How to Add Your Own Music to Spotify (Local Files)

Whether you are a creator wanting to share your latest beats with the world or a listener trying to merge rare unreleased tracks into your daily rotation, figuring out how to add your own music to Spotify opens up a whole new level of audio customization. Depending on whether you are an aspiring artist or just someone looking to organize a personalized library, getting your tracks onto the platform involves two very different paths.

Path 1: For Creators — Releasing Your Music to the World

If you have written, produced, or recorded your own songs and want them searchable alongside your favorite global artists, you cannot upload audio directly through the standard Spotify app. Instead, Spotify partners with digital music distributors to manage the catalog.

• Choose a Distributor: Independent artists typically use distribution services like DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, or Landr. These platforms send your music to Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services.
• Prepare Your Assets: You will need a high-quality master audio file (usually a WAV format) and high-resolution cover art (typically 3000×3000 pixels). You’ll also need to organize your metadata—song titles, primary artists, writer credits, and genre tags.
• Set a Release Date: It is best to upload your tracks several weeks in advance. This buffer gives the distributor time to process the file and allows you to pitch your track to editors via Spotify for Artists.
• Claim Your Profile: Once your track goes live, you can claim your Spotify for Artists profile to customize your bio, view streaming data, and connect with your listeners.

Path 2: For Listeners — Playing Local Files on Your App

If you already have audio files (like MP3s or FLACs) saved on your computer or phone that aren’t on Spotify—such as rare mixtapes, live concert recordings, or your own personal voice memos—you can use the Local Files feature to blend them seamlessly into your playlists.

• Enable Local Files on Desktop: Open the Spotify desktop app, click your profile picture, and go to Settings. Scroll down to the Local Files section and toggle Show Local Files to on.
• Add a Source Folder: Click Add a source and select the computer folder where your audio files are stored. A new playlist tab called “Local Files” will instantly appear in your library sidebar.
• Build Playlists: From that Local Files folder, you can right-click your tracks and add them to any custom playlist you want.
• Sync to Mobile: If you have a Spotify Premium subscription, you can easily listen to these tracks on your phone. Put your local tracks into a specific playlist on your computer, ensure both your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, open the playlist on your mobile app, and download it for offline use.

By bridging the gap between personal audio collections and professional distribution, Spotify makes it remarkably easy to ensure your favorite sounds are always right at your fingertips.