How to Add Your Own Custom Songs to Spotify: The Complete Guide

Have you ever found an awesome remix, an unreleased track, or a personal voice memo that you wish you could stream right alongside your everyday workout playlist? Good news: Spotify has a built-in feature called Local Files that lets you bring your own custom audio files directly into your library.

Whether you want to play them on your computer or sync them up to your phone, here is everything you need to know to get your custom music playing on Spotify.

Step 1: Add Custom Songs on Your Computer (Recommended First)

Setting up your tracks on a desktop or laptop (Windows or Mac) is usually the easiest way to organize your custom library.

1. Prepare Your Music Files: Make sure your audio files are saved in a compatible format (like MP3, M4A, or FLAC) inside a dedicated folder on your computer (like your Music or Downloads folder).
2. Open Spotify Settings: Launch the Spotify desktop app, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
3. Enable Local Files: Scroll down to the Library section and toggle on Show Local Files.
4. Choose Your Source Folder: Underneath that toggle, click Add a Source. A file browser will pop up—select the folder where your music files are saved.
5. Find Your Songs: Look at the left sidebar of your Spotify app and click into the Local Files playlist. All the compatible tracks from your chosen folder will show up right there!

Step 2: Get Your Custom Songs on Your Phone

Once your songs are set up on your desktop, or if you prefer loading them straight to your phone, here is how to access them on mobile devices:

For Android Users:

1. Transfer your MP3 or audio files to your Android phone via a USB cable or file transfer app (into your Downloads or Music folder).
2. Open the Spotify app and tap your profile picture.
3. Go to Settings and privacy > Apps and devices.
4. Toggle on Show audio files from this device.
5. Head to Your Library > Local Files to start listening.

For iPhone (iOS) Users:

1. Open the Spotify app and tap your profile picture > Settings and privacy > Apps and devices.
2. Switch on Local audio files and allow Spotify permission to access your media/files.
3. Open your iPhone’s built-in Files app, go to On My iPhone, and look for the Spotify folder.
4. Move or copy your audio tracks into that Spotify folder (you can do this via iCloud Drive, AirDrop from a Mac, or a USB connection).
5. Open Spotify, go to Your Library, and open the Local Files playlist.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Experience

• Create Custom Playlists: You aren’t limited to just listening to your custom songs in the “Local Files” folder. You can add them to any standard playlist, mix them with regular Spotify tracks, and treat them like any other song!
• Check Your Formats: If a song isn’t showing up, double-check the file format. Spotify doesn’t support video-heavy M4A files or DRM-protected tracks. Stick to standard MP3s for the best results.
• Network Check: If you are trying to sync your computer’s local files over to mobile, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that you are logged into the exact same Spotify account.

By following these quick steps, you can curate the ultimate customized music collection that includes all your favorite hidden gems and personal tracks!