If you use Spotify regularly to listen to music and podcasts, you might be surprised to discover that the app is secretly consuming several gigabytes of storage space on your smartphone or computer. This happens because Spotify temporarily stores (caches) parts of the songs you listen to, allowing them to load faster the next time you play them.
While this caching system is excellent for saving mobile data, it can quickly become a massive burden on devices with limited storage. If your phone is running out of space, clearing the Spotify cache is one of the fastest and safest ways to reclaim several gigabytes instantly.
In this guide, we will show you exactly how to clear the Spotify cache on iPhone, Android, and desktop computers without losing your downloaded offline music.
Does Clearing the Cache Delete My Playlists?
Before you begin, it is important to understand what the cache actually is. Clearing the Spotify cache will not delete your playlists, your saved songs, your account settings, or your listening history.
Crucially, Spotify has designed its caching system so that clearing the temporary cache does not delete the music you have intentionally downloaded for offline listening. You can clear the cache with complete peace of mind.
How to Clear Spotify Cache on iPhone and iPad
Unlike many iOS apps that force you to delete the entire application to clear temporary files, Spotify includes a built-in tool for managing storage.
- Open the Spotify app on your iOS device.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner of the Home screen.
- Select Settings and privacy from the menu.
- Scroll down and tap on Storage.
- Here, you will see a breakdown of how much space Spotify is using. Tap the Clear cache button.
- A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap Clear cache again to confirm.
Your app will immediately free up the temporary space while leaving your downloaded music untouched.
How to Clear Spotify Cache on Android
The process on Android is nearly identical to iOS, making it incredibly easy to manage your storage directly within the app.
- Open the Spotify app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Scroll down until you find the Storage section.
- Tap Clear cache.
- Confirm your choice by tapping Clear cache on the pop-up warning.
Note: You can also clear the cache through the Android system settings (Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache), but doing it through the Spotify app is generally safer to ensure your offline downloads are protected.
How to Clear Spotify Cache on Mac and Windows (Desktop App)
If you use the Spotify desktop application on your laptop or PC, the cache can grow significantly larger than on mobile devices.
- Open the Spotify desktop app.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down to the Storage section.
- Next to the “Offline storage location” path, you will see a button labelled Clear cache. Click it.
- Confirm your choice when prompted.
By getting into the habit of clearing your Spotify cache every few months, you can ensure your device runs smoothly and never runs out of space for your important photos and apps.
