What clearing an app's cache does
Clearing an app's cache removes temporary files that the app has stored on your phone to load faster next time you open it. These files build up over time and can take up gigabytes of space, slow down your phone, or cause the app to behave strangely — freezing, crashing, or showing outdated information.
When you clear the cache, the app will work normally the next time you open it, but it will take a few extra seconds to load because it has to rebuild those temporary files from scratch. Your account information, saved passwords, and personal settings stay intact — clearing cache is not the same as uninstalling the app or signing out.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing an app's cache removes temporary files without deleting your account, passwords, or settings.
- The steps differ between Android and iPhone, and the location of the cache-clearing option varies by phone model and operating system version.
- If an app is crashing or loading slowly, clearing its cache is usually the first troubleshooting step to try.
- You can clear one app's cache at a time or clear the cache for all apps together from your phone's storage settings.
How to clear cache on Android
On Android, the cache-clearing option lives in your phone's Settings app, not inside the app itself. Open Settings, then tap Apps or Application Manager — the exact name depends on your phone model and Android version. Find the app you want to clear cache for and tap it.
Inside the app's information page, look for a button labeled Storage, Storage and Cache, or App Storage. Tap it, then tap Clear Cache. The button for clearing data is separate and will delete more than you probably want to remove, so make sure you are tapping Clear Cache specifically. Your phone will confirm that the cache has been cleared, usually within a second or two.
If you want to clear cache for multiple apps at once, go back to Settings and look for Storage or Device Care. Tap it, then find Cached Data or Cache Files and select Clear. This removes temporary files from all apps in one action, which is safe and does not affect your accounts or settings.
How to clear cache on iPhone
iPhone does not have a built-in cache-clearing button for individual apps the way Android does. Instead, you clear cache by offloading or reinstalling the app. Offloading removes the app but keeps your account and settings, so when you reinstall it, everything comes back.
Open Settings and tap General, then iPhone Storage. Scroll down and find the app you want to clear cache for, then tap it. You will see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App. Your phone will ask you to confirm — tap Offload again. Wait a few seconds for the process to finish.
Once the app is offloaded, go back to the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to reinstall it. When you open it, it will load fresh but your account will still be signed in. This process takes a few minutes but clears out all the temporary files the app had stored.
When to clear an app's cache
Clear an app's cache if it is crashing when you open it, loading much slower than usual, or showing information that seems out of date. These are the most common signs that temporary files have become corrupted or too large. Clearing cache fixes the problem in most cases without you having to contact the app maker or reinstall your phone.
You can also clear cache as regular maintenance if your phone is running low on storage space. Check how much space each app is using by going to Settings > Storage on Android or Settings > General > iPhone Storage on iPhone. Apps with cache sizes in the hundreds of megabytes are good candidates for clearing, especially if you do not use them often.
Do not clear cache if the app is working fine and you have plenty of storage space. There is no benefit to clearing cache on a schedule, and you will only slow down the app slightly the next time you open it while it rebuilds its temporary files.
What happens after you clear cache
After you clear an app's cache, the next time you open the app it will take a few seconds longer to load than usual because it has to download and rebuild all those temporary files. This is normal and only happens once. After that first load, the app will run at normal speed again.
Your login information, saved preferences, and any data you created inside the app remain untouched. If you were signed into the app before clearing cache, you will still be signed in afterward. Messages, photos, documents, or anything else you saved in the app will be exactly where you left them.
Clearing cache versus clearing data
Cache and data are two different things, and clearing data is much more drastic. Clearing data removes everything — your login information, saved preferences, messages, and any files you created in the app. You will be signed out, and the app will feel brand new the next time you open it.
Only clear data if you are trying to completely reset an app or if you are about to uninstall it. If an app is misbehaving, start by clearing cache. If that does not fix the problem after a few days, then try clearing data. On Android, these buttons sit right next to each other in the app's storage settings, so read the label carefully before you tap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache sign me out of the app?
No. Clearing cache removes only temporary files. Your login information and account settings stay in place, so you will remain signed in. If you want to sign out, you have to do that manually inside the app.
How much space will I free up by clearing cache?
It depends on how long you have been using the app. Social media apps and streaming services often have cache sizes between 100 and 500 megabytes. Clearing cache for several apps at once can free up a gigabyte or more, but the amount varies by app and how much you use it.
Is it safe to clear cache for all apps at once?
Yes, it is completely safe. Clearing cache for all apps at once does not delete any of your personal data or settings. The only downside is that all your apps will load slightly slower the next time you open them while they rebuild their temporary files.
What if clearing cache does not fix the problem?
Try clearing the app's data instead, which removes everything including your login information. You will have to sign back in, but this resets the app completely. If the problem persists after that, uninstall the app, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the app store.
Can I clear cache without going into Settings?
On Android, some phones have a built-in cleaner app that can clear cache from your home screen, but the Settings method is more reliable. On iPhone, there is no way to clear cache without offloading the app. The Settings route is the standard way on both phones.