How to Edit Playlists on iPhone

Editing playlists on your iPhone lets you rename them, change the order of songs, add or remove tracks, and delete the playlist entirely. You can do all of this directly in the Music app without needing a computer. This guide covers the current version of iOS (17 and 18) and walks you through every editing option step by step.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 17 or later (steps are nearly identical on iOS 16)
• The Music app (pre-installed, cannot be deleted)
• An active Apple Music subscription if you want to add songs from the catalog to a playlist (though you can still edit playlists you created with your own purchased or synced music)

Step-by-Step

Rename a Playlist

1. Open the Music app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Library at the bottom of the screen, then tap Playlists.
3. Find the playlist you want to rename and tap on it to open it.
4. Tap the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner of the playlist screen.
5. Tap Edit from the menu that appears.
6. Tap the name field at the top of the screen (where the playlist name is shown).
7. Type the new name, then tap Done in the upper-right corner.

Add Songs to a Playlist

1. Open the Music app and go to Library > Playlists.
2. Tap the playlist you want to add songs to.
3. Tap the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner.
4. Choose Add Songs from the menu.
5. Search or browse for the song you want. You can use the search bar at the top or scroll through your library.
6. Tap the plus (+) button next to a song to add it. The plus turns into a checkmark once added.
7. When you’re done, tap Done in the upper-right corner. The new songs appear at the end of the playlist.

Remove Songs from a Playlist

1. Open the playlist you want to edit.
2. Tap the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner.
3. Tap Edit.
4. Tap the red minus (−) button to the left of the song you want to remove.
5. Tap Delete that appears on the right side of that row.
6. Repeat for any other songs, then tap Done.

Reorder Songs in a Playlist

1. Open the playlist and tap the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Press and hold the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) on the right side of the song row you want to move.
4. Drag the song up or down to its new position. A red line shows where it will drop.
5. Release your finger to place the song.
6. Tap Done to save the new order.

Delete a Playlist

1. Go to Library > Playlists.
2. Tap the three dots (⋯) next to the playlist name (not the one inside the playlist).
3. Tap Delete from Library.
4. Confirm by tapping Delete in the pop-up. This removes the playlist but does not delete the songs from your library.

Edit Playlist Details (Description and Artwork)

1. Open the playlist and tap the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Tap the camera icon next to the playlist artwork to change the photo (you can take a new one or choose from your library).
4. Tap the description field below the name to add or edit text.
5. Tap Done to save changes.

Common Mistakes

• Deleting a song from a playlist instead of removing it: When you tap the minus button in Edit mode, you must then tap Delete to remove it from the playlist. If you just tap the minus and then Done, the song stays.
• Confusing “Delete from Library” with “Remove from Playlist”: Deleting a playlist does not delete the songs from your music library. However, if you delete a song from your library (via the song’s own menu), it will be removed from all playlists that contain it.
• Not saving changes: After editing, always tap Done in the top-right corner. If you swipe away or press the Home button without tapping Done, your changes may not be saved.
• Editing a smart playlist: Smart playlists (those with a gear icon) update automatically based on rules. You cannot manually add or remove songs from them; you must edit the rules instead.

Tips

• To quickly add a song to a playlist from the Now Playing screen, tap the three dots in the bottom-right, then choose Add to Playlist.
• You can also create a new playlist from the Now Playing screen by tapping New Playlist.
• If you want to duplicate a playlist, there’s no built-in duplicate button. You can create a new playlist and add the same songs manually, but it’s tedious. Alternatively, use a Mac or PC with iTunes to duplicate it and sync.
• Use Sort in the playlist’s three-dot menu to automatically reorder by title, artist, album, or release date. This overrides your manual order, so use it consciously.
• When editing a playlist, you can tap the shuffle icon at the top of the playlist to play in random order, but that doesn’t change the saved order.

Troubleshooting

• Changes not showing up on other devices: If you have iCloud Music Library or Sync Library enabled, changes sync automatically. Make sure you’re signed into the same Apple ID on all devices and have Wi-Fi or cellular data. If changes don’t appear, toggle Sync Library off and on in Settings > Music.
• Can’t find the Edit option: If you’re viewing a playlist that was created by someone else (shared playlist), you may not have permission to edit it. Only the owner can edit. If it’s a smart playlist, you can’t edit it manually.
• Add Songs button is grayed out: This can happen if you’re offline and trying to add songs that aren’t downloaded. Connect to the internet or download the songs first.
• Drag and drop doesn’t work: Make sure you press and hold the hamburger icon until the row lifts slightly, then drag. If it still doesn’t work, try restarting the Music app (swipe up from the bottom and close the app, then reopen).
• Playlist deleted by mistake: If you have Sync Library enabled, you can go to Settings > Music > Sync Library and toggle it off/on to force a resync, but there’s no official “recently deleted” for playlists. If you have a backup on iCloud or your computer, you can restore from that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a playlist on my iPhone and have it update on my Mac?

Yes, if you have Sync Library enabled (Settings > Music > Sync Library), any changes you make on your iPhone will appear on your other devices signed in with the same Apple ID.

How do I change the order of songs in a playlist without dragging?

You can use the Sort option in the playlist’s three-dot menu to sort by title, artist, album, or release date. This will reorder the list automatically, but you lose manual control.

Will deleting a playlist delete the songs from my phone?

No. Deleting a playlist only removes the playlist container. The individual songs remain in your library unless you delete them separately.

Can I edit a playlist that someone shared with me?

Only if the owner has given you editing permission. When you open a shared playlist, tap the three dots and look for Edit. If it’s not there, you can only play it, not modify it.

How do I add a song to a playlist from the search results?

When you search for a song, tap the three dots next to it, then choose Add to Playlist. Select the playlist from the list, or create a new one.

Why can’t I reorder songs in a playlist that I created?

Make sure you’re in Edit mode first. Tap the three dots, then Edit. Then press and hold the hamburger icon on the right of the song row. If it still doesn’t move, try closing the Music app and reopening it.

Related

• How to Clear Cache in Arc Browser (Step-by-Step)
• Fix macOS Monterey No Signal Output
• Android Stuck in Recovery Mode: How to Recover Data