What cache and cookies do, and why you might want to clear them
Cache is temporary data your apps and browser store on your phone to load faster next time — images, text, login information. Cookies are small files websites place on your phone to remember you, track what you've looked at, and keep you logged in. Both take up storage space and can slow your phone down if they pile up. Clearing them frees up room and can fix apps that are acting slow or stuck.
You might also clear them for privacy: cookies let websites and advertisers follow you across the internet, and cache can hold information you'd rather not keep on your device. Clearing them won't delete your photos, messages, or files — only the temporary data apps and websites create.
Key Takeaways
- Cache and cookies are temporary files stored by apps and websites; clearing them frees storage space and can speed up a slow phone.
- Most Android phones have a built-in cache-clearing tool in Settings under Storage or Apps, and you can clear cache for individual apps or all at once.
- Clearing cookies in Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet requires opening the browser's settings menu and selecting the option to clear browsing data.
- After clearing cache and cookies, you may need to log back into websites and apps, and they may load slightly slower the first time you use them.
- You can set your browser to clear cache and cookies automatically every time you close it, rather than doing it manually.
Clear cache for all apps at once through Settings
The fastest way to clear cache on most Android phones is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then look for Storage or Device Care (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap Storage, then find the option labeled Cache or Cached Data. Tap it, then confirm when the phone asks if you want to delete it. The phone will clear cache from all apps in seconds.
On Samsung phones, go to Settings, then Device Care, then Storage, then Cache. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings, then System, then Storage, then Other Apps, then find the option to clear cache. If you can't find it in those locations, search "cache" in the Settings search bar at the top — most phones will jump you straight to the right menu.
Clear cache for a single app
If one app is running slowly, you can clear just that app's cache without touching the others. Open Settings, then Apps or process Manager. Find the app you want to clear, tap it, then look for Storage or Cache. Tap Clear Cache. The app will still work normally — it will just rebuild its cache the next time you use it.
This is useful if, for example, your email app is slow or your browser is acting stuck. Clearing that one app's cache often fixes the problem without affecting anything else on your phone.
Clear cookies in Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet
Clearing cookies in your browser is different from clearing app cache. Open Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet (whichever you use), then tap the three-line menu button in the corner. Look for Settings, then Privacy or Clear Browsing Data. You'll see checkboxes for Cookies, Cache, and other data — make sure Cookies is checked, then tap Clear or Delete. The browser will remove all cookies from websites you've visited.
If you want to keep cookies from sites you use often (so you stay logged in), most browsers let you clear cookies while keeping exceptions. In Chrome, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Cookies and Site Data, then see All Cookies and Site Data. You can delete cookies from specific websites one at a time instead of clearing everything.
Set your browser to clear cookies automatically
Instead of clearing cookies by hand every time, you can tell your browser to do it automatically when you close it. In Chrome, open Settings, then Privacy, then Clear Browsing Data. Turn on the toggle for "Clear Browsing Data" and choose "On Exit" from the dropdown. Now every time you close Chrome completely, it will delete cookies and cache on its own.
Firefox has the same option: go to Settings, then Privacy, then Cookies and Site Data, then turn on "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed." This is a good middle ground if you want privacy without having to remember to clear manually.
What happens after you clear cache and cookies
After clearing cache, apps may load slightly slower the first time you open them because they have to rebuild their temporary files. Websites may also load a bit slower the first time you visit them. This is normal and temporary — once the cache rebuilds, speed returns to normal.
You will be logged out of most websites and apps. The next time you visit a site or open an app, you'll need to enter your username and password again. If you use a password manager like Google Password Manager or Bitwarden, it will fill in your login for you automatically, so you won't have to type it.
How much storage space clearing cache actually frees up
The amount of space varies widely depending on how much you use your phone. If you watch a lot of videos in YouTube or browse heavily, cache can be several hundred megabytes. For light users, it might be 50 to 100 megabytes. Clearing it won't transform a full phone into an empty one, but it's a quick way to free up some room without deleting anything important.
If your phone is critically low on storage, clearing cache is worth doing, but you'll probably need to delete old photos, videos, or apps to get real breathing room. Check your Storage settings to see what's actually taking up the most space — usually it's photos and videos, not cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Cache and cookies are temporary files created by apps and websites. Your photos, messages, contacts, and files are stored separately and won't be affected. You'll only lose temporary data that apps can rebuild.
Do I need to clear cache regularly?
Not necessarily. Clearing cache once a month or when your phone feels slow is enough for most people. If you're running low on storage or concerned about privacy, you can clear it more often. There's no harm in clearing it frequently.
What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?
Cache is temporary files apps create to run faster. Clearing data deletes everything the app has stored, including your settings, saved games, and login information. Always clear cache first; only clear data if an app is seriously broken and you're willing to set it up again from scratch.
Can I clear cache without clearing cookies?
Yes. When you go to clear browsing data in your browser, you'll see separate checkboxes for cache and cookies. Check only the one you want to clear. In Settings, cache and cookies are usually cleared separately anyway.
Why do some websites ask me to log in again after I clear cookies?
Cookies are how websites remember you. When you clear them, the website forgets who you are, so it asks you to log in again. This is normal and expected. If you want to stay logged in to a site, don't clear its cookies, or add it to your browser's exception list.