<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-11-05</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001613103</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Medtronic plc</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MDT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001752060</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Liddicoat John R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MEDTRONIC PLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>710 MEDTRONIC PKWY, MS LC300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNEAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55432</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; President of Americas</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Ordinary Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2021-11-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>139</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>122.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>42998</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reported transaction involved the withholding of 139 shares of stock issuable upon the early vesting of an equal number of restricted stock units to pay taxes associated with the reporting person becoming retirement eligible.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This balance increased by 290 shares due to exempt transactions such as dividend reinvestment and employee stock purchase plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas L. Osteraas, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-11-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
