You can add local files to Spotify on desktop, but the process differs by operating system and requires the files to be stored on your computer

Spotify lets you play music files you own — MP3s, M4As, WAVs, and other formats — alongside your streamed library on Windows and Mac. The files must be stored on your computer's hard drive, not in cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive. Once you set up a local files folder, those songs appear in a separate section of your library and can be added to playlists, but they won't sync to your phone or other devices unless you use Spotify's offline download feature on each device separately.

The mobile app does not support local files at all. If you want to listen to your own music on your phone through Spotify, you'll need to use a different app or transfer the files to your phone's native music player.

Key Takeaways

  • Local files must be stored in a folder on your computer's hard drive, not in cloud storage services.
  • Desktop Spotify on Windows and Mac can read local files, but the mobile app cannot.
  • You need to tell Spotify where your music folder is located in the app's settings before the songs will appear in your library.
  • Local files can be added to playlists and downloaded for offline listening on desktop, but they won't automatically appear on your phone.

Setting up a local files folder on Windows

Create a folder on your computer where you'll keep all the music files you want Spotify to read. You can put this folder anywhere — your Documents folder, Desktop, or a dedicated Music folder. The folder name doesn't matter, but keep all your local music files inside it rather than scattered across different locations.

Open Spotify on your Windows computer and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to the Local Files section. Toggle on "Show Local Files" first. Then click "Add a Source" and navigate to the folder where you've stored your music. Select that folder and click "Open." Spotify will scan the folder and add any compatible audio files to your library within a few seconds.

Your local files will now appear in a "Local Files" section at the bottom of your library sidebar. You can search for them by song title or artist name just like any other track in Spotify.

Setting up a local files folder on Mac

The process on Mac is nearly identical. Create a folder anywhere on your Mac — Documents, Desktop, or a dedicated Music folder — and move your audio files into it.

Open Spotify and click Spotify in the menu bar at the top, then select Preferences. Find the Local Files section and toggle on "Show Local Files." Click "Add a Source," navigate to your music folder, and select it. Spotify will scan the folder and add the files to your library.

Like on Windows, your local files appear in a "Local Files" section in your library sidebar and can be searched by title or artist.

File formats Spotify can read

Spotify supports MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, and WAV files. Most music files you download or rip from CDs will be in one of these formats already. If you have files in other formats like ALAC or AAC, you may need to convert them using a free tool like VLC Media Player or Audacity before Spotify can read them.

Spotify cannot read files that are protected by digital rights management (DRM), such as protected AAC files purchased from iTunes before 2009. If a file won't appear in your library after you've added the folder, check whether it's in a supported format or whether DRM protection is preventing Spotify from reading it.

Adding local files to playlists

Once your local files appear in your library, you can add them to any playlist the same way you'd add a streamed song. Search for the track by name, right-click it, and select "Add to Playlist." You can also drag and drop local files directly into a playlist.

Local files in a playlist will play on your desktop computer, but if you share the playlist with someone else or try to play it on your phone, those local files will be skipped. Only you can hear your local files, and only on the computer where they're stored.

Downloading local files for offline listening on desktop

You can download your local files to Spotify's offline cache on your desktop computer so they play even if you're not connected to the internet. Right-click a local file or playlist containing local files and select "Download." The file will download to your computer's storage.

This offline download only works on the desktop app. Your phone's Spotify app cannot access local files at all, even if you've downloaded them on your computer. If you want to listen to your own music on your phone, you'll need to use your phone's native music player or a third-party app that supports local files.

Troubleshooting local files that don't appear

If you've added a folder but your music files aren't showing up in Spotify, check these things first. Make sure the files are in a supported format — Spotify only reads MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, and WAV. Verify that the files aren't protected by DRM. Check that the folder path doesn't contain special characters or very long names, which can sometimes cause Spotify to skip files.

If files still don't appear, try removing the folder from Local Files settings and adding it again. Sometimes Spotify needs to re-scan the folder to pick up files you've added recently. You can also try restarting Spotify or your computer. If a specific file still won't appear after these steps, try converting it to a different supported format using a free tool like VLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add local files to Spotify on my phone?

No. Spotify's mobile app does not support local files on any phone, whether iOS or Android. You can only add and play local files on the desktop version of Spotify. If you want to listen to your own music on your phone, use your phone's built-in music player or a third-party app designed for local files.

Can I use cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive for my local files?

No. Spotify only reads files stored directly on your computer's hard drive. Files in cloud storage services won't work. You must download or copy your music files to a folder on your computer before Spotify can find them.

Will my local files sync across my devices?

Local files won't automatically sync to other devices. If you download a local file for offline listening on your desktop, it stays on that computer only. To listen to your own music on another computer, you'd need to add the same folder to Spotify on that computer, or copy the files to it first.

What happens if I delete the local files folder from my computer?

If you remove the folder or move it to a different location, Spotify will no longer be able to find those files. They'll disappear from your library and any playlists containing them. The files themselves won't be deleted — they'll just be inaccessible to Spotify until you add the folder back or move it to where Spotify expects it.

Can other people hear my local files if I share a playlist?

No. When you share a playlist that contains local files, other people will see the playlist but those local files will be skipped when they try to play it. Only you can hear your local files, and only on the computer where they're stored.