Apple Music cache can gradually take up storage space as you stream songs, browse albums, and load artwork. If your iPhone or Android phone is running low on storage, Apple Music is taking up more space than expected, or the app is behaving strangely, clearing its cache may help.
However, the process differs across devices. In this guide, we'll explain how to clear Apple Music cache on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, and Windows PC, how to free up space without losing your playlists, and how to keep Apple Music tracks as local audio files for more flexible storage management.
Part 1. How to Clear Apple Music Cache on iPhone/iPad
Unlike Android, iOS and iPadOS don't provide a dedicated Clear Cache button for Apple Music. The operating system manages temporary files automatically, so you may not need to clear them manually. If Apple Music is occupying too much space, try the following two methods.
Method 1. Turn Sync Library Off and Back On
Turning off Sync Library can prompt iOS to remove Apple Music downloads and related local data. However, this is not a cache-only operation: downloaded Apple Music tracks may be removed from your device. Use this method only if you're prepared to download your music again.
Before proceeding, make sure your library has synced correctly and you know which music is downloaded locally.
Step 1. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2. Scroll down to Apps > Music. On some older versions, Music may appear directly in Settings.
Step 3. Find the Sync Library button and turn it off.
Step 4. Wait for a while and then your device's available storage.
Step 5. If you want to restore your cloud music library, just turn Sync Library back on and allow the library to sync.
Alternatively, you can delete your downloaded tracks manually by navigating to Settings > Music > Downloaded Music. Tap Edit in the top-right corner, select the red minus icon next to All Songs, and tap Delete. To confirm your reclaimed storage space, check Settings > General > iPhone [or iPad] Storage.
Method 2. Remove or Reinstall the Apple Music App
If Apple Music still takes up too much storage or continues to experience glitches after trying the methods above, you can consider reinstalling the app. However, this will also remove downloaded music and require you to download it again.
Deleting the Music app can remove locally stored downloads and other app data. It is not a guaranteed cache-only reset.
Step 1. Touch and hold the Apple Music app icon on your Home Screen.
Step 2. Click the Remove App > Delete App > Delete button. Once complete, it will delete all Apple Music cache and downloads.
Step 3. Restart your iPhone or iPad.
Step 4. Open the App Store, search for Apple Music, and reinstall the app again.
Step 5. Open Apple Music and sign in with your Apple Account if prompted. Check your library and download the music you want to keep available offline.
See also: How to Download Apple Music to iPhone
If your only goal is to free up a small amount of space, you may not need to reset anything. Apple explains that iOS manages cached media and temporary files as storage needs change. But if downloaded music accounts for most of the storage, remove selected downloads instead of resetting the app. We'll cover that in Part 4.
Part 2. How to Clear Apple Music Cache on Android
If you use an Android phone, the process is even simpler. Android allows you to clear Apple Music's temporary cache directly without deleting the Apple Music app. The steps are virtually identical across devices, though menu names may vary slightly between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android brands.
Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your Android device.
Step 2. Scroll down to tap Apps & Notification or Apps.
Step 3. Find Apple Music in the list of apps and hit the Storage (or Storage & Cache) button below it.
Step 4. Select the Clear Cache > Delete Apple Music Cache option.
Step 5. Reopen Apple Music and check whether the issue has been resolved.
That's it. Android deletes the app's cached temporary data, which may include data used to load content more quickly. Apple Music may take a little longer to load artwork or play certain content the next time you open it, because some temporary data must be recreated.
Clear cache vs Clear storage
Be careful to distinguish between clearing the cache and clearing all app data, as they have different effects. If you want to keep your downloaded music, start by clearing the cache and avoid clearing app data unless you're prepared to restore your settings and redownload any affected tracks.
- Clear cache: Removes temporary cached files and is the best option to try first when troubleshooting storage issues.
- Clear storage / Clear data: Resets more of the app's local data and may require you to sign in again or reconfigure the app. Depending on your Android version and how Apple Music stores downloads, this option may also remove downloaded music.
