local files folder is not showing up on iphone

[Knuspi]

I've followed all the steps required to do. Rebooted my phone and even went ahead and did a clean reinstallation of spotify. But nothing seems to work. My local files folder is not showing up and I cant "sync" my local files songs from my pc to my phone. All the instructions I've followed ended up being useless 😞

[tigerhehe]

ive tried but it does not let me move audio files to this “spotify folder”

[DanGr8]

I found out that the spotify app cannot play .wav files so I converted it to .mp3 and now it shows up in the spotify iphone app...

.wav works on PC spotify but not on iPhones spotify, even if iphone can play the acual .wav file by itself, very weird.

[UMDTERPS]

None of what is suggested here works. I don't get why this is so complicated. 

[Knuspi]

Its frustrating… I got a new phone still an iphone as before but now it doesnt work for my anymore either. The problem is you contact support but they are clueless. I talked twice to them and spent over an over trying whatever they told me and it never worked. They really should consider fixing this.

[Vasil · Accepted solution]

Hey folks,

It used to be possible to sync local files across devices on the same network by downloading the playlist directly. This is now a legacy feature which may no longer work as intended, so it's highly recommended you use one of the methods mentioned in this article to ensure proper functionality.

If the Spotify folder doesn't show up in the Files app > On My iPhone, check if you have enabled access to Media & Apple Music for Spotify. It's worth rebooting your device to force a refresh as well.

Also, make sure that the files you have aren't DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected. If you have iTunes, you can check for DRM protected tracks by following these steps.

Hope this clears things up.

[Vasil · Accepted solution]

It used to be possible to sync local files across devices on the same network by downloading the playlist directly. This is now a legacy feature which may no longer work as intended, so it's highly recommended you use one of the methods mentioned in this article to ensure proper functionality.

[UMDTERPS]

So before, I used to take a local file from my desktop Windows pc add it to a playlist, and as long as my on my phone was on the same wifi network, the song would show up on my playlist on my phone. Now, I have to:

1. Add the local MP3's to iCloud on my Window's PC browser.
2. Check "Show audio files from this device" in the settings of the iPhone app, then a Spotify folder on my "Files" app shows up
4. I then have to copy the local MP3's files in the Files app on my iPhone to the Spotify folder in the iPhone Files app to get them to show up on my playlist on my phone. 

This whole thing is cumbersome because the Files app in iCloud browser app on PC does not show the Spotify folder. 

[ChrisM1977]

I have enabled local files on the Spotify App (which is on my phone). I was listening to some audiobook files stored on my phone, this morning. Tonight they won't play. When I try to play them, I get the 'Spotify can't play this right now. This track isn't available on your device' message. I then went to the track and played it via a different app, so I know it is available on my device. I then downloaded some audio files from Librivox, to test, and I get the same message with them. Again I have checked them, and they are definitely on my device. I have cleared the cache and even uninstalled the Spotify app, but the problem persists.

[SilentSpaniard]

Same issue happened on my and my wife's phones today. I noticed the app was updated this morning and the local files that used to play fine can't be played any more. The message is the same: 'Spotify can't play this right now. This track isn't available on your device'. To be clear - some of the files play fine, some can't, they all are stored localy on the phone in the same directory. It seems there is no logic why the files are treated differently.

[ChrisM1977]

Hi SilentSpaniard,

Thank you. It helps to know it's not just me. I talked to a customer service assistant last night, who escalated it. I will update them with this info. Thanks again.

[Paramore-wannabe]

I have only 13 local files that I want to listen to (all mp3s) but one just isn’t showing up in the spotify app on my iPad no matter what I do. This is really annoying because it’s one of my favorite songs.

edit: I found a very difficult workaround but it’s not going to help anyone else here (my issue was very specific and I did too much research in a day about it)

[Meo2]

Hi, it’s been 2 years but I still want to reply this post for anyone who has the same issue. Maybe the problem is the website/ sources you downloaded music files, I think using another websites may help! 

[Rastereyes]

Doesn’t work. 

Plan: Premium 

Device: iPad 10G 

IOS: 18.4 

Files: mp.3 non-DMR