What clearing cache and data actually does
Cache is temporary storage — files your apps and browser save to load faster next time. Data is everything else: your login information, settings, saved passwords, search history, and files you've downloaded. Clearing cache removes only the temporary files and speeds things up if your device is sluggish or an app is misbehaving. Clearing data removes everything, including your login information, so you'll have to sign back in.
Most people should clear cache once a month or when an app stops working properly. You almost never need to clear data unless you're selling the device, troubleshooting a serious problem, or removing your account from a shared computer. Clearing cache is safe and won't break anything. Clearing data will log you out of everything and erase your saved preferences.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary storage that makes apps load faster; clearing it frees up space and can fix apps that are freezing or crashing.
- Data includes your passwords, login information, and settings; clearing it logs you out of everything and erases your preferences.
- On Windows, you clear browser cache in Settings or directly in your browser; on Mac, the process is similar but located in different menus.
- On Android and iPhone, clearing cache and data happens in the app settings, not in a single system location.
- You should clear cache monthly or when an app misbehaves, but only clear data if you're troubleshooting a serious problem or removing your account.
How to clear cache in Windows
If you use Microsoft Edge, open the browser and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. A window will open showing what you can delete. Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked, then click "Clear now". This removes temporary files Edge saved while you were browsing.
If you use Google Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete as well. The same window opens. Select "Cached images and files" and click "Clear data". For Firefox, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, check "Cache", and click "Clear Now".
You can also clear cache through Windows Settings itself. Open Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then select "Clear browsing data" under the browser section. This method clears cache for whichever browser you set as default, so it's slower if you use multiple browsers.
How to clear cache on Mac
In Safari, click Safari in the menu bar at the top, then select "Clear History". A dropdown will ask how far back to clear — choose "all history" to remove everything. Safari doesn't separate cache from history the way other browsers do, so this clears both at once.
In Chrome on Mac, click Chrome in the menu bar, then select "Clear Browsing Data". Press Command + Shift + Delete as a shortcut. Check "Cached images and files" and click "Clear data".
In Firefox on Mac, click Firefox in the menu bar, select "Settings", go to Privacy & Security, scroll to "Cookies and Site Data", and click "Clear Data". Make sure "Cached Web Content" is checked.
How to clear cache on Android phones
Open Settings and scroll to find "Apps" or "process Manager" — the exact name varies by phone brand. Tap the app you want to clear cache for. Tap "Storage" or "Storage and Cache". You'll see two buttons: "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data". Tap "Clear Cache" only. This removes temporary files without logging you out.
To clear cache for your browser, open Settings, find Chrome or Firefox in the Apps list, tap it, go to Storage, and tap "Clear Cache". Your browsing history stays unless you clear that separately.
If you want to clear cache for all apps at once, go to Settings, find "Storage" or "Device Care", and look for an option like "Clean" or "Optimize". This removes cache from every app in one action, though the exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer.
How to clear cache on iPhone
iPhone doesn't let you clear cache for individual apps the way Android does. Instead, open Settings, scroll to find your browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox), tap it, and look for "Clear History and Website Data" or similar. Tap that option and confirm.
For Safari specifically, go to Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap "Clear History and Website Data", choose a time range, and tap "Clear History and Data". This removes both cache and browsing history.
If you want to free up space from app cache without clearing it manually, the fastest way is to offload the app: go to Settings, find Storage, locate the app, and tap "Offload App". This removes the app but keeps your data. Then reinstall it from the App Store. The app will work normally, but its cache starts fresh.
When to clear data instead of just cache
Clear data only when you have a specific reason. If an app is crashing repeatedly and clearing cache didn't fix it, clearing data might help — but you'll lose all your settings and have to sign back in. If you're selling or giving away a device, clear data from every app and browser to remove your personal information.
If you share a device with someone else and want to remove your account from an app, clearing data is the way to do it. On Android, go to Settings, find the app, tap Storage, and tap "Clear Data". On iPhone, offload the app as described above. On Windows or Mac, most apps have their own logout option in settings, which is safer than clearing data system-wide.
What happens after you clear cache or data
After clearing cache, apps may take slightly longer to load the first time you open them, since they have to read temporary files again. Everything else works normally. Your logins, settings, and files stay exactly as they were.
After clearing data, you'll be logged out of that app or browser. The next time you open it, you'll see the login screen. Your saved passwords may or may not return, depending on whether you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. Your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved preferences are gone. If you clear data by accident, there's no undo — you'll have to set everything up again manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Cache is only temporary files. Your passwords, logins, and saved information stay on your device. Clearing data is what removes passwords and logs you out.
How often should I clear cache?
Once a month is a reasonable schedule for most people. If your device is running slowly or an app keeps freezing, clear cache when ready. You don't need to do it more often unless you're running very low on storage space.
Does clearing cache speed up my device?
It can, especially if cache has built up over months. The effect is usually small — a few seconds faster loading — but noticeable if your device was sluggish. If clearing cache doesn't help, the slowness is probably from something else.
What's the difference between clearing cache and uninstalling an app?
Clearing cache keeps the app and all your settings; it just removes temporary files. Uninstalling removes the entire app. If an app is misbehaving, try clearing cache first. Only uninstall if that doesn't work or you don't use the app anymore.
Can I clear cache for all apps at once?
On Android, yes — go to Settings, find Storage or Device Care, and look for a Clean or Optimize option. On iPhone, you can't clear cache for individual apps, so clearing browser cache is the main option. On Windows and Mac, you clear browser cache directly in the browser, not system-wide for all apps.