What clearing cache actually does

Cache is temporary data Facebook stores on your device to load faster next time. When you clear it, you delete those saved images, videos, and login information — but you don't delete your actual account, messages, or photos. Facebook will re-read what it needs the next time you open the app.

Clearing cache is useful when Facebook loads slowly, shows outdated information, or you want to free up storage space on your phone or computer. It's also a basic privacy step if you share a device with others, since it removes stored login sessions.

The process is different depending on whether you use Facebook on your phone (iPhone or Android), a web browser on a computer, or the Facebook app on a tablet. Each method takes less than five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache removes temporary files Facebook stored on your device, but does not delete your account, messages, or photos.
  • On iPhone, you clear Facebook cache through Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find Facebook, and tap Offload App.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache (not Clear Data, which logs you out).
  • In a web browser, clearing cache is done through browser settings, not Facebook itself, and removes cached data from all websites at once.
  • Clearing cache may temporarily slow Facebook's loading speed until it re-downloads the files it needs.

How to clear cache on iPhone

On an iPhone, you clear Facebook cache through your device settings, not the app itself. Open Settings, then tap General. Scroll down and select iPhone Storage. Find Facebook in the list of apps and tap it.

You'll see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App. This removes the app's cached data while keeping your login information and settings. After a few seconds, you'll see a message confirming the action. You can then reinstall the app from the App Store if you want, or just open Facebook in your web browser instead.

If you want to remove your login information as well, tap Delete App instead. You'll need to log back in the next time you use Facebook, but this is the most thorough way to clear everything.

How to clear cache on Android

On Android phones, open Settings and find Apps (sometimes called process Manager). Scroll down and tap Facebook. Select Storage, then tap Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without logging you out or deleting your account data.

Do not tap Clear Data — that option removes everything, including your login information, and you'll have to sign back in. If you want that level of clearing, Clear Data is the right choice, but Clear Cache alone is usually what you need.

After clearing cache, close and reopen the Facebook app. It may load slightly slower the first time as it re-downloads the files it needs, but this is normal and temporary.

How to clear cache in a web browser

If you use Facebook through a web browser on a computer, you clear cache through the browser itself, not through Facebook. The steps vary by browser.

In Chrome: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select Settings, then Privacy and Security. Click Clear Browsing Data. Make sure Cached Images and Files is checked, set the time range to All Time (or your preferred range), and click Clear Data.

In Safari on Mac: Click Safari in the menu bar, select Settings, go to the Privacy tab, and click Manage Website Data. Find Facebook in the list, select it, and click Remove. Then click Done.

In Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Settings, go to Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear Data. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked and click Clear.

Clearing browser cache removes temporary files from all websites you've visited, not just Facebook. This is more thorough than clearing the app cache, but it also takes longer to reload all your frequently visited sites.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear Facebook cache if the app is running slowly, showing old photos or comments, or if you haven't used it in several weeks. You should also clear cache before selling or giving away a phone or computer, especially if you share devices with family members.

After clearing cache, Facebook will load slightly slower the first time you open it, because it has to re-read images and videos. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on your internet speed. Subsequent loads will be normal speed again.

If clearing cache doesn't fix a problem — like Facebook crashing repeatedly or refusing to load at all — the issue is usually something else, like an outdated app version or a problem with your internet connection. Try updating the Facebook app or restarting your device.

The difference between cache and data

Cache and data are two separate things, and clearing one does not clear the other. Cache is temporary files — images, videos, and code that help the app load faster. Data includes your login information, saved passwords, preferences, and account settings.

When you clear cache, you stay logged in and your settings remain the same. When you clear data (sometimes called storage or app data), you're logged out and have to sign back in. Most of the time, you only need to clear cache. Clear data only if you're having serious problems or preparing to give away the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my Facebook messages or photos?

No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files stored on your device. Your messages, photos, and account information stay on Facebook's servers and remain in your account. You'll see everything again the next time you log in.

How much storage space will I free up by clearing cache?

This varies depending on how long you've used the app and how many images you've viewed. On most phones, clearing Facebook cache frees up 100 MB to 500 MB of space. If you need more space, clearing data instead of just cache will free up more, but you'll be logged out.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

Not unless you're having problems or running low on storage. Most people don't need to clear cache more than once every few months. If Facebook is running slowly or you notice it's using a lot of storage, clearing cache is worth trying.

What's the difference between clearing cache and logging out?

Logging out removes your login session so someone else can't access your account from that device. Clearing cache removes temporary files but keeps you logged in. If you share a device, logging out is more find than clearing cache alone.

Will clearing cache speed up Facebook?

Sometimes. If Facebook is slow because it's loaded a lot of cached files, clearing cache can help. But if the problem is your internet connection or an outdated app version, clearing cache won't fix it. It's worth trying, but it's not a may provide solution.