What clearing cache does and why you might need to

Cache is temporary data that Spotify stores on your device to load songs, playlists, and album art faster the next time you open the app. Over time, this cache folder grows and can take up gigabytes of storage space, especially if you use Spotify on a phone or tablet where space is limited. Clearing the cache removes these temporary files without deleting your saved playlists, downloaded songs, or login information.

You might notice Spotify running slowly, taking longer to load playlists, or your device storage nearly full. Clearing cache often fixes the slow-loading problem and frees up space when ready. The app will rebuild the cache automatically the next time you use it, so this is safe to do anytime.

Key Takeaways

  • Cache is temporary data Spotify stores to load content faster, and clearing it removes these files without affecting your playlists or login.
  • On Android phones, go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache; on iPhones, you must uninstall and reinstall the app since iOS does not let you clear cache separately.
  • On Windows or Mac computers, you can delete the Spotify cache folder directly through your file explorer without opening the app.
  • Clearing cache typically frees up 100 MB to several gigabytes depending on how long you have used Spotify without clearing it.

Clearing cache on Android phones

Open your phone's Settings app and scroll down to find Apps or Applications. Tap Spotify from the list of installed apps. 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 would delete your login information and saved playlists.

The cache will clear in a few seconds. You can now open Spotify normally. The app will rebuild the cache as you use it, but it will start fresh and smaller than before.

Clearing cache on iPhones and iPads

iOS does not give apps a separate cache-clearing button the way Android does. Instead, you must uninstall Spotify completely and then reinstall it. Press and hold the Spotify app icon on your home screen, then select Remove App and Delete App. Confirm the deletion.

Go to the App Store, search for Spotify, and tap Get, then Install. Sign in with your username and password. Your playlists, saved songs, and preferences will all be there because Spotify stores them on its servers, not on your phone. Only the temporary cache files are gone.

Clearing cache on Windows computers

Close Spotify completely. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Spotify\Cache. (If you do not see AppData, click View at the top of File Explorer and check the box for Hidden Items.) Select all files in the Cache folder by pressing Ctrl+A, then delete them by pressing Delete or right-clicking and selecting Delete.

Empty your Recycle Bin to permanently remove the files. Open Spotify again and log in. The app will create a new, smaller cache folder as you use it.

Clearing cache on Mac computers

Quit Spotify completely. Open Finder and press Command+Shift+G to open the Go to Folder dialog. Type ~/Library/Caches/Spotify and press Enter. Select all files in this folder by pressing Command+A, then press Command+Delete to move them to Trash. Empty the Trash.

Open Spotify and log in. The cache will rebuild automatically. On Mac, the cache folder is usually smaller than on Windows, but clearing it still helps if the app is running slowly.

How much space you will free up

The amount of space depends on how long you have used Spotify without clearing cache and how much music you stream. A user who streams daily for several months might free up 500 MB to 2 GB. Someone who uses Spotify heavily or has not cleared cache in years could free up 3 GB or more.

Check your device storage before and after clearing cache to see the difference. On Android, go to Settings > Storage to see how much space Spotify is using. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and scroll to Spotify. On Windows, right-click the Spotify folder in AppData and select Properties to see its size. On Mac, select the Spotify folder in Finder and press Command+I to see its size.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear cache whenever your device storage is running low or Spotify feels slow. There is no downside to doing this regularly — once a month is reasonable for heavy users, or whenever you notice the app lagging. After clearing cache, Spotify may take a few extra seconds to load playlists the first time because it is rebuilding the cache, but this is normal and temporary.

If clearing cache does not fix slow performance, the problem may be your internet connection, not the app. Try restarting your device or reinstalling Spotify entirely if the slowness continues after clearing cache and restarting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my playlists or saved songs?

No. Your playlists, saved songs, and all your preferences are stored on Spotify's servers, not on your device. Clearing cache only removes temporary files that help the app load faster. Everything will be there when you log back in.

Do I need to be logged out to clear cache?

No, but it is easiest to close the app completely first. On Android and computer, you can clear cache while logged out or logged in. On iPhone, you must uninstall the app, so you will be logged out automatically. You log back in after reinstalling.

How often should I clear Spotify cache?

Once a month is fine for most users. If you stream music several hours a day or your device storage is always tight, clearing cache every two weeks helps. There is no harm in clearing it more often if you want to.

What is the difference between Clear Cache and Clear Data?

Clear Cache removes temporary files only. Clear Data removes everything, including your login information and saved preferences. Only use Clear Data if you are trying to fully reset the app or remove your account from the device.

Will Spotify work offline after I clear cache?

If you have downloaded songs for offline listening, they will still be there after clearing cache. Downloaded songs are stored separately from the cache. Only the temporary streaming data is removed.