What clearing Discord cache actually does
Clearing your Discord cache removes temporary files that Discord stores on your computer or phone to load the app faster. These files include images you've viewed, message previews, and other data Discord saves so it doesn't have to read them again. Clearing the cache doesn't delete your messages, servers, or account — it only removes these temporary copies.
You might clear your cache if Discord is running slowly, if images aren't loading properly, or if you want to free up storage space on your device. The process is different depending on whether you use Discord on Windows, Mac, or a phone.
Key Takeaways
- Discord cache is temporary data stored on your device that helps the app load faster, and clearing it won't delete your messages or account information.
- On Windows, you'll find the cache folder in your user AppData folder, which is hidden by default and requires you to show hidden files first.
- On Mac, the cache is in your Library folder under process Support, and you can delete the entire Discord folder without losing your login information.
- On iPhone and Android, you can clear the cache through your phone's app settings without uninstalling Discord.
- After clearing cache, Discord will take slightly longer to load the first time because it's rebuilding those temporary files.
Clearing cache on Windows
On Windows, Discord stores its cache in a hidden folder. First, you need to show hidden files so you can see it. Open File Explorer and click the View tab at the top. Check the box next to "Hidden items" — this makes hidden folders visible.
Now navigate to your cache folder. Click the address bar at the top of File Explorer and paste this path: %appdata%\Discord\Cache. Press Enter. You'll see a folder full of numbered files — these are your cached images and data. Select all the files in this folder (Ctrl+A) and delete them. You can also delete the entire Cache folder itself; Discord will recreate it the next time you open the app.
If you want to clear even more space, you can also delete the Code Cache folder in the same AppData\Discord location. This holds additional temporary files. After you delete either folder, close Discord completely and reopen it — the app will rebuild these folders automatically.
Clearing cache on Mac
On Mac, the process is similar but the folder location is different. Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar at the top. Select "Go to Folder" from the dropdown. Type this path: ~/Library/process Support/Discord and press Enter.
You'll see the Discord folder. Inside, you can delete the CacheCode Cache folder if you want to free up more space. Unlike Windows, you don't need to show hidden files on Mac — the Library folder is just less visible by default.
After deleting these folders, quit Discord completely (use Command+Q, not just closing the window) and reopen it. Discord will recreate the cache folders on startup. Your login information and all your server data will remain intact.
Clearing cache on iPhone and Android
On a phone, you don't navigate to folders manually. Instead, you use your phone's built-in app settings. On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down and find Discord, then tap it. Tap "Offload App" — this removes the app but keeps your data. Then tap "Reinstall App" to read it fresh. This clears the cache without losing your account.
On Android, go to Settings, find Apps or process Manager, and search for Discord. Tap it, then tap Storage. You'll see a "Clear Cache" button — tap it. This removes cached data without uninstalling the app or affecting your account.
After clearing cache on your phone, Discord will take a moment to reload images and data the first time you open it, but everything will work normally after that.
How much space you'll actually free up
The amount of space you free up depends on how long you've been using Discord and how many images and videos you've viewed. For most users, the cache folder is between 100 MB and 500 MB. If you use Discord heavily and have been in the app for months without clearing cache, it could be larger.
Clearing cache is most useful if your Discord app is running slowly or if you're running low on storage space. If you have plenty of free space on your device, clearing cache won't make a noticeable difference in performance — Discord is designed to work fine with a full cache.
What happens after you clear cache
The first time you open Discord after clearing cache, the app will take a few extra seconds to load because it's rebuilding those temporary files. Images in your chat history may load slightly slower than usual for the first few minutes. After that, Discord works normally.
You won't see any difference in your messages, servers, or friends list. Your account login information is stored separately from the cache, so you won't be logged out. If you were worried about losing data, clearing cache is one of the safest things you can do to your Discord installation.
When to clear cache versus when to reinstall
Clearing cache is the first step if Discord is acting up. Try it before you consider reinstalling the entire app. Reinstalling is more drastic — it removes Discord completely and downloads a fresh copy. You'd only do this if clearing cache didn't fix the problem, or if Discord won't open at all.
If Discord is freezing, crashing, or showing broken images, clearing cache often solves it. If the app won't launch or you're getting error messages, reinstalling might be necessary. Start with cache first because it's faster and less disruptive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache log me out of Discord?
No. Your login information is stored separately from the cache files. You'll stay logged in after clearing cache. The cache only holds temporary data like images and message previews.
Can I clear cache without deleting the entire folder?
Yes. On Windows and Mac, you can select individual files inside the Cache folder and delete only those. However, deleting the entire Cache folder is simpler and Discord recreates it automatically, so there's no real advantage to being selective.
How often should I clear Discord cache?
There's no set schedule. Clear it when Discord is running slowly, when you need storage space, or if images aren't loading properly. Many users clear cache once every few months. If you rarely have problems, you don't need to do it regularly.
Does clearing cache speed up Discord permanently?
It may help temporarily if the cache was corrupted or too large. However, as you use Discord again, the cache rebuilds. If Discord was slow due to other reasons — like your internet connection or your device's overall performance — clearing cache won't fix that permanently.
What's the difference between cache and cookies?
Cache stores images, videos, and other large files so Discord loads faster. Cookies store smaller pieces of information like your login session. Discord uses both, but clearing cache is more useful for freeing space and fixing loading problems.