It is now easier to import Local Files into the Spotify iOS app through the Files app on your iOS device. 

 

A computer and WiFi network are not required to use this new import method. This means that you can now import Local Files into the Spotify iOS app without the use of a computer. The use of a computer is still possible, but it is now optional.

 

With this new import method, your Local Files are stored on your iOS device in the Files app and then imported into the Spotify app.

 

What are Local Files you may ask? Along with the millions of tracks Spotify offers, you can also use the Spotify app to play the audio files stored on your device.

 

Have any questions? You can post a reply to this thread and we'll try our best to help out.

 

The main support article for Local Files can be found here.

 

Steps to use Local Files on iOS:

 

1. Tap on your profile picture in the iOS app.
   
2. Tap on Settings and privacy.
   
3. Scroll down to Local Files.
   
4. Switch on "Show audio files from this device".
   
   Note: You may be asked for permission to access your local network. You only need to grant this permission if you plan to use the Connect feature or WiFi Sync of Local Files between the Spotify Mac or Windows desktop app and mobile app. The process for WiFi Sync can be found here. It is recommended to grant this permission. You can always change this permission setting later by going to your iOS device's Settings ➜ Spotify ➜ Local Network.
   
   Note: You may also be asked for permission to access Apple Music and your media library. This allows the Spotify app to import local audio files you already have stored in the Apple Music app. If you do not want to import audio files from Apple Music, then you can turn this permission setting off. You can always change this permission setting later by going to your iOS device's Settings ➜ Spotify ➜ Media & Apple Music.
   
   
5. Go to Your Library. The Local Files folder should now appear in Playlists. To see the Local Files playlist in the Spotify app, you may need to tap on the "Playlists" filter at the top first.
   
6. Pick the source of your audio files below to see steps on how to add the files to the Spotify folder in the Files app on your iOS device:

 

Files app on iOS:

 

1. In the Files app, go to the folder where your audio files are currently stored such as a browser / storage app folder.
2. Select the file(s) and choose Copy or Move.
3. Tap on the Browse tab and then under Locations go to the folder On My iPhone.
4. Tap on the folder for Spotify to go inside of it.
5. Tap and press on any area inside the folder that has empty space.
6. Select Paste or Move Item Here. The file(s) you added here should now be in the Local Files playlist in the Spotify iOS app.

 

Tips:

 

● To easily find the Files app on your iOS device: On your Home Screen, swipe down from the top of your screen to activate the Search feature, type in "Files", and then tap on the app icon. If you do not have the Files app from Apple, it may not be installed on your device, so you will need to go into the App Store and search for "Files" to download the app.

 

● The Spotify folder may disappear from the On my iPhone folder in the Files app if the Help file within it is deleted. For the folder to show up again, try restarting the Spotify app or your iOS device.

 

● To see the Local Files playlist in the Spotify app, you may need to tap on the "Playlists" filter at the top first.

 

● Not seeing the new files you just added in the Local Files folder in the Spotify app? Go to settings in the Spotify app and toggle "Local Files" off and back on to refresh them.

 

● You may see that the audio files you added into the Spotify folder in the Files app were moved to a "Synced files" folder.

 

● By default, the Files app does not show file extensions at the end of file names such as ".mp3". You can make the Files app show file extensions by tapping on the options menu button at the top right. In the menu tap on "View Options" and then tap on "Show All Extensions".

 

● If you also use Local Files in the Spotify desktop app and want to listen to the same Local Files in the Spotify iOS app, you'll want to make sure that when you add any new audio files to your source folder on your computer, that you also add these files to the Spotify folder in the iOS Files app.

 

● If you delete or reinstall the Spotify iOS app, the Local Files in the Files app may be deleted as well. Local Files storage works differently in the iOS app compared to the desktop app. (The desktop app does not delete Local Files stored on your computer when reinstalling the app.) If this happens, you will need to import your Local Files into the iOS Files app again. It is recommended to keep a backup of your Local Files either in a personal local folder in the iOS Files app, or in a folder on your computer.

 

 

What the Files app icon looks like:

 

 

 

Mac:

 

Connect via iCloud:

 

Note: You need to login to the same iCloud account as your iOS device.

 

Note: It is recommended that you do not copy a large amount of audio files using this method. If you have a large amount of audio files to transfer, it is best to use the USB Cable method listed below or transfer via iCloud in multiple smaller batches.

 

1. Set up Universal Clipboard.
2. On your Mac, open Finder and copy the file(s). The file(s) are then added to the clipboard on your iOS device.
3. On your iOS device, open the Files app. Tap on the Browse tab and then under Locations go to the folder On My iPhone.
4. Tap on the folder for Spotify to go inside of it.
5. Tap and press on any area inside the folder that has empty space.
6. Select Paste or Move Item Here. The file(s) you added here should now be in the Local Files playlist in the Spotify iOS app.

 

Connect via USB Cable:

 

1. Connect your iOS device to your Mac computer via a USB cable.
2. On your Mac, open Finder.
3. From the left sidebar, select your iOS device.
4. Click on Files in the button bar at the top.
5. Open another Finder window containing the audio files you want to transfer and drag the files into the Spotify folder in the other Finder window showing your iOS device. You will now see these files in the Spotify folder in the Files app on your iOS device. The files you added here should now be in the Local Files playlist in the Spotify iOS app.

You can also visit the Apple support site for more info.

 

 

Windows:

 

Connect via USB Cable:

 

1. Connect your iOS device to your Windows computer via a USB cable.
2. On your Windows computer, open the Apple Devices app or the iTunes app.
3. From the left sidebar or top bar, select your iOS device.
4. Click on Files or File Sharing in the left sidebar.
5. Open a File Explorer window containing the audio files you want to transfer and drag the files into the Spotify folder in the Apple Devices app or iTunes app window showing your iOS device. You will now see these files in the Spotify folder in the Files app on your iOS device. The files you added here should now be in the Local Files playlist in the Spotify iOS app.

 

Apple Devices app (Windows 10 and later):

You can also visit the Apple support site for more info.

 

iTunes app (Older versions of Windows):

You can also visit the Apple support site for more info.

 

How to download the Apple Devices or iTunes app:

You can visit the Apple support site for more info.

 

 

iCloud Drive Storage (Mac or Windows):

 

If you have enough free storage space in iCloud Drive on your Mac or Windows computer, you can add your audio files to iCloud Drive and then once your files appear in the Files app on your iOS device, you can copy or move these files to the Spotify folder. You may need to upgrade to an iCloud+ plan for more storage. The other transfer methods listed above are free.

 

Note: If you have any other file storage service app installed on both your computer and your iOS device, you should be able to perform similar steps if the storage app shows up in the Files app.

 

Note: In iCloud Drive on your computer, you need to login to the same iCloud account as your iOS device.

 

1. Mac: Add your files to iCloud Drive
   Windows: Add your files to iCloud Drive
   
   You can visit the Apple support site here and here for more info on how to setup and use iCloud Drive.
   
   
2. In the Files app tap on the Browse tab and then under Locations go to the folder iCloud Drive and then go to the folder where your audio files are currently stored. If you have just added the files to iCloud Drive, it may take some time before the files start showing up.
3. Select the file(s) and choose Copy or Move.
4. Tap on the Browse tab and then under Locations go to the folder On My iPhone.
5. Tap on the folder for Spotify to go inside of it.
6. Tap and press on any area inside the folder that has empty space.
7. Select Paste or Move Item Here. The file(s) you added here should now be in the Local Files playlist in the Spotify iOS app.