Web API playlist creation returns 403 in Development Mode, no Quota Extension Request tab visible

[antonio_selicato]

Plan: Premium
Country: Italy
Device: MacBook (browser + Spotify Developer Dashboard)
Operating System: macOS (latest version)

My Question or Issue:
I’m building a Web API app called Trip Vibes. The app is in Development mode and the owner account is a Spotify Premium individual.

In my app I use redirect URI http://127.0.0.1:3000/auth/spotify/callback .
My test user is added to the app allowlist.
I request scopes playlist-modify-private, playlist-modify-public, user-read-email.

GET /v1/me works correctly with the access token, but POST /v1/me/playlists always returns 403 Forbidden with response {"error":{"status":403,"message":"Forbidden"}}.

In the Developer Dashboard I only see Basic Information and User Management tabs. The quota modes documentation mentions a Quota Extension Request option under App settings, but I don’t see it for my app.

I am a small business owner and Trip Vibes is intended to be free for end users.

My questions:

1. Is this 403 Forbidden expected for apps in Development mode even with Premium owner and correct scopes?

2. Is it normal that I don’t see any Quota Extension Request / Request Extension option in my app settings?

3. What is the correct path today to use the Spotify Web API in a compliant way for a free app like this, and what next steps do you recommend?

[Ximzend]

Hi @antonio_selicato 

Please check this page for the recent changes to the API.

Cheers!

[antonio_selicato]

Thanks. I migrated the app according to the February 2026 migration guide.
I updated playlist creation to POST /v1/me/playlists and playlist item addition to POST /v1/playlists/{playlist_id}/items.
The app owner has Premium, the test user is allowlisted, the requested scopes include playlist-modify-private, playlist-modify-public, and user-read-email, and GET /v1/me works correctly.

However, POST /v1/me/playlists still returns 403 Forbidden with response body {"error":{"status":403,"message":"Forbidden"}}.

Can you confirm whether playlist creation through the Web API is currently restricted for apps in Development Mode even after applying the February 2026 migration changes, or if there is any additional requirement we should be aware of?

[Ximzend]

Hi @antonio_selicato 

I’ve tested the API and I haven’t been able to reproduce the issue.

As a next step, clear any cached data such as cookies and have the user remove the app from the Manage Apps section of their account, as well as from the server. If it is not a web app, ask the user to reinstall it.

Let me know whether creating playlists works once the user logs in again.