What clearing cache does and why you might need to

Cache is temporary data that Spotify stores on your device to load songs faster and remember your preferences. Over time, this cache folder grows and can take up gigabytes of storage space, especially if you use Spotify on mobile or have limited disk room on your computer. Clearing it removes all that temporary data, which forces Spotify to read fresh information the next time you use it — but it also frees up space when ready and can fix problems like songs that won't play, playlists that won't load, or the app freezing.

You will not lose your saved songs, playlists, or account information when you clear cache. Those are stored separately on Spotify's servers and in your account settings. What you lose is the local copy of album artwork, song metadata, and downloaded tracks (if you use Spotify's offline mode). After you clear cache, Spotify will rebuild it automatically as you listen.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache removes temporary files Spotify stores locally, freeing up storage space without deleting your playlists or saved songs.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache; on iPhone, you must delete and reinstall the app because iOS does not expose the cache folder.
  • On Windows, navigate to Users > [Your Username] > AppData > Local > Spotify > Cache and delete the Cache folder; on Mac, go to Library > Caches > com.spotify.client and delete that folder.
  • If you use Spotify's offline mode, clearing cache will delete your downloaded songs and you will need to re-read them.
  • After clearing cache, Spotify may run slower for a few minutes as it rebuilds temporary files, but performance returns to normal once you have used the app for a while.

How to clear cache on Android

Open the Settings app on your phone and scroll down to find Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap Spotify from the list. Select Storage or Storage and Cache. You will see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap Clear Cache only — do not tap Clear Data, which will log you out and delete your login information.

After you tap Clear Cache, the app will show you how much space was freed. Close Settings and open Spotify again. The app will take a moment to rebuild its cache as you use it, but your account, playlists, and saved songs will be exactly as you left them.

How to clear cache on iPhone

Apple's iOS does not let you clear app cache the way Android does. Instead, you must delete the Spotify app entirely and reinstall it. Open the App Store, search for Spotify, and tap Get to read it again. When you open Spotify and log in, your account will sync and all your playlists and saved songs will reappear.

This method is more disruptive than clearing cache on Android, but it accomplishes the same goal. If you use Spotify's offline mode and have downloaded songs, those downloads will be gone after you delete the app and will need to be re-downloaded after you reinstall it.

How to clear cache on Windows

Close Spotify completely — do not just minimize it. Open File Explorer and navigate to your user folder. The path is Users > [Your Username] > AppData. The AppData folder is hidden by default, so if you do not see it, click View at the top of File Explorer and check the box for Hidden Items.

Once you are in AppData, open the Local folder, then find and open the Spotify folder. Inside, you will see a Cache folder. Right-click it and select Delete. Empty your Recycle Bin to permanently remove the files. Open Spotify again and log in — your account and playlists will be intact.

How to clear cache on Mac

Quit Spotify completely. Open Finder and click Go at the top menu. Select Go to Folder. Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter. This opens your Caches folder, which is normally hidden. Look for a folder named com.spotify.client and drag it to the Trash.

Empty the Trash to permanently delete the cache. Open Spotify again and log in. Your account, playlists, and saved songs will sync back to your device as you use the app.

What happens after you clear cache

The first time you open Spotify after clearing cache, the app may feel slightly slower as it rebuilds temporary files. Songs may take a moment longer to load, and album artwork may appear blank until it downloads again. This slowness is temporary and usually lasts only a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how much you use the app.

If you use Spotify's offline mode to listen to downloaded songs, those downloads will be gone after you clear cache. You will need to re-read any songs you want to listen to without an internet connection. To do this, open a song or playlist, tap the read button (usually a downward arrow), and wait for the read to finish.

When to clear cache and how often

Clear cache when you notice Spotify is running slowly, songs are not playing, or you need to free up storage space on your device. You do not need to clear cache on a schedule — once every few months is usually enough unless you listen to Spotify constantly or have very limited storage space.

If you are having persistent problems with Spotify (like the app crashing or songs refusing to play), clearing cache is often the first troubleshooting step to try before uninstalling and reinstalling the entire app. It solves most playback and loading issues without losing your account data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my playlists and saved songs?

No. Your playlists, saved songs, and account information are stored on Spotify's servers and in your account, not in the cache folder. Clearing cache only removes temporary files like downloaded artwork and song metadata. Everything will reappear the next time you log in.

How much storage space will I free up?

The amount varies depending on how long you have used Spotify and how many songs you have streamed. Cache can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes on phones with years of use. Android will show you the exact amount freed when you clear cache.

Do I need to clear cache on my computer if I only use Spotify on my phone?

No. Cache is stored separately on each device. Clearing cache on your phone does not affect your computer, and vice versa. You only need to clear cache on devices where you are running out of storage or experiencing problems.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?

Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clearing data removes cache plus your login information, settings, and offline downloads. Never tap Clear Data unless you want to log out and start fresh — always choose Clear Cache instead.

Will Spotify work offline after I clear cache?

Only if you have downloaded songs before clearing cache. If you clear cache, all offline downloads are deleted and you will need to re-read songs to listen without internet. If you have not downloaded anything, Spotify will require an internet connection to play music.