Local Files not syncing/downloading on app

[hwitty42]

Okay, so I've been using the local files set up to listen to songs that exist on my MacBook. This hasn't been an issue in the past.

For context, from my Mac I allow Spotify to see local files, I add them to a new playlist, and then on my phone (Pixel 3aXL) I download the playlist for offline use. The other day I attempted to add another file to this playlist using the same aforementioned method, except this time the songs appeared greyed out with an exclamation point to the left where the green download usually appears. 

I found this strange, and decided to delete all of the files and restart. When I attempted to add the original songs back, they were only playable from my Mac. Now, none of the local files are accessible from my phone at all. I'm still using the same file format, same WiFi, and the same method, so I'm not sure what the problem is. 

My Question or Issue

How do I get these files downloaded on my phone so I can listen to them again? Please help, I've tried everything!

[Mihail]

Hey @hwitty42,

Thanks for reaching out to us. No worries. Help is on the way.

Could you try deleting all playlists with imported files on both your Mac and your phone? Afterwards you can start the whole process from scratch by using the steps here. 

If that doesn't do the trick, it's possible that the cache of the app has gotten corrupted and causing connectivity issues. A simple fix for this would be to perform a clean reinstall using this guide on both your devices.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted on how it goes.  

[gingermafia_]

I might have found a solution, after months of this seriously pi**ing me off. Turn your canvas mode off, or if you are like me and hate that feature and already have it off, turn it on and back off again. Why this matters, I have no clue, but it so far has worked for me. Restart the app, force stop it if you have to, and connect to the same network as the computer with the files. Your music should start downloading again. It will still be temperamental, it is Spotify. I seriously hope this helps some people. Music is the way I get through my day and struggles, not having the songs I love sucks... I am sure some of you can relate. Let me know if this helps you.

[hwitty42]

Thank you for getting back with me! I ended up fixing it by changing the file format of the songs. They were in the same format as when I originally downloaded them, so I'm not sure what the problem was. I can only imagine that perhaps Spotify updated and the local files didn't update with them.

[hwitty42]

Thank you for getting back with me!

I completely agree, it' super annoying. I ended up having to change the format of the songs all together, I'm still not sure why or what the original issue was. My best guess is Spotify updated and the local files didn't update with them properly. I'm hoping it doesn't happen again when I inevitably get more local files.

Thanks again!

[Jeremy]

Hey there @hwitty42,

Thank you for your reply. 

We're really glad to hear that everything works as it should for you again.

If you have any questions we're always one reply away 🙂

Cheers!