See also: How to Download Apple Music to Android
Part 3. How to Clear Apple Music Cache on Mac & Windows PC
On desktop computers, Apple Music cache can include temporary streaming data, artwork, and other files. The available cleanup options differ between the macOS Music app, the newer Apple Music app for Windows, and older versions of iTunes. Fortunately, clearing these Apple Music temporary cache is straightforward once you know where to look on each platform.
How to Clear Cache on Apple Music on Mac
For the Music app on macOS Catalina and later, there is a cache directory you can access through Finder. Some versions also provide a separate option to reset the cache on Apple Music app.
Option A. Reset the Music Store Cache on Mac
This option clears the Music Store cache, but it does not remove the downloaded songs or cached streaming audio. The exact controls depend on the macOS version.
Step 1. Open the Music app on your Mac.
Step 2. In the menu bar, select Music > Settings (or Preferences on older versions).
Step 3. Open the Advanced tab.
Step 4. Click Reset Cache next to the cache option.
Step 5. Close this window and reopen the Music app.
Option B. Manually Remove Selected Cache Folders on Mac
If you need to reclaim more space, you can inspect the Music app's cache directory on your Mac. Its location and contents may vary across macOS versions, and the folder may not exist on every system. Be careful not to delete your entire Music library or remove unfamiliar folders, as doing so could affect your music files or app data.
Step 1. Quit the Music app completely and open Finder.
Step 2. Press Command + Shift + G to open Go to Folder.
Step 3. Enter the following path:
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Music
Step 4. Look for the fsCachedData and SubscriptionPlayCache folders, if present.
Step 5. Move only these identified cache folders to the Trash.
Step 6. Reopen Music and check its behavior. Empty the Trash after confirming everything works as expected.
macOS can manage temporary files automatically when storage is low. If you're unsure which files are safe to remove, start with the built-in cache option or focus on downloaded music rather than manually deleting files.
How to Clear Apple Music Cache on Windows PC
The steps for clearing Apple Music cache on Windows depend on whether you're using the newer Apple Music app or the older iTunes application. Since these apps may store temporary files in different locations, follow the instructions for the version installed on your PC.
1. Apple Music App
The newer Apple Music app may store cached files in one of the following locations, depending on your installation and Windows version:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Apple\Apple Music\Cache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\AppleInc.AppleMusic_[package identifier]\LocalCache
These folders may not exist on every system, and their exact names and locations can vary. To check for Apple Music cache files and delete them:
Step 1. Close Apple Music and ensure the app is not running in the background.
Step 2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type %LOCALAPPDATA% and press Enter.
Step 3. Look for the relevant Apple Music cache directory (Apple or Packages) to locate your Apple Music cache folder.
Step 4. If you find clearly identifiable temporary cache folders, such as fsCachedData or SubscriptionPlayCache, you can consider removing those folders after confirming that they contain cache data rather than music files or other app data.
Step 5. Open the app again to confirm it loads smoothly and streams properly.
The folder names and locations listed above are possible locations, not guaranteed paths. If you cannot find them, don't create the folders or delete unrelated files. Avoid modifying your Apple Music media library or downloaded music folders, as doing so could affect your music files or offline listening.
2. iTunes App
f you are using legacy iTunes on Windows, temporary network cache files are stored separately in:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Apple Computer\iTunes\
Step 1. Exit the iTunes app completely before inspecting its cache folders.
Step 2. Press Windows + R, enter %LOCALAPPDATA%, and press Enter.
Step 3. Locate and delete temporary cache subfolders (such as SubscriptionPlayCache).
Part 4. Bonus Tip: Keep Apple Music Forever While Freeing Up Space
Clearing Apple Music cache can remove temporary files, but it won't solve every storage problem. If downloaded tracks are taking up most of your device's space, you have two choices: remove those downloads and stream the songs again later, or keep separate local audio files that you can organize and store elsewhere.
To permanently free up space on your phone or computer without losing your favorite songs, the best solution is to back up your Apple Music library to an external USB flash drive or local hard drive. Because DRM protects Apple Music tracks from playing, standard USB drives cannot read them directly. If you want more control over your music collection, AudFree Apple Music Converter is an option to consider.
