Delete a playlist you created in three steps

To delete a playlist you made yourself, open Spotify on your phone or computer, find the playlist in your library, and tap or right-click the three dots next to its name. Select "Delete playlist" from the menu that appears. Spotify will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete" again, and the playlist is gone permanently.

The process is the same whether you use the free or paid version of Spotify. Once deleted, the playlist cannot be recovered, so make sure you want it gone before you confirm. If you only want to hide it temporarily, you can unfollow the playlist instead, which removes it from your library without erasing it.

On mobile, the three-dot menu appears to the right of the playlist name when you scroll to it in your library. On desktop, hover over the playlist and the dots appear on the right side of the row. If you cannot see the dots, make sure you are viewing your own playlists and not someone else's — you can only delete playlists you created.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete only playlists you created yourself, not playlists other people made that you follow.
  • Deleting a playlist is permanent — Spotify does not keep a backup or trash folder where you can recover it.
  • If you want to keep the playlist but remove it from view, unfollow it instead of deleting it.
  • The delete option appears in the three-dot menu next to the playlist name on both mobile and desktop.
  • Collaborators on a shared playlist cannot delete it — only the person who created it can.

The difference between deleting and unfollowing

Deleting a playlist removes it completely and erases all the songs in it. Unfollowing a playlist removes it from your library but leaves the playlist itself intact — if someone else created it, they can still see it and add to it, and you can follow it again later if you change your mind.

Use delete when you want the playlist gone for good. Use unfollow when you just do not want to see it in your library anymore but might want access to it later. If you unfollow a playlist and then want it back, you can search for it by name and follow it again.

Deleting playlists you follow but did not create

You cannot delete a playlist someone else created, even if you follow it. You can only unfollow it, which removes it from your library. To unfollow, tap or right-click the three dots next to the playlist name and select "Remove from Your Library" or "Unfollow."

If a playlist belongs to someone else and you want it gone from your account entirely, unfollowing is your only option. The original creator still owns the playlist and can continue to edit it or share it with others.

What happens to songs when you delete a playlist

Deleting a playlist removes only the playlist itself, not the songs from your Spotify account. If those songs are saved to your library separately, they stay there. If they exist only in that playlist, they disappear from your account when you delete the playlist.

Before you delete a playlist with songs you want to keep, save those songs to your library first. Open the playlist, select the songs you want to keep, and add them to your library or to another playlist. Then you can safely delete the original playlist.

Deleting collaborative playlists

If you created a playlist that other people are collaborating on, you can still delete it. When you delete a collaborative playlist, it disappears from everyone's library — not just yours. The other collaborators will no longer see it or be able to add songs to it.

If you want to remove yourself from a collaborative playlist without deleting it entirely, unfollow the playlist instead. The other collaborators can keep using it. If you are not the creator and want to remove yourself, unfollowing is your only option.

Recovering a deleted playlist

Spotify does not offer a way to recover a deleted playlist. Once you confirm the deletion, the playlist and all its contents are permanently removed from your account. There is no trash folder or undo option.

If you delete a playlist by accident, your only option is to recreate it manually by searching for and adding the songs again. This is why it is worth taking a moment to confirm before you tap delete — the confirmation screen is your final note to change your mind.

Organizing playlists instead of deleting them

If you have many playlists and want to clean up your library without losing anything, consider organizing them instead of deleting. You can rename playlists to group them by mood, artist, or occasion. You can also make playlists private so they do not show up in your public profile, or unfollow playlists you no longer listen to.

Another option is to move songs from old playlists into newer ones, then unfollow the old playlists rather than delete them. This way, if you ever want to look back at them, they are still there — just hidden from your main library view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a playlist on Spotify if I am not the creator?

No. You can only delete playlists you created yourself. If someone else made the playlist, you can unfollow it to remove it from your library, but you cannot delete it entirely. The creator is the only person who can delete a playlist.

What happens to my followers if I delete a playlist?

If other people follow a playlist you created, they will no longer see it once you delete it. It disappears from their libraries when ready. They cannot recover it or access it in any way after deletion.

Can I undo a playlist deletion?

No. Spotify does not have an undo feature or trash folder for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion, it is permanent. If you need the playlist back, you will have to recreate it by adding songs manually.

How do I delete a playlist on Spotify if I cannot find the three-dot menu?

Make sure you are looking at a playlist you created, not one someone else made. On mobile, scroll to the playlist and look for the three dots on the right side. On desktop, hover your mouse over the playlist name. If the dots still do not appear, try closing and reopening the Spotify app.

Can I delete multiple playlists at once?

No. Spotify requires you to delete playlists one at a time using the three-dot menu. There is no bulk delete option. If you have many playlists to remove, you will need to go through each one individually.