Deleting your Spotify account removes it completely and cannot be undone
When you delete a Spotify account, the company removes your username, email, saved playlists, listening history, and payment information from their servers. You cannot recover the account or any of its data after deletion. If you want to keep your music but stop paying, pausing or downgrading to the free tier is reversible. Deletion is permanent.
Spotify processes deletion requests through your account settings on their website — not through the mobile app. The process takes a few minutes and requires you to confirm your choice twice. After you request deletion, Spotify typically removes the account within 30 days, though the company does not may provide a specific timeline.
Key Takeaways
- You must delete your account through Spotify's website at account.spotify.com, not through the mobile app.
- Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed — your username, playlists, and listening history will be gone.
- If you have a paid subscription, cancelling it does not delete the account; you must take a separate deletion step.
- Spotify will ask you to confirm deletion twice and may ask why you are leaving, but these questions do not prevent you from proceeding.
- After you request deletion, the account disappears within 30 days, though it may take a few days before you notice it is gone.
How to delete your account through Spotify's website
Go to account.spotify.com in a web browser and sign in with your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the account settings or profile menu — this is usually in the top right corner or under a hamburger menu, depending on your browser and whether Spotify has updated their layout recently.
Scroll down until you find a section labeled "Delete account" or "Close account" — it is typically near the bottom of the settings page, sometimes under a heading like "Danger Zone" or "Account Management". Click on that option. Spotify will show you a warning that deletion is permanent and ask you to confirm. Read the warning, then click the button to proceed.
Spotify may ask you why you are leaving — this is optional and does not affect whether your account is deleted. You can skip this question or answer it; either way, the next step is the same. Click the final confirmation button. The account is now scheduled for deletion.
What happens to your subscription and payment method
If you have an active paid subscription, deleting your account also cancels it. You will not be charged again after deletion is processed. Spotify does not issue refunds for the current billing period, even if you delete the account mid-month — this is standard across most subscription services.
Your payment method remains on file with Spotify until the account is fully deleted, which takes up to 30 days. If you are concerned about unauthorized charges, you can also contact your bank or credit card company and ask them to block future charges from Spotify, though this is usually unnecessary once deletion is requested.
If you have a family plan, deleting your account removes you from the family group but does not delete the plan itself. The plan owner can continue using it and can invite other family members to replace you.
Why you might pause or downgrade instead of deleting
Pausing your account is reversible and keeps your data intact. If you go to account settings and look for "Pause subscription" or "Pause my account", you can stop paying without losing your playlists, followers, or listening history. You can reactivate the account at any time by signing back in and resuming your subscription.
Downgrading to Spotify's free tier is another option if you want to keep using the service without paying. Free accounts have ads and fewer features, but they preserve your account and all your saved music. You can upgrade back to paid whenever you want.
Both of these options are useful if you are taking a break but might return to Spotify later. Deletion is only necessary if you are certain you will not use the service again.
Deleting your account does not remove you from shared playlists
If you created playlists that other people follow or contributed to, those playlists remain after your account is deleted. Your name will no longer appear as the creator or contributor, but the playlists themselves stay in other users' libraries. If you want to remove a playlist before deleting your account, you can do that through your account settings while you are still logged in.
Similarly, if other people shared playlists with you, those playlists will disappear from your library once your account is deleted. The playlists still exist for the people who created them, but you will no longer have access.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password, go to account.spotify.com and click "Can't log in?" on the login page. Spotify will send a password reset link to the email address associated with your account. Use that link to create a new password, then log in and follow the deletion steps above.
If you cannot access the email address linked to your account, contact Spotify's support team through their help center at support.spotify.com. Explain that you want to delete your account but cannot log in. Spotify support can verify your identity and process the deletion request for you, though this may take longer than self-service deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my playlists back after deleting my account?
No. Once your account is deleted, all your playlists, saved songs, and listening history are permanently removed. If you want to keep your music, export your playlists to a text file or another music service before deleting. Some third-party tools can help transfer playlists to other platforms.
Will Spotify delete my account when ready after I request it?
No. Spotify processes deletion requests over the course of up to 30 days. Your account may be inaccessible within a few days, but the company takes time to remove all associated data from their servers. You cannot log back in once deletion begins.
Can I use the same email address to create a new Spotify account after deletion?
Yes, but you may need to wait a few days after the old account is fully deleted before Spotify allows you to sign up with that email again. If you try when ready and get an error, try again in a few days.
What if I delete my account but still see charges from Spotify?
Contact your bank or credit card company right away and dispute the charge. Also reach out to Spotify support at support.spotify.com with your account details and the date you requested deletion. Charges after deletion should not occur, but if they do, your bank can reverse them.
Does deleting my Spotify account delete my Spotify Connect devices?
Deleting your account logs you out of all devices where you were signed in. Any devices linked to your account will no longer be able to use Spotify. You will need to sign in with a new account if you want to use Spotify on those devices again.