Apps getting slow, crashing, or eating up your storage? The culprit is often a bloated cache. Learning how to clear app cache on Android is one of the most useful maintenance skills — it frees space, fixes misbehaving apps, and takes less than a minute. This guide covers 6 methods: clearing cache for one app, for all apps at once, and when you should clear data instead.
Quick Answer: To clear an app's cache, go to Settings → Apps, tap the app, then Storage & cache → Clear Cache. This deletes temporary files only — your logins, settings, and personal data stay safe. Do this whenever an app acts slow or buggy.
In This Guide:
- Cache vs. Data: What's the Difference?
- Method 1: Clear Cache for a Single App
- Method 2: Clear Cache for All Apps at Once
- Method 3: Clear Cache From the App's Own Settings
- Method 4: Use the Files by Google App
- Method 5: Wipe the Cache Partition in Recovery Mode
- Method 6: When to Clear Data Instead of Cache
- Frequently Asked Questions
Cache vs. Data: What's the Difference?
Before you tap anything, know what each button does:
- Clear Cache — deletes temporary files (thumbnails, preloaded images, temp downloads). Safe: logins and settings are kept. Apps rebuild the cache as you use them.
- Clear Data / Clear Storage — deletes everything the app saved: logins, settings, offline files, game progress. The app returns to its just-installed state.
Rule of thumb: always try Clear Cache first. Only clear data if the app is still broken afterward.
Method 1: Clear Cache for a Single App
The standard method, works on every Android phone:
- Open Settings → Apps (on Pixel: Settings → Apps → See all apps).
- Find and tap the app that's misbehaving or using too much space.
- Tap Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear Cache.
Note: on Samsung (One UI) the path is Settings → Apps → [app] → Storage → Clear cache. On Xiaomi (HyperOS): Settings → Apps → Manage apps → [app] → Storage → Clear cache. The steps are the same everywhere.
Method 2: Clear Cache for All Apps at Once
Older Android versions (up to Android 7) had a one-tap "Clear cached data" button in Settings → Storage. Google removed it in Android 8+, so on modern phones there's no built-in way to clear every app's cache at once.
Your options on Android 8 and newer:
- Use the Files by Google app's Clean feature (Method 4 below) — the closest official equivalent.
- Some brands still include it: on Samsung, try Settings → Battery and device care → Storage → Clean now; on Xiaomi, the Security app has a Cleaner tool.
- Otherwise, clear the worst offenders one by one (Method 1) — usually browsers, social apps, and streaming apps hold the most cache.
Method 3: Clear Cache From the App's Own Settings
Many big apps include their own cache controls, which can be more thorough:
- Chrome: Chrome → three-dot menu → Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data → select Cached images and files → Clear data.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp → three-dot menu → Settings → Storage and data → Manage storage — review and delete large files per chat.
- Telegram: Telegram → hamburger menu → Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Usage → Clear Telegram Cache.
- TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: in-app Settings → look for Clear cache or Free up space.
Method 4: Use the Files by Google App
Google's free Files app finds junk across all your apps:
- Install Files by Google from the Play Store (many phones have it pre-installed).
- Open it and tap the Clean tab at the bottom.
- Under Junk files, tap Clean and confirm. This removes temporary files from all apps at once.
- Also check the Delete large files and Delete downloaded files cards while you're there.
Method 5: Wipe the Cache Partition in Recovery Mode
This clears the system-wide cache without touching your data — useful when the whole phone feels sluggish after an update:
- Power off your phone completely.
- Hold Volume Up + Power together until the recovery menu appears. (On Samsung: connect the phone to a computer via USB first, then hold Volume Up + Power.)
- Use the volume buttons to highlight Wipe cache partition, press Power to select, and confirm.
- Select Reboot system now.
Note: this option doesn't exist on Pixel phones (they use a different partition system) — on Pixel, skip this method.
Method 6: When to Clear Data Instead of Cache
Clearing cache fixes most issues, but sometimes you need the bigger hammer. Clear data (Storage & cache → Clear storage) when:
- The app still crashes or misbehaves after clearing cache.
- You're stuck in a login loop or the app's settings seem corrupted.
- You want a completely fresh start with an app.
Warning: clearing data signs you out and deletes the app's saved content (offline downloads, game progress not synced to an account, drafts). Back up anything important first.
Watch: How to Clear App Cache on Any Android
Prefer a walkthrough? This video shows how to clear app cache step by step:
Video by LoFi Alpaca — full credit to the creator.
Related Guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files. Your photos, messages, logins, and settings stay exactly as they are.
How often should I clear app cache?
There's no fixed schedule. Clear an individual app's cache when it acts slow or buggy, and run a general junk cleanup (Method 4) once every month or two — or whenever storage runs low.
Is it safe to clear cache for system apps?
Yes, clearing cache is safe for any app, including system apps. Only avoid clearing data on system apps unless you know what it resets.
By Sameer Zehri | App Fix Guru Editor | Last updated: October 2026
