What clearing Spotify cache does and why you might need to

Clearing your Spotify cache removes temporary files the app stores on your device to load music faster. Over time, these files can pile up and cause the app to run slowly, freeze, or fail to load songs. Clearing cache does not delete your playlists, saved songs, or login information — it only removes the temporary data Spotify uses to speed up playback.

You might clear cache if Spotify is crashing, songs are taking too long to load, or the app is using too much storage space. On phones, cache can grow to hundreds of megabytes. On computers, it typically takes up less space but can still cause performance problems. Clearing cache is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try before uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find Spotify, tap it, and select Offload App to clear cache without deleting the app itself.
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache to remove temporary files in seconds.
  • On Windows and Mac, the cache folder is hidden by default, but you can navigate to it through your user folder or use the app's built-in storage settings.
  • Clearing cache will not remove your playlists, saved songs, or login credentials — only temporary playback data.
  • If Spotify still runs slowly after clearing cache, try signing out and back in, or reinstalling the app entirely.

How to clear cache on iPhone

On iPhone, the fastest way to clear Spotify cache is through the Settings app. Open Settings, tap General, then select iPhone Storage. Scroll down and tap Spotify. You will see two options: Delete App and Offload App. Tap Offload App — this removes the cache and temporary files while keeping your login information and settings intact. The app icon will remain on your home screen, and you can reinstall it instantly by tapping the cloud icon.

If you want to clear cache without offloading, you can also go to Settings > Apps > Spotify and look for a Storage or Cache option, though iPhone does not always show this menu for all apps. Offloading is the most reliable method on iOS devices.

How to clear cache on Android

On Android, clearing Spotify cache takes about 30 seconds. Open Settings, tap Apps or Application Manager (the name varies by phone brand), then find and tap Spotify. Tap Storage or Storage and Cache. You will see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap Clear Cache only — this removes temporary files without affecting your playlists or login. If you tap Clear Data by mistake, you will be signed out and your offline downloads will be removed.

After clearing cache, close Spotify completely and reopen it. The app will rebuild its cache as you use it, which may take a few minutes. If Spotify still crashes or loads slowly, you can try clearing data as well, but you will need to sign back in afterward.

How to clear cache on Windows

On Windows, Spotify stores cache in a hidden folder. The easiest way to access it is to press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%\Spotify, and press Enter. This opens the Spotify folder directly. Look for a folder called Cache and delete it. You can also delete the folder named PersistentCache if it exists. Close Spotify before you delete these folders.

If you prefer not to navigate folders manually, you can also uninstall Spotify, restart your computer, and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store or Spotify's website. This clears all cache automatically. After reinstalling, sign back in — your playlists and saved songs will still be there because Spotify stores them on its servers, not on your device.

How to clear cache on Mac

On Mac, Spotify cache lives in a hidden folder in your user Library. Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder dialog, and type ~/Library/Caches/Spotify. Press Enter. Delete the Spotify folder inside. You can also navigate manually by opening Finder, clicking the Go menu, selecting Library, then finding the Caches folder and deleting Spotify from there.

Close Spotify before you delete the cache folder. After deletion, reopen Spotify and sign in. The app will rebuild its cache as you stream. If you want a cleaner approach, you can uninstall Spotify, restart your Mac, and reinstall it — this clears cache automatically without manual folder navigation.

How to clear cache on Spotify Web Player

Spotify Web Player does not store cache the same way the desktop and mobile apps do. Instead, cache is managed by your web browser. To clear it, open your browser settings and look for Clear Browsing Data or Clear Cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac). Select Cached Images and Files, choose All Time, and click Clear Data. Do the same in Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

After clearing browser cache, refresh the Spotify Web Player page. You will remain signed in because your login is stored separately from cache. If Web Player is still slow, try a different browser or use the desktop app instead, which often performs better.

What to do if clearing cache does not fix the problem

If Spotify still crashes or loads slowly after clearing cache, try signing out and signing back in. Open Spotify, go to Settings or Account, find the Sign Out option, and tap it. Close the app completely, wait 10 seconds, reopen it, and sign back in with your username and password. This refreshes your connection to Spotify's servers and can fix issues that cache clearing alone does not solve.

If that does not work, uninstall Spotify completely and reinstall it fresh. On phone, delete the app from your home screen or app library, then download it again from the App Store or Google Play. On computer, uninstall through Settings or Add/Remove Programs, restart your device, and download Spotify from spotify.com. This removes all cache, temporary files, and corrupted data at once. Your playlists and saved songs will still be there when you sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my playlists and saved songs?

No. Your playlists and saved songs are stored on Spotify's servers, not on your device. Clearing cache only removes temporary playback files. When you sign back in, all your playlists and saved songs will be exactly as you left them.

How much storage space does Spotify cache usually take up?

On phones, Spotify cache can grow to 500 megabytes or more depending on how much you stream. On computers, it typically stays under 100 megabytes. The exact amount depends on your listening habits and how long you have had the app installed.

Do I need to clear Spotify cache regularly?

Not necessarily. Most people only need to clear cache when the app is running slowly or crashing. If Spotify works fine, there is no reason to clear cache. You can clear it once or twice a year as routine maintenance if you prefer.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?

Clearing cache removes temporary playback files and keeps you signed in. Clearing data removes everything, including your login information, offline downloads, and app settings. Only clear data if clearing cache does not fix the problem.

Will I lose my offline downloads if I clear cache?

Clearing cache alone will not remove offline downloads. However, clearing data will. If you want to keep your offline songs, only clear cache, not data.