Can no longer add local files to playlists

[ocdajuiceman]

Plan

Premium

Country

United States

Device

(iPhone 13)

Operating System

(iOS 16.3.1)

My Question or Issue

I’ve been having this issue since the recent update replacing the hearts with the plus. When clicking the three dots next to a song from my local files, usually there are multiple options including to add it to any playlist. However, now the only option is to add the song to the queue. However, all of my local files already on a playlist are still there and can still be removed from the playlist. I am only having this issue with local files, and not any of my other songs.

[ocdajuiceman]

Hey folks,

Try creating a copy of the playlist you're having issues with by tapping the three dots menu > Add to other playlist > New playlist. Check if you'd be able to add local files to it then.

If the issue persists, please share a short screen recording which captures the exact behavior in action so we can take a clear view of what's happening on your end.

Cheers 🤘

[Jaynyr]

Hi I’m able to add local files on my iPad to a playlist however I’m unable to play the song in my playlist is there a solution to this 

using ipad

Free plan 

latest version

[MattSuda]

@Jaynyr @Anthonin 

There are 2 ways to add Local Files to the iOS app. These also work similar for the Android app.

I prefer using the second way (WiFi) listed below.

First you will want to go into the Spotify iOS app settings --> Playback and make sure to turn off "hide unplayable songs" so you can see the Local Files, but they will be greyed out before they are synced. (They only show up grey before being synced if you are using the second way listed below)

● iOS: First way is to import the files to the iTunes app on your computer and then sync these to the Apple Music app on your iPhone and then allow Spotify iOS app to import these files. You will then see a playlist in Your Library with a green folder with a blue background with your local files inside.

https://community.spotify.com/t5/FAQs/Local-File-Discovery-iOS/ta-p/5384985

Android: You can import local files that are stored directly on your phone

https://support.spotify.com/article/local-files/

● iOS and Android: The second way is to add the folder where your files are located on your computer as a Local Files location in the Spotify desktop app settings and then sync them to your phone over WiFi.

Spotify desktop app settings --> Turn on show local files and then add the source location. Then go to Your Library --> Local Files list. Create a new playlist named "Local Files" then use keyboard shortcut either CMD + A or CTRL + A to highlight all the Local Files and drag from the Your Library section to this newly created playlist.

Then on your iPhone, connect to the same WiFi network that your computer is using and make sure the Spotify desktop app is still open. Then in the Spotify iOS app, go find the "Local Files" playlist you just made in the desktop app and then tap on the download icon. Once it finishes syncing the local files over WiFi, you should see them all there. You might also then see a playlist in Your Library with a green folder with a blue background with your local files inside just like you do when using the other method. The reason for creating your own "Local Files" playlist is so you can actually download them. It seems that the green folder playlist is mainly meant for the ones you import from Apple Music, even though it will also show the ones you have synced from the desktop app over WiFi. If this second method does not work, you can try doing the first method listed. This first method listed was added because a lot of people had issues getting the local files to sync over WiFi since sometimes your WiFi settings can make the transfer not work correctly.

https://support.spotify.com/article/local-files/

[7ths]

This is no where near the issue I was experiencing dude it’s that the button to add a song to playlist on iOS was gone for imported songs it has since been fixed

[MattSuda]

Hey @7ths 

Sorry for the confusion. I noticed that 2 users in this thread were asking why they couldn't sync / play Local Files in the mobile app, so I was giving them some tips.

The issue you were having has been fixed in mobile app version 8.8.20

After you update to this version (or newer), you should then be able to add Local Files to playlists again.

[Cal_9]

As of June 3rd 2022, this problem is not solved. I have version 8.8.40 on Android. 

[Antagonistix]

Please help. I have lots of local mp3 files on my Samsung galaxy. Play fine on phone but won't even show on my PS5 although the playlist is there. Any ideas ? 

[7ths]

Be on the same Wi-Fi as the computer and then click download or reload
spotify

[rabbagast]

---

@MattSuda wrote:

Hey everyone,

This issue has been fixed in mobile app version 8.8.20

It's working! 😄 Thank you!

[Roryham]

I have the problem of it not playing on playlists on version 8.8.62.549. I cannot skip local file songs and when the song ends it doesn't play anything after, it stops the music. 

[Dian]

Hey @Roryham,

Thanks for posting in the Community.

This sounds like a different issue altogether. Let's cover the basic troubleshooting just to make sure. Could you try performing a clean reinstall of the app as described here?

Does the issue persist with a different account on a different device?

Keep us posted.

Cheers!

[nkmurthy]

I have the latest version of Spotify 8.8.66 on my iOS device. On my Desktop I have version Spotify for macOS (Intel) 1.2.19.941.gbf202593, also the latest version.

I can't seem to add a local file to my library in Spotify. When I click the heart button in the desktop app to add a song to my library, it turns green for a second and then it turns black. It appears that this feature is not working in the latest versions on both iOS and the mac desktop app

[Vasil]

Hey @nkmurthy ,

You shouldn't be able to add Local files to your 'Liked Songs' playlist by default.
Could you send us a link to a video recording or a screenshot of what you're seeing on your end?

We'd love to take a further look!

Many thanks 🙌🏼

[nkmurthy]

When I said my library, I wasn't referring to the Liked Songs playlist. I was referring to a dedicated playlist I created.

Fortunately, I was also able to resolve it myself. I just had to reinstall the app

[Dolos]

Just updated, still can’t add local files to a playlist. 

[Narfsic]

I have the same issue on Android, i used to be able to play my PC local files on Android and download them but not anymore.

[ashleyhassell]

Hi, I read through this whole thread and I’m still having issues- when I add a song from local files to a playlist, it tells me that it was successfully added, but then when I go to the playlist to check, the song is not there. I’ve tried troubleshooting with everything in these comments but still nothing 

[Yordan]

Hi @ashleyhassell,

Check if you have Smart Shuffle enabled for the playlist: as long as it's toggled on, any local files in the playlist will be hidden.

Hope this helps. Cheers 🙂

[2video]

I'm having the same issue – I can't add songs from local files to playlists and the playlists that already had local files have had those songs removed. I just cleared my cache but to no avail. I'm using a Galaxy S20 FE phone with Android 13 and the spotify app version is 8.9.20.574.

[Treblec]

Yorden, you are a genius.

I've been having this issue for a short while and thought it was because of an update or bug. Couldn't find the answer anywhere until now. Thanks so much!!!!

[GinaBspotty]

So my local files fit all those requirements and I can even add them to a playlist that's just local files, however if I add a Spotify song to a playlist with only local files then all the local files disappear and just the Spotify song is left. Also if I try to add a local file to a playlist (that's on online mode) it says "added to playlist" at the bottom of my phone but then if I go to the playlist in question, the file doesn't show up. Is there anything I can do or is it just a problem with Spotify?