If you enjoy discovering music on both SoundCloud and Spotify, you’re not alone. Many listeners use both platforms and wish they could combine their favorites into one place. While the two services don’t officially work together, there are simple ways to transfer SoundCloud music to Spotify. In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps to bring your favorite SoundCloud tracks into your Spotify library and streamline your listening experience.
Let’s start now!
Why Can’t You Just Merge SoundCloud and Spotify Music Libraries?
Understanding why you can’t simply press a button to transfer music from SoundCloud to Spotify is key. These are distinct streaming services operated by different companies. They have separate music catalogs, often licensed under different agreements with artists, labels, and publishers. This fundamental separation prevents a direct, seamless transfer of playlists or individual tracks from one platform’s ecosystem to another’s.
Think of it like trying to directly share your movie watchlist between Netflix and Hulu. While both stream video, their content libraries and systems are separate. The same principle applies to SoundCloud and Spotify.
How To Transfer SoundCloud Music to Spotify?
Method 1: Downloading and Importing Local Files
One viable approach involves getting the music files from SoundCloud first and then adding them to your Spotify library as Local Files. This method is particularly useful for unique tracks or uploads that aren’t available on major streaming services like Spotify.
The primary challenge here is obtaining the actual audio files from SoundCloud. While some artists generously offer direct download links for their tracks, many uploads, especially unofficial remixes, DJ mixes, or demos, do not have an official download option available directly on the platform. You would need the audio file saved on your computer or device.
Once you have the audio files on your computer, Spotify offers a built-in feature to play them alongside your streaming library:
- Open the Spotify desktop application on your computer.
- Go to Settings (usually found by clicking your profile name).
- Scroll down to the Local Files section.
- Toggle on the “Show Local Files” option.
- Spotify will automatically scan common music folders on your computer. You can also click “ADD A SOURCE” to specify other folders where your SoundCloud downloads are stored.
The tracks from these folders will then appear under the local files category in your Spotify library menu on the left. You can play them, add them to playlists, and listen just like regular Spotify tracks, though they are only available on the device where the files are stored unless synced to other devices on the same network.
Method 2: Using Music Transfer Services
Another popular method utilizes third-party music transfer services. Some tools are specifically designed to scan your playlists on one music platform (like SoundCloud) and attempt to find the equivalent tracks on another platform (like Spotify).
Here’s how they generally work:
- You connect your SoundCloud account and your Spotify account to the service.
- You select the playlist(s) or liked tracks from SoundCloud that you want to transfer.
- The service analyzes the list and searches its database to find matches within Spotify’s catalog.
- It then creates a new playlist in your Spotify account containing the tracks it successfully matched.
However, it’s vital to understand the key limitation of this method: these services can only transfer tracks that already exist and are licensed on both platforms. If a track is a unique upload by an artist on SoundCloud – a demo, a live recording, a special mix, or content not distributed widely – and it’s not officially available in Spotify’s licensed catalog, the transfer service cannot move it. It will simply skip those tracks. This method is best suited for moving playlists containing commercially released songs or popular tracks that are likely found on major streaming platforms.
How to Choose the Right Method?
Choosing the right method depends on the type of music you want to move from SoundCloud to Spotify. If you’re trying to listen to unique SoundCloud uploads—like unofficial remixes, bootlegs, or DJ mixes—you’ll likely need to use the local file import method. These tracks are usually exclusive to SoundCloud and not available on Spotify. To use this method, you must legally and technically obtain the audio files yourself. It requires more manual work, but it lets you add almost any audio file to your Spotify local library.
If your SoundCloud playlists mostly include mainstream music or commercially released songs, a music transfer service is a better option. These tools automate the process and rebuild your playlists in Spotify quickly. You won’t need to search for each track manually. However, they won’t transfer rare or exclusive SoundCloud content.
Conclusion
In summary, while you cannot directly transfer your entire SoundCloud library or unique uploads seamlessly into Spotify due to the distinct nature of these platforms, effective workarounds exist. For exclusive SoundCloud content, the local file import method is your primary route after acquiring the audio files. For transferring playlists of widely available tracks, music transfer services offer a convenient solution. By understanding these options and their limitations, you can integrate more of your diverse music listening experience within Spotify.
Frequently Asked Questions about How To Transfer SoundCloud Music to Spotify
Can I directly transfer my SoundCloud playlists to Spotify?
No, there is no built-in feature for direct transfer between SoundCloud and Spotify. They are separate platforms with different licensing agreements and content libraries. You need to use workarounds like third-party transfer services or importing local files.
How can I listen to unique SoundCloud tracks (like DJ mixes) on Spotify?
The best way is by using Spotify’s Local files feature. You would first need to obtain the audio file of the track or mix from SoundCloud (if available for download or via other means) and save it to your computer. Then, use the Spotify desktop app to import that file as a local file into your Spotify library.
Are music transfer services free to use?
Most music transfer services offer a free tier with limited functionality (e.g., transferring only a certain number of tracks or playlists). To transfer large libraries or access premium features like automatic syncing, you typically need to subscribe to a paid plan.
Does importing local files in Spotify upload them to my cloud library?
No, when you import local files, they are only added to your Spotify library on the specific device where the files are stored. They are not uploaded to Spotify’s servers or your cloud account. You can sync them to other devices on the same local network, but they don’t become part of your online, streamable Spotify library for listening everywhere without the source file present.