What cache is and why you might clear it
Cache is temporary data your phone stores to make apps and websites load faster. When you open an app or visit a website, your phone saves images, text, and other files so it doesn't have to download them again the next time. Over time, this cache can grow large and slow your phone down, or cause an app to behave oddly.
Clearing cache won't delete your photos, messages, or passwords. It only removes those temporary files. Your apps will rebuild the cache automatically the next time you use them. Most people clear cache when an app is freezing, when their phone is running slowly, or when they want to free up storage space.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary data stored by apps and your browser to load content faster, and clearing it does not delete your personal files or account information.
- On Android, you can clear cache for individual apps through Settings > Apps, or clear all cache at once through Settings > Storage.
- On iPhone, you clear cache by deleting and reinstalling apps, or by clearing Safari data through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Clearing cache takes less than a minute and can fix freezing apps or free up several hundred megabytes of storage space.
How to clear cache on Android phones
The fastest way to clear all cache at once on Android is through your Storage settings. Open Settings, then tap Storage or Device Care (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Look for an option that says Cached data or Cache, then tap it and confirm you want to delete it. This removes cache from all apps in one step.
If you want to clear cache for just one app, open Settings, then Apps (sometimes called Application ManagerStorage or Storage and cache. You'll see a button that says Clear cache — tap that. Do not tap Clear data, which would delete the app's settings and saved information.
On Samsung phones specifically, you can also go to Settings > Device Care > Storage and tap the trash icon next to Cached data. The steps are the same on most other Android brands, though the menu names may differ slightly.
How to clear cache on iPhone
iPhone does not have a single "clear cache" button like Android does. Instead, you clear cache by deleting and reinstalling the app. Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. Find the app you want to clear cache for, tap it, then tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data. Then go to the App Store, search for the app, and tap the download button to reinstall it.
If you use Safari, you can clear your browser cache separately. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose how far back you want to clear (last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time), then tap Clear History and Data. This removes cached web pages and browsing history but does not affect other apps.
For most other apps on iPhone, offloading and reinstalling is the standard method. It takes about a minute per app and will not affect your login information or saved settings within the app itself.
When to clear cache and how much space it frees
Clear cache when an app is crashing or freezing, when your phone is running slowly, or when you're running low on storage space. Cache buildup is rarely the only cause of a slow phone, but it can contribute. Clearing cache typically frees up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes, depending on how long it's been since you last cleared it and which apps you use most.
You don't need to clear cache on a schedule. Most phones run fine with cache intact. Clear it only when you notice a problem or when your storage is nearly full. If clearing cache doesn't fix a freezing app, try restarting your phone, updating the app, or uninstalling and reinstalling it entirely.
The difference between cache and other stored data
Cache is different from other types of data your phone stores. App data includes your login information, settings, and saved files within an app — clearing cache does not touch this. Cookies are small files websites use to remember you; clearing browser cache usually clears cookies too. Temporary files are similar to cache but are created by your operating system rather than individual apps.
If you clear cache and your app still doesn't work, you may need to clear app data instead. This will log you out and reset the app to its original state, so use it only as a last resort. To clear app data on Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, tap Storage, and tap Clear data. On iPhone, the only way to fully clear app data is to delete and reinstall the app.
What happens after you clear cache
After you clear cache, your apps will work normally but may load slightly slower the first time you open them, because they have to download their cached files again. This slowdown lasts only a few seconds. Once the app rebuilds its cache, it will load at normal speed again.
You won't see any change to your photos, messages, contacts, or any other personal information. Your login information stays the same. The only visible change is that your phone may have more free storage space, and any apps that were freezing should work smoothly again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Cache is only temporary data used to load apps and websites faster. Your photos, messages, contacts, and all personal files remain untouched. Clearing cache affects only the temporary files stored by apps and your browser.
How often should I clear cache?
There's no set schedule. Clear cache only when you notice an app freezing, your phone running slowly, or when you need to free up storage space. Most people clear cache a few times a year or when they notice a problem.
Is it safe to clear all cache at once?
Yes, it's completely safe. Clearing all cache at once removes temporary files from every app on your phone. Your apps will rebuild the cache automatically the next time you use them. There's no risk of damaging your phone or losing personal information.
What if clearing cache doesn't fix my freezing app?
Try restarting your phone, updating the app through your app store, or uninstalling and reinstalling it. If the app still doesn't work, the problem may be with the app itself rather than cache buildup. Contact the app's support team or check their website for known issues.
Can I clear cache without losing my passwords?
Yes. Clearing cache does not affect passwords or login information. You'll stay logged into your apps and accounts. If you want to clear passwords separately, you can do that through your browser settings, but it's not necessary when clearing cache.