What clearing your cache does

Cache is temporary data that apps and your phone store to load faster next time. When you clear it, you delete those temporary files but keep your actual data — your photos, messages, and login information stay put. Clearing cache frees up storage space and can fix apps that are running slowly or crashing.

The process is different on Android and iPhone, and you can clear cache for individual apps or for your whole phone at once. Most people only need to do this once or twice a year, unless you're running low on storage or an app is misbehaving.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache removes temporary app data but keeps your photos, messages, and login information intact.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps, select an app, and tap Storage > Clear Cache; on iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and delete apps you don't use regularly.
  • Clearing cache for your entire phone at once is faster than doing it app by app, but the method varies between Android and iPhone.
  • After clearing cache, apps may load slightly slower the first time you open them while they rebuild their temporary files.

Clearing cache on Android phones

On Android, you can clear cache for one app or for everything at once. To clear cache for a single app, open Settings and tap Apps (or Application Manager on older phones). Find the app you want to clear, tap it, then tap Storage, and select Clear Cache. The app will still work normally the next time you open it.

To clear cache for your entire phone, go to Settings > Storage > Cache (or Cached Data on some phones). Tap Clear Cache and confirm. This removes temporary files from all apps at once and usually frees up several hundred megabytes of space. Your apps, photos, and messages remain untouched.

If you can't find these options, your phone's menu might be slightly different depending on the manufacturer. Try searching "cache" in your Settings search bar — most Android phones have one at the top of Settings.

Clearing cache on iPhones

iPhone doesn't have a single "clear cache" button like Android does. Instead, you delete apps you're not using regularly, which removes their cache along with the app itself. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You'll see a list of apps sorted by size. Tap any app you don't use often, then tap Delete App, and confirm.

If you want to keep the app but clear its cache, you can offload it instead. Tap the app in iPhone Storage, select Offload App, and confirm. This removes the app but keeps your data. When you reinstall it later, your login information and settings stay the same.

For apps you use regularly and want to keep, you can also go into the app's own settings and look for a "Clear Cache" or "Clear Data" option — not all apps have this, but many do, especially social media and messaging apps.

When to clear your cache

Clear your cache if your phone is running low on storage, if an app is crashing or freezing, or if an app is behaving strangely. You don't need to do it on a schedule — cache builds up slowly, and most phones have plenty of storage. If you have a phone with 64GB or more, you might only need to clear cache once a year or less.

If you're selling or giving away your phone, clear cache along with doing a full factory reset to remove all your data. Clearing cache alone is not enough to erase your personal information.

What happens after you clear cache

After clearing cache, apps may take a few extra seconds to load the first time you open them while they rebuild their temporary files. This is normal and temporary — by the second or third time you open the app, it will load at normal speed again. You won't lose any photos, messages, passwords, or other data.

If clearing cache doesn't fix a crashing app, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app instead. If your phone is still running slowly after clearing cache, the problem might be something else — too many apps running at once, a full storage drive, or an app with a memory leak.

Clearing cache versus clearing data

Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clearing data (or clearing storage) removes everything — temporary files, your login information, saved preferences, and any data the app stored. On Android, you'll see both options in an app's Storage menu. Clear Cache is safe to do anytime; Clear Data will log you out of the app and reset it to factory settings.

On iPhone, deleting an app clears both cache and data. Offloading an app clears cache but keeps your data, so you stay logged in when you reinstall it. If you only want to clear cache on iPhone without losing your login information, look for a cache-clearing option inside the app's own settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?

No. Cache is temporary data only. Your photos, messages, contacts, and all other personal data stay on your phone. Clearing cache is completely safe.

How much storage space will I free up?

It varies. Most people free up between 100 megabytes and 1 gigabyte, depending on how many apps you use and how long it's been since you last cleared cache. Social media and streaming apps tend to build up the most cache.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

Not unless you're low on storage or an app is misbehaving. Cache builds up slowly, and most modern phones have enough storage that you only need to clear it once or twice a year, if at all.

What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing data?

Cache is temporary data stored by apps and your phone system. Browsing data is what your web browser stores — websites you've visited, search history, and cookies. You clear browsing data in your browser's settings, not in your phone's main settings.

Can I clear cache without losing my passwords?

Yes. Clearing cache keeps your passwords, login information, and saved preferences. Only clearing data (on Android) or deleting the app (on iPhone) will log you out.