How to Clear Cache and Data on Your Phone or Computer

What clearing cache and data actually does

Cache is temporary storage that apps and browsers save to load faster next time. Data is the information an app stores about you — login details, settings, saved files, search history. Clearing cache frees up storage space and can fix apps that are crashing or loading slowly. Clearing data erases everything the app knows about you, which means you'll have to log back in and reset your preferences, but it solves problems cache clearing alone won't fix.

Most people should clear cache regularly — monthly or when storage is low. Clear data only when an app is broken or you want to start fresh. On phones, both live in the same settings menu. On computers, the process differs between browsers and installed programs.

Key Takeaways

Cache is temporary files apps store to run faster; clearing it frees space and can fix slow or crashing apps without erasing your login information.
Data is everything an app remembers about you, including passwords and settings; clearing it removes all that and requires you to log in again.
On Android, go to Settings > Apps, select the app, then tap Storage > Clear Cache or Clear Data.
On iPhone, you must delete and reinstall the app to clear its data, or clear Safari cache in Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
On Windows and Mac, browser cache clears through the browser's settings; installed programs usually have their own cache folders you can delete manually.

Clearing cache and data on Android phones

Open Settings and go to Apps (sometimes called Application Manager). Find the app you want to clear, then tap it. Look for a Storage or Storage & Cache option — the exact wording varies by phone maker. You'll see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap Clear Cache to remove temporary files without losing your login. Tap Clear Data to erase everything, including passwords and saved preferences.

If you want to clear cache for all apps at once, go to Settings > Storage or Settings > Device Care (Samsung phones), then look for an option like "Clean" or "Optimize." This removes cache from every app in one step but does not touch your data. Some phones also let you set automatic cache clearing in the same menu.

Clearing cache and data on iPhones

iPhone does not have a built-in way to clear an individual app's cache without deleting the app entirely. To clear an app's data, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data. Tap Delete App to remove both. Then reinstall it from the App Store — you'll log back in, but the cache and old data are gone.

For Safari browsing data, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Choose a time range — Last Hour, Today, Last Week, or All Time — then tap Clear History and Data. This removes your browsing history, cookies, and cached web pages but does not affect other apps.

Clearing cache in web browsers on Windows and Mac

In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, the process is similar. Open the browser, then use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac). A window opens asking what to clear. Select Cached Images and Files, then choose a time range — Last Hour, Last 24 Hours, Last 7 Days, Last 4 Weeks, or All Time. Click Clear Data or Clear Now.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, go to the browser menu. In Chrome and Edge, click the three dots in the top right, then Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data. In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines), then Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear. In Safari, go to History > Clear History, then choose the time range.

Clearing browser cache does not log you out of most websites, but it removes temporary files that speed up loading. If a website looks broken or loads incorrectly, clearing cache often fixes it.

Clearing cache on Windows computers

Windows stores temporary files in a folder called Temp. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type %temp%, and press Enter. A folder opens full of temporary files. Select all (Ctrl+A), then delete. Windows may say some files are in use — click Skip All and continue. This frees up storage without affecting your programs or files.

For installed programs, cache location varies. Many programs store cache in AppData, which you can access by pressing Windows Key + R, typing %appdata%, and looking for the program's folder. Inside, find a Cache or Temp subfolder and delete it. If you are unsure whether a folder is safe to delete, search the program's website for "clear cache" instructions first.

Clearing cache on Mac computers

Open Finder and press Command+Shift+G to open Go to Folder. Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter. This folder holds cache for most installed programs. You can delete individual program caches by finding their folder and moving it to Trash, or select multiple folders at once. Restart your computer after deleting cache to make sure programs reload properly.

For browser cache on Mac, use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+Delete in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. In Safari, go to History > Clear History and choose your time range. Clearing cache on Mac works the same way as Windows — it frees space and can fix slow or broken programs without erasing your files or login information.

When to clear cache versus when to clear data

Clear cache if an app is slow, freezes, or crashes. Clear cache if your phone or computer is running low on storage. Clear cache if a website looks wrong or loads incorrectly. Cache clearing is safe and rarely causes problems — the app will rebuild it the next time you use it.

Clear data if you are selling or giving away a device and want to remove all your information. Clear data if you want to reset an app to its original state. Clear data if you are locked out of an app and need to log in again from scratch. Clear data if an app is seriously broken and cache clearing did not fix it. Be aware that clearing data means losing saved passwords, preferences, and any files stored inside the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache log me out of websites and apps?

Clearing cache alone usually does not log you out. Clearing data will log you out because it removes stored login information. If you want to stay logged in, clear cache only, not data.

How much storage space does clearing cache actually free up?

It depends on how long you have used the device and which apps you use most. Social media and streaming apps often have the largest caches — clearing them can free up 100 MB to 1 GB or more. Browsers can accumulate several hundred megabytes. The only way to know is to check your storage before and after clearing.

Is it safe to delete files in the Temp or Caches folder?

Yes, as long as no programs are currently running. These folders exist specifically to hold temporary files that can be deleted. If Windows or Mac says a file is in use, skip it and try again after restarting your computer.

Should I clear cache regularly or only when there is a problem?

Clearing cache monthly or when storage is low is a good habit, but it is not necessary if your device is running fine and has plenty of free space. If an app is slow or crashing, clear its cache first before trying anything else.

What is the difference between clearing cache and restarting my device?

Restarting closes all apps and clears temporary memory, but does not delete cache files stored on disk. Clearing cache removes those files permanently. For most problems, restarting is faster and easier — try that first. If restarting does not help, then clear cache.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.