Oops! Accidentally deleted your favorite playlist from Apple Music? Lost all those carefully crafted songs that you’ve been listening to on repeat? Don’t panic! While it may seem like a disaster, there are several ways to potentially recover your lost playlist and get your music back. Whether you accidentally deleted the playlist yourself or if it disappeared due to a software glitch, there are methods you can try to restore your precious playlist.
Firstly, check if the playlist is still available in your Recently Deleted playlist. Apple Music allows you to recover deleted playlists within 30 days of deletion. Go to your Library, select Playlists, and scroll down to the Recently Deleted section. Here, you can find your deleted playlist and restore it with just a few clicks. If you’re lucky, the playlist may still be lurking in this section, waiting to be resurrected.
Alternatively, if you’ve enabled iCloud Music Library, there’s a chance your playlist might be stored in the cloud. To check, go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad, tap on your name, and select iCloud. Make sure that iCloud Music Library is turned on. Once enabled, your playlists will be synced across all your devices that are connected to the same Apple ID. So, if the playlist is still available on another device, you can access it from there and recreate it on your current device.
Recovering a Deleted Playlist from the Recently Deleted Section
If you accidentally deleted a playlist, don’t panic. Apple Music provides a convenient way to restore it from the Recently Deleted section. Here’s how:
- Open Apple Music on your device (Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Windows PC).
- Click or tap the “Library” tab at the top of the window.
- In the sidebar, scroll down to the “Playlists” section and hover your cursor over “Recently Deleted.” If you’re on a mobile device, tap “Recently Deleted” to expand the list.
- Find the deleted playlist you want to restore. Select it by clicking or tapping the checkbox next to it.
- Click or tap “Recover” at the bottom of the window or screen.
The playlist will be restored to your Library. You can now access it like any other playlist.
Tips:
- Playlists can only be restored for up to 30 days after deletion.
- If you can’t find your deleted playlist in the Recently Deleted section, it may have been permanently deleted. Try searching for it in your Apple Music history.
- If you have multiple Apple IDs, you may need to sign out and sign back into the Apple ID that created the deleted playlist to recover it.
Retrieving a Playlist from a Backup
If you have a recent backup of your device, you may be able to restore your playlist from it. Here’s how:
Steps:
- Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes.
- Click the device icon in the top left corner of iTunes.
- Select “Restore Backup” from the Summary panel.
- Choose the backup you want to restore from and click “Restore.”
Your playlist should now be restored to your device.
Additional Information:
Before restoring a backup, make sure it was created after the playlist was last saved. Restoring a backup will overwrite the current data on your device, so it’s important to be certain you want to do this before proceeding.
If you don’t have a recent backup, there is no way to retrieve a deleted playlist from Apple Music.
Restoring a Playlist from iCloud
If you have iCloud Music Library enabled, your playlists are automatically backed up to iCloud. To restore a playlist from iCloud, simply follow these steps:
- Open the Music app on your device.
- Tap the “Library” tab.
- Tap “Playlists” and then tap “iCloud Music Library.”
- Find the playlist you want to restore and tap it.
The playlist will now be restored to your device.
Searching for the Playlist Using Other iCloud Devices
If you can’t find the playlist on your main device, try logging into your iCloud account on another device that you’ve used to access Apple Music. Here’s how:
Using an iPhone or iPad
1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap your name at the top of the page.
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Make sure that the toggle for Music is turned on.
5. Open the Apple Music app on your device.
6. Tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen.
7. Tap Playlists.
8. See if the missing playlist appears in the list.
Using a Mac
1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click iCloud.
