How to clear app cache on Android & why you should (2024)

If your phone feels sluggish or takes longer to open apps, you could upgrade to one of our favorite Samsung Galaxy phones. You could also clear your phone's app caches — an easier, not to mention less expensive, option that could do the trick. While Android does an incredible job of managing resources out of the box, it only takes a few seconds to help it out by removing cached files and images from the various apps on your phone. This guide shows you how to clear the app cache on Android manually through settings and with third-party apps.

What is a cache and what information does it store?

Cache memory stores temporary data for browsers, games, streaming, and other apps. This data includes miscellaneous information, such as thumbnails, video snippets, and your search history. It reduces load times and makes apps process information faster. All apps, be it YouTube, Spotify, or Google News, save this information as cache data.

Caching saves time by storing information that the app uses regularly. On the flip side, storing data as cache takes a toll on the phone's memory, which can slow it down.

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What's the difference between clearing app caches and clearing data on Android

While we often mention clearing cache and data in the same breath, they're two distinct actions on Android. When using the Spotify app, for example, it holds onto information like new artists you viewed, album art browsed, and search history as cache. Clearing the app cache deletes all the mentioned data.

The application stores user settings, databases, and login information as data. When you clear the data, both the cache and data are removed. Clearing data is the equivalent of starting an app from a clean slate as if you installed it for the first time.

Why should you clear the app cache?

The primary reason to clear the application cache is to free up storage, which might impact the phone's performance. Clearing data is a dramatic step, generally reserved for when an app misbehaves. It could result from corrupted cache files, untested server-side changes, buggy software, or a new OS update to Android.

Poorly written or sandboxed apps could pose a security threat if they store sensitive user information in their cache and data. In such a scenario, it makes sense to clear them both.

How to clear app cache and data

Clearing the cache is, at best, a temporary fix since every app will populate the storage immediately. Despite the benefits, doing so too often can defeat the purpose of improving load times. Avoid making it a daily routine.

How to clear app cache and data on a Google Pixel

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Tap the See all option at the bottom.
4. Tap the app name whose app cache you want to clear.
5. Tap Storage and cache.

   

   

   See Also

   Your Android Phone's Web Browser Has Junk Files You Can Delete NowDelete cache data for all apps at onceHow do I manage app cache without regular manual intervention?How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)
6. Select Clear cache.
7. Tap Clear storage to clear data and cache.

   

How to clear app cache and data on Samsung Galaxy phones

1. Open the Settings menu.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Tap the app name whose app cache you want to clear.
4. Scroll down and choose Storage.

   

   

5. Tap Clear data to clear data.
6. Tap Clear cache to clear the app cache.

   

How to clear app cache and data on OnePlus phones

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Apps and notifications.
3. Tap See all to list all installed apps.
4. Tap the app name whose app cache you want to clear.
5. Select Storage and cache.

   

   See Also

   Clear System Cache

   

6. Tap Clear cache to clear the cache.
7. Tap Clear storage to clear data and cache.

   

How to clear cache and data on Xiaomi phones

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Tap Manage apps.
4. Tap the app name whose app cache you want to clear.
5. Select the Storage option.
6. Tap Clear cache to clear only the app cache, or tap Clear data to clear data and cache.

   

   

Why not use a third-party app cache cleaner?

Using a third-party cache cleaner app is a futile exercise. If you use an app that claims to boost your phone's performance, evaluate whether it has helped others. Also, many apps in this genre are known to mine user data and send it to foreign servers.

There are concerns about using these apps due to their shady practices and privacy policies. They generally demand extensive permissions or display sketchy full-screen ads. The need to run continuously in the background and use system resources usually outweighs their common selling point of speeding up your phone.

Some legitimate apps like SD Maid or Files by Google are worth considering. They show a detailed view of what's occupying your phone's storage. SD Maid removes redundant files, deletes duplicate documents, manages apps, optimizes the app database, and runs app cleaning tools on schedule.

Files by Google is a file manager that can free up space on your phone. The app shows you which files take up too much space, highlighting sections that include junk files, duplicates, blurry photos, and large files.

There's more than one way to speed up your phone

Apps may accumulate a lot of cached data and slow down your phone. Corrupt or outdated cache files could also cause your device to malfunction. Clearing the app cache is usually the first step in troubleshooting issues with your phone. However, doing so too often may increase loading times. Try these tips and tricks to speed up your old Android phone if problems persist.