You cannot add MP3 files directly to Spotify, but you can play them alongside Spotify using local files
Spotify does not let you upload MP3s to your account the way you might upload photos to cloud storage. Instead, Spotify has a local files feature that lets you store music on your computer or phone, then play those files within the Spotify app alongside your regular Spotify library. The files stay on your device — Spotify just points to them and plays them when you choose.
This matters because it means you can listen to music Spotify does not have, bootleg recordings, live shows you recorded, or anything else in MP3 format without switching between apps. But it also means the files have to live on the device you are using, and they will not sync across your phone, tablet, and computer the way Spotify songs do.
Key Takeaways
- Local files must be stored on the same device where you want to play them — a file on your computer will not automatically appear on your phone.
- Your MP3 files need correct metadata (artist name, song title, album name) or Spotify will not recognize them properly.
- On desktop, you add a folder to Spotify's settings and the app scans it automatically; on mobile, the process is more limited and works best on Android.
- Local files play in Spotify playlists alongside regular Spotify songs, but they cannot be shared with other people.
How to add local files on Windows or Mac
Open Spotify on your computer and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to the Local Files section. You will see a toggle to turn on local files, and below that a button to add a folder. Click the button and navigate to the folder where your MP3s live — Spotify will scan that folder and any subfolders inside it.
Spotify looks for MP3, M4A, and WAV files. It reads the metadata (the artist, song title, and album information embedded in the file) to organize them. If your files have blank or wrong metadata, Spotify will still play them but may list them as "Unknown Artist" or put them in the wrong album. Before adding files, open them in a music player or metadata editor and fill in the artist name, song title, and album name.
Once you add the folder, Spotify scans it in the background. New files you add to that folder later will appear in Spotify automatically, usually within a few minutes. If a file does not show up, restart Spotify or check that the file format is one Spotify recognizes.
How to add local files on Android
Android lets you add local files, but the process is less flexible than desktop. Open Spotify, tap Your Library (the heart icon at the bottom), then tap the Settings gear. Scroll to Local Files and turn on the toggle. Spotify will then scan your phone's music folders for compatible files.
Unlike desktop, you cannot choose which folder Spotify scans — it looks in your phone's default music directories. Make sure your MP3s are in a standard location like your Music folder or Downloads folder, and that they have correct metadata. Files in random locations or with blank metadata may not appear.
iPhone does not support local files in Spotify at all. If you need to listen to your own music on an iPhone, you will have to use Apple Music, the built-in Music app, or another player.
How to use local files in playlists
Once Spotify finds your local files, they appear in Your Library under the Songs tab, organized by artist and album. You can add them to playlists the same way you add Spotify songs — click the three dots next to a song and choose Add to Playlist, or drag the song into a playlist.
Local files and Spotify songs can live in the same playlist. When you play the playlist, Spotify will play the Spotify songs normally, then play your local files when it reaches them. The playback is seamless — you will not notice a switch between the two.
One important limit: you cannot share a playlist that contains local files with other people. If you try to share it, other users will see the Spotify songs but not your local files. They will see a gap in the playlist where your local file would have played.
Why metadata matters and how to fix it
Metadata is the information stored inside an MP3 file — the artist name, song title, album name, and sometimes the year or genre. Spotify reads this information to organize your files. If the metadata is missing or wrong, Spotify cannot sort your music properly.
To check or fix metadata, right-click an MP3 file on Windows and choose Properties, then look for a Details tab. On Mac, select the file and press Command+I to open the info window. You can edit some fields directly, though a dedicated metadata editor like MusicBrainz Picard (free) or MediaInfo gives you more control and can fill in missing information automatically.
After you fix the metadata, Spotify may not update when ready. Restart the app or remove and re-add the folder to force a rescan.
What to do if your local files do not appear
If you added a folder but your files are not showing up in Spotify, start with the basics. Make sure the local files toggle is turned on in Settings. Check that your MP3 files are actually in the folder you added — sometimes files end up in subfolders you did not notice. Restart Spotify completely and wait a few minutes for it to scan.
If files still do not appear, check the file format. Spotify plays MP3, M4A, OGG, and WAV files, but not FLAC, ALAC, or other formats. If you have files in an unsupported format, you will need to convert them using a free tool like Audacity or VLC before Spotify can read them.
On Android, make sure your files are in a standard music folder. Spotify does not scan every folder on your phone — it looks in Music, Downloads, and a few other default locations. If your files are buried in a custom folder, move them to one of these standard locations.
Limits and what local files cannot do
Local files work only on the device where they are stored. If you add an MP3 to your computer, it will not automatically appear on your phone or tablet. You would have to add the same file to each device separately, which means keeping copies of your music files on multiple devices.
You also cannot read local files for offline listening the way you can with regular Spotify songs. If you are offline, you can play local files only if they are already on that device. Spotify songs you have downloaded for offline use will still play when you are offline, but your local files will not.
Local files do not count toward Spotify's recommendations or your listening history in the same way. Spotify tracks what you listen to, but local files may not influence your Discover Weekly or Release Radar playlists as much as regular Spotify songs do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload my own music to Spotify so other people can listen to it?
No. Local files are only for your own listening on your own devices. To get your music on Spotify for other people to hear, you need to distribute it through a music distributor like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore, which handles uploading to Spotify and other streaming services. That process takes a few days to a few weeks.
Will my local files sync across my devices?
No. Local files stay on the device where you put them. If you want the same music on your phone and computer, you have to add the files to both devices separately. Spotify Premium does not change this — local files are not part of Spotify's cloud sync.
What happens to a playlist if I delete the local file from my computer?
The song will disappear from the playlist. Spotify does not keep a copy of the file — it just plays the file from wherever it is stored on your device. If you delete the file, Spotify has nothing to play.
Can I add local files on Spotify Web Player?
No. Local files only work on the desktop app (Windows and Mac) and the mobile app (Android only). Spotify Web Player cannot access files on your computer.
Do I need Spotify Premium to use local files?
No. Local files work on both free and Premium accounts. The only difference is that Premium users can read Spotify songs for offline listening, but that does not affect how local files work.