Spotify has revolutionized the way we listen to music, offering millions of songs at our fingertips. As avid music lovers, we often create numerous playlists to suit our moods, activities, or special occasions.
However, over time, these playlists can clutter our library, making it difficult to find the music we want. That’s where knowing how to delete playlists on Spotify comes in handy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of deleting Spotify playlists on various devices, troubleshoot common issues, and provide best practices for managing your music library.
Deleting Playlists on Mobile Devices
Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, the process of deleting a Spotify playlist is relatively straightforward.
Steps for iPhone:
- Open the Spotify app on your iPhone.
- Tap ‘Your Library‘ at the bottom of the screen.
- Select ‘Playlists‘ and find the playlist you want to delete.
- Tap the three-dot icon (…) to the right of the playlist name.
- Scroll down and select ‘Delete Playlist‘.
- Confirm by tapping ‘Delete’ in the pop-up window.
Steps for Android:
The process for Android devices is nearly identical:
- Launch the Spotify app on your Android phone.
- Tap ‘Your Library‘ at the bottom.
- Find the playlist you wish to delete.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the playlist name.
- Select ‘Delete Playlist‘.
- Confirm the deletion.
Common Issues on Mobile:
Sometimes, you might encounter issues when trying to delete playlists on mobile devices. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Ensure your app is updated to the latest version.
- If the delete option doesn’t appear, try force-closing the app and reopening it.
- Check your internet connection, as a poor connection can interfere with app functions.
If you’re experiencing broader issues, such as Spotify not responding, you may need to troubleshoot further or reinstall the app.
Deleting Playlists on Desktop
For those who prefer managing their Spotify library on a computer, here’s how to delete playlists using the desktop application or web player.
Steps for Spotify Desktop App:
- Open the Spotify desktop application.
- In the left sidebar, locate ‘Your Library‘.
- Find the playlist you want to delete.
- Right-click on the playlist name.
- Select ‘Delete‘ from the context menu.
- Confirm the deletion in the pop-up window.
Steps for Web Player:
- Go to open.spotify.com and log in.
- On the left sidebar, click ‘Your Library‘.
- Find the playlist you wish to delete.
- Click the three-dot menu next to the playlist name.
- Choose ‘Delete‘ from the dropdown.
- Confirm your choice.
If you’re having persistent issues with the desktop app, consider uninstalling and reinstalling Spotify.
Tips for Bulk Deleting:
If you need to delete multiple playlists, try this method:
- Create a new playlist folder.
- Drag all the playlists you want to delete into this folder.
- Right-click the folder and select ‘Delete‘.
- Confirm the deletion to remove all playlists in the folder at once.
Unfollowing vs Deleting Playlists
It’s important to understand the difference between unfollowing and deleting a playlist. When you unfollow a playlist, it’s removed from your library but not deleted entirely, especially if it’s a playlist created by Spotify or another user.
When to Unfollow Instead of Delete:
- For playlists you didn’t create
- Spotify-curated playlists
- Playlists created by other users
How to Unfollow Playlists:
- Go to the playlist you want to unfollow.
- Click or tap the heart icon next to the playlist name.
- The playlist will be removed from your library but still exists on Spotify.
Managing Playlist Folders
Spotify allows you to organize your playlists into folders. Here’s how to manage them:
How to Delete Playlist Folders:
- Right-click on the folder you want to delete.
- Select ‘Delete‘ from the context menu.
- Confirm the deletion.
Note: Deleting a folder will also delete all playlists inside it.
Moving Playlists Out of Folders:
To keep playlists when deleting a folder:
- Open the folder.
- Drag individual playlists out of the folder into your main playlist area.
- Once the folder is empty, you can safely delete it.
Removing Playlists from Your Profile
If you want to keep a playlist but don’t want it visible on your public profile:
- Go to the playlist.
- Click or tap the three-dot menu.
- Select ‘Remove from Profile‘.
This action hides the playlist from your public profile but keeps it in your library.
Recovering Deleted Playlists
Made a mistake? Don’t worry! Spotify allows you to recover deleted playlists within 90 days.
- Go to your account page on Spotify’s website.
- Click on ‘Recover playlists‘ in the menu.
- Find the playlist you want to recover.
- Click ‘Restore‘ next to it.
The playlist will reappear in your library with all its songs intact.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear instructions, you might encounter some problems. Here are solutions to common issues:
- App Glitches: If the app isn’t responding, try force-closing and reopening it, or reinstalling the app.
- Sync Problems: Ensure you’re logged into the same account across all devices.
- Playlists Reappearing: This could be due to offline mode or sync issues. Try disabling offline mode and ensuring your app is up-to-date.
- Playback Issues: If Spotify keeps skipping songs or songs aren’t playing, check your internet connection, update the app, or clear your cache.
- Queue Management: Learn how to clear your Spotify queue to start fresh or remove unwanted tracks.
Best Practices for Playlist Management
To keep your Spotify library organized:
- Regularly review and delete or unfollow playlists you no longer need.
- Use folders to categorize playlists by genre, mood, or occasion.
- Backup important playlists by sharing them with a secondary account.
- For travel, learn how to use Spotify on a plane by downloading playlists for offline listening.
FAQ
- Can I recover a playlist after 90 days? Unfortunately, Spotify only keeps deleted playlists for 90 days. After that, they’re permanently deleted.
- Will deleting a playlist remove the songs from my library? No, deleting a playlist only removes the playlist itself. The songs will remain in your library if you’ve saved them.
- Can I delete multiple playlists at once on mobile? Currently, Spotify doesn’t offer a way to delete multiple playlists simultaneously on mobile devices.
- If I delete a collaborative playlist, will it be deleted for other users too? If you’re the creator of the collaborative playlist, deleting it will remove it for all users. If you’re a collaborator, it will only be removed from your library.
- Can I delete Spotify-created playlists? You can’t delete Spotify-created playlists, but you can unfollow them to remove them from your library.
By following this guide, you should now be a pro at managing your Spotify playlists. Remember, a well-organized music library can enhance your listening experience, making it easier to find and enjoy your favorite tunes. Happy listening!