It was released on May 27, 2015 as a digital download through Epic and Streamline Records, replacing "Let Me Know" (2014) as the lead single from Braxton's fourth studio album Calling All Lovers.

The song was written by Braxton, Kevin Randolph, Tony Russell, Makeba Riddick-Woods, Ernest Clark, Marcos Palacios, LaShawn Daniels, and Tiyon "TC" Mack, while production was handled by Da Internz.

Braxton said that the single was partially inspired by her past romantic relationships, and emphasized the importance of transparency with oneself.

In an accompanying music video released on June 9, 2015, Braxton plays a prostitute who develops a one-sided relationship with one of her clients.

"If I Don't Have You" was written by Tamar Braxton, Kevin Randolph, Tony Russell, Makeba Riddick-Woods, Ernest Clark, Marcos Palacios, LaShawn Daniels, and Tiyon "TC" Mack; the song was produced by Da Internz.

[3] The release was scheduled alongside the premiere of the fourth season of the reality television series Braxton Family Values.

[6][8] In a review for Calling All Lovers, Diamond Hillyer of Vibe praised the song's composition as "sprightly instrumentals" that would appeal to listeners.

[9] Matthew Scott Donnelly of PopCrush wrote that the track was appropriate for those who are in "the mood for a good cry (or perhaps an all-out profound wail)".

[8] Idolator's Mike Wass praised Braxton's vocals on the single,[3] but later reassessed "If I Don't Have You" as a "little undercooked" in comparison to other tracks on Calling All Lovers.

[20] An accompanying music video, directed by Darren Craig, was made available through Braxton's Vevo account on July 9, 2015, approximately two months following the single's release.

[21] The music video takes place in a brothel,[7] in which the singer plays one of its prostitutes, along with her close friends Shateria Moragne-el, Khadijah Hagg, and Malika Haqq in similar roles.

[17] Even though the single's lyrics focus on missing a romantic partner, the video does not prominently feature a male lead.

While he questioned how the visuals matched the song, Kevin Apaza of Direct Lyrics praised Braxton's wardrobe and appearance, writing that she "serv[ed] body, face and life throughout the whole of it".