Spotify is a popular music streaming service that allows users to listen to millions of songs from various genres and artists. One of the great features of Spotify is the ability to download music for offline listening. By default, Spotify saves the downloaded music to the internal storage of your Android device. However, if you have limited space on your device or prefer to save the music files to an external SD card, changing the download location can be beneficial.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of changing the Spotify download location on your Android device. We will explore several methods that you can use to achieve this, and provide detailed steps for each method. Whether you want to free up space on your device or simply want to organize your downloaded music in a specific location, this guide will help you accomplish that.
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The Challenge of Changing Spotify Download Location on Android
The challenge of changing the Spotify download location on Android lies in the fact that Spotify does not provide a built-in option to change the default download location. This means that you need to use alternative methods to achieve this. However, with the right knowledge and tools, changing the download location is not as difficult as it may seem.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you should prepare for to ensure a smooth process:
1. A reliable file manager app: You will need a file manager app that allows you to browse and manage the files stored on your Android device. There are several file manager apps available on the Google Play Store, such as ES File Explorer, Solid Explorer, and FX File Explorer.
2. An external SD card (optional): If you want to change the Spotify download location to an external SD card, make sure you have a compatible SD card inserted in your Android device. Note that not all Android devices have an SD card slot.
3. Basic understanding of file management: While we will provide detailed steps for each method, having a basic understanding of file management concepts will be helpful. Familiarize yourself with terms like folders, directories, and file paths.
With these preparations in place, let’s explore the different methods you can use to change the Spotify download location on your Android device.
Method 1: Changing Spotify Download Location via the Settings
Changing the Spotify download location via the settings is the most straightforward method. However, please note that this method may not be available on all devices as it depends on the customized version of Spotify installed.
1. Open the Spotify app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the gear icon located in the top-right corner to access the settings menu.
3. Scroll down to find the "Storage" section and tap on it.
4. Look for the "Storage location" or "Storage preference" option and tap on it.
5. If the option allows you to choose a specific storage location, select the desired location (internal storage or SD card) from the available options.
Pros:
1. Simple and easy to follow.
2. Can be done directly within the Spotify app.
Cons:
1. Not available on all devices.
2. Limited options for choosing the download location.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Simple and easy to follow. | 1. Not available on all devices. |
| 2. Can be done directly within the Spotify app. | 2. Limited options for choosing the download location. |
Method 2: Changing Spotify Download Location via the File Manager
If the first method doesn’t work for your device or if you want more control over the download location, you can use a file manager app to manually change the download location.
1. Download and install a file manager app from the Google Play Store if you don’t already have one.
2. Open the file manager app and navigate to the internal storage of your Android device.
3. Look for the "Android" folder and open it.
4. Inside the "Android" folder, find and open the "data" folder.
5. Look for the "com.spotify.music" folder and open it.
6. Inside the "com.spotify.music" folder, look for the "files" folder and open it.
7. Here, you will find a folder named "spotifycache." This is where Spotify stores the downloaded music files.
8. Long-press the "spotifycache" folder and select "Cut" or "Copy."
9. Navigate to the desired location where you want to move the Spotify downloads (internal storage or SD card).
10. Paste the "spotifycache" folder to this new location.
Pros:
1. Provides more control over the download location.
2. Can choose any folder or directory as the new download location.
Cons:
1. Requires manual file management.
2. May require additional storage space on the new location.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides more control over the download location. | 1. Requires manual file management. |
| 2. Can choose any folder or directory as the new download location. | 2. May require additional storage space on the new location. |
Method 3: Changing Spotify Download Location via Symlinks
Another method to change the Spotify download location is by using symbolic links (symlinks). Symlinks allow you to create a virtual link from one location to another, effectively redirecting Spotify to store the downloaded music in the desired location.
1. Download and install a file manager app that supports symbolic links, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Open the file manager app and navigate to the internal storage of your Android device.
3. Create a new folder in the desired location where you want to move the Spotify downloads (internal storage or SD card). For example, you can create a folder named "Spotify Downloads" on your SD card.
4. Open the newly created folder and copy the file path or directory path.
5. Navigate to the internal storage of your Android device.
6. Locate the "Android" folder and open it.
7. Inside the "Android" folder, find and open the "data" folder.
8. Look for the "com.spotify.music" folder and open it.
9. Inside the "com.spotify.music" folder, look for the "files" folder and open it.
10. Long-press the "spotifycache" folder and select "Rename" or "Move."
11. In the rename or move window, replace "spotifycache" with the path of the newly created folder (e.g., /sdcard/Spotify Downloads/spotifycache). Make sure to use the correct syntax for the file path based on your device and file manager app.
