How to Clear Cache on Android: Speed Up Your Phone and Free Up Space

How to Clear Cache on Android: Speed Up Your Phone and Free Up Space

Is your Android phone running slower than usual? Are some apps acting strangely or crashing? One common fix is clearing the cache — temporary files that can pile up and cause performance issues over time.

In this guide, you'll learn:

  • What cache is
  • Why you might want to clear it
  • How to clear cache on Android (app cache + system cache)

Let’s dive in!


📦 What Is Cache on Android?

Cache files are temporary data stored by apps and the system to help things run faster. For example, a web browser might store images so websites load quicker. However, if the cache becomes too large or outdated, it can lead to:

  • App crashes
  • Storage problems
  • Battery drain
  • Overall system lag

That’s when clearing it helps.


🔍 Types of Cache on Android

There are mainly two types:

  1. App Cache – Temporary data stored by individual apps.
  2. System Cache (for older Android versions) – Cached data used by the Android OS itself.

Note: Most modern Android devices (Android 10 and above) no longer use a separate system cache partition.


🧹 How to Clear App Cache on Android

Clearing app cache does not delete your app data (like logins or saved progress).

Method 1: Clear App Cache Individually

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps or Apps & Notifications.
  3. Tap See all apps (if needed).
  4. Choose the app you want to clear (e.g., Chrome, Instagram).
  5. Tap Storage & cache.
  6. Tap Clear Cache.
⚠️ Don't tap Clear Storage unless you want to reset the app completely.

Method 2: For Samsung Phones

  1. Go to Settings > Apps.
  2. Tap the desired app.
  3. Select Storage.
  4. Tap Clear Cache.

Repeat this for other apps as needed.


⚠️ What About "Clear All Cache"?

Unfortunately, recent Android versions removed the “Clear all cache” button. You’ll need to clear cache for each app manually. However, using a trusted third-party cleaner app may help — just be cautious with what you install (no shady apps!).


🧯 How to Wipe System Cache (Older Android Versions Only)

⚠️ This is not needed for most users, and newer phones don’t have this option.

If you're on an older Android version and facing system glitches:

  1. Turn off your phone.
  2. Press and hold Power + Volume Up (or Volume Down, depending on the device).
  3. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Cache Partition.
  4. Press Power to select.
  5. Reboot the device.

🧠 Extra Tips to Keep Your Android Clean

  • Uninstall unused apps regularly
  • Use Files by Google to remove junk files
  • Restart your phone once a week
  • Keep your software updated

✅ Conclusion

Clearing cache on Android is a simple and effective way to keep your phone fast and responsive. Whether you're troubleshooting a buggy app or just want to free up some space, it's a safe process you can do anytime.

Have you tried clearing your cache lately? Let us know how it helped!