PC Local Files not Syncing to iPhone

[arztderpy]

I've got premium, and have used a tower desktop and laptop to upload local files to my Spotify. Apps on my PCs and iPhone are up to date. My iPhone refuses to download the local files I assign to any playlist on my PC. These are the things I've tried:

• Reinstall Spotify on all devices
• Cleared offline devices list
• Any order of deleting/removing downloads from iPhone (via reinstallation), assigning the local files music to normal playlists, and downloading them for offline on my iPhone (it just skips over the local files songs (e.g. it shows the "Downloading X out of Y" songs, but just stops at the 6 or so songs that are local files))
• TURniNG It OFF AnD bACk oN AGain
• Contacting actual Spotify support (apparently the music that I obtained legally is "from an illegal source" smh)
• Used the same WiFi for my computer and iPhone (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and mobile hotspot over WiFi AND wired cable)
• More

I've skimmed over probably a dozen articles with people with the same problems; the aforementioned solutions usually fixed most peoples' problems, but I guess the universe hates me. Any ideas?

[Eni]

Hey there @Plo0bus, 

Thanks for reaching out about this here in the Community. 

You mentioned that you've already reinstalled the Spotify app, but would you mind going through the steps of a clean reinstall on both devices, as it's more thorough than a normal one?

If this doesn't do the trick, another useful step in is to change the source folder of the local files on the pc. The steps are: Uninstall Spotify on both devices > create a new folder somewhere else on the pc and move the local files there > install Spotify again > remove any potential source folders and add the new one > download the playlist again.

Keep us posted on how it goes. 

[H4kt]

You should also check if Local Audio Files are enabled in Settings -> Local Files

[plhunz]

im having the same issue and would love for some assistance on this as well

[Dian]

Hey @plhunz,

Thanks for posting in the Community.

There have been some changes on how the Local Files work not long ago. Could you check you're doing the steps from this FAQ page? It's important to keep in mind, that syncing of the files between devices is no longer possible.

Let us know how the steps from the FAQ went for you,

Cheers!

[AlexoWillFightU]

you´re officially my favourite person. thank you sm mate!

[Ricekrispies]

Local files appear and play just fine on my PC (Linux). The files also show up on my iPhone, but are grey and not available for playing.

Looking at how many posts there are about this problem all around the internet, I ask: Should Spotify Inc do something about this? It is clear that the problem isn't just stupid noobs not knowing how to use Spotify.

[Dian]

Hey @Ricekrispies,

Thanks for posting in the Community.

The files may show up on the iPhone, but they won't be playable if they're not on your iPhone.

If they're the same files as in they have the same metadata and are placed in the same playlist, but the files are present both on the PC and the iPhone, interference may occur as the app won't know where to get the playable file from and may think it's on your PC while you try to play it on the iPhone. If this is the case on your end, we recommend renaming the files or placing them in different playlists.

Let us know how that went,

Cheers!

[Ricekrispies]

Hi Dian and thanks for your reply 🙂

It is the PC mp3s I’m trying to get on my iPhone.

[Alex]

Hi there @Ricekrispies,

Thanks for the post.

I'm not entirely sure that you can sync .mp3 files from your Linux machine to an iPhone. Currently to do this from a Mac or Windows PC, you'd need to install the iTunes app in order to transfer the music files onto your phone, as described here. 

As far as I'm aware, the iTunes app is not available on Linux. The same goes for the Spotify Desktop app, which is not officially supported on Linux and Unix systems. The app that you're using is a sort of fan project and it's not officially developed and maintained by Spotify, so we can't guarantee it will work at all.

Your best bet would be to ask a friend to lend you their Mac or Win PC, so that you can transfer your local music files to that one and sync it them over to your phone.

Hope this info clears things up.

[Ricekrispies]

Hey Alex!

Okay, maybe it is this way…that it just can’t be done. 

I guess the easiest way is: friend + PC + iTunes

I appreciate you helping me ❤️

[Scoobyonpc]

1. Download Itunes on Windows Device or Mac
2. Connect iPhone to computer
a. Allow access
b. Trust Computer
3. In the top left of the Itunes application click "File"
4. Click Add File To Library
5. Find desired song/file *please check Spotify to see what file forms are accepted*
a. The song/file should be located in the recently added section of iTunes now after adding desired song/file
7. Right-click the file or hit "Ctrl + C" to copy the song/file
8. Go to your iPhone section > Music
9. Hit Paste or "Ctrl + V"
10. Make sure to exit Spotify via iPhone and relaunch
a. After, Make Sure "Local Downloads are on
11. Open Spotify then go to "My Library" > "Local Files"
12. Select Song then add it to desired playlist

*Note that you must only have your phone active on Spotify and that no other devices (Other phones or computers) are actively playing Spotify under the same account*

Worked and showed to support to send to engineering team