You do not need to delete Spotify to install Spicetify

Spicetify is a tool that modifies Spotify's appearance and adds features — it does not replace Spotify itself. You keep your regular Spotify installation exactly as it is. Spicetify works by changing how Spotify looks and behaves on your computer, so both programs coexist without conflict. The only time you would uninstall Spotify is if you wanted to stop using it entirely, which defeats the purpose of installing Spicetify.

The confusion usually comes from how Spicetify works. It finds your existing Spotify installation, makes changes to specific files, and then restores them when you disable Spicetify. Think of it as putting a custom skin over Spotify rather than replacing it. Your login, playlists, saved songs, and account settings all stay exactly the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Spicetify modifies your existing Spotify installation — it does not replace it, so you should never uninstall Spotify first.
  • The tool changes how Spotify looks and functions by altering specific files, then restores them if you remove Spicetify.
  • Your Spotify account, playlists, and login information remain unchanged when you install Spicetify.
  • You must close Spotify completely before installing or updating Spicetify to avoid file conflicts.
  • If Spicetify causes problems, you can disable it or uninstall it without losing your Spotify account or data.

What Spicetify actually does to your Spotify installation

Spicetify modifies the files inside your Spotify folder on your computer. When you run Spicetify, it locates your Spotify installation (usually in Program Files on Windows or Applications on Mac), backs up the original files, and then replaces certain files with modified versions. These modified files add visual themes, keyboard shortcuts, new buttons, and other features that Spotify does not include by default.

The backup is important because it means you can undo everything. If you decide you do not want Spicetify anymore, you run the uninstall command and Spicetify restores your original Spotify files. Your account and data were never touched — only the appearance and some functionality changed. This is why keeping Spotify installed is necessary: Spicetify needs those original files to work with.

How to prepare Spotify before installing Spicetify

Close Spotify completely before you start the Spicetify installation. Do not just minimize it — actually quit the program. On Windows, check your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner) and close Spotify there too if it is running in the background. On Mac, use Command+Q to quit Spotify, not just closing the window.

You should also disable automatic Spotify updates temporarily. Spotify updates can overwrite the changes Spicetify made, which breaks Spicetify until you reinstall it. You can turn updates back on later, but doing so will require you to reinstall Spicetify again. Some users leave updates off permanently and manually update Spotify when they know Spicetify is compatible with the new version.

The installation process does not touch your account or data

When Spicetify installs, it never connects to your Spotify account or asks for your password. It only modifies files on your computer. Your login credentials stay in Spotify's find storage, your playlists remain in your account, and your listening history is unaffected. You will still see all your saved songs, followed artists, and personalized recommendations exactly as before.

This is different from using a third-party app that connects to Spotify through the web API — those apps ask for permission to access your account. Spicetify is purely local, meaning it changes only what you see on your own computer. No external service is involved, and Spotify's servers have no idea Spicetify exists.

What happens if Spicetify causes problems

If Spicetify breaks something or you straightforward do not like it, you have two options. You can disable Spicetify temporarily by running the restore command, which puts your original Spotify files back in place. Spotify will look and work normally again. You can then re-enable Spicetify later if you want, or leave it disabled.

If you want to remove Spicetify completely, you uninstall it through the command line or through Spicetify's own uninstall process. This restores your original Spotify files and removes Spicetify from your computer. Spotify itself remains installed and fully functional. Your account, playlists, and all your data are completely unharmed because Spicetify never touched any of that.

Why some people think you need to uninstall Spotify first

The confusion likely comes from installation instructions that say "close Spotify" or "make sure Spotify is not running." People sometimes read this as "uninstall Spotify," but these mean different things. Closing a program means quitting it. Uninstalling means removing it from your computer entirely. Spicetify needs Spotify to be closed (not running), but it needs Spotify to be installed (present on your computer).

Another source of confusion is that some customization tools for other software do require uninstalling first. But Spicetify is designed differently — it works alongside your regular Spotify installation rather than replacing it. This design is actually safer because you can always restore your original Spotify by disabling Spicetify.

Keeping Spotify updated while using Spicetify

Spotify updates regularly, and each update can break Spicetify because the update overwrites the files Spicetify modified. When this happens, you will see error messages or Spicetify features will stop working. The fix is to reinstall Spicetify after Spotify updates, which takes a few minutes.

Some users check the Spicetify GitHub page or community forums before updating Spotify to see if the new version is compatible. Others straightforward update when they want and reinstall Spicetify afterward. Neither approach requires uninstalling Spotify — you just run Spicetify's installation again after the Spotify update completes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Spicetify delete my playlists or listening history?

No. Spicetify only modifies how Spotify looks and behaves on your computer. Your account, playlists, saved songs, and listening history are stored on Spotify's servers and are completely untouched. You will see everything exactly as you did before.

Can I use Spicetify on multiple computers?

Yes, you can install Spicetify on each computer where you have Spotify. Each installation is independent and only affects that computer. Your Spotify account works normally on all of them, and your playlists sync across all devices as usual.

What happens if Spotify updates while Spicetify is active?

The update will overwrite Spicetify's changes, so Spicetify will stop working. You will need to reinstall Spicetify after the update finishes. Your Spotify account and data are never affected — you just need to reapply the customizations.

Can I uninstall Spotify and keep Spicetify?

No. Spicetify modifies Spotify's files, so it needs Spotify to be installed. If you uninstall Spotify, Spicetify has nothing to modify and will not work. You would need to reinstall Spotify first.

Does Spicetify work on mobile Spotify?

No. Spicetify only works on the desktop version of Spotify (Windows and Mac). Mobile apps cannot be modified this way, so your phone and tablet will use regular Spotify regardless of what you do on your computer.