How to Create a Playlist on YouTube Music (Computer and App)

A good playlist is the difference between music that's merely on and music that suits the moment. Whether you want a focus mix for a long working day, a set for a client event or a list of songs for the school run, YouTube Music makes it quick once you know where the buttons are.

YouTube's help centre has separate steps for a computer and for the phone app, so I've split them out. I'll also cover privacy, editing and sharing, because those are the parts people usually go looking for afterwards.

Creating a playlist in YouTube Music on a computer

There are three starting points, according to YouTube's help:

• From a song: open the menu on the song, choose Add to playlist, then New playlist.
• From the sidebar: click New playlist.
• From your Library: open the Playlists tab, then click New playlist.

If you start from a song, you can pick an existing playlist instead of a new one, which is handy once you have a few. Give the new playlist a name, and you're ready to start adding songs.

Making a new playlist in the YouTube Music phone app

The mobile route starts from a song:

1. Play or find a song, then tap the More icon.
2. Choose Save to playlist.
3. Tap New playlist, or pick an existing one.

The same steps work from the Library, Home or Search tabs. YouTube's help also says that from the Samples tab you tap the Save to playlist icon, then Change to pick a different playlist, and that for an upcoming song in a playlist or station you can tap and hold it before choosing Save to playlist.

Menu wording can differ between app versions, so if something looks different, look for the More icon on a song first.

Adding and removing songs on a YouTube Music playlist

On the phone, YouTube's help says to open the Library tab and tap your playlist. To add a song, scroll to the bottom and tap Add a song. To remove one, swipe left on it and tap Remove. On a computer, open the playlist and use the song menu, as above, to add more from anywhere in the app.

Changing the order of songs in a YouTube Music playlist

On a computer, open the playlist you created and drag and drop the songs into the order you prefer. On a phone, tap More and then Edit playlist, which is where YouTube's help says you can reorder songs as well as change the title, add a description and change privacy.

Setting a YouTube Music playlist to private or public

Privacy is worth checking straight away. On a computer, YouTube's steps are:

1. Go to Library and then Playlists, or select the playlist in the sidebar.
2. Click the pencil icon to edit it.
3. Open the privacy dropdown below the title and description.
4. Choose your setting.
5. Click Save.

On a phone, tap the Library tab, tap the playlist's edit icon, tap the privacy down arrow under the title, choose a setting and tap Save. One extra note from the help page: playlists default to private for supervised accounts.

Inviting other people to a YouTube Music playlist

A shared playlist is a lovely way to plan music for a team event or a trip. On a computer, click the pencil icon, then Collaborate, choose who can add songs and videos, and share the link. YouTube says collaborators can share, sort, add to and edit the playlist. On a phone, tap Share at the top of the playlist, then Invite collaborators. If the playlist isn't unlisted or public, you'll be asked to make it shareable first, and the owner can turn off sharing at any time.

Deleting a YouTube Music playlist

If you've outgrown a playlist, find it in your Library or the sidebar on a computer, open the menu and choose Delete playlist. For the main YouTube site, my guide to deleting a YouTube playlist covers the equivalent steps.

Why some videos don't show in a YouTube Music playlist

This one confuses people. YouTube Music only plays music videos, according to YouTube's help. A playlist built in the main YouTube app with non-music videos won't surface those videos in YouTube Music. Videos marked made for kids and artist detail pages also have different menu options, and you can't save that content to a playlist.

If you want a mixed playlist of tutorials and talks, make it on the main site. My guide to making a playlist on YouTube explains how, and your playlists appear in the Library tab of both the YouTube Music and YouTube apps.

YouTube Music playlist limits to know about

YouTube says there's a daily limit on how many public playlists a channel can create across YouTube Music, the main YouTube app and the YouTube API. It doesn't state the number on that page, so I won't guess. For most people, you'll never hit it.

Playlist ideas for a creator or small business owner on YouTube Music

• A calm background mix for working on client projects.
• A set for events, shared with colleagues who help you plan.
• A list of tracks you're considering for videos, kept private until you decide.
• A team playlist where everyone adds one favourite track.

If you can't create a playlist in YouTube Music

Run through this list. Check you're signed in with the right account. Look for the More icon on a song if you can't see a Save option. Remember made for kids content can't be saved to a playlist. Update the app if menus look different from the steps above. If it still doesn't work, use the help centre or the in-app feedback option to report it.

I keep every related walkthrough in the YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a playlist on YouTube Music?

On a computer, click New playlist in the sidebar or open a song's menu and choose Add to playlist, then New playlist. On a phone, tap More on a song, then Save to playlist, then New playlist.

How do I make a YouTube Music playlist private?

Go to Library, then Playlists, click the pencil icon, open the privacy dropdown, choose a setting and click Save. On a phone, use the playlist's edit icon.

Can other people add songs to my playlist?

Yes. Use Collaborate on a computer, or Share and Invite collaborators on a phone. Collaborators can add, sort and edit.

Why aren't my YouTube videos showing in YouTube Music?

YouTube says YouTube Music only plays music videos, so non-music videos added in the main YouTube app won't surface there.

How do I delete a YouTube Music playlist?

On a computer, find the playlist in your Library or sidebar, open the menu and choose Delete playlist.