{"id":59902,"date":"2025-12-24T19:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T19:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f4f356dd-ddfe-4c70-aaf4-d356469ed0bd"},"modified":"2025-12-24T19:00:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T19:00:44","slug":"how-to-clear-your-android-phone-cache-and-put-a-stop-to-slow-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.threatshub.org\/blog\/how-to-clear-your-android-phone-cache-and-put-a-stop-to-slow-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"How to clear your Android phone cache (and put a stop to slow performance)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\"Samsung<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
Kerry Wan\/ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Follow ZDNET: <\/em>Add us as a preferred source<\/span><\/a><\/span> on Google.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Google released Android 16<\/a> over the summer to Pixel devices and select OEMs, bringing performance improvements, new Material You changes<\/a>, and more upgrades. If you want to try the latest update but are hesitant because you’ve noticed your Android phone<\/a> or tablet<\/a> already feels too sluggish, clearing app and browser caches can give it a fresh boost and free up some storage space.<\/p>\n

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Over time, cached data can accumulate, become corrupted, or simply get outdated, which may slow down your device. Restarting your phone often helps, but a targeted cache clear is a quick way to boost responsiveness without upgrading your hardware.<\/p>\n

In this guide, I’ll show you how to clear cached data on Android. If you’re an Apple user, here’s how to clear the cache on an iPhone<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to clear cached data from Android apps<\/h2>\n

What you’ll need:<\/strong> Any Android device. The exact steps may vary slightly by manufacturer, but the general process remains the same. <\/p>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Open Settings, go to Storage, and tap Apps. If you don’t see a dedicated Apps entry, use the search area in Settings to quickly find it.<\/p>\n

Also: I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to give it an instant battery boost<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Also in the Storage menu, some Android devices now include a “Free up space” suggestion via the Google Files app. To use this, open Files, tap the three-line menu in the top-left, and select Clean. Review each suggestion (e.g. unused apps, large files, duplicates) and follow the steps to delete any files you no longer need.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Show more <\/a> <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"How<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
Elyse Betters Picaro \/ ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\"Clear<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
Elyse Betters Picaro \/ ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Repeat for any apps that use a lot of space. You can start with data-heavy hogs like social apps or streaming services. <\/p>\n

Also: How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking it<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Also, while you’re in the Apps menu, some Android versions make it easy to see which apps take up the most space. Simply look for the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Sort by Size. <\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Some Android phones may have a built-in clear all cache option available. Under Settings > Storage > and App Cache, look for a ‘Select All’ button at the top. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Show more <\/a> <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

How to clear cache from Chrome<\/h2>\n

What you need:<\/strong> The Chrome app on your Android 16 device.<\/p>\n

1. Go to History settings in Chrome<\/h2>\n

Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu > History > Clear browsing data.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Go<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
Elyse Betters Picaro \/ ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Choose the data you want to delete<\/h2>\n

Select the time range and check “Cached images and files” (and any other data you wish to remove). Then tap “Clear data.” <\/p>\n

Also: Updated to Android 16? You should enable these 2 critical security features ASAP – here’s why<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Each option explains what it does and how it affects your experience. For example, clearing cookies and site data will log you out of many or all websites, while clearing cached images and files might cause Chrome to load images slower next time you visit a site.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Choose<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
Elyse Betters Picaro \/ ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Optional: A simpler shortcut<\/h2>\n

On newer versions of Chrome for Android, tapping the menu button displays an option called Clear Browsing Data. When you select this, a pop-up will appear asking you to clear browsing data from a specific period. If you select More Options, you’ll be taken to the Browsing Data screen, where you can choose the data to delete and select the time range.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Optional:<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
Elyse Betters Picaro \/ ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

What does cached data mean?<\/h3>\n

Cache stores temporary files — like images, scripts, and other resources — to speed up apps and websites. Clearing it removes these files without affecting personal settings or login credentials.<\/p>\n

Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: We compared the two, and here’s the verdict<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, in the Facebook app, cached data might include profile pictures, photos, and videos. Deleting cached data from the Facebook app will remove these temporary files on your device, but won’t log you out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Show more <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n