It's a desktop tool designed to convert Apple Music tracks into common audio formats for local archive and playback, including MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B. Instead of relying solely on downloads inside the Apple Music app, you can manage supported output files separately on your computer. And freely transfer them to any device you want without worrying about your Apple Music cache anymore.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Convert Apple Music to MP3, AIFF, Lossless, WAV, FLAC, M4A, and M4B
- Preserve 100% original audio quality and full ID3 metadata tags
- Download audio files in batch at up to 17X speed
- Remove DRM from Apple Music songs, playlists, etc.
- Allow permanent local saving on USB drives, SD cards, or external hard drives for offline playback on any device
How to Back Up Apple Music to USB Drive
Download and install AudFree Apple Music Converter on your Windows PC or Mac via the green button above or from its official website.
The following workflow assumes you have access to the tracks through a supported Apple Music account and that your intended use complies with applicable copyright law and service terms.
- Step 1. Add Apple Music to AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Launch AudFree Apple Music Converter on your Mac or PC. Browse your target tracks or playlists in the built-in web player interface and click the floating "+" button to import them into the conversion list.
- Step 2. Set Apple Music Output Parameters
- Click Menu icon > Preferences, then go to the Conversion tab to start configuring the output parameters for Apple Music songs. You can select Apple Music output format as MP3, AIFF, Lossless, FLAC, WAV, M4A or M4B. In addition, you can also adjust the bit rate (up to 320 kbps), sample rate, and more. Click OK to save all settings.
- Step 3. Convert and Download Apple Music Locally
- Tap the Converting section and click on the Convert button to start the process. When finished, click the Converted button to navigate to all the resulting files on your computer.
- Step 4. Transfer Converted Apple Music to USB Drive or Other Device
- Plug your USB flash drive into your computer, copy the converted Apple Music files, and paste them onto the drive. Once transferred, you can safely delete the local tracks from your phone or PC to permanently free up device storage. Beyond physical drives, you can also back up these files to cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud for convenient, space-saving storage.
Keep in mind that converting your music won't automatically delete your existing Apple Music cache or downloads - you'll need to clean those up manually to free up space.
If you run into similar cache or offline playback issues on other platforms, AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder can help. It offers wide compatibility across over 10 major music streaming services - including Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and Amazon Music - allowing you to save tracks in high quality locally for smooth playback.
Part 5. FAQs About Clearing Cache on Apple Music
What Is the Difference Between Apple Music Cache and Downloaded Songs?
Apple Music cache consists of temporary data stored to help the app load content and play music more efficiently. Downloaded songs, on the other hand, are music files saved on your device for offline listening. Clearing cache generally removes temporary data, while deleting downloads frees up space used by offline music. The two are different, so check which type of data is taking up storage before removing anything.
Does Clearing Apple Music Cache Delete My Saved Library or Playlists?
No. Your saved library, custom playlists, favorited tracks, and account preferences are stored in the cloud under your Apple ID. Clearing temporary cache only removes temporary image/streaming files. Your cloud library and playlists will remain completely intact.
Will Clearing Cache on Apple Music Delete My Downloaded Songs?
On Android, using the system Clear Cache option will NOT delete your downloaded songs. On iOS, using Delete App keeps your download data safe, but uninstalling the app or manually deleting downloaded music under Settings will require you to re-download those tracks.
Why Is There No 'Clear Cache' Button for Apple Music on iPhone/iPad?
Apple designs iOS around an automated memory and storage management model. Instead of giving users manual cache-clearing buttons for individual first-party apps, iOS automatically clears background application caches when system storage runs low. If you need to manually force an Apple Music cache reset on iOS, the official way is to Offload the App.
Part 6. Conclusion
Clearing Apple Music cache or managing downloaded songs can help free up storage and resolve certain playback issues. The available options vary by device, with Android offering a direct cache-clearing option and iPhone/iPad relying on alternative storage management methods. On Mac and Windows, check the relevant app version and cache location before deleting files.
If you want to free up device storage long-term without constantly re-downloading your tracks, using AudFree Apple Music Converter to back up your favorite songs to a USB flash drive (or Google Drive) provides a reliable, permanent solution.
Staff Editor
