To delete a playlist in the Spotify app on iPhone, open Your Library, tap the playlist, tap the three dots (…), and choose Delete playlist. You can also swipe left on the playlist in Your Library or touch and hold it. You can only delete playlists you created; for anyone else’s playlist, the option is Remove from Your Library.
Deleting a playlist also removes it from your profile. People who already follow it may keep a copy in their library, so make it private first if you don’t want others to find it.
Quick Answer
Your Library > open the playlist > … > Delete playlist > Delete.
Delete a Playlist You Created
- Open Spotify and tap Your Library.
- Tap the playlist you want to delete.
- Tap the three dots below the playlist name.
- Tap Delete playlist, then confirm with Delete.
Shortcut: In Your Library, touch and hold the playlist, or swipe left on it, to reach the same option.
Remove Someone Else’s Playlist
- Open the playlist from Your Library.
- Tap the green check mark (or the three dots) and choose Remove from Your Library.
This only removes it from your library. The playlist still exists for its owner.
Delete vs. Remove vs. Make Private
| Action | Who can use it | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Delete playlist | The creator | Gone from your library and profile |
| Remove from Your Library | Anyone | Hidden from your library only |
| Make private | The creator | Hidden from your profile and search; you keep it |
| Leave (collaborative) | Collaborators | You stop being a collaborator |
Get a Deleted Playlist Back
Spotify lets you restore playlists deleted in roughly the last 90 days. Sign in at the Spotify website on a computer or phone browser, open Account > Restore playlists, and select Restore. It then reappears in the app.
You can also change the Spotify volume level on iPhone from the same Settings menu.
Troubleshooting
- No Delete option: You didn’t create the playlist, or it’s a Spotify-made list such as Daylist or Discover Weekly. Use Remove from Your Library instead.
- The playlist comes back: Another device may be offline with an old copy. Update the app on every device and pull down to refresh Your Library.
- Can’t delete Liked Songs: It isn’t a regular playlist. Remove songs one at a time with the heart icon.
Signed in to the wrong account? See how to sign out of Spotify on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a playlist delete it for everyone?
It removes it from your profile and search, but followers may keep a copy. Make it private first if that matters.
Will deleting a playlist delete downloaded songs?
Yes, downloads that were only in that playlist are removed from your phone.
Summary
- Open the playlist and tap the three dots.
- Choose Delete playlist (your playlists) or Remove from Your Library (others’).
- Restore it from your account page within about 90 days if needed.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.