How to clear your Android phone cache (and wipe out lag for good)
This quick adjustment can significantly improve speed and responsiveness on almost any device - no matter the brand.
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Google released Android 16 last summer to Pixel devices and select OEMs, bringing performance improvements, new Material You changes, and more upgrades. If you want to try the latest update but are hesitant because you've noticed your Android phone or tablet already feels too sluggish, clearing app and browser caches can give it a fresh boost and free up some storage space.
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Over time, cached data can accumulate, become corrupted, or simply get outdated, which may slow down your device.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.
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.
How to clear cached data from Android apps
What you'll need: Any Android device. The exact steps may vary slightly by manufacturer, but the general process remains the same.
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.
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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.
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Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Repeat for any apps that use a lot of space. You can start with data-heavy hogs like social apps or streaming services.
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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.
Note: 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.
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How to clear cache from Chrome
What you need: The Chrome app on your Android 16 device.
1. Go to History settings in Chrome
Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu > History > Clear browsing data.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
2. Choose the data you want to delete
Select the time range and check "Cached images and files" (and any other data you wish to remove). Then tap "Clear data."
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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.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
3. Optional: A simpler shortcut
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.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
What does cached data mean?
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.
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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.
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Will clearing cache delete my app data?
No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files. Your accounts, settings, and app data remain intact.
Will clearing cache make my device faster?
Yes. It frees up storage and removes potentially corrupted or outdated files, which can resolve slowdowns and glitches.
How often should I clear cache?
Whenever you notice slowdowns or app glitches. For most users, every three to six months is sufficient.
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Is clearing cache only for storage?
Clearing cache can also fix app issues by forcing apps to rebuild their temporary files. It's a quick troubleshooting step, not just a storage cleanup.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2023. It was fact-checked and thoroughly updated on December 10, 2025 to reflect the latest Android 16 updates.