How to recover an accidentally deleted playlist

Hi,

There is no native "Recently Deleted" folder in iOS 26 for Apple Music playlists; once deleted, they are permanently removed from the library and cannot be restored via a simple undo command.

However, you can attempt to recover them by re-syncing your iCloud Music Library or restoring from a backup. 

1. Re-sync iCloud Music Library

If the playlist was synced via iCloud, toggling the settings often forces a re-download from the cloud.

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases and sign out, then sign back in. 
• Alternatively, go to Settings > Music and toggle Sync Library off, wait a moment, and toggle it back on. 
• On Mac/PC, open the Music app and select File > Library > Update Cloud Library. 

2. Restore from Backup

If the playlist disappeared due to an iOS 26 update bug or accidental deletion, you can restore your device to a state before the deletion.

• iCloud Backup: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, then choose Restore from iCloud Backup during setup. 
• Computer Backup: Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC, open Finder or iTunes, select your device, and choose Restore Backup. 

3. Request Data from Apple

If the playlist was deleted after subscription cancellation or due to a server-side issue, Apple may retain metadata.

• Visit apple.com/privacy and request a copy of your data. 
• This provides a record of your playlists but does not automatically restore them to your app; you must manually recreate the list using the provided data. 

Note on iOS 26 Specifics:

Ensure your Sync Library setting is enabled, as iOS 26 updates may occasionally toggle this off, causing libraries to appear missing. 

Also, check if your Apple Music subscription is active, as expired subscriptions can hide library content until renewed.