Why and when to clear your Apple TV cache

Clearing the cache on your Apple TV can fix freezing, slow app performance, and playback problems without erasing your settings or sign-in information. The cache is temporary data that apps store to load faster next time — but over time it can become corrupted or take up storage space, causing the device to slow down.

You should clear the cache if an app crashes repeatedly, if video or music stops playing smoothly, or if your Apple TV feels sluggish when switching between apps. You do not need to clear it regularly on a schedule; only do it when you notice a problem.

Clearing the cache is different from restarting your Apple TV. A restart turns the device off and back on, which clears some temporary data automatically. Clearing the cache manually targets the stored data that apps themselves have saved.

Key Takeaways

  • You can clear cache for individual apps by going to Settings > Apps, selecting the app, and choosing the option to clear its cache.
  • Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, preferences, or downloaded content — only temporary data apps use to load faster.
  • If clearing individual app caches does not fix the problem, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart.
  • Some apps like Netflix and Plex may require you to sign back in after clearing their cache, though your account information remains saved.

Clear cache for a single app

Open Settings on your Apple TV home screen. Scroll down and select Apps, then find the app that is causing problems and select it.

Look for an option labeled Clear Cache or Storage. The exact wording depends on which Apple TV model you have and which tvOS version is installed, but it will be in this menu. Select it, and the cache for that app will be cleared immediately.

Return to the home screen and open the app again. It may take a few seconds longer to load the first time because it is rebuilding its cache from scratch, but performance should improve after that.

Clear cache for all apps at once

If multiple apps are running slowly or crashing, you can clear the cache system-wide without going into each app individually. Go to Settings > Apps and look for an option to manage storage or clear all app data.

Not all Apple TV models show this option in the same place. On newer models running tvOS 16 or later, you may find it under Settings > System > Storage. Select Manage Storage and you will see a list of apps ranked by how much space they are using. You can select individual apps from this list and clear their cache one at a time.

If you cannot find a "clear all" option, clearing cache app by app takes only a few minutes and gives you more control over which apps are affected.

Restart your Apple TV if clearing cache does not work

If clearing the cache for one or more apps does not fix the problem, the next step is to restart the device. Go to Settings > System > Restart and confirm. Your Apple TV will shut down and turn back on, which clears additional temporary data beyond just the app cache.

A restart takes about one to two minutes. When your Apple TV comes back on, you will be at the home screen and all your apps and settings will be exactly as they were — nothing is deleted or lost.

After the restart, open the app that was having problems and see if it runs better. If the issue persists after both clearing cache and restarting, the problem may be with the app itself, your internet connection, or the content you are trying to play.

What clearing cache does and does not do

Clearing cache removes only temporary files that apps have stored to speed up loading. It does not delete your account passwords, preferences, watch history, or any content you have downloaded. You will not be signed out of most apps, though some apps like Netflix, Plex, or Disney+ may require you to sign in again the next time you open them.

Clearing cache also does not free up much storage space on most Apple TV models, since the cache is usually only a few hundred megabytes. If your Apple TV is running out of storage, the problem is likely downloaded apps or content, not cache.

If you want to free up significant storage space, you can delete apps you no longer use by going to Settings > Apps, selecting an app, and choosing Delete. You can always reinstall them later from the App Store.

Troubleshooting after clearing cache

If an app still does not work after you clear its cache and restart your Apple TV, try these steps: first, check that your internet connection is stable by opening a different app that streams content. If that app works fine, the problem is specific to the app you were trying to use.

Second, delete the app completely and reinstall it from the App Store. This removes all its data, not just the cache, and gives it a fresh start. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, choose Delete, then go to the App Store and search for it again to reinstall.

Third, check if the app itself has an update available. Open the App Store, go to Purchased or Updates, and see if the app shows a newer version. Installing the latest version often fixes bugs that cause crashes or slow performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my saved passwords or sign-in information?

No. Clearing cache removes only temporary files that apps use to load faster. Your account passwords, preferences, and watch history stay on your Apple TV. Some apps may ask you to sign in again the first time you open them after clearing cache, but your account information is still there — you are just signing back in to reconnect.

How often should I clear the cache on my Apple TV?

You do not need to clear cache on a schedule. Only clear it when you notice a specific problem, such as an app freezing, crashing, or playing video slowly. Clearing cache too often does not help and may actually slow down app performance temporarily while they rebuild their cache.

What is the difference between clearing cache and restarting?

Clearing cache removes temporary files stored by individual apps. Restarting turns your Apple TV off and back on, which clears some temporary system data and gives all apps a fresh start. If clearing cache does not fix a problem, restarting usually does.

Can I clear cache on my Apple TV without losing my apps?

Yes. Clearing cache does not delete or uninstall any apps. All your apps remain on your Apple TV exactly as they were. Only the temporary data inside each app is removed.

Why does Netflix ask me to sign in again after I clear its cache?

Netflix stores your sign-in session in its cache. When you clear the cache, that session is removed, so Netflix asks you to sign in the next time you open it. Your account information is still saved in Netflix's servers, so signing in again is quick — just enter your email and password.