Delete a playlist you created in three steps

To delete a playlist you made yourself, open Spotify on your phone or computer, find the playlist in your library, and tap or right-click the three dots next to its name. Select "Delete playlist" from the menu that appears. The playlist disappears immediately — Spotify does not send it to a trash folder first.

On desktop, you can also click the playlist name to open it, then look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the playlist page. The delete option is there as well. Either method works; use whichever is faster for you.

If you change your mind within a few seconds, you may see an undo prompt at the bottom of your screen. Click it to restore the playlist. After that window closes, the deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed through Spotify's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only delete playlists you created yourself; playlists made by other users or by Spotify cannot be deleted, only unfollowed.
  • The three-dot menu next to a playlist name in your library is the fastest way to find the delete option on any device.
  • Deleted playlists cannot be recovered after the undo window closes, so double-check the playlist name before confirming.
  • Unfollowing a playlist removes it from your library without deleting it, which is what you need to do for playlists made by others.

The difference between deleting and unfollowing

Spotify treats your own playlists and other people's playlists differently. When you delete a playlist you created, it vanishes completely — no one else can see it, and you cannot recover it. When you unfollow a playlist made by someone else or by Spotify itself, it simply leaves your library, but the playlist still exists for other followers and the original creator.

If you see a playlist in your library that you did not create, the three-dot menu will show "Remove from Your Library" or "Unfollow" instead of "Delete." These options remove the playlist from your view without destroying it. The original creator keeps their copy intact, and other people following it are unaffected.

Deleting playlists on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on iPhone, Android, and desktop, but the menu looks slightly different. On a phone, swipe left on the playlist name (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then tap the trash icon or delete option. On desktop, right-click the playlist and select "Delete playlist" from the context menu.

If you use the Spotify web player in a browser instead of the desktop app, the process is the same as desktop: right-click the playlist name and choose delete. The web player and desktop app share the same menus, so you will see identical options either way.

What happens to songs in a deleted playlist

Deleting a playlist does not remove the songs themselves from Spotify or from your Liked Songs. The songs stay in Spotify's catalog and in any other playlists where you added them. You are only removing the container — the playlist itself — not the individual tracks.

If you saved songs to that playlist and nowhere else, you will lose track of them once the playlist is gone. For this reason, consider moving important songs to another playlist or to your Liked Songs before deleting a playlist you spent time building.

Recovering a deleted playlist

Spotify does not have a recovery feature for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion and the undo window closes, the playlist is permanently gone. There is no way to restore it through settings, support, or any other method.

If you deleted a playlist by accident and the undo prompt has already disappeared, your only option is to recreate it manually by searching for and adding the songs again. This is why the undo window appears — it is your only safety net. If you frequently delete playlists by mistake, consider creating a "To Delete" playlist first and moving songs there before removing the original.

Deleting collaborative playlists

If you created a collaborative playlist that other people are editing, deleting it removes it for everyone who was following it. All contributors lose access immediately. Before you delete a shared playlist, make sure no one else needs it or has added songs they want to keep.

If you are a contributor to a collaborative playlist but did not create it, you cannot delete it — you can only unfollow it. The original creator is the only person who can delete a collaborative playlist. If you want it removed, you will need to ask them to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a Spotify-made playlist like Discover Weekly or Release Radar?

No. Playlists created by Spotify itself cannot be deleted. You can unfollow them to remove them from your library, but the delete option will not appear. If you want them out of sight, unfollowing is your only choice.

What if I deleted a playlist by accident and the undo button is gone?

Unfortunately, Spotify does not recover deleted playlists after the undo window closes. You would need to recreate the playlist and add the songs back manually. This is why the undo prompt appears — it is your only chance to reverse the deletion.

Does deleting a playlist remove the songs from my library?

No. The songs stay in Spotify and in any other playlists where you added them. Deleting a playlist only removes the playlist itself, not the individual tracks. If you saved songs only to that playlist, you will lose track of them, so move important songs to another playlist first if you are unsure.

Can I delete a playlist someone else created?

Only if you created it. If another user made the playlist, you will see "Unfollow" or "Remove from Your Library" instead of "Delete." You can remove it from your library, but the original creator keeps their copy and other followers are unaffected.

What happens when I delete a collaborative playlist?

Everyone who was following it loses access immediately. All contributors can no longer see or edit it. Only the person who created the collaborative playlist can delete it, so ask them first if other people are using it.