4. Make sure that the checkbox for Music is ticked.
5. Open the Music app on your Mac.
6. Click Library in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
7. Click Playlists in the sidebar on the left.
8. See if the missing playlist appears in the list.
Using a Windows PC
1. Open the iCloud for Windows app on your PC.
2. Make sure that the checkbox for Music is ticked.
3. Click Apply.
4. Open the Apple Music app on your PC.
5. Click Library in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
6. Click Playlists in the sidebar on the left.
7. See if the missing playlist appears in the list.
If you find the missing playlist on another device, you can try to sync it back to your main device by following the steps below:
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | 1. Open the Settings app on your device. 2. Tap your name at the top of the page. 3. Tap iCloud. 4. Make sure that the toggle for Music is turned on. 5. Open the Apple Music app on your device. 6. Tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen. 7. Tap Playlists. 8. Find the missing playlist and tap the play button. |
| Mac | 1. Open the Music app on your Mac. 2. Click Library in the menu bar at the top of the screen. 3. Click Playlists in the sidebar on the left. 4. Find the missing playlist and double-click to play it. |
| Windows PC | 1. Open the Apple Music app on your PC. 2. Click Library in the menu bar at the top of the screen. 3. Click Playlists in the sidebar on the left. 4. Find the missing playlist and double-click to play it. |
Contacting Apple Support for Assistance
If you’ve lost a playlist and are unable to recover it through any of the methods mentioned above, contacting Apple Support directly may be your best option. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do so:
1. Reach Out via Phone
Call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273. Follow the prompts to connect with a support representative who can assist you.
2. Initiate a Chat
Visit Apple’s support website at https://support.apple.com and click on the “Contact Support” button. Select “Music” as the topic and click on “Chat” to connect with a live representative.
3. Schedule a Callback
If you prefer to be called back at a convenient time, you can schedule a callback by following the steps mentioned in the previous method and selecting “Contact Support” instead of “Chat.” Enter your phone number and the best time to reach you.
4. Submit a Website Request
Alternatively, you can submit a website request by filling out the form at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232. Provide clear and detailed information about your lost playlist, including its name, the approximate date it was last played, and any unique songs or artists associated with it. An Apple representative will review your request and contact you via email or phone.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-275-2273 |
| Chat | https://support.apple.com/contact |
| Callback | Schedule a callback through the support website |
| Website Request | https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232 |
Creating a New Playlist
To create a new playlist, open the Apple Music app on your device. Tap the “Library” tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap “Create Playlist.” Give your playlist a name and description, then tap “Add Songs.” You can now add songs to your playlist from your library or by searching for new music.
Manually Adding Songs to a Playlist
To manually add songs to a playlist, open the playlist in the Apple Music app. Tap the “Edit” button in the top right corner, then tap “Add Songs.” You can now select songs from your library or by searching for new music. You can also add songs to a playlist by dragging and dropping them from your library into the playlist.
Adding Songs from Your Device
To add songs from your device, tap the “Add from Library” button in the top left corner of the Add Songs screen. You can now browse your music library by album, artist, or song title. Tap the songs you want to add to your playlist, then tap “Done.”
Adding Songs from Apple Music
To add songs from Apple Music, tap the “Search” button in the top right corner of the Add Songs screen. You can now search for songs by title, artist, or album. Tap the song you want to add to your playlist, then tap “Add to Playlist.” You can also add songs to a playlist by clicking the “…” button next to a song and selecting “Add to Playlist.”
Adding Songs from Siri
You can also add songs to a playlist using Siri. To do this, say “Hey Siri, add [song title] to .” Siri will then add the song to the playlist. You can also use Siri to create new playlists by saying “Hey Siri, create a new playlist called .”
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Add from Device | Add songs from your library by tapping “Add from Library” and browsing your music. |
| Add from Music | Search for songs on Apple Music and tap “Add to Playlist” to add them to your playlist. |
| Add from Siri | Use Siri to add songs to a playlist by saying “Hey Siri, add [song title] to .” |
Restoring Playlist Data from a Third-Party Music App
If you’ve previously used a third-party music app, such as Spotify or Amazon Music, and want to restore your playlists to Apple Music, there are several methods you can try:
1. Check for a Migration Tool: Some third-party music apps offer a migration tool that allows you to transfer your playlists to Apple Music. Check the app’s settings or support page for this feature.
2. Export Playlists as Text Files: Most third-party music apps allow you to export your playlists as text files. Do this and then import them into Apple Music using the “File” menu.
3. Use a Third-Party App: There are dedicated apps like “SongShift” or “Stamp” that facilitate playlist transfer between music streaming services, including Apple Music.
4. Match Songs Manually: If other methods don’t work, you can manually search and add songs to your Apple Music library based on the playlist you exported from the third-party app.
5. Redownload Purchased Music: If you purchased songs from the third-party app, they may be available for redownload in Apple Music’s “Purchased” section.
6. Additional Tips for Manual Matching:
– Use a Spreadsheet: Create a spreadsheet with the song titles and artists from your exported playlist and use it as a reference while searching in Apple Music.
– Check for Similar Artists: If you can’t find the exact track, search for similar artists or versions of the song that match the original.
– Utilize Shazam: Use the Shazam app to identify songs playing in other apps or on the radio, so you can quickly find and add them to your Apple Music library.
