyed-out entry where the song used to be. You can delete that entry from the playlist manually, or leave it there — it will not play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Local Files on Spotify's web player or phone app?

No. Local Files only works on the Spotify desktop app for Windows and Mac. The web player and mobile apps cannot access files stored on your computer. If a playlist includes local files, those songs will skip when you play the playlist on your phone.

Do I need Spotify Premium to use Local Files?

No. Local Files works on both free and Premium accounts. You can add and play your own MP3 files regardless of which plan you have.

What file formats does Spotify accept for local files?

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

If I add a new MP3 to the folder, will Spotify find it automatically?

Spotify scans the folder periodically, so new files usually appear within a few minutes. If a file does not show up right away, close and reopen Spotify to force a manual scan.

Can I share a playlist with local files with someone else?

You can share the playlist link, but the other person will only hear the Spotify songs in it. The local files will skip for them unless they also have those same MP3 files stored on their computer in the same location.