How to make a private playlist on Spotify

So no one has to know what you're really listening to.
 By 
Elena Cavender
 on 
How to make a private playlist on Spotify
Spotify open. Credit: Shutterstock / Yalcin Sonat

In a recent update, Spotify removed the option to make a playlist private on the desktop version of Spotify. If you're anything like us, you immediately noticed and then your group chat went crazy over this new information. Remain calm though because you can still make a playlist private in the Spotify mobile app, so no one needs to know what you actually listen to.

Now on desktop when you make a new playlist, you are only given the option to "Remove from profile," which means "Friend activity" will still show your followers that you're listening to the playlist even though it isn't featured on your profile.

Titles of private playlists, on the other hand, won't show up under "Friend activity," and can only be seen if you share the link to the playlist with another user. However, the songs you are listening to will still show up in Friend activity unless you are listening in a Private Session.


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If your playlist is just a little too revealing and you can't risk anyone seeing you listen to it, follow the steps below to make your playlist private in the Spotify app.

How to make a playlist private in the Spotify app:

1. Open the Spotify app

2. Navigate to the playlist you want to make private

3. Tap the three gray dots

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Tap the three gray dots. Credit: Screenshot: Spotify

4. Select "Make Private"

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Select "Make Private" to make your playlist private. Credit: screenshot: spotify

There you have it, title your playlist whatever you want because no one will see it. Now try your hand at more Spotify hacks.

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Elena Cavender

Elena is a tech reporter and the resident Gen Z expert at Mashable. She covers TikTok and digital trends. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in American History. Email her at [email protected] or follow her @ecaviar_.

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