Clearing Spotify cache removes temporary files that build up over time
Spotify stores temporary data — album artwork, song previews, login information — in a cache folder on your device. Over weeks or months, this cache can grow large enough to slow down the app, cause playback problems, or eat up storage space. Clearing it is straightforward and takes a few minutes depending on your device type.
The steps differ between Spotify on your phone, desktop computer, and web browser. On any device, clearing the cache does not delete your playlists, saved songs, or account information — it only removes temporary files that Spotify will rebuild the next time you use the app.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Apps > Spotify, tap Storage, and select Clear Cache.
- On Android phones, open Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache.
- On Windows and Mac desktop, uninstall Spotify, delete the cache folder manually, then reinstall the app.
- In a web browser, clear your browser cache through your browser settings, which removes Spotify's cached data along with other sites' data.
- Clearing cache does not remove your playlists, saved songs, or login information.
Clearing cache on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app on your device. Scroll down and tap Apps (on some older iOS versions, this may be labeled App Library or Applications). Find and tap Spotify in the list.
Tap Storage or Storage & Cache. You will see two options: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap Clear Cache only — this removes temporary files without touching your account or playlists. The app will show you how much space the cache is using before you clear it.
After clearing, close Settings and open Spotify normally. The app will rebuild its cache as you use it, which may take a moment on first launch.
Clearing cache on Android phones
Open Settings on your phone. Tap Apps or Application Manager (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Scroll to find Spotify and tap it.
Tap Storage or Storage & Cache. You will see a Clear Cache button. Tap it to remove temporary files. Do not tap Clear Data unless you want to remove your login information and local playlists as well — Clear Cache alone is what you need.
Exit Settings and reopen Spotify. The app will work normally, and the cache will start rebuilding as you stream and browse.
Clearing cache on Windows desktop
Spotify on Windows stores its cache in a hidden folder. The easiest method is to uninstall and reinstall the app, which clears everything temporary. Open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & Features, find Spotify, and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove it completely.
If you want to keep the app installed and only clear the cache manually, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Spotify\PersistentCache. Delete the contents of this folder (not the folder itself). You may need to close Spotify first, and you may need to enable viewing hidden files in File Explorer settings.
After uninstalling, download Spotify fresh from spotify.com or the Microsoft Store and sign back in. Your playlists and saved songs will reappear once you log in.
Clearing cache on Mac desktop
On Mac, the cache folder is also hidden by default. Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder dialog. Type ~/Library/Caches/Spotify and press Enter. Delete the Spotify folder that appears.
Alternatively, quit Spotify completely, then open Finder and navigate to Applications. Drag Spotify to the Trash, empty the Trash, then download Spotify again from spotify.com. Reinstalling is simpler than hunting for hidden folders and achieves the same result.
After clearing or reinstalling, open Spotify and sign in. Your account and playlists will sync back to your Mac.
Clearing cache in a web browser
If you use Spotify in a web browser, clearing the browser's cache will remove Spotify's temporary files. The steps depend on which browser you use.
Chrome: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, click Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data. Choose the time range (All Time removes everything), check Cookies and Other Site Data and Cached Images and Files, and click Clear Data.
Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines), select Settings, go to Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear Data. Check both boxes and confirm.
Safari: Click Safari in the menu bar, select Settings, go to Privacy, and click Manage Website Data. Select all entries and click Remove.
After clearing, reload spotify.com in your browser. You will stay logged in, but temporary files will be gone.
When to clear Spotify cache
You do not need to clear cache regularly. Clear it if Spotify is running slowly, songs are skipping or failing to load, the app crashes frequently, or you are running low on device storage. A cache buildup over several months can sometimes cause these problems.
If you clear the cache and problems persist, the issue may be with your internet connection, your Spotify account, or a bug in the app itself. In that case, try restarting your device or reinstalling Spotify entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my playlists and saved songs?
No. Cache contains only temporary files like artwork and playback data. Your playlists, saved songs, and account information are stored on Spotify's servers and will not be affected. You will still be logged in after clearing cache.
How much storage space does Spotify cache usually take up?
Cache size varies widely depending on how much you use Spotify and how long since you last cleared it. It can range from 100 MB to over 1 GB on phones and computers. Check your device's storage settings to see how much space Spotify is currently using.
Do I need to clear cache on all my devices?
No. Each device stores its own cache independently. If Spotify is slow only on your phone, clear cache on your phone. If it is slow on your computer, clear cache there. You do not need to clear it everywhere unless you are experiencing problems on multiple devices.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?
Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clearing data removes cache plus your login information, offline downloads, and local settings. Only clear data if you want to completely reset Spotify on that device. For most problems, clearing cache alone is enough.