How to Add Custom Songs to Spotify (Local Files Guide)

How to Add Custom Songs (Local Files) to Spotify

Ever have an unreleased track, a custom remix, a rare mixtape, or a song from an indie artist that isn’t on Spotify’s official catalog, but you still want it in your main playlist?

Spotify has a built-in feature called Local Files that lets you import your own audio files straight into your library. Once added, you can organize them into playlists and listen to them right alongside your favorite mainstream tracks.

Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to setting it up on both desktop and mobile.

Step 1: Add Custom Songs on Your Computer (Windows & Mac)

The easiest way to introduce custom songs to Spotify is through the desktop app (note that this feature doesn’t work on the web player).

1. Organize your music: Create a dedicated folder on your computer and place all the audio files you want to add inside it.
   • Supported formats: MP3, MP4, and M4P files (Note: files like FLAC, WAV, or M4A may need to be converted to MP3 first if they don’t load).
2. Open the Spotify desktop app and click on your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select Settings.
3. Scroll down until you see the Your Library section and toggle on Show Local Files.
4. Click the Add a Source button that appears right below it.
5. Locate and select the folder where you stored your music files.
6. Head over to Your Library on the left-hand sidebar. You will see a brand-new playlist titled Local Files where all your custom tracks now live.

Step 2: Sync and Listen on Your Phone (iOS & Android)

Want to take those custom tracks on the go? You can sync your local files to your phone so they play seamlessly on mobile.

Quick Checklist Before You Start:

• Make sure your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Make sure you are logged into the same Spotify account on both devices.
• Spotify Premium is required to sync and download local files to mobile devices (Free accounts can only stream them on desktop).

The Syncing Process:

1. On your desktop computer, create a new, dedicated playlist and drag your custom local songs into it.
2. Open Spotify on your phone, navigate to that exact playlist, and tap the Download (down arrow) switch.
3. For Android users: Go to your mobile Settings and privacy > Apps and devices, and toggle on Local audio files so your phone scans and displays them.
4. Give it a minute or two to download over your local network, and your custom tracks will be ready to play anywhere.

Troubleshooting Common Fixes

• Greyed-out songs: If a track is greyed out, it usually means the file format isn’t supported, the file was moved from its original computer folder, or your phone hasn’t successfully synced with your desktop.
• Tracks not showing up: Double-check that your file names are clean, lowercase, and free of weird special characters or symbols that might confuse the app.