What clearing your cache does and why you might want to
Cache is temporary data that apps and your browser store on your phone to load faster next time. When you clear it, you delete those stored files — but not your passwords, photos, messages, or account logins. Apps will reload slightly slower the next time you open them, then rebuild their cache as you use them.
Clearing cache can free up storage space if your phone is running slow, and it removes some traces of what you've browsed or used. It won't reset your apps or erase your data. If you're concerned about what information apps are holding onto, clearing cache is one small step — though it's not the same as controlling what data apps collect going forward.
You have two main routes: clear cache for one app at a time, or clear the cache for everything at once. Which one you choose depends on whether you're trying to fix a specific app or just reclaim storage space.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cache removes temporary app files but keeps your passwords, messages, photos, and account logins intact.
- You can clear cache for a single app through Settings > Apps, or clear all cached data at once through Settings > Storage.
- The exact menu names vary slightly by Samsung model and Android version, but the steps follow the same pattern.
- Clearing cache takes less than a minute and can free up several gigabytes of storage depending on how long it's been since you last cleared it.
Clear cache for one app at a time
This method is useful if one app is misbehaving or loading slowly, or if you want to clear cache for specific apps without touching others.
Open Settings, then tap Apps (sometimes labeled process Manager on older Samsung phones). Find the app you want to clear cache for — you can scroll through the list or search by name at the top. Tap the app name, then look for Storage or Storage and cache. You'll see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear data. Tap only Clear cache. Do not tap Clear data unless you want to reset the app entirely, which will erase your saved settings and logins.
Repeat this for any other apps you want to clear cache for. When you're done, close Settings. The next time you open each app, it will take a few seconds longer to load as it rebuilds its cache.
Clear all cached data at once
If you want to clear cache for everything on your phone in one go, use the Storage menu instead of going app by app.
Open Settings, then tap Storage (sometimes labeled Device storage or Internal storage). At the bottom of the screen, you should see Cached data with a number showing how much space it's using. Tap Cached data, then confirm by tapping Delete or Clear when the popup appears. This removes cache for all apps at once.
On some Samsung models, you may instead see a Clean up or Optimize button in the Storage menu. Tapping this will offer options including clearing cache. The exact wording varies, but the result is the same.
Where the menu is on different Samsung models
Samsung phones running Android 12 and newer tend to have the clearest menu structure. If you have an older model or an older version of Android, the menu names may differ slightly, but the path is usually the same: Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage > Clear cache, or Settings > Storage > Cached data > Delete.
If you cannot find Apps in your Settings, look for process Manager instead — older Samsung phones use that name. If you cannot find Storage, look for Device care or Device maintenance, which sometimes houses storage tools on Samsung devices.
If you're still stuck, open Settings and use the search bar at the top to search for "cache" — most Samsung phones will show you the right menu directly.
How much space clearing cache actually frees up
The amount of space you recover depends on how long it's been since you last cleared cache and which apps you use most. Social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook tend to build large caches because they store images and videos. Browsers like Chrome and Samsung Internet also accumulate cache quickly.
If you've never cleared cache before, you might free up 1 to 5 gigabytes. If you clear it regularly, each time you'll probably recover a few hundred megabytes. It's not a permanent solution to storage problems — cache will rebuild as you use your apps — but it's a quick way to reclaim space without losing anything important.
What clearing cache does not do
Clearing cache will not delete your photos, videos, messages, or files. It will not log you out of apps or erase your passwords. It will not reset your phone settings or remove apps you've installed. It only removes the temporary files that apps store to speed up loading.
If you want to completely reset an app and start fresh, you would tap Clear data instead of Clear cache — but that will erase your saved preferences and log you out. For most situations, clearing cache alone is what you want.
Clearing browser cache separately
Your phone's browser — whether that's Chrome, Samsung Internet, or another — stores its own cache of websites you've visited. Clearing app cache through Settings does not automatically clear your browser cache, so you may want to do both.
For Chrome: Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Make sure Cached images and files is checked, then tap Clear data.
For Samsung Internet: Open Samsung Internet, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right, go to Settings > Privacy > Delete browsing data. Check Cache and tap Delete.
Clearing browser cache removes traces of websites you've visited and can free up additional storage, though it will not log you out of most accounts — you'll just have to wait a moment for sites to reload the next time you visit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache slow down my phone?
No — it will actually speed up your phone by freeing storage space. Apps may load a fraction of a second slower the first time you open them after clearing cache, but that's temporary. Once they rebuild their cache, they'll load at normal speed again.
Can I clear cache automatically on a schedule?
Samsung phones don't have a built-in automatic cache-clearing feature in most versions of Android. You can clear cache manually whenever you want, or set a phone reminder to do it monthly. Some third-party apps claim to clear cache automatically, but they're not necessary and may use more battery than they save.
What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?
Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clearing data removes everything: cache, saved settings, logins, and preferences. Only tap Clear data if you want to completely reset an app. For most situations, clear cache only.
Does clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. Clearing cache will not log you out of apps or websites, though you may need to log in again if you also clear data (which you should not do unless you want to reset the app entirely).
How often should I clear my cache?
There's no set rule. If your phone is running slow or storage is nearly full, clear cache when ready. Otherwise, clearing it once a month or once every few months is fine. There's no harm in clearing it more often, but it's not necessary unless you're trying to free up space or remove browsing history.