The simplest way to copy a Spotify playlist

To copy a playlist someone else made, open it in Spotify, tap or click the three dots next to the playlist name, and select "Add to Library" or "Save to Library" depending on your device. This saves the entire playlist to your account under "Your Library" without changing the original. The playlist stays linked to its creator — if they add or remove songs later, your copy does not automatically update.

If you want a true independent copy that you can edit without affecting the original, you will need to create a new playlist and manually add the songs. This takes longer but gives you full control over what stays and what goes.

Key Takeaways

  • Saving a playlist to your library copies it when ready but keeps it linked to the original creator's version.
  • Creating a new playlist and adding songs one by one takes more time but gives you a fully independent copy you can edit.
  • Spotify does not have a built-in "duplicate playlist" button, so the method you choose depends on whether you need the copy to stay in sync with the original.
  • On desktop and mobile, the process is slightly different but both routes accomplish the same result.

Saving a playlist to your library (the fast way)

This is the quickest method and works on both desktop and mobile. Open the playlist you want to copy, look for the three-dot menu icon next to the playlist title, and tap or click it. A menu will appear with several options — select "Add to Library" on mobile or "Save to Library" on desktop.

The playlist now appears in your library under "Playlists" or "Your Library," depending on your app version. You can see it listed alongside any playlists you created yourself. The key difference: if the original creator adds new songs to their playlist, those songs will not automatically appear in your saved copy. You have a snapshot of what was there when you saved it.

Creating a new playlist and copying songs manually (the independent way)

If you want a playlist that is completely separate from the original — one you can change without affecting anyone else's version — create a new blank playlist first. On mobile, go to "Your Library," tap the plus icon, and select "Create Playlist." On desktop, click "Create Playlist" in the left sidebar. Give it a name and decide whether to make it public or private.

Once the new playlist exists, open the original playlist in another window or tab. Select the first song, hold Shift (on desktop) or use the three-dot menu (on mobile), and add it to your new playlist. Repeat for each song. On desktop, you can also drag and drop songs between playlists if you have both windows open side by side. This method is slower but leaves you with a fully independent copy.

Why Spotify does not have a one-click duplicate button

Many music services let you duplicate a playlist with a single tap, but Spotify's design assumes most people want to save playlists they like rather than own separate copies. The "Add to Library" feature reflects this — it is designed for discovery and sharing, not for creating backups or modified versions.

This choice affects how you plan your music organization. If you follow a playlist that changes regularly and you want to preserve it exactly as it is now, you will need to manually copy it. If you are happy with a living link to someone else's curation, saving it is enough.

Copying playlists on mobile versus desktop

The core steps are the same on both platforms, but the interface differs slightly. On mobile (iOS or Android), the three-dot menu is usually at the top right of the playlist screen. On desktop, it sits next to the playlist name in the main viewing area. Both lead to the same "Add to Library" or "Save to Library" option.

For the manual copy method, mobile is slower because you cannot drag and drop. You will tap each song's three-dot menu and select "Add to Playlist," then choose your new playlist from the list. Desktop lets you select multiple songs at once and add them in bulk, which saves time if you are copying a long playlist.

What happens to a copied playlist if the original is deleted

If you saved a playlist to your library and the person who created it later deletes it, your copy remains in your account untouched. You keep all the songs and the playlist name. The only change is that the original creator's name no longer appears as the creator — it may show as "Unknown" or straightforward list you as the owner if you later edit it.

This is why saving playlists is useful for music you want to keep around. Even if the curator stops maintaining it or takes it down, you have a permanent record of what was in it.

Copying collaborative playlists

Some playlists allow multiple people to add and remove songs — these are called collaborative playlists. If you save a collaborative playlist to your library, you get a read-only copy. You cannot edit it from your library view, and changes other people make to the original do not appear in your copy.

If you want to create your own collaborative playlist based on someone else's, create a new playlist, copy the songs manually, and then invite other people to edit it. Spotify will let you add collaborators through the playlist menu once it is created.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a private playlist someone shared with me?

Yes. If someone sends you a link to a private playlist and you have access to it, you can save it to your library or manually copy it the same way you would a public playlist. The privacy setting only controls who can see it — it does not prevent you from saving it.

Will the original creator know if I copy their playlist?

No. Spotify does not notify creators when someone saves their playlist. If you manually copy songs one by one, there is no notification either. The creator has no way to know unless you tell them.

What if I want to copy a playlist but remove some songs?

Save the playlist to your library first, then edit your copy by removing the songs you do not want. Tap or click the three-dot menu next to each song and select "Remove from This Playlist." The original stays unchanged.

Can I copy a playlist to a different Spotify account?

You cannot transfer a playlist between accounts directly. You would need to log into the other account and manually add the songs, or have someone with access to both accounts do it. Spotify does not have a built-in transfer feature for this.

Does copying a playlist use up my storage or data?

No. Saving or copying a playlist only stores the list of song references in your account, not the audio files themselves. It uses minimal data and no local storage unless you read the playlist for offline listening.