Creating a basic playlist in Apple Music
To create a playlist in Apple Music, open the Music app on your device and tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen. Look for the Playlists section — it usually appears near the top of the Library view. Tap the plus sign or New Playlist button to start.
You will be asked to name your playlist and optionally add a description. The name is what appears in your library, so choose something you will recognize later — "Road Trip" or "Morning Workout" works better than "Playlist 1". The description is optional and only you see it, so you can skip it or use it to note the mood or occasion the playlist is for.
Once you name the playlist, the app opens an empty list. You are now ready to add songs. Do not worry if you do not have songs in mind yet — you can add them when ready or come back and build the playlist over time.
Key Takeaways
- Create a new playlist by opening the Music app, going to Library, finding Playlists, and tapping the plus sign to name it.
- Add songs to your playlist by searching for them, playing them, or tapping the three-dot menu next to any song and selecting "Add to Playlist".
- Reorder songs within a playlist by holding down on a song and dragging it to a new position, or by tapping Edit and using the reorder handles.
- Share a playlist with others by tapping the three-dot menu next to the playlist name and choosing the share option for your device type.
- Delete songs from a playlist without removing them from your library by swiping left on the song (iPhone) or right-clicking it (Mac).
Adding songs to your playlist
There are several ways to add songs to a playlist. The quickest method is to search for a song, album, or artist in the Music app, then tap the three-dot menu next to the song title and select Add to Playlist. A list of your playlists appears — tap the one you want to add the song to.
You can also add songs while you are listening to them. When a song is playing, tap the three-dot menu (usually in the now-playing screen or next to the song title) and choose Add to Playlist. This works whether you are listening to Apple Music songs, songs you own, or radio stations.
If you want to add multiple songs at once, some devices let you select several songs before adding them. On iPhone, tap Edit in the search results or album view, tap each song you want to add, then tap Add to Playlist at the bottom. On Mac, hold down the Command key and click each song, then right-click and choose Add to Playlist.
Organizing and reordering songs
Once songs are in your playlist, you can arrange them in any order you want. On iPhone or iPad, open the playlist, tap Edit in the top right, then hold down on the three horizontal lines next to each song and drag it to a new position. Release your finger to drop it in place.
On Mac, open the playlist and click and drag any song to move it. You do not need to enter edit mode first — just click and hold on the song and drag it where you want it to go.
You can also remove songs from the playlist without deleting them from your library. On iPhone, swipe left on the song in the playlist and tap Remove. On Mac, right-click the song and select Remove from Playlist. The song stays in your library and in any other playlists — it only disappears from this one.
Sharing your playlist with others
Apple Music lets you share playlists with friends and family. Open the playlist you want to share, tap the three-dot menu next to the playlist name (not next to a song), and look for a share option. On iPhone, you will see Share Playlist or a share icon. On Mac, right-click the playlist name and select Share Playlist.
You can share via text message, email, social media, or a direct link depending on your device. When someone receives the link, they can view the playlist and add it to their own library if they have an Apple Music account. They can listen to it even if they do not have all the songs downloaded.
Keep in mind that shared playlists show your name as the creator. If you want to share a playlist privately with one person, sending a direct link is more private than posting it on social media.
Editing playlist details after creation
You can change a playlist's name, description, or cover image after you create it. Open the playlist and tap the three-dot menu next to the playlist name. Select Edit Playlist or Edit Details depending on your device.
From here you can change the name, update the description, or add a custom cover image. To add a cover image, tap the current image (or the blank space if there is no image) and choose a photo from your device or take a new one. The image appears at the top of the playlist when you open it.
You can also make a playlist collaborative, which lets other people add songs to it. Look for a Collaborative Playlist toggle in the edit menu. When turned on, anyone you share the link with can add, remove, or reorder songs — useful for group road trips or shared workout playlists.
Syncing playlists across your devices
Playlists you create in Apple Music sync automatically across all your devices if you are signed into the same Apple ID. A playlist you create on your iPhone appears on your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch without any extra steps.
If a playlist is not showing up on another device, check that you are signed into the same Apple ID in the Music app settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Music and confirm your account. On Mac, open the Music app, go to Music > Preferences (or Settings on newer versions), and check the account tab.
Syncing usually happens within a few minutes, but if you are in a hurry, sign out of the Music app and sign back in to force an when ready sync. This refreshes your playlists and ensures all your devices are up to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a playlist with songs I do not own?
Yes. Apple Music playlists can mix songs you own, songs from your Apple Music account, and songs from other sources. You do not need to own a song to add it to a playlist — as long as it is available in Apple Music, you can include it.
What happens to my playlist if I cancel Apple Music?
Playlists you created stay in your library, but songs that are only in Apple Music (not songs you own) will show a lock icon and will not play. Songs you own or purchased will still play. You can keep the playlist structure and add different songs later if you resubscribe.
How many songs can I add to one playlist?
Apple Music does not publish a hard limit, but playlists with thousands of songs may load slowly on older devices. Most people find playlists between 50 and 500 songs work smoothly. If you hit performance issues, split a large playlist into smaller ones.
Can I delete a playlist by accident?
Yes, but you can undo it when ready. If you delete a playlist, a notification appears with an Undo button — tap it within a few seconds to restore the playlist. If you dismiss the notification, the playlist is gone and you will need to recreate it manually.
Do other people see when I add songs to a shared playlist?
If the playlist is collaborative, yes — other people see songs as you add them in real time. If it is a regular shared playlist (not collaborative), people see the final version but not the moment-by-moment changes. Only collaborative playlists show live updates.