How do I sync files from iPhone to Mac?

August 12, 2021 11:00 AM

I'm very confused. How do I get the files from Spotify for iOS on to Spotify for Desktop (Mac)?

First, the specs:

Spotify for Desktop (Mac)

Spotify Mobile (iOS)

Premium

USA

iPhone 12 running iOS 14.7

MacBook Air 2020 running Big Sur

I'm very confused with regard to syncing and local files.

Several months ago, I downloaded a bunch of mp3 files to an old MacBook. Let's call that OldMac.

I successfully synced the mp3s from OldMac to a playlist on my iPhone 12.

Last week, I got a new MacBook Air 2012 for work. Let's call that NewMac.

When I open Spotify for Desktop on NewMac, I can see the old playlist with the synced files. However, everything is greyed out. I get an error message: "This content is not available." (See the screenshot below)

When I open my Spotify iOS app, I can see and play the files just fine.

Screenshots

Spotify for Desktop

Spotify for iOS on iPhone

HERE'S MY QUESTION:
How do I sync the files from the iPhone to NewMac so I can play them in Spotify for Desktop? 

I've tried going to the Devices in Settings, and I can't seem to add my iPhone as a Source folder.

Please Help!

posted by zooropa to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

iCloud?
posted by artdrectr at 11:18 AM on August 12, 2021

Response by poster: artdrectr > I'm not sure how iCloud would help here. I would still have the problem of getting the files from the iPhone to NewMac.
posted by zooropa at 11:28 AM on August 12, 2021

Best answer: Can you use Airdrop to transfer the mp3s from OldMac to New Mac?
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:14 PM on August 12, 2021

Are you sure you transfer them? With a lot of cloud services you would download them from Spotify to the new computer. Spotify keeps track of what you own.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 12:18 PM on August 12, 2021

I am pretty sure that you can not download files out of Spotify on iOS. It's not intended as a storage service; it's just a way to let you listen to those files once you upload them. As Hermione said, you need to get the files from the old Mac to the new Mac without involving your phone or Spotify.
posted by primethyme at 12:27 PM on August 12, 2021

Response by poster: I also asked the question on the Spotify Community. TL;DR: I am going to have to figure out how to get them from OldMac to NewMac.

Here's what they said:

This means that the original audio files need to be copied to your new PC, and then load them to the Spotify app.

Hope this clears things up. Don't hesitate to reach out again if you have questions.
posted by zooropa at 12:59 PM on August 12, 2021