- Go to Spotify settings, storage and Clear Cache to remove temporary files.
- You can also open the downloaded Playlists, tap on the download icon to remove the downloads.
- You can also change the download quality to save space while you listen to music offline on Spotify.
Why Does Spotify Use So Much Storage
Ever wondered how Spotify enables you to listen to music offline? Well, this happens due to a mechanism called caching. Now, to ensure you have a great listening experience without delays in songs, Spotify stores a part of the played song on your local storage.
Now, when you replay it, it can easily play without lag. This process takes place for all songs and podcasts.
Thus, the accumulation of hefty storage space on your device. The good part is that this cache data is temporary and even capped to a size limit depending on your storage.
Besides, the music you newly listened to will replace the old songs regularly. For most devices, the cache is usually at 2-3GB after using the app regularly for a fortnight.
Method 1: Clear Spotify Cache
On iPhone and Android
Step 1: Tap on the Settings icon in the Spotify app. Select Storage .
Step 2: Tap on Clear cache and select Clear cache again to confirm.
On Mac
Step 1: Open the Spotify app. Click on the Spotify option in the toolbar, and select Preferences .
Step 2: Select and copy the path where offline storage is located.
Step 3: On the main toolbar of your Mac, click on Go . Then, select Go to Folder .
Step 4: Now, paste the path and go to the location. Select all the files, and use the Move to Bin option.
On Windows
Similar to Mac, cache files of Spotify need to be located and then deleted on Windows. These files and folders are hidden by default.
Step 1: In the Start menu , open the File Explorer Options app.
Step 2: Once opened, click on View . Check the box next to Show hidden files, folders, and drives . Click on OK to apply the settings.
Step 3: Now, navigate to the following destination in File Explorer.
C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Packages
Step 4: Select a folder containing the keyword Spotify .
Step 5: Next, go to LocalCache -> Spotify -> Data . Select all folders inside and click on Delete .
Method 2: Clear Spotify Downloads
If you are a Spotify premium user, you have an option to download music offline . It is another reason why Spotify takes up so much device storage.
On iPhone and Android
Step 1: Open the playlist with the download option enabled and tap on the download icon .
Step 2: Click on Remove .
This option will help you remove downloads from individual playlists. But, if you want to delete all downloads at once, here’s how you can do it.
Step 1: Click on Settings in the Spotify app and go to Storage .
Step 2: Tap on Remove all downloads and select Remove to confirm.
On Windows and Mac
All you need to do is to open the playlist which has the download option enabled. Click on the download icon, and all of your downloads will be automatically removed from the playlist.
Method 3: Change Download Settings
However, downloading and listening to music offline might be essential to many. So, a middle ground to save space and ensure you have music offline is by reducing the download quality.
On iPhone and Android
Step 1: Tap on Settings in the Spotify app and tap on Audio Quality .
Step 2: Now, select your preferred quality under Download.
On Windows and Mac
Step 1: Click on Spotify in the toolbar after opening the Spotify app and go to Preferences .
On Windows, click on your username in the Spotify app and select Settings .
Step 2: Click on the dropdown menu next to Download .
Step 3: Select your download quality .
