I cleared my Spotify “ghost” downloads, and my storage is lastly free

My Android cellphone just lately began gasping for air. Once I checked my storage utilization, Spotify was utilizing a number of gigabytes on my cellphone, which did not make sense. I solely had a handful of playlists downloaded for offline listening, so I anticipated the app to be a lot lighter. After some digging, I discovered a difficulty with Spotify’s cache—momentary recordsdata the app quietly shops everytime you stream music. In case you’re encountering the identical difficulty, there are a number of methods to repair low storage warnings with out shopping for extra space, however clearing the cache is a superb place to start out.

These “ghost” downloads accumulate within the background, and the app does not make this apparent. The excellent news is that clearing this cache takes seconds and will not contact your precise offline downloads. In case your cellphone’s storage feels cramped, reclaiming area is among the best fixes.

Examine and clear ghost downloads consuming your storage

Android settings reveal what Spotify will not present you

Spotify does not precisely promote how a lot storage its cache consumes. You will not discover a warning or notification when the app quietly balloons to a number of gigabytes. The one technique to see what’s occurring is to dig into Android’s storage settings your self.

This is the way to verify:

1. Open Settings in your Android cellphone.
2. Go to Apps (or Apps & notifications, relying in your gadget).
3. Discover and faucet Spotify.
4. Faucet Storage or Storage & cache.

You may see three classes, that are App measurement, Person information, and Cache. The Cache quantity is what you are on the lookout for; that is your ghost downloads. Person information contains your precise offline downloads, saved playlists, and login credentials, so depart that alone.

Once I checked mine, the cache had grown to 1.5GB whereas my precise downloads had been 4.9GB. That is plenty of wasted area for music I by no means requested to maintain. The cache measurement is determined by how typically you stream and the way lengthy it has been because you final cleared it. In case you take heed to Spotify each day, anticipate this quantity to climb rapidly.

The best way to clear Spotify’s ghost downloads on Android

From the identical storage display screen talked about above, faucet Clear cache. That is it. The cache measurement drops to zero instantly, and also you get that storage again. After clearing, Spotify may really feel barely slower the following time you open it. The app rebuilds some momentary recordsdata as you browse and stream, so that is regular.

You too can clear the cache from inside Spotify

Spotify has its personal possibility, however you need to discover it

In case you’d slightly not depart the app, Spotify affords its personal choice to clear the cache. It achieves the identical consequence because the Android settings technique. This is the way to entry it:

1. Open Spotify and faucet your profile icon within the top-left nook.
2. Faucet Settings and privateness.
3. Then faucet Knowledge-saving and offline.
4. Scroll down and faucet Clear cache.

The in-app storage display screen exhibits a breakdown of what is utilizing area—cache and downloads are listed individually. That is truly helpful if you wish to see the numbers with out having to leap into Android’s settings each time.

The draw back is that Spotify does not make this simple to search out. There is not any shortcut, no reminder, and no immediate suggesting you clear the cache when it will get giant. It’s a must to know the choice exists and navigate via menus to achieve it. For a fast cleanup, the Android settings route is quicker because you’re only some faucets away from the storage breakdown.

Both technique works, so decide whichever feels extra handy. I desire utilizing Android settings as a result of I am often already checking storage after I discover my cellphone working low on area.

Stopping ghost downloads from piling up quick

You possibly can’t cease it, however you’ll be able to sluggish it down

Realistically, the cache will begin rising once more the second you hit play. Spotify makes use of this storage to make sure gapless playback and to maintain the music going in case your sign drops. You possibly can’t flip it off totally, however you’ll be able to sluggish it down. Additionally it is a good suggestion to change these important Spotify settings to additional optimize your expertise.

Go to Settings and privateness > Media high quality, then scale back the standard for each Wi-Fi and mobile streaming. Smaller recordsdata imply a smaller cache over time. The trade-off is barely decrease audio constancy, which can or could not trouble you relying in your headphones and ears. Anticipate the cache to creep again up inside a couple of weeks of normal use, so periodic upkeep is the one technique to preserve issues underneath management.

A number of gigabytes make a distinction

Examine your different streaming apps too

Spotify is not the one app that quietly hoards storage. Most streaming companies—Netflix, YouTube, podcasting apps—cache content material the identical manner. You possibly can additionally verify after binge-listening classes or lengthy street journeys, since heavy use accelerates cache buildup. If clearing Spotify freed up area, it is value checking these apps subsequent. The method is comparable.

Nonetheless, for telephones with restricted storage, making this a month-to-month behavior retains issues manageable. Apart from, you do not have to delete your photographs or uninstall helpful apps simply to make room; you’ll be able to even archive apps to save lots of area on Android with out shedding your private settings. It is a small upkeep activity, however one which retains your cellphone from filling up with recordsdata you by no means requested for.