Solutions to Spotify Local Files Greyed out in 2025

Spotify not only allows you to stream music from its huge catalog, but also allows you to uplod your local music so you can access access all your music in one place. However, sometimes you may find that local file grayed out. Don't worry here you will find the solutions.

Solution 1. Turn on Local audio files on Spotify app

If you add Spotify local songs to another playlist and then turn off that source in Settings later, the songs will be greyed out. To solve this, go to Settings in Spotify and make sure the music source folder is selected.

On Spotify desktop app

1. Click your profile picture at the top, and select Settings.
2. Scroll down to Your Library, turn on Show Local Files.
3. Click Add a source and select the local music folder you want to add to Spotify.

On Spotify mobile app

1. Tap your profile picture at the top.
2. Tap Settings and privacy.
3. Tap Apps and devices.
4. Turn on Local audio files.

Solution 2. Clear the cache on both the desktop and mobile app

On Spotify desktop app

1. Click your profile picture at the top, and select Settings.
2. Scroll down to Storage.
3. Click Clear cache.

On Spotify mobile app

1. Tap your profile picture at the top.
2. Tap Settings and privacy.
3. Scroll down to Storage.
4. Tap Clear cache.

On Android

1. Swipe left or tap your profile picture.
2. Tap Settings and privacy.
3. Tap Delete cache under Storage.

Solution 3. Uninstalled and reinstalled Spotify

Just uninstall Spotify > 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.

Solution 4. Changing the source folder of the Local files

Uninstall Spotify, then 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 folder.

Solution 5. Make sure both devices are connected to the same network

Solution 6. Check the file extension of the song

The sync of Local Files works best with .mp3s, so if the song is in another format, try converting it to an .mp3 instead to see if that does the trick.

How to fix Spotify songs Greyed out

Sometimes you may find that some songs are occasionally greyed out. When you try to play it, you get a message "This content is not available." This means the songs are unavailable in your country. This could be due to licensing or the request of the record label or artist but it is really annoying. Unfortunately, this is something that Spotify doesn't have control over as it is up to the individual music companies. 

Solution 7. Connect your laptop through your mobile hotspot

If you want to sync local files from desktop/laptop to mobile Spotify, follow below steps:

1. Open Spotify desktop app, click your profile image - Settings. Scroll down to Your Library, turn on Show Local Files. Click Add a source and select the local music folder you want to add to Spotify. Now you will find Local Files on the Spotify sidebar.

2. Make a new playlist and call it "Desktop local files" or any name you like. Drag all the songs (or whichever songs you want synced to your iPhone) from the original Local Files on the Spotify sidebar, to your new Desktop local files playlist.

3. Now you will find the the new Desktop local files playlist on Spotify mobile app.

4. If the playlist doesn't appear, turn on the mobile data on your phone, connect your laptop through your mobile hotspot or plug in your phone to your laptop to share the network. Now creating a new playlist with all the local files on your Spotify desktop app and you will find it synced to mobile desktop app. Download the playlist as before.

How to download Spotify playlists without Premium?

The best way to avoid this is to download your favorite Spotify songs to mp3 when they are available, then you can preserve the songs forever. You won't be affected even though the songs become grayed out in Spotify someday. This workaround is feasible for both Spotify Free and Spotify Premium listeners.

Ondesoft Spotify Converter is such a tool for you to download Spotify to mp3 on Mac and Windows. Ondesoft Spotify converter will download whole Spotify playlists stably and quickly.

How does Ondesoft Spotify Converter work to download Spotify to MP3?

1. Run Ondesoft Spotify Converter

Download, install and run Ondesoft Spotify Converter on your Mac or Windows. Log in your Spotify account with the built-in Spotify web player, whether free or premium.

2. Choose output format (optional)

Ondesoft Spotify Converter will download Spotify songs in original format by default, mostly in M4A format. You can also change the output format to MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV and AIFF.

3. Select Spotify songs, albums or playlists

Browse or search to find the songs, playlists or albums you want to download with the built-in Spotify web player. Click the red Add to list button to load all songs.

All songs in the playlist or albums will be checked by default. You can uncheck the songs you don't want to download.

4. Click Convert button

Click Convert button to start downloading Spotify music to the format you choose.

After conversion, click below folder icon to quickly locate the DRM-free Spotify songs, albums or playlists in MP3 format. You can then transfer and play them anywhere such as iTunes , Google Play Music , iPod , Sandisk , Phone , etc. or burn them to CD.

Since you have downloaded the mp3 version, whether it is available in Spotify or not in the future, you can always enjoy the songs on any devices.

How to Add Local Files to Spotify on Windows or Mac

1. Run Spotify desktop app on your Windows or Mac.

2. Click your account name at the top right corner of the Spotify window. In the drop-down menu, choose "Settings."

3. Scroll down and find Local Files. Turn it on.

4. Downloads and Music Library are added by default on Windows. Click "ADD A SOURCE" to select other locations.

5. Now you can see the Local Files in Your Library. You can also freely add these songs to your other playlists, and they'll play just like any other song.

How to Add Local Files to Spotify on a mobile device

You can't add local files to Spotify on movile devices. However once you added local files to Spotify on desktop, you can listen to them on mobile devices with Spotify app, but this requires Premium account.

On iOS:

1. Make sure your mobile or tablet is using the same WiFi as your desktop.

2. Launch Spotify. Go to Settings  > Local Files and switch on Local audio files.

3. Download the playlist with your local files.

On Android:

1. Make sure your mobile or tablet is using the same WiFi as your desktop.

2. Tap Home - Settings.

3. Switch on Show local audio files.