Reordering tracks on Spotify is done by dragging them into a new position within the playlist

The method depends on whether you are using Spotify on a computer, phone, or tablet. On desktop, you click and drag a song to move it. On mobile, you tap and hold a song, then drag it to where you want it. The change happens when ready and saves automatically — you do not need to confirm or save separately.

You can only reorder playlists you created yourself or playlists where you have editing permission. If you follow a playlist made by someone else, you cannot change the order of songs in it. If a playlist was shared with you and the creator gave you permission to edit, you will be able to reorder it.

Key Takeaways

  • On a computer, click and drag any song in your playlist up or down to move it to a new position.
  • On a phone or tablet, press and hold a song until a menu appears, then drag it to the new position.
  • Changes save automatically and take effect when ready across all your devices.
  • You can only reorder playlists you own or have been given permission to edit.
  • Spotify remembers the order you set, even if you close the app and come back later.

Reordering on a desktop or web browser

Open Spotify on your computer and go to the playlist you want to change. Click on any song in the list. While holding the mouse button down, drag the song up or down to the position where you want it. You will see a line appear between songs showing where the song will land when you release the mouse button.

Release the mouse button and the song moves to that spot. All the songs below it shift down one position. You can reorder as many songs as you want in one session — there is no limit to how many you move around.

Reordering on iPhone or iPad

Open the Spotify app and go to your playlist. Look for the three horizontal lines icon (called a hamburger menu) on the right side of the screen, next to the playlist name. Tap it and select "Edit Playlist" from the menu that appears.

Once you are in edit mode, three horizontal lines appear to the left of each song. Press and hold those lines next to the song you want to move. The song will highlight and you can drag it up or down. Release it when it is in the right spot. When you are done reordering, tap "Done" in the top right corner to save your changes.

Reordering on Android

Open the Spotify app and go to your playlist. Tap the three dots (menu icon) at the top right of the screen and select "Edit Playlist."

Three horizontal lines appear to the left of each song. Press and hold those lines next to the song you want to move. Drag it to the new position and release. Once you have finished reordering all the songs you want to move, tap the back arrow or "Done" button to exit edit mode and save your changes.

What happens when you reorder a playlist

The new order appears on all your devices within a few seconds. If you have Spotify open on your phone and computer at the same time, the playlist order will update on both screens. The change is permanent until you move the songs again.

If you share the playlist with other people, they will see the new order you created. However, they cannot change the order unless you gave them permission to edit the playlist. Shared playlists show a pencil icon next to the name if you have editing rights.

Reordering playlists you do not own

If you follow a playlist created by another user, you cannot change the song order in that playlist. You can create your own copy of it by saving all the songs to a new playlist you create, then arrange them however you want.

To do this, go to the original playlist, select all the songs (or the ones you want), and add them to a new playlist. You now own that playlist and can reorder it freely. The original playlist remains unchanged.

Troubleshooting reordering problems

If you cannot drag songs in your playlist, check that you are in edit mode on mobile devices. On iPhone and iPad, you must tap the menu icon and select "Edit Playlist" first. On Android, tap the three dots and select "Edit Playlist." On desktop, you should be able to drag without entering a special mode.

If the drag function is not working on desktop, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening Spotify. If you are using an older version of the app, update it from your device's app store. Spotify regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve the drag-and-drop feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a reorder if I change my mind?

Spotify does not have an undo button for playlist reordering. If you moved songs and want to go back to the original order, you will need to manually move them back. Take a screenshot or note the order you want before you start moving songs if you think you might want to reverse the changes.

Does reordering a playlist affect the original songs in my library?

No. Reordering a playlist only changes the order within that specific playlist. The songs themselves are not changed, and they appear in their original order in your library and in any other playlists where you saved them.

Why can I not reorder songs in a playlist I follow?

You can only reorder playlists you created or playlists where the owner gave you editing permission. Followed playlists are read-only unless the creator specifically shared editing rights with you. If you want to reorder songs from a followed playlist, create your own playlist and add those songs to it.

Will the new playlist order stay the same on all my devices?

Yes. Spotify syncs the playlist order across all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, and web browser. Changes appear within seconds on every device where you are signed into your account.

Can I reorder songs while offline?

You cannot reorder playlists while offline. You need an active internet connection to make changes. Once you reconnect, the changes will sync to Spotify's servers and appear on your other devices.