Make Spotify Playlists Public Automatically

This guide shows you how to make your Spotify playlists public automatically, so new playlists you create are visible to others without having to change settings each time. You’ll learn the quick manual method, plus how to use a third-party automation tool (like IFTTT) to set the visibility for you. You’ll need a Spotify account and, for the automation part, a free IFTTT account.

What You’ll Need

• A Spotify account (free or Premium).
• The Spotify app on your phone or the desktop app, or access to open.spotify.com.
• For the automatic method: a free IFTTT (If This Then That) account.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Make an Existing Playlist Public (Manual)

1. Open Spotify on your device.
2. Go to Your Library and select Playlists.
3. Tap or click the playlist you want to make public.
4. Tap the three dots (⋯) icon (or right-click the playlist on desktop).
5. Select Make Public from the menu. The playlist is now visible to anyone who views your profile.

Method 2: Set All New Playlists to Public by Default (In-App)

Spotify doesn’t have a global setting that forces every new playlist to be public. However, you can change the default for new playlists you create from the “New Playlist” dialog.

1. Click Create Playlist (or the + icon).
2. In the creation dialog, look for the visibility toggle (often shown as a globe icon or a “Public/Private” dropdown).
3. Set it to Public before you hit Create. This becomes the default for that session, but you may need to check it each time you create a new playlist.

Method 3: Automate with IFTTT (True “Automatic”)

This method uses IFTTT to automatically make any new playlist you create public. It’s a bit of a workaround because Spotify’s API doesn’t allow a global default, but the applet will run in the background.

1. Go to ifttt.com and sign up for a free account.
2. Click Create to make a new Applet.
3. Click If This and search for Spotify. Choose the trigger “New playlist added”.
4. Connect your Spotify account to IFTTT if prompted.
5. Click Then That and search for Spotify again. Choose the action “Make playlist public”.
6. In the action field, select PlaylistName (the playlist that triggered the applet).
7. Click Create Action, then Finish. Your applet is now live.
8. Test it: create a new playlist (it will be private by default), and within a minute or two IFTTT should make it public automatically.

Common Mistakes

• Not connecting Spotify to IFTTT correctly: Make sure you’ve authorized Spotify in IFTTT. If you skip this, the applet won’t run.
• Using the wrong trigger: The “New playlist added” trigger only fires when you create a brand-new playlist, not when you edit an existing one.
• Forgetting to set the visibility in the creation dialog: If you’re not using IFTTT, you must manually set each new playlist to public.
• Making a playlist public that contains explicit content: Some users may not want that visible. Double-check your playlist’s content before making it public.

Tips

• To make all your playlists public at once, you’ll have to go through each one and repeat Method 1. There’s no bulk option.
• If you use IFTTT, you can also create an applet that makes a playlist private if you add a certain word to its name (e.g., “private”).
• Remember that public playlists appear on your profile. If you’re not comfortable with that, keep them private.
• On desktop, you can right-click a playlist and select “Make Public” quickly. On mobile, it’s under the three-dot menu.

Troubleshooting

IFTTT applet doesn’t run: Check that the applet is turned on (toggle at the top of the applet page). Also, make sure your Spotify account is still connected to IFTTT (go to IFTTT > Services > Spotify > Settings). Reconnect if needed.

Playlist still shows as private after creating: IFTTT can take a minute or two to process. Wait a few minutes and refresh Spotify. If it still doesn’t work, try deleting the applet and recreating it, ensuring you select the correct action field.

You can’t find the “Make Public” option: On some devices, the option is under “Edit Details” instead of the three-dot menu. Tap “Edit” on the playlist page and look for the visibility toggle there.

Spotify says “Playlist visibility can’t be changed right now”: This is a temporary glitch. Close Spotify completely and reopen it, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make all my playlists public at once?

No, Spotify doesn’t offer a bulk option. You must change each playlist individually, or use the IFTTT method for future playlists.

Will making a playlist public share it on my profile?

Yes, public playlists are visible on your public profile. Anyone who visits your profile can see and play them.

Can I make a playlist public from the mobile app?

Yes, tap the three-dot menu on the playlist and select “Make Public.” The option is also in the playlist’s edit details.

Does IFTTT work with Spotify Free?

Yes, IFTTT works with both free and Premium Spotify accounts. The API actions are available to all users.

Will IFTTT make an existing private playlist public?

No, the applet only triggers when you create a new playlist. To make an existing playlist public, use the manual method.

Can I set a default visibility for new playlists in Spotify’s settings?

No, there’s no global setting. You must either change it in the creation dialog each time or use IFTTT.

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