Spotify Problems on iPhones? 6 Known Issues (Solved)

Spotify has become one of the world’s most renowned music streaming services and its compatibility with a multitude of devices is one of the keys to its success.

The Spotify app is available for iPhones and most users have a problem-free experience.

However, there are a few known issues that iPhone users have experienced whilst using Spotify, and in this article, we take a look at what they are and how to solve them.

1. Spotify Keeps Crashing because the App is in Need of an Update

One of the most common issues that iPhone users experience when listening via the Spotify app is general crashes or glitches. These disruptive problems are usually down to the fact that the app is in desperate need of an update.

Updating Spotify helps improve the overall performance of the app, along with including any new features or security updates that you may otherwise be missing out on.

Developers ensure that the latest update for Spotify is armed with bug and glitch fixes that will hopefully resolve any problems you may have run into.

Luckily, updating Spotify on your iPhone couldn’t be easier, just follow the steps below.

Here’s How to Update Spotify On your iPhone:

1. Launch the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Open up your account page by tapping on your profile icon in the top right of your screen.
3. Swipe down and release to refresh your screen.
4. Scroll down to the list of upcoming updates and tap on Spotify to begin an update.
5. Alternatively, type ‘Spotify’ into the search bar and select the update option adjacent to Spotify’s icon.

If there is no update available, then you are currently running the most recent version of the app.

2. Spotify Keeps Glitching because your Cache is Too Full

Spotify uses cache files to improve the quality of its listeners’ experience. It’s an incredibly useful feature and, as the folks at Makeuseof.com explain:

“The Spotify cache is where your listening history lives. For Spotify Premium users, the cache stores songs that you have downloaded to play offline are stored. The Spotify cache is what enables tracks to play without needing to buffer first.” 

The use of cache files is present to increase performance and to make Spotify better, but when your cache storage is too full it can actually have the opposite effect.

A Spotify cache that’s too full can create a number of problems when you go to play your favorite music and podcasts, such as problems with offline listening and unwanted pauses.

The good news is that clearing your Spotify cache is incredibly straightforward. All you have to do is follow the steps below:

1. Begin by opening the Spotify app.
2. Navigate to your settings menu by clicking on the gear icon in the top right.
3. Scroll all the way down to ‘Storage’
4. Next, simply tap ‘Delete Cache’

Hopefully, once you have finished clearing your cache files, you will no longer have problems with Spotify.

3. You’re having Problems with Spotify’s Playback because your iPhone’s Storage is Too Full

In order to run at its best, Spotify recommends that you have at minimum 1GB of free storage space left on your iPhone.

If this isn’t the case, you may experience issues with the playback of your Spotify library and playlists – something everyone can agree that we could all do without.

First things first, if you suspect storage may be causing you unnecessary issues with Spotify, then you need to check how much free internal storage is actually available on your iPhone.

To check how much storage you have available on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to ‘Settings’
2. Scroll down to ‘General’
3. Now tap on ‘iPhone Storage’
4. From this screen, you will be able to see how much internal storage is free and precisely how your storage is being used by each application.

If you discover there isn’t at least 1GB of internal memory free, then you need to go about clearing up some space.

It’s always a good idea to clear up some room on your iPhone every now and again in case you want to download new apps that will use storage in the future. Freeing up space on your device also helps your current apps run efficiently.

Please also read our article about Spotify’s volume being too low on iPhones, if you are struggling with this playback issue.

4. Problems with Downloading Content for Offline Listening

Spotify has heaps of brilliant features available to its Premium subscribers – one of the most prominent being the ability to download songs, playlists, and even podcasts for offline listening.

This feature is brilliant when you want to listen to Spotify’s vast musical library, but you do not currently have access to the internet.

Also, if you’re planning a long journey, you can quickly and easily download songs and podcasts in advance to make sure that you and your friends are always entertained.

Offline listening isn’t solely exclusive to Premium members either, as those with a free membership also have the ability to download podcasts.

However, if you are finding yourself in a position where you can’t seem to download any tracks from Spotify for offline listening, and you aren’t able to enjoy the benefits of this great feature, then take a look below at the most common reasons why.

You Haven’t Logged onto Spotify in Over 30 Days

In order to make sure that you are an active member, you will need to log in to your account once a month so your device can reconnect to the internet and re-download your offline library.

As support.spotify.com explains:

“You need to go online at least once every 30 days to keep your downloads. This is so Spotify can collect play data to compensate artists.” 

So if you haven’t been online in over a month, you will be unable to access your offline content until you reconnect again.

You’ve Exceeded your Maximum Amount of Devices

Spotify allows Premium subscribers up to 5 different devices that they can connect to their account to listen to their library.

If you are having problems downloading or playing offline content, you may have connected too many devices to your account.

All you have to do is double-check how many devices you have logged in to your Spotify account, and if over, reduce the amount to the limit of 5.

You’ve Reached your Download Limit

Spotify premium listeners are able to download 10,000 songs on each of their 5 devices. This is a pretty hefty amount, but if you reach the maximum number of songs that you can download, then you will be unable to download any more.

Simply remove some of your old downloaded content that perhaps you no longer listen to as much in order to make room for your new tracks.

5. Spotify is Not Working because you Need to Update your iOS

Every iPhone user should always make sure that their phone’s iOS is running the most recent version so that they are kept updated with the latest features and security updates.

If you have an outdated iOS, you will experience problems with general performance and also the running of your apps.

When Spotify keeps freezing on your iPhone, it’s definitely worth checking for iOS updates.

To update your iPhone, simply follow these steps:

1. Open up ‘Settings’
2. Scroll down and tap ‘General’
3. Navigate to ‘Software Update’
4. From this screen, you will see whether an update is available for your device. If so, simply tap ‘Update’.

It’s worth turning on ‘Automatic Updates’ so that you don’t miss out on any new iOS updates in the future.

6. Your iPhones Internet Connection is Causing Problems with the Spotify App

In order for the Spotify app to play songs smoothly and download content for offline listening, your iPhone needs to be connected to a strong and stable WiFi.

If you find Spotify is having problems with playback, it could be your internet connection.

Thankfully, there are a couple of quick and easy fixes:

• Simply turn your iPhone’s Wi-Fi settings off, and disconnect from the Wi-Fi. Wait a few moments before reconnecting.
• Check your Wi-Fi strength by performing a test using your default browser.
• Connect to a different Wi-Fi.

General Pros and Cons of iPhones and Spotify

Pros

The Spotify app is fully compatible with iPhones, so long as they are running iOS 14 or above, and iPhone users get the same great experience that is found across all other types of devices.

Spotify’s app for iOS is extremely user-friendly and intuitive to use, but what’s more, iPhone users can enjoy a wealth of features such as downloading content for offline playback.

iPhone users will also find that the Spotify app can be controlled via Siri – the iPhone’s personal virtual assistant. This handy feature allows iPhone users to enjoy the Spotify app without having to lift a finger. 

Cons

• Spotify update issues
• Problems with offline content
• App glitching, freezing, or pausing
• Cache files using too much space
• 10,000 track download limit (compared to Apple Music’s 100,000)

Sources

Spotify Not Working on iPhone? Here’s the Fix!

How to Clear your Spotify Cache on Desktop and Mobile

Listen Offline