The cache that’s created by every application on your Android phone can take a big toll on your internal storage. At times, it can even adversely affect the performance of certain applications. From time to time, it is important to clear the cache on your Android devices to ensure smooth operations.
In today’s round-up, we will be offering a step-by-step tutorial on how you can easily clear the cache on Android phones and other devices.
What we cover
What is Cache?
In the simplest terms, Cache is a small memory on your device that temporarily stores data for each app so it takes less time when you’re visiting the app to load its features faster. Once you visit any app or website, a cache will be created on the device.
Whenever you open an app for the first take, it generally takes a while to open. However, when you open the app again, you will notice that the app will be opened much faster. This happens because the cache data helps the system quickly retrieve the information of the application, making the app load much faster.
The system stores cache for every application on your Android device. And since the cache is stored on the internal storage of your Android device, it can not only take up a huge space on your internal storage but also have an adverse effect if it isn’t cleared from time to time.
Benefits of Clearing Cache
Clearing the cache can help with the smooth operations of various applications on your device. Similarly, there are some security concerns as well when you’re using a device that can be accessed by strangers. The benefits of clearing the cache on your Android device are further elaborated below.
Speeds up the App
Clearing the cache would delete all the data that is stored in the cache and if too much cache is stored on the device, it would make the app quite slow. Clearing the cache would make the app work more faster and efficient. Generally, most cache is formed by online apps that include browsers, games, and a plethora of other applications.
Offers Security
Login credentials and other choices that you make when you’re operating an application are often saved by the cache so you can quickly access the content the next time that you visit this certain app.
While it ensures smooth operations, it can also expose your details and credentials to strangers if the device that you’ve used is available to the public as well.
Clearing the cache of the app where you have provided your credentials would help you get rid of your record on the device and no one would be able to recover your data.
Free up space
Once you clear the cache on your Android device for different apps, you will free up a ton of space. Some apps can create a massive cache of data that can take up a lot of space on your device. However, by cleaning the cache, you can easily free up a few gigabytes of your data.
Updated Cache
When the cache is cleared from the user end, the system will create the cache again when you visit a certain app. This time around, the updated version of the application will be stored in the cache, and if any outdated data is causing the app to work slowly or malfunction, the problem will be solved.
Why should you clear the cache?
From freeing up space on your device to securing your credentials from being exposed by intruders, there are many reasons to keep a clean cache and we’ve explained in detail above the benefits of clearing the cache.
On Android, there is an option to clear the cache for each application that is installed on the device. The applications that are used frequently often take up a lot of cache space and it is often recommended to clear the cache of such apps to ensure smooth operations.
Apps that you only use once in a full moon won’t take up too much space in the cache memory. However, the frequently used apps will have a massive cache, and clearing that from your device will have many benefits for your device and the user experience.
How to clear cache on Android phone
Cache can be cleared on any Android device from the phone’s settings. But before we offer the necessary steps, keep in mind that you have the option to clear the cache as well as the option to clear the data of the app. If you clear the data, everything saved by the app on the local storage will be removed.
For instance, if you’ve been playing a certain game and progressing, clearing the data would remove the entire data and you’ll have to start from the beginning. On the other hand, clearing the cache won’t have any effect on the in-game data that is stored on the device.
In simple words, clearing the cache is harmless and won’t have any adverse effect on your device. Now, to clear the cache for any app on your Android phone, follow these easy steps:
1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on ‘Apps’ folder.
3. Tap on any desired app under the ‘Your Apps’ list.
4. Once you click on the app, you will be redirected to a new page.
5. Now, tap on ‘Storage’ and then tap on ‘Clear Cache’ in the bottom-right corner of the window.Â
As mentioned above, avoid tapping on the ‘Clear Data’ since it will remove all the data that is stored on the device. For applications like YouTube, clearing the data will remove all the offline downloaded videos.
In case you want to renew the app without reinstalling it, clear the cache as well as clear the data, and the app won’t have any memory of your data.
For regularly optimizing your Android device, you can always use the ‘Device Care’ widget to optimize your phone whenever you want and free some unused memory.
FAQs
Why can’t I clear my cache on Android?
If you’re wondering why you can’t clear the cache for the entire device at once, that is because the latest Android version doesn’t support such a feature. You can, however, clear the cache of any certain application whenever you want from the phone’s settings.
Is it ok to clear cached data?
Yes, it is okay to clear the cache every few months to make sure that the app that you’re using is working properly. Often, outdated cache data could lead to slow in-app performance and other issues, hence, clearing the cache would ensure smooth operations.
