The fastest way to change a playlist cover
Open Spotify on your phone or computer, find the playlist you want to edit, and tap or click the cover image. A menu will appear with the option to upload a new image or take a photo. Select your image, confirm it, and the change takes effect when ready across all your devices.
The process is the same whether you use the mobile app or desktop version, though the exact button locations differ slightly. On mobile, the cover image sits at the top of the playlist page. On desktop, it appears in the left sidebar when you select the playlist. Either way, the image you choose must be a file already on your device — Spotify does not let you search for images within the app.
Key Takeaways
- Tap or click the current playlist cover image to open the upload menu on both mobile and desktop versions of Spotify.
- You can upload an image file from your device or take a new photo directly through the app on mobile.
- Only the person who created the playlist can change its cover image.
- The new cover appears on all your devices within seconds and is visible to anyone who follows the playlist.
Changing the cover on the Spotify mobile app
Open Spotify and navigate to the playlist you want to edit. At the top of the playlist page, you will see the current cover image — usually a square showing album art, a photo, or a solid color. Tap directly on that image.
A menu will pop up with two options: "Take a photo" or "Choose from library." If you want to use a photo already on your phone, select "Choose from library" and browse to the image. If you want to take a new photo on the spot, tap "Take a photo," snap the picture, and confirm it. Once you select an image, Spotify will crop it to a square and explore it as your playlist cover. The change syncs to your account when ready.
Changing the cover on Spotify desktop
Launch Spotify on your computer and locate the playlist in the left sidebar under "Your Library." Click the playlist name to open it. The cover image appears in the upper left area of the main content panel, below the playlist title.
Hover your mouse over the cover image until a pencil icon appears in the corner. Click that pencil icon to open the file browser. Select an image file from your computer — Spotify accepts JPG, PNG, and other common image formats. The new cover will upload and display within a few seconds. Like the mobile version, the change is when ready across all your devices.
Image requirements and file size limits
Spotify accepts most standard image formats, including JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP. The app automatically crops your image to a square, so choose an image where the important details are centered. There is no strict file size limit published by Spotify, but images larger than 10 MB may take longer to upload or fail entirely.
The cover image you upload is visible to anyone who views your playlist, whether they follow it or just stumble across it. Keep that in mind if you are sharing the playlist with others. Spotify stores the image on its servers, so you can delete the original file from your device without affecting the playlist cover.
Who can change a playlist cover
Only the person who created the playlist can change its cover image. If you follow someone else's playlist, you cannot edit the cover, even if you have editing permissions for other playlist details. If you want to change the cover of a collaborative playlist, you must be the original creator.
If you are trying to change a cover and the pencil icon does not appear (on desktop) or the image is not tappable (on mobile), you likely do not have permission to edit that playlist. Check whether you created it or whether it is a collaborative playlist where you were added as a contributor rather than the owner.
Troubleshooting cover image problems
If your new cover image does not appear after you upload it, try closing and reopening the Spotify app. Sometimes the display does not refresh when ready, especially on mobile. If the image still does not show, check that the file format is supported — Spotify works best with JPG and PNG files.
On desktop, if the pencil icon does not appear when you hover over the cover, make sure you are logged into the account that created the playlist. If you are using a web browser instead of the desktop app, note that the web player has limited editing features and may not allow cover changes. Switch to the desktop process if you run into this issue.
Reverting to the original cover or Spotify's default
Spotify does not have a built-in "undo" button for playlist covers. Once you upload a new image, the original cover is replaced. If you want to go back to a previous cover, you will need to re-upload that image file or find a copy of it on your device.
If you want a plain, neutral cover instead of a custom image, you can upload a solid-color image — a straightforward square of one color that you create in any image editor. Some users do this when they want to clean up the look of their library or when they are not sure what image to use yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the cover of a playlist someone else created?
No. Only the person who created the playlist can change its cover. If you follow the playlist, you can see it and listen to it, but you cannot edit the image. If it is a collaborative playlist and you were added as a contributor, you still cannot change the cover unless you are the original creator.
What image formats does Spotify accept?
Spotify accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and most other common image formats. JPG and PNG work most reliably. The app will crop any image to a square, so center the important details before uploading. Avoid very large files — anything over 10 MB may cause upload problems.
Does changing the playlist cover affect the songs in it?
No. Changing the cover image does not touch the songs, order, or any other playlist details. It is purely a visual change. All your music stays exactly as it was.
Why is the pencil icon not showing up on my desktop?
The pencil icon only appears if you are logged into the account that created the playlist. If you are viewing someone else's playlist or a collaborative playlist where you were added as a contributor, the icon will not appear. Make sure you are using the Spotify desktop app, not the web player, as the web version has limited editing features.
Can I upload a cover image from the internet directly?
No. Spotify requires you to upload an image file that is already on your device. You cannot paste a URL or search for images within the app. read the image to your phone or computer first, then upload it through Spotify.