12. Tap on the confirm or move button to complete the process.
Pros:
1. Allows you to change the download location without modifying the original file structure.
2. Provides flexibility in choosing the download location.
Cons:
1. Requires a file manager app that supports symbolic links.
2. Requires a basic understanding of symbolic links and file paths.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows you to change the download location without modifying the original file structure. | 1. Requires a file manager app that supports symbolic links. |
| 2. Provides flexibility in choosing the download location. | 2. Requires a basic understanding of symbolic links and file paths. |
Method 4: Changing Spotify Download Location via Third-Party Apps
If the previous methods don’t work for your specific device or if you prefer a more automated approach, you can use third-party apps specifically designed for changing the download location of various apps, including Spotify. One such app is the "Spotify Downloader" app available on the Google Play Store.
1. Download and install the "Spotify Downloader" app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant the necessary permissions.
3. Select the Spotify app from the list of supported apps.
4. Choose the desired download location from the available options (internal storage or SD card).
5. Tap on the "Apply" or "Change" button to save the new download location.
Pros:
1. Simple and automated process.
2. Requires no manual file management.
Cons:
1. Relies on third-party apps, which may have limitations or compatibility issues.
2. May require additional permissions to be granted to the third-party app.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Simple and automated process. | 1. Relies on third-party apps, which may have limitations or compatibility issues. |
| 2. Requires no manual file management. | 2. May require additional permissions to be granted to the third-party app. |
Why Can’t I Change the Spotify Download Location?
If you are facing difficulties in changing the Spotify download location, there could be several reasons:
1. Limited device storage: Some devices have limited internal storage, and Spotify may not allow changing the download location if there is insufficient storage available. In this case, you can try freeing up space on your device by deleting unnecessary files or apps.
2. File system limitations: Certain Android devices use file systems that do not support changing the download location of apps. This is often the case with devices that have their internal storage and external SD card merged into one storage unit.
3. App limitations: The customized version of Spotify installed on your device may not include the option to change the download location. This can happen if the device manufacturer or the Spotify app developers have restricted that functionality.
To fix these issues, you can try the following solutions:
1. Free up storage space: Delete unnecessary files or apps from your device to free up storage space. You can also clear the cache of the Spotify app to reclaim some space.
2. Format SD card as internal storage (if available): Some Android devices allow you to format an external SD card as internal storage, effectively expanding the available space for apps. Keep in mind that formatting an SD card as internal storage will erase all existing data on the card.
3. Use alternative methods: If the above solutions don’t work, you can try using the methods described in this blog post or explore other third-party apps or tools specifically designed for changing the download location of apps.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to enhance your Spotify experience and manage your downloaded music effectively:
1. Regularly clean up your downloaded music: Delete songs or albums that you no longer listen to or need to free up storage space on your device.
2. Use playlists to organize your music: Create playlists within the Spotify app to group your favorite songs, albums, or podcasts. This will make it easier to navigate and find specific content.
3. Back up your downloaded music: If you have valuable music downloaded from Spotify, consider backing it up to a separate storage device or cloud storage service to prevent data loss in case of device failure or accidental deletion.
5 FAQs about Changing Spotify Download Location
Q1: Can I change the Spotify download location on my iPhone?
A: No, currently Spotify only allows changing the download location on Android devices. The file system restrictions on iPhones prevent such modifications.
Q2: Will changing the Spotify download location affect my existing downloaded music?
A: Yes, changing the download location will affect the existing downloaded music. You will need to move or copy the existing files to the new location to ensure they are recognized by the Spotify app.
Q3: Will changing the Spotify download location affect the offline listening feature?
A: No, changing the download location will not affect the offline listening feature. Once you have moved the downloaded music files to the new location, you will still be able to listen to them offline.
Q4: Can I change the Spotify download location for specific playlists?
A: No, currently Spotify does not provide an option to change the download location for specific playlists. The change will apply to all downloaded music.
Q5: Can I change the Spotify download location on a rooted or jailbroken device?
A: Yes, if you have a rooted Android device or a jailbroken iPhone, you may have more flexibility in changing the Spotify download location. However, we recommend proceeding with caution and following appropriate guidelines and precautions for your specific device.
In Conclusion
Changing the Spotify download location on your Android device can be a useful way to manage your downloaded music and free up storage space. While Spotify does not provide a built-in option to change the download location, there are alternative methods that you can use to achieve this. In this blog post, we explored four different methods, each with its own pros and cons.
Whether you prefer a simple solution within the Spotify app, manual file management through a file manager app, symbolic links for more flexibility, or the use of third-party apps, there is a method that suits your needs. Additionally, we provided some tips to enhance your Spotify experience and manage your downloaded music effectively.
By following these methods and tips, you can take control of your Spotify downloads and enjoy your favorite music wherever you go.