How to Clear Cache on Android Phone: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
One of the most frequently used questions that users are curious about when their Android phone starts lagging, freezing, or warning of insufficient storage is how to clear cache on Android phone. Purge of cache is an easy and effective method to clear up storage, eliminate glitches, and enhance the performance.
In this step-by-step guide, you will get to know what cache is, why it matters to clear it, and how you can safely clear the cache in various Android devices to ensure that your phone remains fast and clutter free.
Table of Contents
What Is Cache on Android?
Cache are temporary files that are saved by apps, browsers, and the Android operating system in order to make your phone run faster. For example, when you open YouTube, thumbnails and pictures are loaded in the cache and do not have to be downloaded again.
There are three main types of cache on Android devices:
App Cache
This is developed through individual applications like Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Spotify. It stores the images, videos, and temporary files enabling the apps to work more effectively. But after some time the cache may become very large and consume storage space.
Browser Cache
Browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox and Opera Mini, store data on websites in the form of cache including images, scripts and layouts. This speeds up the loading of websites when you visit them again. Sadly, having a full browser cache can lead to some websites appearing old or not updating well.
System Cache or Cache Partition
Besides apps and browsers, Android is also creating a system cache that holds temporary files due to system updates and background operations. It is recommended to clear this cache to resolve severe performance problems, particularly following a software update.
Why Should You Clear Cache on Android?
It is not necessary to clear cache daily, but it is very useful in keeping performance up. Here are some key reasons:
Freeing Up Storage Space
Applications such as Tik Tok, Instagram, and YouTube can have gigabytes of stored data in the cache. And by deleting this junk data, you immediately release your storage without losing your photos or personal files.
Fixing App Glitches
When cache files are corrupted, applications can crash, freeze, or not load correctly. Trying to clear the cache usually fixes these problems and recovery performance.
Improving Phone Speed
A phone that has excessive data in the cache can be slowed down. A restart of your phone by deleting cache will provide your phone with a clean start and apps and the system can then create necessary files in a cleaner and faster manner.
Solving Update Issues
Following a significant Android update, old system processes can conflict with the new system processes due to the presence of old cached files. Clearing the cache memory can resolve lags, battery depletion, and strange behaviour.
When Is the Right Time to Clear Cache?
It is not necessary to clear cache every day. However, you should consider it when:
- Your phone starts lagging or becomes unusually slow.
- Storage warnings such as “Storage Almost Full” appear.
- Apps repeatedly crash or freeze.
- Websites fail to load properly in your browser.
- Your phone has just received a major Android update.
- You want to free up storage quickly without deleting personal files.
How to Clear Cache on Android Phone: Step-by-Step
Learn how to clear cache on Android phone. Here’s a simple steps to help you clear different types of cache on your device
Clearing Cache for Individual Apps
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Navigate to Apps or Application Management.
- Select the app you want to clean, such as WhatsApp or Instagram.
- Tap Storage and Cache.
- Choose Clear Cache.
This method is safe and does not delete your photos, messages, or login information.
Clearing Browser Cache on Android
Browsers usually accumulate large amounts of cache. Let’s take Google Chrome as an example:
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
- Select History and then choose Clear browsing data.
- Check the box for Cached images and files.
- Tap Clear Data to finish.
This process will free storage while keeping your logins intact, unless you choose to clear cookies as well.
Wiping the System Cache Partition
If your device is extremely slow or misbehaving after a software update, wiping the cache partition can help.
- Turn off your phone completely.
- Press and hold the Power + Volume Up buttons simultaneously. (Samsung devices may require Power + Bixby + Volume Up.)
- Release the buttons when the device enters Recovery Mode.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll and highlight Wipe Cache Partition.
- Press the Power button to confirm.
- Reboot your device.
This method is safe and does not affect your personal data such as photos, videos, or apps.
Clearing Cache on Different Android Brands
Samsung Phones
Samsung provides a built-in feature for cache cleaning.
- Go to Settings → Battery and Device Care → Storage → Clean Now.
Xiaomi and Redmi Phones
Xiaomi devices have a “Cleaner” tool pre-installed.
- Open the Security App → Cleaner and remove unnecessary cache files.
OPPO and Realme Phones
OPPO and Realme also offer built-in cleaning features.
- Go to Phone Manager → Clean Storage.
OnePlus Phones
OnePlus devices follow stock Android instructions.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear Cache.
What Happens After Clearing Cache?
When you clear cache, your phone gains several advantages:
- More Free Storage: Unused temporary files are removed, instantly giving you extra space.
- Smoother Performance: Apps run more reliably and faster without old, corrupted cache files.
- Bug Fixes: Clearing cache often resolves issues with crashing or freezing applications.
The only drawback is that apps may take slightly longer to load the first time after clearing cache. However, this delay is temporary as the app rebuilds its cache.
How Often Should You Clear Cache?
The ideal frequency depends on how you use your phone:
- Heavy Users (social media, gaming, video apps): Every 2–3 weeks.
- Moderate Users: Once a month.
- Before Selling or Resetting Your Phone: Always clear cache to ensure no leftover files remain.
Recommended Tools for Cache Cleaning
While manual cleaning is effective, you can also use safe tools:
Files by Google
Free and lightweight applications will clean your cache and junk files without damaging your data.
Samsung Device Care
This tool is installed automatically on Samsung devices and it optimizes battery, performance, and storage.
CCleaner
An app on Google play which is trusted by third parties. It deletes cache and unwanted files fast.
These tools simplify the process if you don’t want to manually figure out how to clear cache on Android phone.
Watch out on the suspicious phone booster apps because most of them include advertisements, bloatware or malware.
Troubleshooting: If Clearing Cache Does Not Work
Sometimes, clearing cache alone is not enough. If your phone still feels slow, try these additional steps:
- Uninstall applications that are not in use to free space and minimize background processes.
- Move pictures and videos to the cloud storage or SD card.
- Reboot your system occasionally to refresh memory.
- Upgrade Android software to the new version.
- Check on malware or viruses with a reliable security application.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to clear cache on Android phone is an effective ability that can not only free up space but also enhance efficiency and fix glitches in apps. No matter if you empty the cache of single apps, empty the browser cache or wipe the system cache partition, it is safe and efficient.
The best way to clean your phone is to clear the cache along with a regular check-up on your phone including uninstalling unnecessary applications, transferring files, and updating your Android. Through this, you are going to have a smoother, faster and more reliable smart phone experience.
FAQ About How to Clear Cache on Android Phone
Is Clearing Cache Safe?
No, clearing cache just deletes temporary files. It does not erase your contacts, photos or valuable information.
Does Clearing Cache Delete App Data?
No. Clearing cache is different from clearing app data. The data stored in the apps contains settings, accounts, and personal preferences, which will be not changed.
Does Clearing Cache Improve Battery Life?
No. Clearing cache is different from clearing app data. The data stored in the apps contains settings, accounts, and personal preferences, which will be not changed.
Should I Clear Cache for All Apps?
Not always. Pay attention to those apps that are taking up the largest amount of space or acting strangely.
