How to Clear App Cache on Android
One app on your Android phone has started misbehaving — slow to open, crashing, or showing yesterday’s content — while everything else works fine. Clearing that app’s cache is the safest first fix: it throws away temporary files only, leaves your logins and settings alone, and takes about a minute. This guide shows exactly where the button is on Samsung and Pixel phones, and what to do if it does not help.
Before you start
You need your Android phone, unlocked, and the name of the app that is causing trouble. You do not need a computer or any extra app. Note that clearing cache is not the same as clearing data: Clear data deletes the app’s saved data, including logins and settings, so do not tap it unless you mean to start the app from scratch.
Steps
- Open Settings. Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Open Apps. Tap Apps, then See all apps if your phone shows that option.
- Choose the app. Find the app that is misbehaving and tap its name.
- Open Storage. On the app info screen, tap Storage, or Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear cache. Tap Clear cache, and leave Clear data alone.
- Reopen the app. Go back and open the app again to check it.
What to check
Open the app and check whether it loads normally and the problem is gone. The app may take a little longer to open the first time, because it rebuilds its cache. If the problem continues, restart your phone and try the steps again. If clearing the cache does not help, the problem may be with the app itself or your connection, not the cache.
When to reach for this fix
Clearing the cache is worth trying whenever one app misbehaves while the rest of the phone is fine — slow, crashing, or showing yesterday’s content. It takes a minute, it does not touch your logins, and if it does not help, you have ruled out the app’s temporary files and can look elsewhere.
When clearing cache helps, and when it does not
Clearing the cache helps when an app is slow, crashes when you open it, or keeps showing old information. It does not help when the problem is your internet connection, a problem with your account, or a fault inside the app itself. If clearing the cache does not fix the problem, restart your phone and try the app again.
- Browsers and social apps (Chrome, Instagram, Facebook): these build up the most cache, so clearing it is the most likely to free noticeable space and fix stale content.
- Streaming and music apps (YouTube, Spotify): clearing the cache removes stored images and thumbnails, but it does not delete your downloads or playlists — those are tied to your account, not the cache.
- Banking, messaging and two-factor apps: clearing the cache is still safe, but if the app then asks you to sign in again, you will need your password and, for two-factor apps, your backup codes.
- Games: clearing the cache will not delete your progress, which lives in the game’s data or your account — but a large game may take a while to reload its images the first time you open it afterwards.
After you clear the cache, the app rebuilds it as you use it, so the first time you open the app afterwards may be a little slower than usual. Your saved data, logins, and settings are not affected. Only temporary files are removed, so you can repeat this whenever an app starts acting up.
Related guides: browse all Android guides, or read How to Free Up Storage on iPhone.
Cache cleared and the app behaving again? Remember the two buttons are not the same: Clear cache is the safe one you can repeat; Clear data starts the app from scratch, logins included. For more Android fixes by device and app, see the editorial standards and the Android guides.