Open Your Playlist and Find the Picture Option
To change a playlist picture on Spotify, open the playlist you want to edit, then tap or click the current image at the top. On mobile, the image appears below the playlist name; on desktop, it's to the left of the playlist details. A menu will pop up with options to upload a new image or take a photo.
The image you see is the one Spotify assigned automatically when you created the playlist, or one you uploaded before. You can replace it at any time, whether the playlist is public or private. The process takes less than a minute on either platform.
Key Takeaways
- Tap or click the current playlist image to open the upload menu on both mobile and desktop versions of Spotify.
- You can upload an image from your device's photo library or take a new photo directly in the app on mobile.
- The image must be a JPG or PNG file, and Spotify will crop it to a square shape automatically.
- Only the person who created the playlist can change its picture, even if others have permission to add songs.
Upload an Image from Your Device on Mobile
On iPhone or Android, tap the playlist image, then select Choose Photo from the menu that appears. Your phone's photo library will open. Find the image you want to use and tap it to select it. Spotify will show you a preview of how the image will look as a square, and you can pinch to zoom or drag to reposition it before you confirm.
Once you're happy with how it looks, tap the checkmark or Done button. The new image uploads when ready and replaces the old one across all your devices. If you change your mind, you can repeat these steps to pick a different image.
Take a Photo Directly in the App
Instead of choosing from your library, you can take a new photo right in Spotify. Tap the playlist image, then select Take Photo (on iPhone) or Take a Picture (on Android). Your phone's camera will open. Frame your shot and tap the shutter button to capture it.
After you take the photo, Spotify shows you a preview and lets you adjust the crop and position the same way as an uploaded image. You can retake the photo if you don't like it, or confirm to save it as your playlist picture. This is useful if you want to use a photo of the album cover, a concert ticket, or something personal that represents the playlist.
Change the Picture on Desktop
On the Spotify desktop app or web player, click the playlist image in the upper left corner of the playlist page. A menu will appear with the option to upload an image. Click Choose Photo or the upload icon, then select a file from your computer. You can only upload from your device on desktop—you cannot take a live photo.
Select a JPG or PNG file from your folders, and Spotify will show you a preview. You can drag to reposition the image within the square frame. Click Save or Done to confirm. The change syncs to your mobile devices within a few seconds.
Image Requirements and Formatting
Spotify accepts JPG and PNG files for playlist pictures. There's no strict file size limit, but smaller files upload faster. The image will be cropped to a perfect square no matter what shape you upload, so a square image works best if you want to avoid losing parts of the picture.
Spotify displays your playlist image at different sizes depending on where it appears—small on your library list, larger on the playlist page itself. Choose an image with clear details that won't blur or become unreadable when shrunk down. Avoid images that are too dark or have important details only in the corners, since those may get cut off during the square crop.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If the upload button doesn't appear when you tap the image, make sure you created the playlist yourself. Spotify only lets the original creator change the picture. If someone else made the playlist and added you as a collaborator, you can add and remove songs but not change the image.
If the image won't upload, try closing and reopening the app, or make sure your internet connection is stable. On mobile, check that you gave Spotify permission to access your photo library—go to your phone's settings, find Spotify, and turn on Photos or Media Library access. If you're on desktop, try a different browser or switch to the desktop app if you were using the web player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see the playlist picture I upload?
Yes, if your playlist is public, anyone on Spotify can see the image you choose. If the playlist is private, only people you share it with directly can see it. The image appears the same way for everyone—Spotify doesn't let you show different pictures to different people.
What happens if I delete the image I uploaded?
You cannot delete the image and leave the playlist blank. If you want to remove a custom image, you would need to replace it with a different one. Spotify will always display some image for a playlist—either one you upload or a default image generated from the songs in it.
Can I change the picture of a playlist someone else created?
No. Only the person who created the playlist can change its picture. If you're a collaborator or follower, you can add and remove songs, but the image upload option won't appear when you tap it. You would need the creator to change it, or you could create your own version of the playlist.
Does the playlist picture change if I add or remove songs?
No. Once you upload a custom image, it stays the same no matter what songs you add or remove. If you never uploaded a custom image, Spotify generates a default one from the album covers of songs in the playlist, and that may shift as the playlist changes.
What image size works best for a playlist picture?
A square image (equal width and height) works best because Spotify crops all images to a square. If you use a rectangular photo, parts of it will be cut off. For clarity on small screens, use an image at least 300 by 300 pixels, though Spotify will accept smaller files.