In iOS 26, Apple Music introduces playlist folders, bringing the same organizational power that's long been available for photos and notes to your music collection. Whether you're juggling workout mixes, seasonal soundtracks, or genre-specific selections, folders should be a welcome management tool for your most favored collections.

music playlist folders
The feature works exactly as you'd expect – simply create the folder, rename it to suit the intended content, and you'll be navigating your music library with newfound efficiency in no time. You can even nest playlist folders by mood, activity, artist, or whatever system that makes sense for how you actually listen to music.

How to Create a New Folder

Here's how to create a playlist folder in the Music app:

  1. In the Playlist section, tap the + icon at the top.
  2. Choose New Folder... from the popup menu.
  3. Give your new folder a name, then tap Create.

music

Move Playlists into a Folder

With your folder created, move in some playlists like so:

  1. Long press on a playlist.
  2. Choose Move to... from the popup menu.
  3. Select the folder from All Playlists.
  4. Tap the red Move button.

music

That's all there is to it. Finally, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 bring a little more feature parity with the Music app on Mac.

Don't forget, iOS 26 also introduces Music pins, allowing you to pin your most frequently accessed songs, playlists, albums, and artists directly to the top of your Library tab. iOS 26 is currently in beta, with a general release expected in September.

Top Rated Comments

Justin Cymbal Avatar
6 weeks ago

In iOS 26, Apple Music introduces playlist folders, bringing the same organizational power that's long been available for photos and notes to your music collection
It would be nice if Apple added this capability to both the Wallet app (and the messages app as well)

So that you would be able to put different credit cards within folders (within the Wallet app) such as retail store credit cards in one folder and regular everyday 2-3% cashback cards another folders - airline (and travel credit cards) in a separate folder as well

Within the messages app, it would be nice to be able to put different contacts within separate folders so your family or friends text threads could be organized and separated into different sections of the messages app
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Slix Avatar
6 weeks ago
Really happy that iOS is finally getting parity with the Music app on the Mac, but this is crazy that it took this long to create folder on iOS. iTunes had folder support with version 5 in 2005, and iOS got playlist creation in iOS 4 in 2010.

Still hoping we'll get the ability to make and edit Smart Playlists on the go eventually...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yeahtyeaht Avatar
6 weeks ago
You can already do this prior the 26 updates on your Mac. The folders will also be visible on your iPhone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arran Avatar
6 weeks ago

You can already do this prior the 26 updates on your Mac. The folders will also be visible on your iPhone.
Yes. I started using playlist folders back in the iPod/iTunes days.

The new features for iOS 26 are the ability to create a new folder and move playlists between folders on the phone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mannyvel Avatar
6 weeks ago
Music on iPadOS opens folder playlists expanded by default, and doesn't remember your settings. Annoying and it shows that Apple engineers don't use their products.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roland.g Avatar
6 weeks ago
Oooooh. Folders.

How about allowing Apple Music subscribers to make Playlists with music from Apple Music combined with their own libraries without forcing Apple Music Library Match upon the user. Just because I might have the same song in my library as in the Apple Music catalog, the Library Match is broken and flawed.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Friday September 19, 2025 10:02 am PDT by
As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed. French blog Consomac also reported on this topic. The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black. Images Credit: Consoma ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 Pro Max Teardown Reveals Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 Modem for 5G

Friday September 19, 2025 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone Air is equipped with Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular connectivity, all of the iPhone 17 models are outfitted with Qualcomm modems still. A teardown video shared on Chinese platform Bilibili today (via Reddit) appears to confirm the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in particular. The same modem is likely used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone ...
iphone 17 pro max techwoven

Here Are The Best Cases You Can Buy for Your New iPhone 17 and iPhone Air

Friday September 19, 2025 6:46 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhones launch today, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to protecting your new device from drops and scratches. In this article, we're taking a look at some of the best options for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air cases, as well as a few charging accessories. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
iphone 17 pro inside

iPhone 17 Teardowns Confirm SIM and eSIM-Only Battery Capacities

Friday September 19, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 17 Pro teardown video, offering a closer look inside the model with a SIM card tray. We are still waiting for repair website iFixit to share a more comprehensive teardown of the latest iPhone models, but this video provides a good look in the meantime. The device features various internal design changes, including larger rear camera...