What cache is and why clearing it helps
Cache is temporary data your device stores to load things faster next time. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, scripts, and page layouts. When you use an app, it stores login sessions, thumbnails, and settings. Your device does this automatically to save time and bandwidth — instead of downloading the same photo every time you open Instagram, it pulls it from storage.
Over time, cache builds up. A full cache can slow your device down, cause apps to behave oddly, or prevent you from seeing the newest version of a website. Clearing it is one of the first troubleshooting steps when something stops working right. It is also useful if you share a device and want to remove traces of your browsing, or if you are running low on storage space.
Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, saved files, or account information — those live elsewhere. It only removes the temporary copies your device made to speed things up.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary data stored to load websites and apps faster, and clearing it can fix slow performance or apps that are not working right.
- The steps to clear cache differ by device type and browser, so you will need to follow the path for what you actually use.
- Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, login information, or saved files — only temporary copies.
- On phones and tablets, clearing app cache through Settings is usually faster than uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
- If a website looks broken after clearing cache, refresh the page to let your browser download the newest version.
How to clear cache on Windows
On Windows, the steps depend on which browser you use. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy and Security. Click Clear Browsing Data. A window opens with options for what to delete — make sure "Cached images and files" is checked. At the top, set the time range to "All time" if you want to clear everything, or "Last 24 hours" if you only want recent cache. Click Clear Data.
In Edge, click the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services. Under Clear Browsing Data, click Choose What to Clear. Check "Cached images and files" and set your time range, then click Clear Now.
In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy and Security. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data. Make sure "Cached Web Content" is checked, then click Clear.
If you want to clear cache for a specific app on Windows, right-click the app, select Properties, then Storage. Some apps have a Clear Cache button there. If not, you may need to go into the app itself and look for a Settings or Storage option.
How to clear cache on Mac
In Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then select Clear History. A dropdown appears asking how far back to clear — choose "all history" to remove all cache. Click Clear History.
In Chrome on Mac, the steps are the same as Windows: click the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Privacy and Security. Click Clear Browsing Data, check "Cached images and files", set your time range, and click Clear Data.
In Firefox on Mac, click the menu button, select Settings, then Privacy and Security. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data, check "Cached Web Content", and click Clear.
For Mac apps, open the app and look for Preferences or Settings in the menu bar. Some apps have a Storage or Cache option there. If you cannot find it, you can also try moving the app to Trash and reinstalling it, though clearing cache first is usually faster.
How to clear cache on iPhone and iPad
On Safari, open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose how far back to clear — "all time" removes everything. Tap Clear History and Website Data to confirm.
For individual apps on iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). Scroll down to find the app you want to clear. Tap it, then look for an option that says Offload App or Clear Cache. Offload App removes the app but keeps your data, while some apps show a separate Clear Cache option that only removes temporary files.
If an app does not have a Clear Cache option in Settings, you can offload it (which removes it but saves your account data), then reinstall it from the App Store. This is slower than clearing cache alone, but it works if the app is seriously broken.
How to clear cache on Android
On Chrome for Android, tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right, select Settings, then Privacy. Tap Clear Browsing Data, make sure "Cached Images and Files" is checked, set your time range, and tap Clear Data.
For other browsers on Android, the path is similar: look for Settings in the menu, find Privacy or Clear Data, and check the cache option.
For individual apps, go to Settings, tap Apps (or Application Manager on older Android versions), find the app you want, and tap Storage. Tap Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without deleting the app or your account information. If you want to remove everything, tap Clear Storage instead, but that will log you out of the app.
Some Android devices also have a system-wide cache. Go to Settings, tap Storage, and look for Cached Data. Tap it and confirm to clear cache for all apps at once. This is safe and does not delete your files or account information.
When to clear cache and what to expect
Clear cache when an app is slow, a website looks broken, you see an old version of a page, or you are running low on storage. It is also worth trying before you uninstall and reinstall an app, since clearing cache is faster and usually fixes the problem.
After you clear cache, websites and apps may load slightly slower the first time you use them, because your device has to download everything fresh. This is normal and temporary — after a few uses, they will be fast again as new cache builds up.
If a website still looks wrong after clearing cache, try refreshing the page. If an app still does not work, restart your device. If the problem continues, the issue is likely something other than cache — a bug in the app, a problem with your internet connection, or an issue on the service's end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords or login information?
No. Cache is only temporary files like images and page layouts. Your passwords and saved login information are stored separately and will not be affected. You may need to log back into websites and apps after clearing cache, but your account itself is safe.
How much storage space does cache usually take up?
It varies widely depending on how much you browse and which apps you use. On phones, app cache can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. On computers, browser cache is usually smaller — often under a gigabyte unless you have not cleared it in years. You can check how much cache a specific app is using in your device's storage settings.
Is it safe to clear cache regularly?
Yes, it is completely safe. Clearing cache regularly — weekly or monthly — can help keep your device running smoothly without any downside. The only minor inconvenience is that websites and apps load slightly slower the first time after clearing, because your device has to download fresh copies of files.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing history?
Cache is temporary files like images and scripts. Browsing history is the list of websites you visited. Clearing history removes the record of where you have been, while clearing cache only removes the temporary files. Most browsers let you clear one, the other, or both at the same time.
Do I need to clear cache on my router or modem?
No. Routers and modems do not store cache the way devices do. If your internet is slow, restarting your router (unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in) can help, but that is different from clearing cache. Clearing cache on your individual devices is what matters for performance.