Accidentally deleting a Spotify playlist is frustrating, but in most cases you can get it back. This guide walks you through every recovery method that currently works on desktop, mobile, and the web player, including the built-in undo option and the little-known recovery page. No special tools or account changes are needed for most fixes.
What You’ll Need
- A Spotify account (free or Premium)
- Access to the Spotify web player at open.spotify.com (for the recovery page method)
- The same login credentials you used when the playlist was deleted
- If you deleted the playlist on a device, make sure you’re logged into the same account on the device you’re using for recovery
Step-by-Step
- Try the Undo button immediately (if you just deleted it). Right after deleting a playlist, Spotify shows a small banner at the bottom of the screen with the message “Playlist deleted” and an Undo button. Click it within a few seconds to restore the playlist instantly. This works on both desktop and mobile apps.
- Check your profile’s playlist list (the most common recovery method). Go to your Spotify library and open the Playlists tab. Scroll to the bottom. Spotify often keeps deleted playlists there, grayed out or with a “Recently Deleted” label. If you see it, click it and select Restore.
- Use the Spotify recovery page (the official method). Open a web browser and go to https://www.spotify.com/us/account/recover-playlists/. Log in with your Spotify credentials. The page will show a list of playlists that were deleted in the last 90 days. Click Restore next to the playlist you want back. This is the most reliable method for playlists deleted more than a few minutes ago.
- If the recovery page shows nothing, check your email. Spotify sometimes sends an email notification when a playlist is deleted. Search your inbox for “Spotify playlist deleted” or “Your playlist was deleted.” Some users report that the email contains a direct link to restore the playlist. If you find such an email, click the link and follow the prompts.
- Try the mobile app’s “Recently Deleted” folder (iOS only). On iPhone or iPad, open the Spotify app, go to Your Library > Playlists. Tap the Recently Deleted folder at the top. If the playlist is there, tap it and select Restore. Android users don’t have this folder, so use the web recovery page instead.
- If you have a backup of your playlists (from a third-party service), import it. If you previously exported your playlists using a service like Tunemymusic or Soundiiz, you can re-import the saved file. Log into the service, upload the backup, and choose Spotify as the destination. This works even if the playlist was deleted more than 90 days ago.
- If nothing else works, manually rebuild the playlist. If you remember the songs, create a new playlist and add them manually. You can also find the songs in your listening history (if you have Premium) by going to Home > Recently played and scrolling back to the time you last listened to the playlist.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting too long. Spotify only keeps deleted playlists for 90 days. After that, they are permanently gone from their servers. Don’t delay recovery.
- Using the wrong account. If you have multiple Spotify accounts (e.g., a personal and a family account), make sure you’re logged into the one where the playlist existed.
- Not checking the web player. The recovery page only works in a browser, not in the desktop app. Many users miss this and give up.
- Deleting the playlist again by accident. When you restore a playlist, it appears back in your library. Be careful not to delete it again while you’re checking.
- Assuming the Undo button is always available. The Undo banner disappears after a few seconds or if you navigate away. If you didn’t click it immediately, it’s gone.
Tips
- Act fast. The 90-day window is your safety net. Set a reminder to recover a playlist if you can’t do it right away.
- Use the recovery page on a computer. It’s more reliable and shows all deleted playlists, even ones you might have forgotten.
- Check the recovery page periodically. If you delete a playlist and then create a new one with the same name, the old one might still be in the recovery list. Don’t assume it’s gone.
- Export your playlists regularly. Use a third-party service to back up your playlists every few months. This is the only way to recover a playlist after 90 days.
- If you share a playlist with others, ask them for a copy. If a friend has the playlist in their library, they can send it back to you via Spotify’s “Share” feature.
Troubleshooting
What if the recovery page shows “No playlists found”? This usually means the playlist was deleted more than 90 days ago, or it was deleted from a different account. Double-check your login and try again. If you’re sure it was within 90 days, contact Spotify support through their official help page.
What if the Undo button doesn’t appear? The Undo banner only shows for a few seconds. If you missed it, move on to the recovery page method. Don’t waste time looking for it.
What if the playlist is in my library but shows as empty? This can happen if the playlist was deleted and then restored but the songs didn’t load. Try logging out and back in, or clear the app’s cache. On desktop, go to Settings > Storage and click “Clear cache.” On mobile, uninstall and reinstall the app (you won’t lose your playlists).
What if I deleted the playlist on my phone but it’s not on the web recovery page? Make sure you’re logged into the same account on the web. If you use a different email or Facebook login, that’s the issue.
What if I never had a Spotify account? (e.g., using a family plan member’s account) You need to log into the exact account that owned the playlist. If you’re on a family plan, each member has their own login. Ask the account owner to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a playlist I deleted a year ago? No, Spotify only keeps deleted playlists for 90 days. After that, they are permanently erased from Spotify’s servers. Your only hope is a third-party backup.
Does the recovery page work for all accounts? Yes, both free and Premium accounts can use the recovery page. It’s available to all Spotify users.
Will restoring a playlist bring back all the songs and followers? Yes, the playlist is restored exactly as it was, including songs, order, and followers. However, if any songs were removed from Spotify in the meantime, they will be grayed out.
Can I recover a playlist that was deleted by someone else? If you didn’t own the playlist, you can’t recover it. But if you were a follower, you might have a copy in your library. If not, ask the owner to restore it.
Is there a way to recover a playlist without using the web player? The mobile app has a “Recently Deleted” folder on iOS only. Android users must use the web recovery page. The desktop app doesn’t have a recovery feature.
What if I accidentally deleted a playlist and then created a new one with the same name? The old playlist will still be in the recovery list. Restore it, and you’ll have two playlists with the same name. You can rename the new one to avoid confusion.
Related
General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.
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