Local files directly from device's internal storage

[breit2001]

Plan

Premium

Country

Netherlands

Device

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B)

Operating System

Android 12

My Question or Issue

Recently, a new feature got introduced; you can play local files directly from the internal storage of your device! Very handy, no need to sync with a PC - which is kinda spotty here and there - just play back the files you stored on your phone!
At least, that's how it's supposed to work, I think. Now, I wonder where Spotify sources these files from, because I also see audio files from WhatsApp in there, despite me just opening a file from the downloads folder, where no WA audio is stored. Also, is there a good way to empty the entire local files playlist, since it added over 400 songs just by opening an mp3 from the downloads folder, of which I don't want most of them in there.
So, is this feature still in early development stage, or has this simply been overlooked?

[Eni]

Hey there @breit2001, 

Thanks for reaching out about this here in the Community. 

We're glad to hear that you like this new feature for local files. We can confirm that it's expected behavior for the app to show all playable audio that's on your device which might include voice messages from other apps.  

On another note, it's not possible to empty the whole playlist. In this case, you'd need to individually remove the files/songs you don't want from the playlist.

Also, take into account that it's still possible to sync the files the old way following the steps here since this new way hasn't replaced the old one, it's just a new feature for Android devices.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us on this matter and we'll make sure to pass it onto the right team, as it helps us keep improving the app.

You can also consider submitting your idea to our Ideas board so that other users can support it, making sure that it adheres to our Idea Exchange guidelines. The higher the number of votes an idea gets, the more likely it is for it to be implemented.

You can read more about how your feedback reaches Spotify here.

If you need a hand with anything else, the Community is here for you. 

[breit2001]

Alright, thanks for the clarification! We'll see how it developes.

Quick question; do you know why some local files (added the old way) don't show as playable, or become unplayable after a while, even after re-adding them?

[Ver]

Hey @breit2001,

Thanks for getting back to us.

This could happen due to different reasons.

In case some of your local files appear to be grayed out, it's a good idea to give these steps a go and run a clean reinstall. That way you clear the cache and make sure that the app is up-to-date.

The Community is here for you if there's anything else!
 

[HipaaHippo]

Hello, everyone,

on the PC version of Spotify I can choose a source for my local files.

Why doesn't it work on Android 12???

I can only activate Show local files here. But it also shows me voice messages, recordings, ringtones, background music, etc.

But I ONLY want my 1080 songs to be displayed.

PLEASE PLEASE program in the future update that you can select a source for the local files. Thanks very much!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Hallo zusammen,

auf der PC-Version von Spotify kann ich eine Quelle für meine Lokalen Dateien auswählen.

Warum geht es auf Android 12 nicht???

Ich kann hier nur die Lokalen Dateien anzeigen aktivieren.

Er zeigt mir aber auch Sprachnachrichten, Aufnahmen, Klingeltöne, Hintergrundmusik usw. an.

Ich will aber NUR meine 1080 Songs angezeigt haben.

BITTE BITTE im Zukünftigen Update einprogrammieren, dass man eine Quelle für die lokalen Dateien auswählen kann.

Vielen Dank!

Plan

Premium

Country

Germany

Device

S22 5G Galaxy

Operating System

Android 12

[HipaaHippo]

Hello, unfortunately the problem still exists.

It would just be so much more convenient if you could just select the source of the local files on Android.

Why make complicated programming when it's ultra much simpler?

It's also possible on the desktop version.

It sucks. every day I receive new voice messages via WhatsApp which are then displayed under the local files.

[OscarDC]

Hey @HipaaHippo,

Thank you for keeping in contact.

We appreciate your feedback about the folder selection for local files in Android. However, a similar idea has already been suggested here - feel free to add your +Vote and subscribe to it!  Any changes or updates will be posted in that thread.

In case you think your idea should be considered as separate, feel free to submit it again highlighting how your idea is distinct from the existing one.

If anything else comes up, don't hesitate to ask.