Creating a playlist takes three steps: open Music, tap Library, and start a new list

Open the Music app on your iPhone. At the bottom of the screen, tap Library (the icon that looks like stacked lines). Scroll down until you see Playlists, then tap New Playlist. Name it whatever you want — "Road Trip", "Focus Work", "90s Hits" — and tap Create. The empty playlist opens when ready, and you can start adding songs.

To add songs, tap Add Music in the playlist. A search screen appears. Type the song name, artist, or album you want. When you find it, tap the plus sign next to the song title. You can add as many songs as you want, in any order. The songs stay in the order you add them unless you rearrange them later.

Once you have added songs, you can play the playlist by tapping its name from your Library. The songs play in the order they appear in the list. You can also share the playlist with other people by tapping the three dots next to the playlist name and selecting Share Playlist.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a new playlist by opening Music, tapping Library, scrolling to Playlists, and selecting New Playlist.
  • Add songs by tapping Add Music inside the playlist and searching for the song or artist you want.
  • Rearrange songs by opening the playlist, tapping Edit, and dragging songs to a new position in the list.
  • Delete a song from a playlist by swiping left on the song name and tapping Remove, which removes it from the playlist but not from your library.
  • Share a playlist with others by tapping the three dots next to the playlist name and selecting Share Playlist.

Rearranging songs in your playlist

After you add songs, you can change the order they play in. Open the playlist and tap Edit in the top right corner. Three horizontal lines appear next to each song. Tap and hold those lines, then drag the song up or down to where you want it. When you are done moving songs around, tap Done.

You can also delete a song from the playlist without deleting it from your library. While in Edit mode, tap the red minus sign next to the song, then tap Remove. The song stays in your Music library — it just comes out of this particular playlist.

Removing or editing a playlist

To delete an entire playlist, go to your Library, find the playlist name, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon. The playlist disappears, but all the songs in it stay in your Music library.

To rename a playlist, tap the three dots next to the playlist name and select Edit Playlist. Change the name and tap Save. You can also add a description or change the playlist image from this screen.

Adding songs from different sources

You can add songs to a playlist whether you own them, have them through a subscription service, or found them in Apple Music. When you search for a song in the Add Music screen, the app shows you what is available. If a song is grayed out, it means it is not available in your region or through your current subscription.

If you are using Apple Music, you can also add entire albums or other people's playlists to your own playlist. Search for the album or playlist, tap it, then tap the three dots and select Add to Playlist. Choose which of your playlists to add it to.

Using Siri to add songs to a playlist

You can ask Siri to add a song to a playlist without opening the app. Say "Hey Siri, add [song name] to my [playlist name]." Siri finds the song and adds it to the playlist you named. This works fastest if you use the exact playlist name you created.

If Siri does not find the song, it may not be available in your region or through your subscription. Try saying the artist name along with the song title, or open the Music app and search for it manually.

Syncing playlists across your devices

Playlists you create on your iPhone sync automatically to your other Apple devices — iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — if you are signed into the same Apple ID and have iCloud Music Library turned on. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Music, and make sure Sync Library is turned on (the toggle should be green).

If you turn off Sync Library, your playlists stay on your iPhone but do not appear on your other devices. If you turn it back on later, the playlists reappear. This setting affects all your music, not just playlists, so check before you change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add songs to a playlist that I do not own?

Yes. If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can add any song from Apple Music to a playlist, even if you have not purchased it. The song streams when you play the playlist. If you do not have a subscription, you can only add songs you own or have downloaded to your device.

What happens to a playlist if I delete the Music app?

If you delete the Music app and reinstall it, your playlists come back if you are signed into the same Apple ID and Sync Library is on. If Sync Library is off, you lose the playlists. Always check your sync settings before deleting the app.

Can I make a playlist private so only I can see it?

Playlists you create are private by default — only you can see them on your device. If you share a playlist using the Share button, you can choose whether to share it as a link (others can view but not edit) or as a collaboration (others can add and remove songs).

How many songs can I add to one playlist?

There is no set limit to how many songs you can add to a playlist. You can create a playlist with hundreds of songs if you want. The longer the playlist, the longer it takes to scroll through, but the app handles it without problems.

Can I add a song to multiple playlists at once?

No, you have to add a song to one playlist at a time. Open the song, tap the three dots, select Add to Playlist, and choose which playlist. If you want the same song in several playlists, repeat this step for each one.