What clearing your Facebook cache does
Clearing your cache removes temporary files that Facebook stores on your device — things like images, videos, and login information that the app has saved to load faster next time. When you clear the cache, Facebook still works normally, but it has to download those files fresh the next time you use it.
You might clear your cache if Facebook is running slowly, if images won't load, if you're seeing old versions of pages, or if you want to free up storage space on your phone. Clearing cache does not delete your messages, photos, or account information — those stay on Facebook's servers and in your account.
The steps differ depending on whether you use Facebook on an iPhone, Android phone, or a computer. Each section below walks through the exact steps for your device.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cache removes temporary files Facebook stored on your device, which can fix slow loading and free up storage space.
- Your messages, photos, and account data are not deleted when you clear cache — only temporary files are removed.
- On Android, you clear cache through Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache.
- On iPhone, you must delete and reinstall the Facebook app, since iOS does not let you clear app cache separately.
- On a computer, clearing cache is done through your browser settings, not through Facebook itself.
Clear cache on an Android phone
Android phones let you clear Facebook's cache without deleting the app or your account information. Open your phone's Settings app and find the Apps section — the exact name varies by phone brand, but look for "Apps", "Applications", or "App Manager".
Scroll down and tap Facebook. You will see a Storage or Storage and Cache option. Tap it, then tap Clear Cache. The phone will remove the temporary files and show you how much space was freed. You can now close Settings and use Facebook normally — it will download files fresh the next time you open it.
If Facebook is still running slowly after clearing cache, you can also try Clear Data from the same Storage menu, but be aware that this will log you out of the app and you will need to sign back in.
Clear cache on an iPhone
iPhones do not have a separate cache-clearing option for individual apps the way Android does. Instead, you delete the Facebook app and reinstall it. This removes all temporary files while keeping your account intact — you will just need to log back in.
Press and hold the Facebook app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap Remove App, then Remove from Home Screen. Next, go to the App Store, search for Facebook, and tap Get to reinstall it. Once it finishes downloading, open it and log in with your username and password. Your messages and account will be exactly as you left them.
If you want to free up even more storage, you can also delete the Facebook app's documents and data through Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Facebook > Offload App, but this is a less common step and usually not necessary.
Clear cache in your web browser on a computer
When you use Facebook on a computer through a web browser, the browser itself stores the cache, not Facebook. You clear it through your browser's settings, not through Facebook's website.
In Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right corner, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data. Make sure Cached Images and Files is checked, set the time range to All Time, and click Clear Data. In Firefox, click the menu button, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear Data. In Safari on a Mac, click Safari in the menu bar, then Settings, then Privacy, then Manage Website Data, find Facebook, and click Remove.
After clearing your browser cache, close and reopen your browser, then log back into Facebook. The site will load files fresh, which often fixes display problems or slow loading.
When to clear cache versus when to clear data
Cache is temporary files only — images, videos, and code that help pages load faster. Data includes cache plus your login information, saved passwords, and app settings. Clearing cache is safe and will not affect your account. Clearing data will log you out and reset your app settings, so only do this if cache clearing did not solve your problem.
On Android, if clearing cache does not fix the problem, you can try clearing data from the same Storage menu. On iPhone, deleting and reinstalling the app clears both cache and data at once. On a computer, clearing browsing data through your browser clears both cache and cookies, which will log you out of Facebook and other websites.
What to do if Facebook still runs slowly after clearing cache
If clearing cache does not speed up Facebook, the problem may be your internet connection rather than your device. Try opening Facebook on a different network — if it works better on WiFi than on mobile data, or vice versa, your connection is the issue, not the cache.
You can also try closing other apps running in the background, restarting your phone or computer, or updating Facebook to the latest version. On Android, go to the Google Play Store, search for Facebook, and tap Update if one is available. On iPhone, open the App Store, go to your profile, scroll to Facebook, and tap Update. On a computer, your browser updates automatically, but you can check for updates manually through the browser's menu.
If Facebook is still slow after trying these steps, the problem may be on Facebook's end — you can check Facebook's status page or try again in a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my messages and photos?
No. Clearing cache removes only temporary files stored on your device. Your messages, photos, and all account information stay on Facebook's servers and in your account. You will see everything exactly as before when you log back in.
How often should I clear my Facebook cache?
There is no set schedule. Clear cache when Facebook runs slowly, images won't load, or you need to free up storage space. Many people clear cache once a month or when they notice problems. Clearing it more often will not hurt, but it is not necessary for most users.
Does clearing cache log me out of Facebook?
On Android, clearing cache alone does not log you out. On iPhone, deleting and reinstalling the app will log you out, and you will need to sign back in. On a computer, clearing browser data may log you out depending on your browser settings.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache stores files like images and videos to help pages load faster. Cookies store login information and website settings. Clearing cookies will log you out of Facebook and other websites. Clearing cache will not. On a computer, you can usually choose which one to clear in your browser settings.
Can I clear cache for just Facebook, or does it clear everything?
On Android, you can clear cache for just Facebook through the app's Storage settings. On iPhone, deleting the app clears only Facebook's files. On a computer, clearing browser cache removes temporary files from all websites you have visited, not just Facebook.