This guide will show you how to change the location where Spotify stores any files that you flag to download in order to be able to play them when you’re offline. This can be particularly helpful if you have a large library and want to store it on an external drive.
- Spotify File Location
- Spotify File Location Windows
- How To Open App File Type
- Spotify App File Location Software
- Update Location Spotify
- Spotify App File Location App
Above, you can see that I’ve created a new location to store my data at D: craig Spotify. The pasted Data folder here contains the contents of that same folder in C: Users craig AppData Local Spotify. Next, be sure that the two folders are identical. Look inside both of them to see that you’ve fully copied all of the files properly. Once you know the location, you can either back up the files or change the download location to somewhere convenient. Note: I'm showing this with Spotify Windows 10 Store app but the same procedure is applicable even if you are using the regular win32 application. Find Spotify Download Location.
ps. If you’re an Android user, you may want to check out this guide for instructions on how save Spotify files on an SD card instead of the internal storage.
Note: this screenshots/images used in this guide are from macOS. If you use the Windows version of Spotify, the steps are nearly identical.
- Open the Spotify Preferences by selecting Spotify from your Menu Bar, and then Preferences from the pull-down list. Windows users: select Edit and then Preferences…
- Scroll to the bottom of the Spotify Preferences and click the SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS
button. - Scroll down until you find the section titled Offline Songs Storage. Click the CHANGE LOCATION button.
- Now select the folder where you want Spotify to save files for offline listening etc. It’s worth mentioning that Spotify creates a bit of a ‘mess’ when it stores files – it utilizes a lot of coded folder and file names. You will almost certainly want to create a specific folder to store all of the other folders that Spotify will create.When you’ve selected the new location, restart Spotify.
- When you re-start Spotify it’ll move all of the files to the new location. As illustrated in the screenshot below, it does create a rather confusing series of folders with just as “strangely” named files inside them. It’s OK – you’re not meant to really be sorting through them, it’s just the way Spotify stores things.
Use the app to play music files stored on your device, which we call local files.
Note: Files or downloads from illegal sources are not permitted.
For: Premium
- On desktop, import your local files (with the 'Desktop' steps).
- Add the files to a new playlist.
- Log in on your mobile or tablet using the same WiFi as your desktop.
- Go to Settings > Local Files and switch on Local audio files.
Note: You need to allow Spotify to find devices in the prompt that shows. - Download the playlist with your local files.
Didn’t work?
![Spotify Spotify](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133937483/663330831.jpg)
![Location Location](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133937483/281636025.png)
Make sure:
- You're logged in to the same account on both your desktop and mobile
- Your devices are connected to the same WiFi network
- The app is up-to-date on both devices
- Your device is up-to-date
- The Spotify app has access to your local network. Check in your iPhone/iPad settings under Spotify
For: Premium
- On desktop, import your local files (with the 'Desktop' steps).
- Add the files to a new playlist.
- Log in on your mobile or tablet using the same WiFi as your desktop.
- Download the playlist with your local files.
Didn’t work?
Make sure:
- You're logged in to the same account on both your desktop and mobile
- Your devices are connected to the same WiFi network
- The app is up-to-date on both devices
- Your device is up-to-date
- Click , then Settings.
- Scroll to Local Files and switch Show Local Files on.
- Switch off any sources you don't want.
- Click ADD A SOURCE to select another folder.
Music from that folder is now in Local Files in the menu on the left.
Supported file types
Note: Some of your files may be protected in restricted formats. Install QuickTime on your computer to allow most of these tracks to be played on Spotify.
- .mp3
- .m4p (unless it contains video)
- .mp4 (if QuickTime is installed on your computer)
The iTunes lossless format (M4A) isn't supported.
If your file isn’t supported, we do our best to match it with songs from the Spotify catalog. The version we match with might differ from the original.
Last updated: 24 September, 2020
Spotify File Location
Community Answers
Spotify File Location Windows
Play 'local files' on my mobile deviceWhat's the easiest way to be able to play 'local files' that reside on my desktop device on my mobile? After bringing them in to the desktop Spotify client as a playlist I'm able to play them there, a...
How do you add Local Files to the Desktop app?How To Open App File Type
Answer: We have an extensive record collection, but if the track you’re after hasn’t found its way on to Spotify yet, don’t worry! You can add any personal music you have with a feature...
Spotify App File Location Software
Can you upload your own music?Update Location Spotify
Yeah, I've tried to figure it out but I can't seem to find how I have to do it anywhere..