Does clearing Spotify cache delete my downloaded songs?

Spotify's storage article treats cache and downloads as separate: cache is parts of music and podcasts kept so playback doesn't lag, downloads are kept for offline play, and to free more space it tells you to remove downloaded tracks by hand. It doesn't say outright that Clear cache keeps downloads. Peekaboo only offers Spotify's cache folder when nothing is downloaded for offline listening.

Why did Offline Backup disappear after I cleared Spotify's cache?

Offline Backup is built from songs stored in your device's cache. Spotify lists clearing your cache content as one reason Offline Backup may not appear. It returns as you listen and the cache fills again.

Can I move Spotify's cache instead of clearing it?

Yes. On desktop, Settings › Storage has a Change location option that 'stores your cache somewhere else', such as an external drive.

Mac cache folders

How to clear the Spotify cache on a Mac

By Vishva Variya · Updated November 2, 2026 · 3 min read

Short answer

In the Spotify app, click your profile picture › Settings, scroll to Storage and click Clear cache. By hand: quit Spotify and empty ~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client. Recently played music streams again, and Offline Backup can disappear until the cache refills; Spotify treats downloads separately from the cache.

Where is the Spotify cache on a Mac?

~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client

Safe to clear. Songs and artwork Spotify saved while you listened. It saves them again as you play. Only shown when nothing is downloaded for offline listening.

How do I clear the Spotify cache in the app?

1Click your profile picture at the top and select Settings
2Scroll down to Storage
3Click Clear cache

How do I delete the Spotify cache by hand?

1Quit Spotify (Spotify › Quit Spotify, or Cmd-Q)
2In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder and enter ~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client
3Move the contents of that folder to the Trash (leave the folder itself)
4Reopen Spotify; it caches songs again as you play

What happens when you clear it?

Spotify says it stores parts of music and podcasts as cache 'so it can play without lagging', separately from downloads stored for offline play. Clearing the cache means recently played tracks stream again, and Offline Backup can disappear: Spotify lists 'You've cleared your cache content' as a reason Offline Backup may not appear, because Offline Backup needs songs stored in the device's cache. You stay signed in (not stated by Spotify, but cache clearing is not described as signing out).

Clearing it with Peekaboo

Peekaboo’s App Caches page lists “Spotify” with its size and the note above, alongside every other cache it finds. It won’t offer a folder the app is still running from, and the cleanup goes to the Trash, so ⌥⌘Z puts it back.

1Open App Caches.⇧⌘E
2Find Spotify, check its size, and move it to the Trash.

Questions

Does clearing Spotify cache delete my downloaded songs?: Spotify's storage article treats cache and downloads as separate: cache is parts of music and podcasts kept so playback doesn't lag, downloads are kept for offline play, and to free more space it tells you to remove downloaded tracks by hand. It doesn't say outright that Clear cache keeps downloads. Peekaboo only offers Spotify's cache folder when nothing is downloaded for offline listening.
Why did Offline Backup disappear after I cleared Spotify's cache?: Offline Backup is built from songs stored in your device's cache. Spotify lists clearing your cache content as one reason Offline Backup may not appear. It returns as you listen and the cache fills again.
Can I move Spotify's cache instead of clearing it?: Yes. On desktop, Settings › Storage has a Change location option that 'stores your cache somewhere else', such as an external drive.