Moving Local Files to an iPhone

[loreve]

Ok, so if you’re like me, you’ve been trying to get your local files from your computer to your Spotify app on your iPhone and are super frustrated. When you Google the problem, you get the same advice – Make sure your two devices are on the same network, Local files are set to sync in the app and that the playlists are set for download. And you need all this. However, this didn't work for me.

After having files on my old iPhone for a few years, I tried to download my files to my new iPhone, only to be met with complete frustrations. Months went by, but tonight I got it to work. Not all these steps may be necessary, but it’s what I did.

First, I went through all the steps everyone tells you to. I made sure that my devices were on the same network, except tonight, I turned off the cellular data on my phone. You’ll find that under cellular in settings. This may not be necessary, but I wanted the phone to reach only for the wifi network.

I opened up Spotify on my desktop (Windows 10) I deleted the old playlist, and created a new one (probably not necessary.) I went to my library and double checked the files I wanted were available on the desktop. Then I moved to the mobile app.

On the mobile app, I went to settings. Under Local Files, I double checked that this was green. So far, pretty much what everyone tells you to do. But here’s where I went further.

Still on the mobile app, in the settings I went to Devices. When you click on it, you’ll come to to a page that’s titled “Connect to a device.” First, turn off “Show local devices only.”  Then, click on the button that says “Devices menu.”  If you’re struggling, there’s a good chance that when you get here, you'll see your desktop isn’t showing as a connected device.

If your desktop isn’t showing as a connected device, click on the open settings button. This will bring you to the iPhone settings. In the iPhone settings, turn on the Local Network setting. Go back to the Device menu in the Spotify app. You should now see your desktop under “other devices” If that’s the case, you should be able to add your files to the new playlist and start downloading your files.

[Kryz33]

I have the same problem with Android and nothing helps.

It's unbelievable that this issue is still not solved by Spotify, as it's lasting so many years.

[tim9music]

Thanks loreve. Just setting Spotify up on my iphone and I intended to transfer files to my computer, so that I could then transfer them to a watch. If I am following you, I have to download the songs to my computer and then I should be able to transfer to the watch. I cannot, however, transfer downloaded songs from iphone to computer. So, if I would like songs on my iphone as well, I will have to download them there as well. Is that correct? Thanks for your help.

[loreve]

I'm honestly a little confused. Do you already have personal files on your iPhone that you want to play over your watch? I also don't now what type of watch you have.
I've only had experience with Apple Watch and Fitbit Ionic. The way those two watches work with the Spotify app is they connect to the iPhone through Bluetooth, and use the information from the iPhone Spotify app to play media on your phone. The Spotify app is running on your iPhone, but you have the ability to use the watch as a remote. I've never tried to use my watches as a Spotify speaker, or independently from the iPhone, so I don't know if that's possible.
The only files that Spotify reads outside of its app are the local files that you designate on your computer. If you have personal files on your iPhone, my understanding is that you'll have to create a folder for them on your computer, transfer the files from the phone to computer (which can be done through email, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc), and then go through the steps of designating that folder as local files on the computer. Then you would follow the steps for them to be downloaded to the Spotify app on your phone. At that point you'll be able to play them on your phone, and therefore through your watch. That's my understanding of the situation, and of course, I could be wrong or misunderstanding what you're asking. 😄