Delete a playlist you created in three steps

Open Spotify on your phone or computer and find the playlist you want to remove. Right-click the playlist name (or tap and hold on mobile), then select "Delete" from the menu. Confirm when Spotify asks if you're sure. The playlist disappears when ready, and Spotify stops storing it on your account.

If you created the playlist yourself, you own it completely and can delete it at any time. Spotify doesn't keep a backup — once you confirm the deletion, the playlist and all the songs in it are gone from your library. You can recreate it later by adding songs again, but the original is not recoverable.

Deleting a playlist you created does not delete the songs themselves from Spotify's library or from any other playlists where they appear. It only removes that specific collection from your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete any playlist you created by right-clicking it and selecting "Delete" — the action is permanent and cannot be undone.
  • Playlists shared with you by other people cannot be deleted by you; you can only remove them from your library by unfollowing them.
  • Deleting a playlist removes only the collection itself, not the individual songs from Spotify or from other playlists.
  • Spotify stores your playlists on its servers, so deleting one from your phone also removes it from your computer and all other devices where you use the same account.
  • If you want to keep a playlist but hide it temporarily, you can unfollow it instead of deleting it, then follow it again later.

The difference between deleting and unfollowing

Spotify gives you two ways to remove a playlist from your view: delete it or unfollow it. The choice matters depending on who created the playlist.

If you created the playlist, you can only delete it — unfollowing is not an option. Deletion is permanent. If someone else created the playlist and shared it with you, you cannot delete it, but you can unfollow it. Unfollowing hides the playlist from your library without removing it from the creator's account or from anyone else's library. You can follow it again later if you change your mind.

Think of deletion as removing something you own, and unfollowing as stepping away from something someone else owns.

Deleting playlists on different devices

The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use Spotify on a phone, tablet, or computer, but the result is the same across all devices.

On iPhone or iPad: Open Spotify, go to your library, find the playlist, tap the three dots next to its name, and select "Delete Playlist." Confirm the deletion.

On Android: Open Spotify, go to your library, find the playlist, tap the three dots next to its name, and select "Delete." Confirm when prompted.

On Mac or Windows: Right-click the playlist name in your library and select "Delete" from the menu. Confirm the deletion in the popup window.

On the web player: Hover over the playlist name, click the three dots that appear, and select "Delete Playlist." Confirm when asked.

Because Spotify syncs your account across all devices, deleting a playlist on one device removes it everywhere. You do not need to delete it separately on your phone and your computer.

What happens to collaborative playlists

If you created a playlist and invited others to add songs to it, you are still the owner and can delete it at any time. When you delete a collaborative playlist, it disappears from everyone's library — not just yours. The other contributors lose access to it when ready.

If someone else created a collaborative playlist and invited you to contribute, you cannot delete it. You can only unfollow it. The creator can delete the entire playlist whenever they choose, which will remove it from your library as well.

Before deleting a collaborative playlist, consider whether the other people using it might want to keep it. There is no way to restore it after deletion, and they will not receive a warning that it is gone.

Recovering a deleted playlist

Spotify does not offer a built-in recovery tool for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion, the playlist is gone permanently. Spotify does not keep a trash folder or archive of deleted playlists, and customer support cannot restore one.

If you deleted a playlist by accident and remember most of the songs in it, you can recreate it manually by searching for each song and adding it to a new playlist. If you remember only some of the songs, you can look at your listening history or search your email for any messages where you shared the playlist — those messages sometimes include the song list.

To avoid accidental deletion, consider unfollowing a playlist instead of deleting it if you are unsure whether you want to keep it. You can always delete it later.

Why you might want to delete playlists

Over time, your Spotify library can fill up with playlists you no longer listen to. Deleting old ones keeps your library organized and makes it easier to find the playlists you actually use. Spotify does not limit the number of playlists you can create, so there is no storage penalty for keeping them, but a cluttered library can slow down navigation.

You might also delete a playlist if it contains songs you no longer want to hear, or if you created it for a specific event or mood that has passed. Some people delete playlists to start fresh with a new version that reflects their current taste.

If you share your Spotify account with family members, deleting a playlist removes it from their view as well. Make sure you are not deleting something another account user depends on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a playlist deletion?

No. Spotify does not have an undo feature for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion, it is permanent. If you think you might want the playlist back, unfollow it instead of deleting it — unfollowing hides it from your library but keeps it in existence so you can follow it again later.

What happens to the songs in a deleted playlist?

The songs themselves remain in Spotify's library and in any other playlists where they appear. Deleting a playlist only removes the collection, not the individual tracks. If you want to keep the songs, save them to a different playlist before you delete the original one.

If I delete a playlist, can other people still see it?

If you created the playlist and it was private, only you could see it, so deletion affects only your account. If you shared the playlist with others or made it public, deleting it removes it from their libraries too. They will no longer be able to access it or add songs to it.

How do I delete a playlist I don't own?

You cannot delete a playlist created by someone else. You can only unfollow it, which removes it from your library. To unfollow, right-click the playlist and select "Unfollow," or tap the three dots and choose "Remove from Your Library." The creator still owns the playlist and can delete it themselves if they choose.

Does deleting a playlist free up storage space on my phone?

Deleting a playlist from Spotify does not free up phone storage. Spotify stores playlists on its servers, not on your device. If you downloaded songs for offline listening, deleting the playlist does not remove the downloaded files — you have to delete those separately in Spotify's settings.