You cannot change an album cover directly in the Spotify app on iPhone

Spotify does not give users the ability to edit album artwork within the iPhone app or on the web player. The cover image for any album is controlled by Spotify's database, which pulls from metadata provided by the artist, label, or distributor when the album was uploaded to the platform. If you see an album with missing, incorrect, or low-quality artwork, you cannot fix it yourself through Spotify.

What you can do is report the issue to Spotify so their team can investigate and update the metadata. You can also create a local file version of the album on your computer and add custom artwork that way, though that file will only play on your own devices and will not change what other Spotify users see.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify's iPhone app does not have a feature to edit or upload album covers—the artwork is managed by Spotify's central database.
  • If an album has the wrong cover or missing artwork, you can report it to Spotify through the app, and their team will review the metadata.
  • You can add custom artwork to local music files on your computer using iTunes or a third-party app, but this only affects playback on your own devices.
  • Album artwork comes from the artist, record label, or distributor, so contacting them directly may be faster if the issue is widespread across platforms.

How to report incorrect album artwork to Spotify

Open the Spotify app on your iPhone and find the album with the problem. Tap the three dots (menu icon) in the top right corner of the album page. Scroll down and select Report an Issue. Choose Incorrect Metadata from the list of options, then select Album Cover as the specific problem.

In the text box, describe what is wrong—for example, "This album shows the wrong cover art" or "The cover image is missing or blank." Be as specific as you can about what the correct cover should be. Tap Send. Spotify's support team will review your report, though they do not always respond directly and may take weeks to update the database if they find the issue is valid.

Adding custom artwork to local music files on your computer

If you own the music files themselves (not just streaming access), you can add or change the artwork on your computer and then sync those files to Spotify as local files. On a Mac, open iTunes or Music, find the song or album, right-click it, and select Get Info. Click the Artwork tab, then click Add Artwork and choose an image file from your computer.

On Windows, use iTunes or a third-party app like MediaMonkey or TagScanner to edit the metadata and embed the image into the file itself. Once you save the changes, the custom artwork will appear when you play that file in Spotify on any device where you have synced your local files. This does not change the artwork that other Spotify users see—only you will see the custom cover on your devices.

Why Spotify controls album artwork instead of users

Spotify maintains a single database of album information so that all users see the same cover, track listing, and artist credits. This prevents confusion and keeps the platform consistent. The artwork comes from the artist, record label, or distributor when they upload the album to Spotify through a service like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore. If the wrong image was uploaded at that stage, it stays wrong until someone with access to the distributor's account fixes it.

This system also protects against spam and vandalism—if any user could change any album cover, the platform would become unreliable. The trade-off is that individual listeners cannot customize what they see, even if they own a copy of the album with different artwork.

Contacting the artist or label directly

If the album artwork issue is widespread (you see it on Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other platforms too), the problem likely started when the album was uploaded. You can try reaching out to the artist or label through social media or their website and let them know the cover is incorrect. They can then contact their distributor and request a metadata update.

This approach works best for independent artists or smaller labels that actively monitor their releases. Major labels have dedicated teams for this, but they may take longer to respond to individual reports. If you are the artist or label representative yourself, log into your distributor's account and update the artwork there—the change will sync to Spotify and other platforms within a few days to a few weeks.

Using third-party apps to view custom artwork

Some third-party Spotify clients and music apps let you upload or assign custom artwork to your library, though these changes only appear in that specific app. Apps like Maroofy or Pacemaker offer more customization options than the official Spotify app, but they do not sync back to Spotify itself. If you want to see custom artwork across all your devices, local files remain your most reliable option.

Keep in mind that third-party apps may have limitations on features, playback quality, or how often they update. Always check the app's privacy policy and reviews before connecting your Spotify account to an unfamiliar service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the album cover for my own uploaded music?

If you uploaded the album through a distributor like DistroKid or CD Baby, log into that distributor's account and update the artwork in your release settings. The change will sync to Spotify within a few days to a few weeks. You cannot edit it directly in Spotify.

Why does one album show different artwork on Spotify than on Apple Music?

Each platform pulls metadata from different sources or updates at different times. If the artwork is wrong on Spotify but correct elsewhere, report it to Spotify specifically. If it is wrong everywhere, contact the artist or label to fix it at the source.

Will my custom artwork on local files sync to my iPhone?

Yes, if you sync your local files to Spotify on your iPhone through your computer. The custom artwork will appear on your iPhone when you play those files, but only on your own devices—other users will still see the official Spotify artwork.

How long does it take Spotify to fix reported album artwork?

There is no set timeline. Spotify reviews reports manually, and updates can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or longer. You may never receive confirmation that your report was acted on.