Spotify App Play Local Files

Use the app to play music files stored on your device, which we call local files.

The Spotify app is not set to Offine on either device. Both your desktop and mobile devices are connected on the same network connection. If you're on an iOS device, make sure you've gone to Settings Local Files and switched on Local audio files. You'll also need to allow Spotify to find devices in the prompt that shows. Local files Make Spotify your all-in-one music player. In addition to over 50 million tracks we offer, you can also use your Spotify app to play music files stored on your device (which we call 'local files'). Note: Files or downloads from illegal sources are not permitted.

Note: Files or downloads from illegal sources are not permitted.

For: Premium

  1. On desktop, import your local files (with the 'Desktop' steps).
  2. Add the files to a new playlist.
  3. Log in on your mobile or tablet using the same WiFi as your desktop.
  4. Go to Settings > Local Files and switch on Local audio files.
    Note: You need to allow Spotify to find devices in the prompt that shows.
  5. Download the playlist with your local files.

Didn’t work?

Make sure:

  • You're logged in to the same account on both your desktop and mobile
  • Your devices are connected to the same WiFi network
  • The app is up-to-date on both devices
  • Your device is up-to-date
  • The Spotify app has access to your local network. Check in your iPhone/iPad settings under Spotify

For: Premium

  1. On desktop, import your local files (with the 'Desktop' steps).
  2. Add the files to a new playlist.
  3. Log in on your mobile or tablet using the same WiFi as your desktop.
  4. Download the playlist with your local files.

Didn’t work?

Make sure:

Spotify
  • You're logged in to the same account on both your desktop and mobile
  • Your devices are connected to the same WiFi network
  • The app is up-to-date on both devices
  • Your device is up-to-date
  1. Click , then Settings.
  2. Scroll to Local Files and switch Show Local Files on.
  3. Switch off any sources you don't want.
  4. Click ADD A SOURCE to select another folder.

Music from that folder is now in Local Files in the menu on the left.

Supported file types

Note: Some of your files may be protected in restricted formats. Install QuickTime on your computer to allow most of these tracks to be played on Spotify.

  • .mp3
  • .m4p (unless it contains video)
  • .mp4 (if QuickTime is installed on your computer)

The iTunes lossless format (M4A) isn't supported.

If your file isn’t supported, we do our best to match it with songs from the Spotify catalog. The version we match with might differ from the original.

Last updated: 24 September, 2020

Spotify Mobile Play Local Files

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