– Apple Music Support: If you encounter any difficulties during the transfer process, contact Apple Music support for further assistance.
Checking for Playlist Availability on the iCloud Website
Access the iCloud website using your Apple ID credentials.
Click on the “Music” icon to access your music library.
From the left-hand menu, hover over the “Playlists” option to view a list of all your playlists.
Locate the playlist you’re looking for and check if it appears in the list.
If the playlist is visible, it means it’s still available on iCloud and can be restored to your Apple Music library.
Verifying Playlist Ownership
If the playlist is not visible on the iCloud website, it’s possible that you’re not the owner of the playlist.
To check the playlist ownership:
| Playlist Visibility | Ownership Status |
|---|---|
| Visible on iCloud website | You are the owner |
| Not visible on iCloud website | You are not the owner |
If you’re not the owner of the playlist, you won’t be able to restore it to your Apple Music library.
Troubleshooting Common Errors and Issues
1. Playlist Disappeared from Library
Check if the playlist has been accidentally hidden. Go to the “Edit” menu and select “Show Hidden Playlists.” If the playlist appears, unhide it by clicking the “Hide” button.
2. Deleted Playlist
If you have accidentally deleted the playlist, check the “Recently Deleted” playlist in the sidebar. You can recover deleted playlists from there within 30 days.
3. Syncing Issues
Ensure your devices are connected to the same iCloud account and have the latest version of Apple Music installed. If the playlist is not showing up on all devices, try manually refreshing the library by tapping “Library” and then swiping down on the screen.
4. Authorization Error
If you see an authorization error while trying to access the playlist, sign out of your Apple Music account and then sign back in. This should resolve any authorization issues.
5. Playlist Not Populating
Sometimes the playlist may not populate with the correct songs. Try removing the playlist from your library and then adding it back. This will force Apple Music to refresh the playlist.
6. Duplicated Playlist
If you find duplicate playlists in your library, you can delete the unwanted ones. Go to the “Edit” menu, select the duplicate playlist, and then click “Delete.”
7. Missing Songs from Playlist
If songs are missing from a playlist, check if they are available on the Apple Music service. They may have been removed or made unavailable. You can also try adding the songs back to the playlist manually.
8. Up to 10,000 Songs Limit
Apple Music has a limit of 10,000 songs per playlist. If your playlist exceeds this limit, you will receive an error message when trying to add more songs. To resolve this issue, split the playlist into multiple smaller playlists or remove some songs to reduce the total count to less than 10,000.
|
Error Code |
Description |
Solution |
|---|---|---|
|
401 |
Unauthorized access |
Sign out and back into Apple Music |
|
500 |
Internal server error |
Contact Apple Support |
|
1009 |
Network error |
Check your internet connection |
Preventing Future Playlist Loss with Regular Backups
Creating regular backups of your Apple Music playlists is crucial to safeguard them against accidental deletion or loss. Here are the detailed steps involved:
1. Export Your Playlists as XML Files
Open the Apple Music app and select the playlist you want to backup. Click on “File” > “Library” > “Export Playlist” and choose “XML” as the file format.
2. Save the XML Files in a Secure Location
Select a secure location on your computer, preferably an external hard drive, and save the exported XML playlist file.
3. Repeat for All Playlists
Repeat steps 1 and 2 for all the playlists you want to backup.
4. Create a Recovery Folder
Create a dedicated folder on your computer named “Apple Music Playlist Backups” to store the exported XML files.
5. Use a Backup Service
Consider using a cloud-based backup service, such as iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox, to store your XML playlist files. This provides an additional layer of security and allows you to access your backups from anywhere.
6. Schedule Regular Backups
Set up a regular backup schedule, such as weekly or monthly, to ensure that your playlists are constantly backed up.
7. Keep Backups Up-to-Date
Whenever you make significant changes to your playlists, remember to export and save the updated XML files.
8. Test Your Backups
Periodically restore a playlist from an XML backup file to ensure that the backup is working properly.
