How To Clear Cache on Android Phone: App Cache, Browser Cache & System Cache (2026)

By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every cache-clearing method in this guide on Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, and Motorola Edge running Android 15. We verified clearing app cache through Settings, wiping browser cache in Chrome, Firefox, and Samsung Internet, clearing system cache via Recovery Mode, and using Device Care and Files by Google for bulk cleanup. All steps, menu paths, and screenshots confirmed working March 2026.

Cache is temporary data your Android phone stores so apps and websites load faster. Over time, cached files pile up — sometimes reaching several gigabytes — and can slow your phone down, cause apps to crash, or eat into your storage. Clearing cache fixes these problems without deleting your photos, messages, or personal data.

This guide covers how to clear cache for individual apps, how to wipe browser cache in Chrome and other browsers, how to clear the system cache partition, and when you should (and shouldn’t) clear cache on your Android phone.

How To Clear App Cache on Android (Individual Apps)

This is the most common method and works on every Android phone. Use it when a specific app is acting up, loading slowly, or taking too much storage space.

Steps To Clear Cache for One App

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications on older versions).
3. Find and tap the app you want to clear cache for. If you don’t see it, tap See all apps first.
4. Tap Storage & cache (or just Storage on some phones).
5. Tap Clear cache.

The cache size drops to 0 bytes immediately. The app keeps all your login credentials, settings, and personal data — only temporary files are removed.

Samsung Galaxy Phones

On Samsung devices running One UI 6 or newer, the path is slightly different:

1. Open Settings → Apps.
2. Tap the app name.
3. Tap Storage.
4. Tap Clear cache.

Samsung also lets you sort apps by size in the Apps list, which makes it easy to find the biggest cache hogs — usually social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Google Pixel Phones

On Pixel devices running stock Android 15:

1. Open Settings → Apps → See all apps.
2. Tap the app.
3. Tap Storage & cache.
4. Tap Clear cache.

Important: Don’t tap Clear storage (or Clear data) unless you want to completely reset the app. Clearing storage deletes your login info, settings, downloaded content, and everything else — it’s like reinstalling the app from scratch.

How To Clear Cache for All Apps at Once

Starting with Android 12, Google removed the one-tap “Clear all cached data” option that existed in earlier versions. However, there are still ways to clear cache in bulk depending on your phone brand.

Samsung: Device Care

1. Open Settings → Battery and device care (or Device care).
2. Tap Storage.
3. Tap Clean now to remove temporary files, residual data, and cached content.

Samsung’s Device Care scans for unnecessary files across all apps and cleans them in one tap.

Google Pixel and Stock Android: Files by Google

1. Open the Files by Google app (pre-installed on most Pixel phones).
2. Tap Clean at the bottom.
3. Under Junk files, tap Clean and confirm.

Files by Google identifies app cache, temporary files, and other junk data you can safely remove.

OnePlus and Motorola

OnePlus phones don’t include a built-in bulk cache cleaner. Motorola phones include a basic storage cleaner in Settings → Storage. For both brands, you can install Files by Google from the Play Store to get the same bulk cleaning feature.

How To Clear Browser Cache on Android

Browser cache stores images, scripts, and page data from websites you visit. Clearing it fixes problems like pages displaying incorrectly, old content showing instead of updates, or the browser running slowly.

Clear Cache in Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Tap Delete browsing data (or go to History → Delete browsing data).
3. Set the time range to All time for a complete cleanup.
4. Check Cached images and files. Uncheck Browsing history and Cookies if you only want to clear cache.
5. Tap Delete data.

Chrome cache can easily reach 500 MB or more if you browse frequently. Clearing it won’t log you out of websites unless you also clear cookies.

Clear Cache in Samsung Internet

1. Open Samsung Internet.
2. Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) → Settings.
3. Tap Personal browsing data → Delete browsing data.
4. Check Cached images and files.
5. Tap Delete data.

Clear Cache in Firefox

1. Open Firefox and tap the three-dot menu.
2. Tap Settings → Delete browsing data.
3. Check Cached images and files.
4. Tap Delete browsing data.

Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge and tap the three-dot menu → Settings.
2. Tap Privacy and security → Clear browsing data.
3. Check Cached images and files.
4. Set time range to All time and tap Clear data.

How To Clear System Cache on Android (Recovery Mode)

The system cache partition stores temporary files the Android operating system uses to run smoothly. Clearing it can fix problems after a system update, resolve persistent lag, or fix boot issues. This does not delete any personal data.

Samsung Galaxy Phones

1. Power off your phone completely.
2. Press and hold Volume Up + Power simultaneously until the Samsung logo appears, then release.
3. In Recovery Mode, use the Volume buttons to navigate to Wipe cache partition.
4. Press the Power button to select it.
5. Select Yes to confirm.
6. Once complete, select Reboot system now.

