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AVG Signal Blog Performance Cleaning How to Clear Cache on Android Phones

Written by Domenic Molinaro
Published on August 31, 2022

How to clear cache on Android

You can clear cache data for apps on Android by clearing the system cache in your Android settings. On your Android browser, you can clear the cache in your browser settings. Deleting your app cache and browser cache helps troubleshoot Android issues that may be causing your phone or tablet to overheat or behave oddly.

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    If you still experience problems after you clear your system cache and browser cache, you may have to clean up your Android phone another way. If the problem persists, check for and remove any viruses or Android ransomware that may be infecting your device.

    If you’re on PC, check out our complete guide to cleaning up and speeding up your PC. And if you have an Apple device, here’s how to clear your Mac cache and how to speed up your iPhone.

    How to clear your app cache on Android

    Clearing phone cache is easy on Android. The temporary files stored in your app cache are a great place to start. Here’s how to clear your app cache on Android:

    1. Open Settings on your Android device and tap Battery and device care.

      Locating Battery and device care within Android Settings.
    2. Tap Memory followed by Apps not used recently.

      Locating Apps not used recently within Android memory settings.
    3. Select an app from the list. Search through the app list to clear your YouTube cache, Facebook cache, or even your Instagram cache.

    4. After tapping a particular app, select Storage within App info.

      Accessing app Storage information within App info settings for Android.
    5. Tap Clear cache at the bottom of the screen.

      Clearing cache for the selected app within Android Settings.

    How to clear app data on Android

    To free up even more space on your phone, wipe app data too. This will delete all user data stored within an app, not just the temporary cache files. The app itself won’t be deleted, but it will be reset, meaning you’ll need to sign in again and set any preferences.

    Here’s how to clear app data on Android devices:

    1. Open Settings and select Apps.

      Selecting Apps within device Settings for Android.
    2. Tap on the app you want to clear app data for and select Storage.

      Accessing Storage options within App info for a particular app on Android.
    3. Tap Clear data.

      Clearing app data for the selected app on Android.

    How to clear your Samsung app cache

    Clearing app cache on Samsung phones is quick and easy. Here’s how to clear your app cache on a Samsung phone:

    1. Open Settings and select Apps.

    2. Find the app you want to clear, select it, and tap Storage.

    3. Tap Clear cache.

    4. If you want to delete all the data connected to that app, tap Clear data and then OK. Note that clearing data includes any files, settings, or account info you may have connected to that app.

    Clearing your Android app cache can help fix speed issues and free up storage space. If you need more storage, clear the cache of the apps that take up the most space. Clearing your app cache every few months will help streamline your phone and keep it from getting too full.

    Clearing your cache can also get rid of unsafe apps that have been consuming your mobile data. Be careful which apps you give permission to, and check out our guide to reducing mobile data usage if you find yourself constantly low on data.

    What happens when you clear cache data on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube? Clearing the cache on your social media apps gets rid of temporary files such as liked photos or half-watched videos. So unless you need to reference this data, it’s fine to delete it.

    Your important account details are saved in the cloud. But after clearing the cache for a particular app, you will have to log in again. So before clearing the app cache on your favorite apps, make sure you know your username and password — or create a new, strong password by clicking the reset password link.

    If you’re curious what Google has on you, read about how Google uses your data and how to download your Google data if you want to examine it, see what Google stores, or just keep a backup.

    How to clear Chrome browser cache on Android

    If you use Chrome on your Android phone or tablet, clearing your Chrome cache should speed up your browsing and give you more space. The process should be the same if you use a Samsung phone or any other Android device.

    Here’s how to clear the Chrome cache on Android:

    1. Open Chrome.

    2. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.

      Highlighting the three vertical dots representing Chrome's option menu on Android
    3. Open History.

      Highlighting the History option under Google Chrome's option menu on Android
    4. Tap Clear browsing data…

      Highlighting "Clear browsing data..." under History in Google Chrome options on Android
    5. Tick the Cached images and files box. If you want to delete your cookies or clear your search and browsing history, check those boxes as well.

      Highlighting the ticked box for "Cached images and files" under "Clear browsing data" on Android
    6. Select a time range on the upper-right. Choose All time to make Android clear all the cache from Chrome. Then tap Clear data.

      Clearing cache on Android for a certain time range.

    That's how you clear your Chrome cache on Android. Clearing your Chrome cache is the same on PC and mobile, so use these same steps to clear your Chrome cache on your computer.

