What clearing your cache does

Cache is temporary data that apps and your phone's browser store to load faster next time. When you clear it, you delete those stored files — photos, login information, website data, app settings — but you keep your actual photos, messages, and accounts intact. Your apps will work normally afterward; they'll just take a moment longer to load the first time you open them.

Clearing cache can free up storage space, fix an app that's running slowly or crashing, or remove browsing history from your phone. Most people need to do this once or twice a year, though if your phone is running out of storage, clearing cache is one of the fastest ways to recover gigabytes.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache removes temporary files stored by apps and your browser, but does not delete photos, messages, or account information.
  • On Android, you can clear cache for individual apps in Settings > Apps, or clear all cache at once in Settings > Storage.
  • On iPhone, you clear cache by offloading or reinstalling apps, or by clearing Safari data in Settings > Safari.
  • After clearing cache, apps will load slightly slower the first time you open them, then return to normal speed.

Clearing cache on Android phones

The fastest way to clear cache on Android is through Settings. Open Settings, then tap Storage or Device Care (the name varies by manufacturer). Look for a button labeled "Clean" or "Optimize" — this removes cache from all apps at once and usually frees up several hundred megabytes to a gigabyte of space.

If you want to clear cache for one app only, open Settings, then tap Apps or Application Manager. Find the app you want, tap it, then tap Storage, then tap Clear Cache. Do not tap "Clear Data" — that erases your login information and settings for that app.

If your phone is very low on storage and the quick clean did not free enough space, go to Settings > Storage and look for a "Free up space" or "Manage storage" option. This shows you which apps and files are taking the most room and lets you delete them one by one.

Clearing cache on iPhone

iPhone does not have a single "clear cache" button like Android does. Instead, you clear cache by offloading apps. Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. Find the app you want to clear cache for, tap it, then tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data — when you reinstall it, your login and settings stay the same, but the cached files are gone.

To clear Safari browsing cache on iPhone, open Settings, tap Safari, scroll down, and tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose how far back you want to clear (last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time), then tap Clear History and Data. This removes browsing history, cookies, and cached website files, but does not affect other apps.

If you want to clear cache for all apps at once without offloading them individually, the fastest method is to restart your phone. Hold the power button until you see the power-off slider, slide it, wait 30 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. This clears some temporary files, though not as much as offloading apps.

When to clear cache and how often

Clear cache when your phone is running slowly, an app keeps crashing, or you are running out of storage space. You do not need to clear cache on a schedule — most people can go months without doing it. If your phone has plenty of free storage and apps are running normally, there is no reason to clear cache.

If you clear cache and an app still crashes or runs slowly, the problem is usually not cache. Restart the app, restart your phone, or uninstall and reinstall the app. If the problem continues, check the app store to see if an update is available.

What you should not delete by mistake

When clearing cache, you might see options like "Clear Data," "Clear Storage," or "Delete App Data." These are different from cache and will erase your login information, saved settings, and sometimes your account information within that app. Only choose these if you want to completely reset an app or remove your account from it.

Similarly, do not confuse cache with Downloads or Documents folders. Clearing cache will not touch files you have downloaded or documents you have saved. Those stay on your phone unless you delete them manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?

No. Cache is temporary data only. Your photos, messages, contacts, and files stay on your phone. Clearing cache only removes data that apps and your browser stored to make them load faster.

Why is my app asking me to log in again after I cleared cache?

You probably cleared data instead of cache. If you cleared data, the app forgot your login information. Log back in and the app will work normally. Next time, tap "Clear Cache" only, not "Clear Data."

How much space will clearing cache free up?

It depends on how many apps you use and how long it has been since you last cleared cache. Most people free up 500 megabytes to 2 gigabytes. If you have not cleared cache in years, you might free up more.

Do I need to clear cache before selling my phone?

No, but you should factory reset your phone instead. A factory reset removes all your data, cache, apps, and accounts at once. On Android, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Can I clear cache without going into Settings?

Some phones have a built-in cleaner app that clears cache with one tap. Check your phone's app drawer for an app called "Cleaner," "Optimizer," or "Device Care." If you do not have one, you can download a third-party cleaner from the app store, though the Settings method is usually faster and safer.