Spotify deletion removes your account, playlists, and listening history
Deleting your Spotify account is permanent. Once you confirm the deletion, Spotify removes your username, password, email address, playlists, saved songs, and listening history. You cannot undo this action. If you change your mind later, you would need to create a new account from scratch.
Before you delete, read anything you want to keep. Spotify does not provide a way to export your playlists after deletion, so if you have playlists you spent time building, save them now. You can take screenshots, use a third-party playlist backup tool, or manually recreate them elsewhere.
If you are deleting because of a billing issue, a subscription you do not want, or a feature that frustrates you, there are other options. You can cancel your subscription without deleting your account, pause your account temporarily, or downgrade to the free tier. Deletion is the right choice only if you are certain you will not use Spotify again.
Key Takeaways
- Account deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed, so read or screenshot any playlists you want to keep before you proceed.
- You can cancel your Spotify subscription without deleting your account, which keeps your playlists and listening history intact if you return later.
- The deletion process happens through your account settings on Spotify's website, not through the mobile app.
- After you request deletion, Spotify may take a few days to fully remove your account from their servers.
How to delete your account through Spotify's website
Go to www.spotify.com and log in with your username and password. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your account overview page.
Scroll down to the section labeled Danger Zone or Delete Account. Click the button that says Delete Account or Delete Your Account. Spotify will ask you to confirm your password again for security. Type it in and click Delete.
A confirmation message will appear saying your account is scheduled for deletion. Spotify typically completes the deletion within a few days. During this time, your account may still appear in your friends' follower lists, but you will not be able to log in.
What happens to your subscription and payment method
If you have an active paid subscription, deleting your account cancels it when ready. You will not be charged again. Spotify does not issue refunds for unused subscription time, so if you just paid for a month, that money is gone.
If you want a refund, contact Spotify support before you delete your account. Explain your situation and ask whether they can issue a partial refund. They sometimes do this for billing errors or if you cancel within a few days of being charged, but there is no may provide.
Your payment method stays on file with Spotify until the deletion is complete. After your account is fully deleted, Spotify removes your payment information from their system.
Saving your playlists before deletion
The simplest way to save a playlist is to take a screenshot of it or copy the song titles into a document. Open each playlist you want to keep, select all the songs (on desktop, use Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), and copy them into a text file or spreadsheet. This preserves the song names and artists.
If you have many playlists, a third-party tool like Exportify or Stats for Spotify can read them as CSV files. These tools connect to your Spotify account temporarily, pull your playlist data, and give you a file you can read. They do not delete anything — they only read your data.
You can also recreate your playlists on another music service. Spotify playlists are not locked to Spotify, so you can build the same playlists on Apple Music, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music. This takes more time but gives you the same music collection on a different platform.
Alternatives to deleting your account
If you are frustrated with Spotify but not ready to leave entirely, cancel your subscription instead of deleting your account. Go to Account settings, find Subscription, and click Cancel Premium. Your account stays active on the free tier, your playlists remain, and you can return to Premium anytime.
The free tier includes ads and limits how many times you can skip songs, but you keep your listening history and playlists. If you just want a break, this is the better choice than deletion.
If you have multiple Spotify accounts and want to consolidate them, you cannot merge accounts directly. Instead, recreate your playlists on your main account, then delete the extra accounts. This takes time but keeps your music collection in one place.
What to do if you cannot find the delete button
The delete account option only appears on the desktop website, not in the mobile app. If you are using your phone or tablet, open a web browser and go to www.spotify.com instead. Log in and follow the steps above.
If you are on the desktop website and still cannot find the delete button, make sure you are logged into the account you want to delete. Some accounts, particularly those created through Facebook or Apple ID, may have different settings pages. Try logging out completely, then logging back in.
If the delete button still does not appear, contact Spotify support through their help center at support.spotify.com. Explain that you want to delete your account and cannot find the option. They can either direct you to the right page or delete the account for you.
What happens to your data after deletion
Spotify removes your personal information from their active systems, but they may keep some data for legal and accounting reasons. This is standard practice for most companies. They typically retain billing records and account history for a set period, then delete it.
If you are concerned about privacy, review Spotify's privacy policy at www.spotify.com/privacy. It explains what data they keep, how long they keep it, and your rights regarding that data. You can also request a copy of all data Spotify has collected about you through their privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my playlists back after I delete my account?
No. Once your account is deleted, your playlists are permanently removed. Spotify does not keep backups you can restore. This is why you should read or screenshot your playlists before you delete. If you deleted your account by accident, you cannot recover the playlists, but you can create a new account and rebuild them manually.
Will deleting my account remove me from my friends' follower lists?
Yes, but it takes a few days. Once your account is fully deleted, you will no longer appear in your friends' followers or following lists. During the deletion process (usually a few days), you may still show up in their lists but your profile will not be clickable.
Do I need to cancel my subscription before I delete my account?
No. Deleting your account automatically cancels any active subscription. However, you will not receive a refund for unused time. If you want a refund, contact Spotify support before you delete and ask whether they can issue one.
What if I created my Spotify account through Facebook or Apple ID?
The deletion process is the same. Log into Spotify through your Facebook or Apple account, go to Account settings, and click Delete Account. Your Spotify account will be deleted, but your Facebook or Apple account will remain unaffected.
Can I use the same email address to create a new Spotify account after deletion?
Usually yes, but you may need to wait a few days after deletion. Spotify sometimes locks email addresses for a short period after account deletion to prevent accidental recreation. If you try to sign up and get an error, wait a few days and try again.