    If you use Chrome’s Incognito mode, Android will clear the Chrome cache automatically after you end your session. But if you want to keep your internet history hidden from marketers or even cybercriminals, use a secure and private browser.

    If you want to keep your activity secret from nosey family or friends, hide your Android apps in secure folders. You can further customize your browsing experience by either blocking or allowing pop-up ads.

    Periodically clearing your Android cache is good browsing hygiene. As well as keeping your browser neat and tidy, cleaning your browser makes it safer by keeping sensitive information from hanging around too long.

    Messaging apps store personal info too, so use the best privacy apps for Android to keep your private conversations private and to help prevent phone spoofing.

    Clear cache for social media (Facebook and Instagram)

    When clearing phone cache, you may notice that social media apps are some of the main culprits for hoarding temp files that swamp your storage. Clearing cache on Android social media apps is just as quick and easy as it is for other apps.

    Here’s how to find delete cached data for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps:

    1. Go to Settings and select Apps to display a list of installed apps.

    2. Select YouTube to clear YouTube cache, Facebook to clear Facebook cache, or Instagram to clear Instagram cache. Then tap Storage.

    3. Tap Clear cache.

    What are hidden cache files?

    Android’s hidden cache saves pictures, files, and other scripts from apps and websites you visit frequently so that you don’t have to download these files again every time you visit. This helps apps and websites load faster, but over time cache data can build up and clog your device.

    Android’s hidden cache is like carrying around extra weight that makes your phone or tablet work harder. Clearing the cache can help extend the battery life of your Android device.

    How to clear your hidden app cache on Android

    To clear hidden Android cache, follow the same simple process for deleting app cache for specific third-party apps. This will clean up all the cached data for that particular app, hidden or otherwise.

    Here’s how to clean hidden cache on Android:

    1. Open device Settings, and select Apps.

      Selecting Apps within device Settings for Android.
    2. Find the app you want to clear app data for, tap it, and select Storage.

      Accessing Storage options within App info for a particular app on Android.
    3. Tap Clear cache to delete all cached data for the selected app.

      Clearing app cache for the selected app on Android.
    4. Repeat the process for other apps to continue clearing hidden app cache.

    What happens when you clear cache?

    When you clear cache, the stored data of any app or browser that you clear is wiped out. That means apps and websites will load files (photos, videos, etc.) from the internet rather than retrieving them from your phone. Critical details related to the app’s or website’s essential functions will remain, such as your settings, contacts, or messages.

    Like cleaning your closet, getting rid of junk files gives you more space for the things you actually need. It can free up more room for RAM and also stop data hounds from tracking your smartphone.

    How often should you clear cache on an Android phone?

    You should clear cache on your Android phone every few months. Clear the app data for Android apps that are behaving erratically, such as not loading correctly or closing unexpectedly. And clear the Chrome cache when Chrome is more sluggish than usual.

    And don’t forget to update your phone regularly.

    Clear your cache easily with AVG Cleaner

    Android cache and other data debris can pile up quickly. Unfortunately, on newer versions of Android, you can’t clear all the cache at once. But you can install a free cleaning app to keep your cache clean automatically.

    AVG Cleaner is a lightweight optimization app that will find unnecessary apps, battery hogs, and space hogs and remove them quickly and easily. Boost your RAM, clear your storage, and tidy up your photo drawer in one fell swoop. Get peak performance for free today with AVG Cleaner.

    FAQs

    Is it good to clear the cache on Android?

    It’s good digital hygiene to clear the cache on your Android phone. Clearing junk files helps keep your device clean and tidy, freeing up space for things you need. Using a dedicated cleaning app is usually the easiest way to do this.

    What does wipe cache partition do on Android?

    The “wipe cache partition” feature on Android clears all temporary files from your phone, including residual files from uninstalled apps. This will help keep your phone running smoothly.

    Will clearing the cache delete passwords?

    Clearing the browser cache won’t delete passwords, but when you clear app cache you’ll have to log in to your accounts again using the same username and password as before.

    What happens if I clear my cache and cookies?

    Clearing the cache and cookies on your phone means removing the temporary scripts and files that websites use to check your device settings and keep track of your activity, and your saved preferences might be deleted, too. 

    Clear your cache on Android automatically with AVG Cleaner

    Free install

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    Domenic Molinaro
    31-08-2022