How to Clear Spotify Cache on iPhone, Android and Desktop
Spotify can quietly take up a surprising amount of storage.
The reason is its cache.
Spotify stores temporary pieces of music, podcasts and other data on your device so that content can load and play more smoothly.
Over time, however, that cache can grow.
Fortunately, you can clear it.
Here’s how.
What is the Spotify cache?
Spotify uses your device’s storage for two main purposes:
temporary cached files
downloaded music and podcasts.
Spotify explains that cached content helps music and podcasts play without lagging.
The cache is therefore useful.
But you don’t necessarily need to keep every cached file forever.
Clearing it can be useful if Spotify is occupying too much storage or you’re troubleshooting problems with the app.
How to clear Spotify cache on iPhone
Spotify currently provides a built-in cache-clearing option on iPhone.
- Open Spotify.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Select Settings and privacy.
- Open Data-saving and offline.
- Find the Storage section.
- Select Clear next to Clear cache.
Spotify documents this process directly in its storage guidance.
Will clearing Spotify cache delete my downloads?
Spotify distinguishes between temporary cache storage and music downloaded for offline listening.
The two serve different purposes.
You therefore shouldn’t assume that clearing the cache is the same as deleting your complete Spotify library.
If storage is still very high after clearing the cache, your offline downloads could be taking up a significant amount of space.
How to clear Spotify cache on Android
The Android process is very similar.
- Open Spotify.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Open Settings and privacy.
- Select Data-saving and offline.
- Scroll to Storage.
- Tap Clear beside Clear cache.
Spotify also allows some Android users to choose where downloaded music is stored when an external SD card is available.
That can be useful if Spotify downloads are using too much of your phone’s internal storage.
How to clear Spotify cache on Windows
On the Spotify desktop app:
- Open Spotify.
- Click your profile picture.
- Select Settings.
- Scroll down to Storage.
- Find Cache.
- Select Clear cache.
Spotify provides the same basic cache-management option in its desktop application.
How to clear Spotify cache on Mac
The Mac process follows the Spotify desktop instructions.
Open Spotify, go into Settings and scroll to the Storage section.
You can then clear cached Spotify files directly.
You don’t need to manually dig through macOS system folders for most situations.
Why is Spotify using so much storage?
There are two likely reasons.
Cached content
Spotify temporarily stores data so tracks and podcasts can play more efficiently.
If you use Spotify frequently, this cache can grow.
Offline downloads
If you’ve downloaded hundreds or thousands of songs, the audio itself can occupy considerably more space than the cache.
Clearing the cache won’t necessarily solve a storage problem caused mainly by downloaded playlists.
How much free storage does Spotify need?
Spotify currently recommends keeping at least 1GB of free memory available on your device.
More free storage can obviously be useful if you’re downloading large playlists or podcasts for offline listening.
Does clearing Spotify cache improve performance?
Sometimes.
If cached data has become unusually large or something in the local app data is causing problems, clearing the cache can be a useful troubleshooting step.
It may help with issues such as:
Spotify taking up too much storage
tracks behaving strangely
the app becoming sluggish
temporary playback problems.
However, clearing the cache isn’t a guaranteed fix for every Spotify problem.
Internet connectivity, the Spotify service, your account or the app itself could also be responsible.
Will clearing Spotify cache delete my playlists?
No.
Your playlists are connected to your Spotify account rather than existing only as temporary cached files on one device.
Clearing the cache isn’t the same as deleting your Spotify account or removing playlists from your library.
Why did Spotify storage grow again?
Because Spotify continues caching data as you use the service.
You might clear several gigabytes today and notice the cache gradually increase again over the coming weeks.
That’s normal.
The cache exists to improve playback.
You don’t need to obsessively clear it every day.
Instead, think of the feature as something to use when:
your device is low on storage
Spotify is occupying an unusually large amount of space
or you’re troubleshooting the app.
Spotify cache FAQs
What happens when I clear Spotify cache?
Spotify removes temporary cached files from your device. The cache can rebuild as you continue using Spotify.
Does clearing Spotify cache delete songs?
Cached files and offline music downloads are separate categories of Spotify storage.
Does clearing Spotify cache delete playlists?
No. Playlists are linked to your Spotify account.
How do I clear Spotify cache on iPhone?
Open Spotify, then go to your profile picture → Settings and privacy → Data-saving and offline → Storage → Clear cache.
How do I clear Spotify cache on Android?
The process is essentially the same: Settings and privacy → Data-saving and offline → Storage → Clear cache.
How do I clear Spotify cache on PC or Mac?
Open Spotify Settings, scroll to Storage and select Clear cache.