To clear one app's cache on Android, open Settings, tap Apps, then See All Apps, choose the app and tap Storage & cache, then Clear cache. That's the path on a Pixel; other phones use similar wording. To clear the Chrome browser cache, open Chrome, tap More, then Delete browsing data.
Android doesn't keep one big cache for the whole phone. Each app stores its own temporary files, and Chrome keeps a separate browsing cache on top of that. So the fix depends on what's misbehaving: a single app that's freezing, a website that won't load, or a phone that's just running out of room.
Clear the cache for one Android app
Google's Pixel help gives these steps. Samsung, Motorola and other makers often rename the menus slightly, and Google says settings can vary by phone, so look for the same words if yours doesn't match exactly.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then See All Apps.
- Tap the app that's playing up.
- Tap Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear cache. Leave Clear storage alone unless you mean to reset the app.
That's it. Open the app again and give it a moment: it has to rebuild those temporary files, so the first launch can feel a touch slower.
Clear cache versus Clear storage
| Button | What Google says it does | When I'd use it |
|---|---|---|
| Clear cache | Deletes temporary data. Some apps may be slow the next time you open them. | An app is glitchy, showing old content or crashing |
| Clear storage | Permanently deletes all app data | Only when clearing the cache didn't help and you're happy to sign in and set up again |
| Delete browsing data (Chrome) | Removes the browsing data types you pick, such as cached images and files | A website looks broken or out of date |
The trap: Clear storage wipes the app
This is the one people get wrong. Clear cache is harmless; Clear storage is a reset. Google says it permanently deletes all app data and suggests you try deleting data within the app first. For a messaging or notes app that hasn't backed up, that could mean losing things you can't get back. If in doubt, tap only the cache button.
Clear the Chrome cache on Android
- Open Chrome.
- On the right of the address bar, tap More, then Delete browsing data.
- Tap More options so you can choose exactly what goes.
- Pick a time range and tick cached images and files. Untick anything you want to keep.
- Tap Delete data.
Watch the time range. Google says the default duration is 15 minutes, which is rarely enough to fix a stubborn site. Change it before you tap delete. Afterwards, some sites can seem slower for a moment because images need to load again.
When the real problem is phone storage
If apps won't install or update, the issue may be space rather than cache. Google's Play help says your device may be low on space if there's less than 1 GB available, and that low storage can stop apps downloading. Open Settings, tap Storage and you'll see what's eating it. On recent versions of Android there's also Storage then Free up space, which suggests photos, videos and apps you haven't used lately. Google notes some of those steps only work on Android 14 and up.
Big games and social apps are often the culprit, so check their size in Storage before you blame the cache. Some apps have their own clear-out options as well; here's how to clear the cache on Facebook, one of the usual space hogs.
If clearing the cache doesn't fix it
Clearing the cache sorts a lot of small glitches, but not all of them. When an app still won't behave, or the Play Store refuses to download anything, Google's basic troubleshooting list is a sensible order to work through before you reach for anything drastic.
- Check your connection. Google suggests Wi-Fi where you can, or a strong mobile data signal.
- Check your storage. Open Settings, then Storage, and see how much room is left.
- Look for a system update. On many phones that's Settings, System, Software update.
- Restart the phone. Press and hold the Power button, then tap Power off or Restart.
I'd do those four in that order. Most of the time a restart after clearing the cache is all it takes, and it's far less painful than wiping an app and setting it up again from scratch.
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How often should you clear it?
I wouldn't make it a routine. The cache exists to make apps open faster, so wiping it every week just makes your phone do the same work again. Clear it when something's wrong: an app shows yesterday's content, freezes on one screen or keeps crashing. If clearing the cache doesn't fix it, then restart the phone, check for updates, and only then think about Clear storage.
My take for busy business owners
I clear a cache maybe once a month, and it's almost always one app, not the whole phone. My routine is simple: Clear cache first, restart if needed, and keep Clear storage as a last resort. For a website that looks wrong, Chrome's Delete browsing data with a longer time range sorts it. And if you want to show a client exactly what you're seeing before and after, a quick screenshot on Android saves a lot of back and forth.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to clear cache on Android?
Yes. Google says Clear cache deletes temporary data. The app may be a little slow the next time you open it while it rebuilds.
Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Clear cache only removes temporary files. Clear storage is the button that permanently deletes all app data.
Can I clear the cache for all apps at once?
Google's help describes clearing it app by app through Settings, Apps and Storage & cache. For general space, use Settings, Storage, Free up space.
Where is Storage & cache on a Samsung phone?
Google says settings vary by phone. Look in Settings, Apps, choose the app, then Storage, and check your manufacturer's help if the wording differs.
How do I clear the Chrome cache on Android?
Open Chrome, tap More, Delete browsing data, choose a time range and cached images and files, then tap Delete data.
