You can add local music files to Spotify on desktop, but not on phones or the web player

Spotify lets you upload songs from your computer and listen to them alongside your streaming library, but the feature only works on the desktop app for Windows and Mac. You cannot add local files through Spotify's web player, phone app, or tablet app. Once you add a file, it appears in a "Local Files" section and syncs to other devices where you are signed in — but only if those devices also have the desktop app running.

The process is straightforward: you point Spotify to a folder on your computer, and it scans for audio files in formats like MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, and WAV. Spotify then treats those songs like any other track — you can add them to playlists, queue them up, and listen in any order. The original files stay on your computer; Spotify does not move or change them.

Key Takeaways

  • Local files only sync to devices running the Spotify desktop app, and only while that app is open.
  • You must store your audio files in a folder on your computer and point Spotify to that folder in settings.
  • Spotify recognizes MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, and WAV files, but not all audio formats work.
  • Local files do not upload to Spotify's servers, so they remain private to your account and devices.
  • If you want to listen on your phone without the desktop app running, you need to read the songs to your phone separately.

How to set up a local files folder on Windows or Mac

Start by organizing the audio files you want to add into a single folder on your computer. You can create a new folder anywhere — your Documents folder, Desktop, or a dedicated music directory. Name it something clear like "My Local Music" so you remember what it contains. Move or copy your audio files into that folder. Spotify will scan this folder and any subfolders inside it, so you can organize your files into artist or album subfolders if you want.

Open Spotify on your desktop and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to the "Local Files" section. Toggle on "Show Local Files" first — this makes local files visible in your library. Then click "Add a Source" and navigate to the folder you just created. Select it and confirm. Spotify will begin scanning the folder for compatible audio files. This can take a few minutes if you have many files.

Once the scan finishes, go to your Library in Spotify and look for a "Local Files" section at the bottom. Your songs should appear there. You can now add them to playlists, create a queue, or listen to them like any other track in Spotify.

What audio formats Spotify accepts for local files

Spotify recognizes five audio formats: MP3, M4A (the format used by iTunes and Apple Music), OGG, FLAC, and WAV. If you have files in other formats — like WMA (Windows Media Audio), AAC, or ALAC — Spotify will not recognize them. You will need to convert those files to one of the supported formats before adding them.

MP3 is the most common and widely compatible format. If you are unsure what format your files are in, right-click the file on Windows and select "Properties," then look at the file type. On Mac, select the file and press Command+I to open the info panel. Many free conversion tools exist online, though converting files takes time and may reduce audio quality depending on the tool and the original file quality.

How local files sync across your devices

When you add local files to Spotify, they sync to other devices where you are signed into the same Spotify account — but only if those devices have the Spotify desktop app installed and running. If you want to listen to your local files on your phone, you must have the desktop app open on your computer at the same time. The files themselves do not upload to Spotify's servers; instead, your phone communicates with your computer to stream the files directly.

This means local files are not available offline on your phone unless you read them separately. You also cannot listen to local files on Spotify's web player or on a device where the desktop app is not running. If you close the desktop app, your phone will lose access to those files until you open the app again.

Privacy and storage considerations for local files

Your local files remain on your computer and do not get uploaded to Spotify's servers. Spotify does not store them, back them up, or make them available through cloud sync. This means your music stays private to your account and the devices you own. However, it also means Spotify cannot protect them if your computer crashes or your hard drive fails — you are responsible for backing up your files.

Local files take up space on your computer's hard drive. If you have thousands of songs or large audio files, this can add up. Spotify itself uses additional storage for its cache and app files, so make sure you have enough free space on your computer before adding a large music library.

Troubleshooting when local files do not appear

If your files do not show up in Spotify after you add a folder, check that "Show Local Files" is toggled on in Settings. If it is already on, try toggling it off and back on again. Sometimes Spotify needs to rescan the folder. Make sure the files are in a supported format — if you are unsure, convert them to MP3 and try again.

If files appear in Local Files but will not play, the file itself may be corrupted or incomplete. Try playing the file in another music player on your computer to confirm it works. If it does not, you may need to re-read or re-encode the file. If the file plays elsewhere but not in Spotify, try removing the folder from Spotify's settings and adding it again.

On Mac, make sure Spotify has permission to access the folder. Go to System Preferences, then Security & Privacy, then Files and Folders, and check that Spotify has access to the location where your music folder is stored.

Alternatives if local files do not meet your needs

If you have music that Spotify does not carry — rare recordings, unreleased tracks, or independent artists — local files are useful. But if you want to listen on your phone without your computer running, or if you want your music backed up to the cloud, local files are not the right solution.

Some people use other music apps alongside Spotify. Apple Music, for example, lets you upload up to 100,000 of your own songs to iCloud and listen on any device. YouTube Music also allows uploads. If you use an iPhone, you can add local files to the Music app and sync them with iCloud. If you use Android, you can store files on your phone and play them through a music player app like VLC or PowerAmp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to local files on my phone without my computer running?

No. Local files only sync when the Spotify desktop app is open on your computer. If you want to listen on your phone, your computer must be on and the app must be running. To listen offline on your phone, you would need to read the files to your phone separately using a different method.

Will my local files disappear if I uninstall Spotify?

No. Your original audio files stay on your computer in the folder you created. Uninstalling Spotify only removes the app and its settings. Your music files are not affected. If you reinstall Spotify and point it to the same folder, your local files will appear again.

Can I add local files to a shared Spotify account?

Local files are tied to the device and account you add them on. If multiple people use the same Spotify account on the same computer, they will all see the same local files. But if they use different computers or different accounts, they will not see each other's local files.

What happens if I move the folder where my local files are stored?

Spotify will no longer find the files in their old location. You need to remove the old folder from Spotify's settings and add the new location. Any playlists that included those local files will show them as unavailable until you re-add the folder.

Can I convert my local files to a different format if Spotify does not recognize them?

Yes. You can use free online tools or software like Audacity or FFmpeg to convert files to MP3 or another supported format. Keep in mind that converting files can take time, and the quality of the converted file depends on the original file and the tool you use.