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How to Clear Cache on Android Phones (Including App Cache)

Written by Domenic Molinaro |
Updated on April 05, 2024

Android’s cache gathers internet debris as you surf and use more apps. But with just a few taps, you can clear the Android cache. Learn how to clear cache on Androids manually and how to keep it clean the easy way by using a free cleaning tool like AVG Cleaner.

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    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 cause your phone to overheat or behave oddly.

     

    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.

     

    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.

    2. Tap Battery and device care.

    3. Tap Memory followed by Apps not used recently.

    4. Search through the app list.

    5. Select an app to clean up. You might want to clear your YouTube cache, Facebook cache, or even your Instagram cache.

    To clear app cache on Android, find apps not recently used and choose one.
    1. After tapping a particular app, select Storage within App info.

    2. Tap Clear cache at the bottom of the screen.

       

      Now you can repeat those steps for each app to clear the associated cache. Or you can use an automated cleaning tool like AVG Cleaner to help clear your app cache automatically.

    Select Storage, then Clear cache.

    Clearing the cache on your Android is a great way to free up storage space, fix technical issues like app slowdowns, and improve performance. Using a cleaning app is an easy way to clear app cache and keep your phone clean in other ways too. Install AVG Cleaner on your Android today to help get your phone working like new again.

    How to clear app data on Android

     

    To free up even more space on your phone, wipe app data, too. That 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 reset any preferences. 


    Here’s how to clear app data on Android devices: Open Settings and select Apps. Tap on the app you want to clear app data for, then select Storage followed by Clear data.

    You can clear app data in Settings by choosing the app, tapping Storage, and then Clear data.

    How to clear your Samsung app cache

     

    Clearing app cache on Samsung phones is quick and easy, and you can clear your app data at the same time. Just beware that clearing data includes any files, settings, or account info you may have connected to that app.

     

    Here’s how to clear your app cache on a Samsung phone: 

    Step 1
    Open Settings and select Apps.
    Step 2
    Find and select the app, tap Storage, then Clear cache.
    Step 3
    To delete the app data, tap Clear data, then OK.

    Clearing your Android app cache can help fix speed issues and free up storage space. Before you install new apps, check if an app is safe and be careful which apps you give permission to.

    How to clear Chrome browser cache on Android

     

    If you use Chrome on your Android phone or tablet, clearing your Chrome cache can help 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, then tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.

    2. Choose History from the dropdown menu, then tap Clear browsing data.  

    To clear Chrome browser cache, head to History, then Clear browsing data.
    1. 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.

    2. Select a time range. Choose All time to make Android clear all the cache from Chrome. Then tap Clear data.

    Check the boxes next to the data you want cleared, choose a time range, then tap Clear data.

    That's how you clear your Chrome cache on Android. Clearing your Chrome cache is the same on PC and could also help clean up and speed 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.

    If you use Chrome’s Incognito mode, Android will clear the Chrome cache automatically after you end your session. But if you want to help keep your internet history hidden from marketers or even cybercriminals, use a secure and private browser. And you can further customize your browsing experience by either blocking or allowing pop-up ads.

     

    Clearing your Android cache keeps your browser tidy, and cleaning your browser can make it safer by removing sensitive information. Messaging apps store personal info, too, so use the best privacy apps for Android to keep your conversations more private and help prevent phone spoofing.

    A person using AVG Secure Browser on their phone.

    AVG Cleaner will help you find unused apps so you can remove them and try to keep your personal information more secure. As well as tightening up your privacy, AVG Cleaner will also clear large junk files, duplicate or blurry photos, and obsolete files. Install AVG Cleaner to optimize your Android today.

    Clear cache for social media (YouTube, 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 and delete cached data for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps:

    Step 1
    Go to Settings and select Apps to display a list of installed apps, including social media apps.
    Step 2
    Select YouTube to clear YouTube cache, Facebook to clear Facebook cache, or Instagram to clear Instagram cache. 
    Step 3
    Then tap Storage or Storage & Cache, and finally tap Clear cache in the lower-right corner.

    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. 


    Your important account details are saved in the cloud. But after clearing the cache for an 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.

    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 those files again every time you visit. That 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 may even 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.

    2. Select Apps.

    3. Find the app you want to clear app data for.

    4. Tap it.

    To clear hidden app cache, find the app in Settings and tap it.
    1. Select Storage.

    2. Tap Clear cache to delete all cached data for the selected app.

    3. Repeat the process for other apps to continue clearing hidden app cache.

    Tap Storage, then Clear cache.

    AVG Cleaner goes beyond clearing Android cache to make your device perform at optimal levels. As an all-in-one Android maintenance tool, you can enjoy faster speeds, extended battery life, and more space. Install AVG Cleaner for free and start using it straight away.

    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 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 help limit how websites use data on your phone to track you.

     

    Clearing cache on Android can also help fix issues and improve performance. That’s because cached files can become corrupted or overloaded. Clearing cache can force a browser or app to update and work as it should.

    When you clear cache on Android you free up space.

    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. 

    But don’t clear it too frequently because it could have the opposite effect. Since temporary files are supposed to help your browser and app experience, clearing cache too often can be counterproductive. That’s why using a cleanup app is so helpful for managing your cache.


    And don’t forget to update your phone regularly. You should update your phone’s apps and OS whenever a new version is released — doing so can give you performance and security benefits.

    Clear cache on your Android every few months.

    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 help keep your cache under control.

     

    AVG Cleaner is a lightweight optimization app that will help you identify 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. Unlock powerful 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 an easy way to do this.

    What does the wipe cache feature 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 into your accounts again.

    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, know your preferences, and keep track of your activity.

     

    Clear your cache and clean up your phone with AVG Cleaner for Android

    Free install

    Clear your cache and clean up your phone with AVG Cleaner for Android

    Free install

    Clear your cache and clean up your phone with AVG Cleaner for Android

    Free install

    Clear your cache and clean up your phone with AVG Cleaner for Android

    Free install