The fastest way to copy a Spotify playlist

To copy a Spotify playlist, open the playlist you want to copy, tap or click the three dots next to the playlist name, and select "Copy link to playlist." Then create a new playlist in your library, open it, and paste that link into a message to yourself or a notes app — but that only gives you the link, not the songs themselves.

The actual way to copy the songs is to open the original playlist, select all the songs (Ctrl+A on Windows, Cmd+A on Mac, or tap and hold on mobile), then add them to a new playlist you create. On mobile, you may need to do this song by song or in smaller batches, depending on your device. On desktop, you can select multiple songs at once and drag them into a new playlist, or right-click and choose "Add to Playlist."

Key Takeaways

  • Desktop Spotify lets you select all songs in a playlist at once and add them to a new one in a few clicks, while mobile requires adding songs individually or in smaller groups.
  • You must create a new playlist first before you can add songs to it — Spotify does not have a one-click "duplicate playlist" button.
  • Copying a playlist creates a separate version in your library; changes to the original playlist will not appear in your copy.
  • If the original playlist is collaborative or public, your copy will be private by default unless you change the settings after creating it.

Copying a playlist on desktop

Open Spotify on your computer and find the playlist you want to copy. Click on the playlist name to open it. At the top of the song list, you should see a checkbox — click it to select all songs in the playlist at once. This works best if the playlist has fewer than a few hundred songs; very large playlists may require scrolling to the bottom and clicking again to ensure all songs are selected.

Once all songs are highlighted, right-click anywhere in the selected area and choose "Add to Playlist." A menu will appear showing your existing playlists and an option to create a new one. Click "Create New Playlist," give it a name, and Spotify will add all the selected songs to it. The new playlist appears in your library immediately, and you can edit its name, description, or privacy settings by clicking the three dots next to the playlist name.

Copying a playlist on mobile

On iPhone or Android, open the Spotify app and navigate to the playlist you want to copy. Tap the three dots at the top of the playlist screen. You will see options including "Create Playlist" or "Make Playlist" — tap that to create a new, empty playlist. Name it and confirm.

Go back to the original playlist. On most phones, you can tap and hold on a song to see options, then choose "Add to Playlist" and select the new playlist you just created. If your phone allows multi-select (usually by tapping and holding, then tapping other songs), you can add several songs at once. However, many phones require you to add songs one at a time or in small groups. This process is slower than desktop, so consider using a computer if the playlist is very long.

What happens to collaborative and public playlists

If you copy a playlist that is marked as collaborative (meaning other people can add or remove songs), your copy will be private and non-collaborative by default. Only you can edit it. If you want others to be able to edit your copy, you must change the privacy settings after creating it — click the three dots, select "Edit Playlist," and toggle "Collaborative Playlist" on.

Similarly, if the original playlist is public (visible to anyone who searches for it), your copy starts as private. You can make it public later if you want, but this is not automatic. This separation means you can safely copy a public playlist without affecting the original, and the original creator will not see your copy in their account.

Why your copy does not update when the original changes

When you copy a playlist, you are creating a snapshot of the songs that were in it at that moment. If the person who owns the original playlist adds new songs, removes songs, or reorders them, your copy will not change. This is different from following a playlist, which shows you updates in real time but does not let you edit it.

If you want to stay current with a playlist that changes often, consider following it instead of copying it. You can follow a playlist by clicking the heart icon or the "Follow" button on the playlist page. Followed playlists appear in your library and update automatically, but you cannot add or remove songs from them unless they are collaborative.

Copying playlists from other people

You can copy any public playlist on Spotify, whether it belongs to a friend, an artist, or Spotify itself. Search for the playlist by name, open it, and follow the same steps as copying your own playlist. The original creator will not be notified that you copied it, and they cannot see your copy unless you share it with them directly.

If someone shares a playlist link with you, click the link to open it in Spotify. From there, you can copy it using the same method. If the playlist is private and you do not have permission to view it, you will see a message saying the playlist is not available, and you will not be able to copy it.

Organizing and managing your copied playlists

After you copy a playlist, you can rename it, add or remove songs, and change who can see it. Right-click the playlist name (on desktop) or tap the three dots (on mobile) and select "Edit Playlist" to change the name, description, or cover image. You can also delete songs from your copy without affecting the original.

If you copy multiple playlists and want to keep them organized, consider using a naming system — for example, "Copy: [Original Name]" or grouping them by genre or mood. Spotify does not have folders, but you can create a playlist of playlists by adding links to your copied playlists in a notes app or document for easy reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a playlist that someone else owns without them knowing?

Yes. Copying a playlist is private — the original owner will not receive a notification, and they cannot see your copy unless you share it with them directly. They can only see that you followed the playlist if you chose to follow it instead of copying it.

What if the playlist has hundreds of songs and selecting them all does not work?

On desktop, try scrolling to the bottom of the playlist and clicking the select-all checkbox again to ensure every song is highlighted. If Spotify still will not select all songs at once, you can select them in batches — highlight 50 or 100 songs, add them to your new playlist, then go back and repeat. On mobile, adding songs in batches is often the only practical option.

Can I copy a private playlist that a friend shared with me?

If your friend shared a private playlist with you and you can see it in Spotify, you can copy it. If they only sent you a link but the playlist is not visible in your library, you may not have permission to view it, and copying will not be possible.

Will my copied playlist stay updated if the original changes?

No. Your copy is a separate playlist that does not change when the original is updated. If you want to see new songs added to the original, follow it instead, but note that you cannot edit a followed playlist unless it is marked as collaborative.

How do I share my copied playlist with someone else?

Right-click the playlist (desktop) or tap the three dots (mobile) and select "Share." You can copy a link to send via message, email, or social media. Before sharing, make sure the playlist is set to public or collaborative if you want others to see it — private playlists cannot be shared with people outside your account.