Deleting a playlist in Apple Music takes one tap on your phone or one click on your computer, and the process is the same whether you created the playlist yourself or saved one someone else made

Open Apple Music and find the playlist you want to remove. On iPhone or iPad, tap and hold the playlist name, then select "Delete Playlist" from the menu that appears. On Mac or Windows, right-click the playlist and choose "Delete Playlist". On Apple TV, highlight the playlist, press and hold the select button, then choose delete. The playlist disappears when ready — you cannot undo this action, so make sure you want it gone before you confirm.

The distinction between deleting and removing matters. When you delete a playlist, it vanishes from your library entirely. When you remove a song from a playlist, the song stays in Apple Music but leaves that particular list. This guide covers deletion, which is permanent.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a playlist removes it from your library permanently and cannot be undone, so double-check before confirming.
  • The delete option appears in a menu when you tap and hold (iPhone/iPad), right-click (Mac/Windows), or press and hold select (Apple TV).
  • Deleting a playlist you created affects only your own library — it does not remove the playlist from other people's accounts or from Apple Music's catalog.
  • If you saved a playlist someone else made, deleting it from your library does not delete the original or affect the person who created it.

Deleting a playlist on iPhone or iPad

Open the Apple Music app and go to the Library tab at the bottom of your screen. Scroll to find the playlist you want to delete. Press and hold your finger on the playlist name until a menu appears with several options. Tap "Delete Playlist" at the bottom of that menu.

A confirmation message will ask "Delete [Playlist Name]?" Tap "Delete" again to confirm. The playlist is now gone from your library. If you change your mind when ready, you cannot restore it — you would need to recreate it manually or ask the original creator to send you the link again if it was a shared playlist.

Deleting a playlist on Mac or Windows

Open Apple Music on your computer. In the sidebar on the left, find the playlist under "Library" or "Playlists". Right-click directly on the playlist name. A menu will appear with options including "Delete Playlist" near the bottom. Click it.

A dialog box will ask you to confirm. Click "Delete" to remove the playlist from your library. Like the phone version, this action is permanent and cannot be reversed through the app itself. If you realize you made a mistake, your only option is to recreate the playlist from scratch or find it again if someone else created it.

Deleting a playlist on Apple TV

Navigate to the Library section in Apple Music on your Apple TV. Scroll through your playlists until you find the one you want to remove. Highlight the playlist and press and hold the select button on your remote. A menu will appear with the option to delete. Select it and confirm when prompted.

The process on Apple TV works the same way as on other devices — the deletion is when ready and permanent. If you use Apple TV as your primary way to listen to music, this is the fastest way to clean up your library from your living room.

What happens when you delete a playlist you created

If you made the playlist yourself, deleting it removes it only from your own account. Other people who saved or subscribed to that playlist will still see it in their libraries — your deletion does not affect their copies. If you shared the playlist with specific people through a link or by adding them as collaborators, they keep their access to it even after you delete your version.

The songs themselves remain in Apple Music's catalog and in anyone else's library. Deleting a playlist does not delete the individual songs, and it does not remove them from other playlists you may have created.

What happens when you delete a playlist someone else created

If you saved a playlist that another person made, deleting it from your library removes only your personal copy. The original creator's version stays intact, and the playlist remains available for other people to find and save. Your deletion does not notify the creator or change anything on their account.

This is useful if you saved a playlist months ago and no longer listen to it — you can clean up your library without affecting anyone else. You can always search for the playlist again later and save a fresh copy if you change your mind.

Removing individual songs from a playlist instead of deleting the whole list

If you want to keep the playlist but remove certain songs from it, you do not need to delete the entire thing. On iPhone or iPad, open the playlist, swipe left on any song, and tap the trash icon. On Mac, right-click a song in the playlist and select "Remove from Playlist". On Windows, right-click and choose the same option. The song leaves the playlist but stays in your Apple Music library and in any other playlists where it appears.

You can also edit the playlist name, description, or cover image without deleting it. Tap or click the three dots next to the playlist name to access these options. This lets you refresh a playlist you like without losing all the work you put into building it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a deleted playlist back?

No. Apple Music does not keep a trash or recovery folder for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion, it is gone. If someone else created the playlist, you can search for it again and save a fresh copy, but your personal edits or notes will be lost.

If I delete a playlist, do the songs get deleted from Apple Music?

No. Deleting a playlist removes only the list itself, not the songs. All the music stays in Apple Music and in your library. You can still find and play those songs individually or add them to other playlists.

What if I shared a playlist with friends before I deleted it?

Your friends keep their copy of the shared playlist even after you delete yours. They can still listen to it and make changes to their version. Your deletion does not affect their access or their copy.

Can I delete a playlist on the Apple Music website?

The Apple Music website does not have a delete option for playlists. You must use the app on your phone, computer, or Apple TV. If you only have access to a web browser, you can open the Apple Music app on any device you own to delete the playlist there.