Where to find the delete option depends on which app you use

Deleting a playlist is straightforward once you know where to look, but the exact steps change depending on whether you use Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or another service. The delete button is never buried — it's usually one or two taps away from the playlist itself — but each app puts it in a slightly different spot. This guide covers the most common music and video platforms.

Before you delete, know that this action is permanent. The playlist and all the songs or videos in it will be gone. If you created the playlist yourself, you won't get it back by refreshing or restarting the app. Some services do let you recover a deleted playlist for a short window if you act fast, but don't count on it.

Key Takeaways

  • On Spotify, right-click the playlist name on desktop or tap the three dots on mobile, then select delete from the menu.
  • Apple Music requires you to tap and hold the playlist, then choose delete from the options that appear.
  • YouTube Music shows a three-dot menu next to the playlist name where you can select delete.
  • Amazon Music uses a three-dot menu as well, but the option may be labeled "Remove" instead of "Delete".
  • Deleting a playlist is permanent and cannot be undone in most services, so double-check before confirming.

Deleting a playlist on Spotify

On the Spotify desktop app, find the playlist in your library on the left side of the screen. Right-click directly on the playlist name. A menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Delete" near the bottom of that menu and click it. A confirmation message will ask if you're sure — click "Delete" again to confirm.

On Spotify mobile (iPhone or Android), open the app and go to your library. Find the playlist you want to remove. Tap the three dots (or three horizontal lines) next to the playlist name. Scroll down in the menu that appears and tap "Delete Playlist". Confirm when prompted.

If you created the playlist yourself, it will vanish immediately. If someone else created it and shared it with you, tapping delete will only remove it from your library — the original playlist still exists for the person who made it.

Deleting a playlist on Apple Music

Open Apple Music and navigate to your library. Find the playlist you want to delete. On iPhone or iPad, tap and hold (press and hold your finger) on the playlist name for about one second. A menu will appear with options including "Delete Playlist". Tap it, then confirm when the app asks if you're sure.

On a Mac, right-click the playlist name in your library sidebar. Select "Delete Playlist" from the menu. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

On Apple Music, you can only delete playlists you created yourself. Playlists that Apple Music created for you (like "New Music Daily") cannot be deleted, though you can remove them from your library so they don't show up.

Deleting a playlist on YouTube Music

Open YouTube Music and go to your library. Find the playlist you want to remove. Tap or click the three dots next to the playlist name or thumbnail. A menu will drop down. Select "Delete playlist" from the options. Confirm when the app asks you to verify.

YouTube Music only lets you delete playlists you created. Playlists that YouTube Music generated for you automatically cannot be deleted, but you can hide them from your library view.

Deleting a playlist on Amazon Music

Open Amazon Music and find the playlist in your library. Tap or click the three dots next to the playlist name. A menu will appear. Look for "Remove" or "Delete" — Amazon uses both terms depending on your device and app version. Select it and confirm when prompted.

On some Amazon Music devices (like Echo speakers), you may need to use the Alexa app on your phone to delete playlists instead of deleting them directly on the device.

What happens to the songs after you delete the playlist

Deleting a playlist does not delete the individual songs from your library or device. If you saved songs to your library separately, they will still be there. The playlist is just a container — removing the container doesn't remove what was inside it.

The only exception is if you were listening to a shared playlist that someone else created and you had not saved any of those songs individually. In that case, you lose access to the list, but the songs still exist in the original creator's library and in the service's catalog.

How to recover a deleted playlist

Most music services do not offer a way to recover a deleted playlist after you confirm the deletion. Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music treat deletion as permanent. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Your best option is to check if you have a backup. If you exported your playlist to a file (some services let you do this), you may be able to re-import it. Otherwise, if you remember most of the songs, you can create a new playlist and add them back manually. This takes time but is the only real recovery method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a playlist someone else made and shared with me?

You can remove it from your library so it no longer appears in your account, but you cannot delete the original playlist. The person who created it still has it. Removing it from your library is the same action as deleting it from your perspective — it will no longer show up when you open the app.

Will deleting a playlist remove the songs from my device?

No. Deleting a playlist only removes the list itself. Any songs you saved individually to your library or downloaded to your device will remain. The playlist was just a way to organize them.

What if I accidentally deleted a playlist I wanted to keep?

Most services do not have an undo button for deleted playlists. If you remember the songs that were in it, you can create a new playlist and add them back. Some services may keep a backup for a few days, but this is not may provide — contact the service's support if you want to ask.

Can I delete a playlist on my smart speaker or car?

It depends on the device. Some smart speakers and car systems let you delete playlists directly, but many require you to use the companion app on your phone instead. Check your device's manual or the app settings to see where the delete option is located.

Why can't I delete some of my playlists?

Playlists created by the service itself (like algorithmic playlists or radio stations) usually cannot be deleted. You can hide them or remove them from your library, but the delete option won't appear. Only playlists you created yourself can be permanently deleted.