Deleting a playlist on Apple Music takes one tap on your phone or one click on your computer, and the process is the same whether you created it yourself or saved someone else's playlist to your library.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using the Apple Music app on iPhone or iPad, the Music app on Mac, or the web version at music.apple.com. In all cases, you are removing the playlist from your own library — not affecting the original playlist if someone else created it.

Deleted playlists cannot be recovered, so if you think you might want the songs again later, consider renaming it instead or moving the songs to a different playlist first.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, open the playlist, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Delete Playlist" from the menu.
  • On Mac, right-click the playlist name in the sidebar and choose "Delete" from the dropdown menu.
  • On the web at music.apple.com, click the three dots next to the playlist name and select "Delete Playlist".
  • Deleting a playlist removes it only from your library; if someone else created it, the original playlist remains unchanged for them.
  • Once deleted, a playlist cannot be restored, so export or screenshot your song list first if you want to keep a record.

Delete a playlist on iPhone or iPad

Open the Apple Music app and navigate to the playlist you want to delete. You can find it under the Library tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap "Playlists" to see your full list.

Tap the playlist to open it. In the top right corner, you will see three dots arranged vertically (called the "more" menu). Tap those three dots. A menu will appear with several options, including "Delete Playlist" near the bottom. Tap "Delete Playlist" and confirm when the app asks you to verify the deletion.

Delete a playlist on Mac

Open the Music app on your Mac. In the sidebar on the left, you will see your playlists listed under "Library". Find the playlist you want to delete.

Right-click directly on the playlist name. A small menu will pop up. Select "Delete" from that menu. The app will ask you to confirm; click "Delete" again in the confirmation dialog. The playlist will be removed from your library immediately.

Delete a playlist on the web

Go to music.apple.com in your web browser and sign in with your Apple ID if you are not already signed in. Click "Library" in the top navigation, then click "Playlists" to see your list.

Find the playlist you want to delete and hover your mouse over it. Three dots will appear on the right side of the playlist name. Click those three dots. Select "Delete Playlist" from the menu that appears. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

What happens when you delete a playlist

When you delete a playlist from your library, only your copy is removed. If you created the playlist and shared it with others, those people will no longer be able to see it or access it. If someone else created the playlist and you saved it to your library, deleting it from your library does not affect their original playlist or anyone else who has saved it.

The songs in the deleted playlist remain in Apple Music and in your overall music library — only the playlist grouping is removed. If you want to keep those songs organized, you can add them to a different playlist before deleting the original one.

Recovering a deleted playlist

Apple Music does not have a built-in undo or recovery feature for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion, the playlist is gone permanently. This is why it is worth taking a moment before confirming to make sure you actually want to remove it.

If you deleted a playlist by accident and remember most of the songs, you can recreate it manually by making a new playlist and adding the songs back one by one. If you are not sure what songs were in it, you may be able to find them by checking your listening history or by looking at your phone's backup if you use iCloud backup.

Organizing playlists instead of deleting them

If you are not certain you want to delete a playlist permanently, consider renaming it instead. On any device, you can rename a playlist by opening it, tapping or clicking the three dots, and selecting "Edit Playlist" or "Rename". You could rename it something like "Old — [original name]" to move it mentally out of your active rotation without losing it.

Another option is to move songs from a playlist you no longer use into a "Saved Songs" or "Favorites" playlist, then delete the original. This way you keep the music but lose the specific grouping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a playlist deletion?

No. Apple Music does not offer an undo option or a trash folder for deleted playlists. Once you confirm the deletion, the playlist is permanently removed. If you think you might want it back, rename it instead of deleting it.

If I delete a playlist I created, can other people still see it?

No. If you created and shared a playlist with others, deleting it from your library removes it for everyone who had access to it. If you only want to stop seeing it yourself, rename it or move it to the bottom of your playlist list instead.

What happens to the songs if I delete the playlist?

The songs stay in Apple Music and in your library. Deleting a playlist only removes the grouping — it does not delete the individual songs. You can still find and play them through search or by browsing your library.

Can I delete a playlist someone else created?

You can only delete playlists from your own library. If you saved someone else's playlist to your library, deleting it removes it from your view but does not affect the original playlist or anyone else who has saved it.

How do I delete multiple playlists at once?

Apple Music does not have a feature to select and delete multiple playlists simultaneously. You must delete them one at a time using the steps for your device.