Delete a Playlist You Created

To delete a playlist you made yourself, open Apple Music on your device and find the playlist in your library. On iPhone or iPad, tap and hold the playlist name, then select Delete Playlist from the menu that appears. On Mac, right-click the playlist and choose Delete Playlist. On Windows, right-click and select the same option. The playlist disappears when ready — Apple Music does not send it to a trash folder first.

If you created the playlist on one device, you can delete it from any device where you are signed into the same Apple Music account. The deletion syncs across all your devices within a few minutes. Songs in the deleted playlist stay in your library unless you remove them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Playlists you created are deleted by tapping and holding on iPhone or right-clicking on Mac and Windows, then selecting Delete Playlist.
  • Deletion happens when ready and syncs to all your devices signed into the same Apple Music account.
  • Playlists shared with you by other people cannot be deleted — you can only remove them from your library by unfollowing them.
  • Songs remain in your library after you delete a playlist; only the playlist itself is removed.
  • Apple Music does not recover deleted playlists, so make sure you want to remove it before confirming.

Remove a Playlist Someone Shared With You

When another person shares a playlist with you, you cannot delete it — you can only unfollow it so it no longer appears in your library. Open Apple Music, find the shared playlist, and tap or click the Following button (on iPhone) or the heart icon (on Mac and Windows). The playlist disappears from your library, but it still exists for the person who created it and for anyone else they shared it with.

If you want to stop seeing updates when the playlist owner adds or removes songs, unfollowing is the only option. You cannot modify a shared playlist unless the owner gave you permission to edit it, which is a separate setting they control.

Difference Between Deleting and Unfollowing

Deleting removes a playlist you created completely — it is gone for you and anyone you shared it with. Unfollowing removes a shared playlist from your own library only, but the playlist still exists for its creator and other followers. If you unfollow a playlist and then the creator shares it with you again, it reappears in your library.

This distinction matters if you share playlists with friends or family. If you delete a collaborative playlist, everyone who was following it loses access. If you only want to stop seeing it yourself, unfollow instead.

What Happens to Songs After You Delete a Playlist

Deleting a playlist does not remove the songs from Apple Music or from your library. The songs stay in your collection unless you delete them individually. If you added songs to multiple playlists, they remain in your other playlists even after you delete one.

This is useful if you want to reorganize without losing music. You can delete a playlist and recreate it later with different songs, and the original songs are still available to add back.

Delete Playlists on Different Devices

iPhone and iPad: Open Apple Music, go to your library, find the playlist, tap and hold it, and select Delete Playlist.

Mac: Open Apple Music, locate the playlist in your sidebar or library, right-click it, and select Delete Playlist.

Windows: Open Apple Music for Windows, find the playlist, right-click it, and choose Delete Playlist.

Web: Sign into music.apple.com, go to your library, find the playlist, click the three dots next to it, and select Delete Playlist.

The deletion syncs across all devices within a few minutes. You do not need to delete the same playlist separately on each device.

Recover a Deleted Playlist

Apple Music does not have an undo feature or a trash folder for deleted playlists. Once you delete a playlist, it is permanently removed. If you deleted a playlist by mistake, you cannot recover it through Apple Music.

Your only option is to recreate the playlist manually by adding songs back one at a time. If you remember which songs were in it, this is straightforward but takes time. If you do not remember the exact songs, you may lose some of the original playlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a playlist I shared with other people?

Yes. When you delete a playlist you created, it disappears for everyone who was following it, including people you shared it with. They will no longer see it in their library. If you want them to keep access, unfollow it yourself instead of deleting it, but that only removes it from your library.

What if I delete a playlist by accident?

Apple Music does not recover deleted playlists. You will need to recreate it by adding songs back manually. If you remember most of the songs, this is faster than starting from scratch. Consider taking a screenshot of playlists you might want to keep, so you have a record of what was in them.

Does deleting a playlist remove the songs from my library?

No. Deleting a playlist only removes the playlist itself. All the songs stay in your library and in any other playlists they were added to. You can still find and play them individually.

Can I delete a playlist on the web version of Apple Music?

Yes. Sign into music.apple.com, find the playlist in your library, click the three dots menu next to it, and select Delete Playlist. The deletion syncs to your phone and other devices within a few minutes.