Google Pixel Phones

Pixel phones running Android 12 and later don’t have a traditional wipe cache partition option in Recovery Mode. Instead, Google handles cache management automatically. If you’re experiencing issues, try restarting in Safe Mode:

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. Long-press Power off until the Reboot to safe mode prompt appears.
3. Tap OK. Your phone restarts with only system apps running.
4. Restart normally to exit Safe Mode.

OnePlus Phones

1. Power off the phone.
2. Press and hold Volume Down + Power until you see the OnePlus logo.
3. Select your language, then tap Wipe data and cache.
4. Tap Wipe cache.
5. Confirm and reboot.

When To Clear System Cache

Clear the system cache partition when your phone is sluggish after a major Android update, when multiple apps are crashing for no clear reason, or when your phone takes unusually long to boot. It’s a safe step that doesn’t affect your data.

Clear Cache vs. Clear Data: What’s the Difference?

These two options appear side by side in app storage settings, but they do very different things:

Clear Cache removes temporary files like thumbnails, preview images, and locally stored data that helps the app load faster. You stay logged in, your settings are preserved, and downloaded content remains. The app rebuilds its cache as you use it.

Clear Data (Clear Storage) completely resets the app to its freshly-installed state. You lose your login credentials, preferences, downloaded content, game progress, and everything else. You’ll need to set up the app from scratch.

Always try clearing cache first. Only clear data if the app is still broken after a cache clear and a phone restart.

How Often Should You Clear Cache on Android?

You don’t need to clear cache on a strict schedule. Cache exists to make your phone faster, and clearing it too often means apps have to rebuild their cached data every time — actually slowing things down.

Clear cache when you notice a specific problem: an app crashing, a website not loading correctly, your phone running low on storage, or apps loading noticeably slower than usual. For most people, clearing app cache every two to three months is more than enough.

The apps that accumulate the most cache are social media apps (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat), streaming apps (YouTube, Spotify, Netflix), browsers (Chrome, Samsung Internet), and messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram). Check these first when you need to free up space.

Troubleshooting Cache Issues on Android

Cache Cleared but App Still Broken

If clearing cache doesn’t fix the app, try these steps in order: force stop the app and reopen it, restart your phone, check for app updates in the Play Store, clear the app’s data (this resets the app), and finally uninstall and reinstall the app.

Storage Still Full After Clearing Cache

If your storage is still nearly full after clearing cache, the problem isn’t cache — it’s likely large media files, downloads, or offline content. Open Settings → Storage to see what’s actually taking up space. Large items are usually in Photos, Downloads, or messaging apps like WhatsApp that save received media automatically.

Phone Slow After Clearing System Cache

It’s normal for your phone to feel slightly slower for a few minutes after clearing the system cache partition. Android needs to rebuild system cache files, which happens automatically as you use the phone. Performance should return to normal within 10-15 minutes.

More Android How-To Guides From DevX

• How To Empty Trash on Android
• How To Find Saved Passwords on Android
• How To Stop Pop-Up Ads on Android
• How To Backup Your Android Phone
• How To Remove a Virus From Android

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete my photos or messages?

No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files that apps use to load faster. Your photos, messages, contacts, and all personal data stay untouched.

Will clearing cache log me out of apps?

No. Clearing cache keeps your login credentials intact. Only clearing data (or clear storage) logs you out and resets the app.

Is it safe to clear cache on Android?

Yes. Clearing cache is completely safe and is one of the first troubleshooting steps recommended by Google. The app simply rebuilds its cache as you use it. No data is lost.

How much storage can I free up by clearing cache?

It depends on how many apps you use and how often. Heavy social media and streaming users can free up 2-5 GB or more by clearing cache across all apps. Check individual app cache sizes in Settings → Apps to see which ones are using the most space.

Why does cache keep coming back after I clear it?

That’s normal and expected. Apps create new cache files every time you use them — it’s how they load content quickly. Cache only becomes a problem when it grows too large or becomes corrupted.

Can clearing cache fix an app that keeps crashing?

Often yes. Corrupted cache files are one of the most common reasons apps crash, freeze, or behave erratically. Clearing cache forces the app to rebuild fresh temporary files.

What’s the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?

Clearing cache removes temporary files while keeping your settings and login info. Clearing data resets the entire app to its freshly-installed state — you lose all settings, accounts, and downloaded content.

Should I use third-party cache cleaner apps?

Generally no. Android’s built-in tools and Files by Google handle cache cleaning effectively. Many third-party cleaner apps show inflated numbers, run constantly in the background consuming battery, and some contain ads or unwanted software. Stick with the built-in options.

Johannah Lopez

Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.