9. Advanced Tip: Utilizing Apple Script for Automated Backups
For more advanced users, you can create an Apple Script that automates the playlist backup process. Here’s a sample script that exports all your playlists as XML files:
“`
tell application “Music”
set myPlaylists to every playlist
— Set the desired location for the backup files
set myBackupFolder to (“Macintosh HD:Users:yourusername:Apple Music Playlist Backups”) as alias
— Check if the backup folder exists. If not, create it.
if not (exists myBackupFolder) then
make new folder at myBackupFolder
end if
repeat with eachPlaylist in myPlaylists
— Construct the output file path
set myExportFile to myBackupFolder & (name of eachPlaylist) & “.xml”
export playlist eachPlaylist to myExportFile as XML
end repeat
end tell
“`
1. Check Your Recently Deleted Playlists
Apple Music keeps a record of your recently deleted playlists. To recover a deleted playlist, open the Apple Music app on your device and go to the “Library” tab. Tap on “Playlists” and then scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will see a section called “Recently Deleted Playlists.” Tap on the playlist you want to recover and then tap on the “Recover” button.
2. Restore Your Apple Music Library from a Backup
If you have backed up your Apple Music library to iCloud or iTunes, you can restore it to recover your lost playlist. To restore your library from iCloud, open the Apple Music app on your device and go to the “Settings” tab. Tap on “iCloud” and then turn on the “iCloud Music Library” switch. To restore your library from iTunes, connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. Select your device in the sidebar and then click on the “Restore from Backup” button.
3. Contact Apple Support
If you are unable to recover your playlist using the methods described above, you can contact Apple Support for help. Apple Support may be able to help you recover your playlist if it has been deleted from your device or if it is corrupted.
Additional Tips for Playlist Recovery and Management
4. Create a Backup of Your Apple Music Library
The best way to protect your playlists from being lost is to create a backup of your Apple Music library. You can create a backup of your library by going to the “Settings” tab of the Apple Music app and tapping on “iCloud.” Turn on the “iCloud Music Library” switch to back up your library to iCloud.
5. Use a Third-Party Playlist Recovery Tool
There are a number of third-party playlist recovery tools available that can help you recover lost playlists. These tools can scan your device or your iCloud account for deleted playlists and recover them for you.
6. Check Your Synced Devices
If you have synced your Apple Music library to multiple devices, you can check your other devices to see if the playlist is still there. If the playlist is still there on one of your other devices, you can resync your Apple Music library from that device to restore the playlist to your other devices.
7. Use the Apple Music Web Player
You can also use the Apple Music web player to recover lost playlists. The Apple Music web player is a web-based version of the Apple Music app that allows you to access your music library from any computer with an internet connection. To use the Apple Music web player, go to music.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
8. Check Your Activity Log
The Apple Music activity log can show you a history of the changes that you have made to your Apple Music library. You can use the activity log to see if you accidentally deleted the playlist.
9. Contact Your Music Provider
If you are unable to recover your playlist using the methods described above, you can contact your music provider for help. Your music provider may be able to help you recover your playlist if it was deleted from their servers.
10. **Additional Tips for Playlist Management**
Here are a few additional tips for playlist management:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use descriptive playlist names | This will help you easily identify and find your playlists later. |
| Organize your playlists into folders | This will help you keep your playlists organized and easy to find. |
| Share your playlists with others | This is a great way to share your music with friends and family. |
| Use Apple Music’s search feature to find songs for your playlists | This is a quick and easy way to find the songs you want to add to your playlists. |
How To Get Playlist Back On Apple Music
If you’ve accidentally deleted a playlist on Apple Music, don’t worry – there are a few ways to get it back. Here’s how:
- Check your Recently Deleted playlist. This playlist contains all of the playlists that you’ve deleted in the past 30 days. To access it, open the Apple Music app and tap on the Library tab. Then, scroll down to the Playlists section and tap on Recently Deleted.
- Restore your playlist from a backup. If you have a backup of your iPhone or iPad, you can restore your deleted playlist from that backup. To do this, connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. Then, click on the Restore Backup button.
- Contact Apple Support. If you can’t find your deleted playlist in the Recently Deleted playlist or in a backup, you can contact Apple Support for help. They may be able to recover your playlist for you.
People Also Ask
How do I recover a deleted playlist on Apple Music?
You can recover a deleted playlist on Apple Music by checking your Recently Deleted playlist, restoring your playlist from a backup, or contacting Apple Support.
Where is the Recently Deleted playlist on Apple Music?
The Recently Deleted playlist is located in the Library tab of the Apple Music app. Scroll down to the Playlists section and tap on Recently Deleted.
Can I restore a deleted playlist from a backup?
Yes, you can restore a deleted playlist from a backup if you have a backup of your iPhone or iPad. To do this, connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. Then, click on the Restore Backup button.
