How to Change Spotify Playlist Order (Songs and Playlists)

A playlist is only as good as its running order. That's true for a wedding set, a gym class, a podcast intro list or the background music in a shop, where the first and last tracks do a lot of the work.

There are really two different jobs hiding in this question. One is moving songs around inside a playlist. The other is changing the order of your playlists in Your Library. Spotify's help treats them differently, so I'll cover both, using Spotify's pages on creating playlists and on sorting and filtering.

Moving songs around inside a Spotify playlist on desktop

On a computer, Spotify says you drag and drop tracks to the position you want. Open the playlist, click and hold a song, drag it up or down and let go where you want it.

Spotify's page doesn't say desktop reordering is limited to Premium, but it does say that reordering on mobile needs Premium, so check your own account if the drag doesn't work.

Changing the order of songs in a Spotify playlist on iPhone and Android

On a phone or tablet, Spotify's steps are:

1. Open the playlist.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Press and hold the drag handle next to a track.
4. Move the track to its new position.
5. Finish by saving or leaving edit mode, as your app version shows.

The last step is my own plain-English description, since Spotify's page doesn't spell out how to leave edit mode. Spotify's page states that reordering tracks on mobile and tablet is Premium only.

Sorting a Spotify playlist on desktop by title, album or date added

Sorting is different from hand-placing songs. Spotify's sort and filter help explains that in a playlist on desktop you can use the down-arrow control or click a column header:

• Titles and albums sort alphabetically.
• Date added sorts by when each item was added.
• The clock icon sorts by song duration.
• Click the same column again to reverse the order.

Spotify adds that widening the window can show more columns. It also says the app remembers your sort and filter choices for later sessions, so if your playlist looks in a different order next time, check which sort you left switched on.

On mobile, Spotify says to open the playlist and pull down to reveal the filters and search bar, then use those to sort or search.

Why your Spotify playlist order seems wrong

If you've dragged songs into order but they still play in a different sequence, there are a few things to check:

• A sort is applied. A column sort changes how the list looks, so clear it before judging your custom order.
• Shuffle is on. Shuffle plays in a mixed order whatever the list shows. My guide to turning off shuffle on Spotify covers that, including Smart Shuffle.
• Some songs are hidden. Spotify says hidden songs appear greyed out and are skipped during playback.
• You're on mobile without Premium, so the reordering option isn't available to you.

Changing the order of your Spotify playlists in Your Library

Now the second job. If you want your own playlists listed in a particular order in Your Library, Spotify says custom order is set on the desktop app only. The steps:

1. In Your Library, select the Playlists filter.
2. Click the down-arrow control at the top.
3. Select Custom order.
4. Drag and drop your playlists into the order you like.

Spotify says you need the desktop app to set the custom order, but it appears on all your devices once it's done. If you're on your phone and can't find it, that's why.

Spotify also lets you pin items in your library. On mobile, swipe right or press and hold, and on desktop right-click to pin or unpin.

Making a Spotify playlist order work for a shared playlist

If other people add songs to a playlist, the order can drift. My guide to making a collaborative playlist on Spotify explains how sharing works. Agree a simple rule with your co-editors, such as new songs go at the end, and one person tidies the order at the end of the week.

Planning a good running order for a Spotify playlist

Moving tracks is easy; deciding where they go takes a little thought. A few simple ideas:

• Open with a track that sets the mood straight away.
• Group songs by energy so the playlist builds or winds down.
• Put a favourite near the end so people stay to the finish.
• Keep anything you only sometimes want in a separate playlist.

If you're starting from scratch, my walkthrough on making a playlist on Spotify covers the basics.

If you can't change your Spotify playlist order

1. On mobile, look for Edit inside the playlist.
2. Check your plan, since Spotify says mobile reordering is a Premium feature.
3. On desktop, try dragging by the song row rather than the title text.
4. Clear any sort you've applied.
5. For a shared playlist, check you're allowed to edit it.
6. Update the app and restart it if the drag handle doesn't respond.

Frequently asked questions

How do I rearrange songs in a Spotify playlist?

On desktop, drag and drop songs into position. On mobile, open the playlist, tap Edit, then press and hold a track's drag handle and move it.

Is playlist reordering a Premium feature?

Spotify says reordering tracks on mobile and tablet is Premium only. Its page doesn't state a Premium limit for desktop.

How do I sort a Spotify playlist by date added?

On desktop, click the Date added column header or use the down-arrow control. Click again to reverse the order.

Can I change the order of my playlists in Your Library?

Yes. Select the Playlists filter, click the down-arrow control, choose Custom order and drag your playlists. Spotify says you set it on desktop, and it appears on all your devices.

Why does my Spotify playlist play in a different order?

Shuffle may be on, a sort may be applied, or some songs may be hidden and skipped.