How to uninstall Spotify on Mac completely
Dragging Spotify to the Trash removes only the app. Its cache, settings, logs and downloaded songs stay in your Library folder, and the cache alone can take several gigabytes. Here is how to remove all of it.
- Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
- Click Show Apps and check Spotify in the list.
- Click Remove and confirm. Files that may be yours are listed as Possible and stay unchecked.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Uninstall Spotify the way Spotify’s support describes
Spotify’s help article on a clean reinstall tells you to delete two folders besides the app: the cache and the Spotify folder in Application Support. For an uninstall, do the same and skip the reinstall.
- Quit Spotify: choose Spotify › Quit Spotify in the menu bar.
- Open Finder › Applications and drag Spotify to the Trash.
- In Finder, choose Go, hold the Option key and choose Library.
- Open Caches and move the
com.spotify.clientandcom.spotify.client.helperfolders to the Trash. - Go back, open Application Support and move the Spotify folder to the Trash.
- Restart your Mac, then empty the Trash.
Deleting these folders removes your downloaded songs and podcasts. They only play inside Spotify, so there is nothing to copy out: after a reinstall you download them again.
What Spotify leaves behind
Spotify’s steps cover the first two items. The rest are smaller files. All of them are in the Library folder inside your home folder:
~/Library/Application Support/Spotify— the app’s data. Together with the cache it holds your downloads.~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.clientand~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client.helper— the cache.~/Library/Preferences/com.spotify.client.plist— settings.~/Library/Logs/Spotify— logs.~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.spotify.client— saved web data.~/Library/WebKit/com.spotify.client— data of the app’s built-in web views.~/Library/Saved Application State/com.spotify.client.savedState— the window position macOS restores on launch.
If you changed the storage location in Spotify’s settings (Settings › Storage), the cache and downloads are in the folder you chose instead.
Remove the leftovers by hand
- In Finder, choose Go › Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G), type a path from the list above and press Return.
- Move the folder or file to the Trash.
- Repeat for the other paths.
- Restart your Mac, then empty the Trash.
Spotify isn’t the only app that leaves files behind: see how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.
Only want the space back
If Spotify works and you only need free space, you don’t have to uninstall it. Click your profile picture, choose Settings, scroll to Storage and click Clear cache. To free more, remove downloads you no longer listen to.
With MacWashing, it’s one click
The Uninstaller in MacWashing knows the files Spotify creates in your Library folder and removes them together with the app.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Will MacWashing delete my own files when it removes Spotify?
No. The Uninstaller checks only what belongs to the app: its settings, caches, logs and background items. Folders that may hold your own files are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself, and apps go to the Trash by default, so you can put them back.
What if Spotify is still running?
MacWashing waits for it to quit, or quits it at your request, and only then removes its files.
Is it free to uninstall Spotify with MacWashing?
Yes, within the free trial: System Junk and the Uninstaller free up to 25 GB in total, with no account or card needed.
Will I lose my playlists and liked songs?
No. Playlists, liked songs and your library are stored in your Spotify account. Sign in after a reinstall and they are back.
Does uninstalling Spotify cancel my Premium subscription?
No. The subscription belongs to your account, not to the app. Cancel it in your account settings on the Spotify website.
What happens to my downloaded songs?
They are deleted with Spotify’s folders. Downloads are kept in Spotify’s own format and play only in the app, so after a reinstall you download them again.