What clearing YouTube cache actually does
Cache is temporary data that YouTube stores on your device to load videos faster. When you watch a video, YouTube saves pieces of it — thumbnails, playback information, search history snippets — so the next time you visit, the page loads quicker instead of downloading everything fresh from YouTube's servers.
Clearing cache means deleting that stored data. YouTube will rebuild it the next time you use the app or website, so nothing is permanently lost. The main reason to clear cache is to free up storage space on your device, fix playback problems, or remove browsing traces if you share a device with others.
This is different from clearing your watch history or search history — those are things you actively chose to save. Cache happens automatically in the background.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing YouTube cache frees up storage space and can fix video playback problems, but does not delete your watch history or account data.
- On Android phones, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage > Clear Cache; on iPhones, you clear cache through the YouTube app settings or by offloading the app.
- On a computer, clearing browser cache (through Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge settings) removes YouTube cache along with other website data.
- Cache rebuilds automatically the next time you use YouTube, so clearing it has no permanent effect on your account or saved videos.
Clearing cache on Android phones
Open your phone's Settings app. Scroll down and tap Apps (sometimes called process Manager). Find and tap YouTube.
Tap Storage or Storage and Cache. You will see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap only Clear Cache. Do not tap Clear Data, which removes your login information and settings.
The cache clears when ready. YouTube will work normally the next time you open it — it will just take a few extra seconds to load while it rebuilds the cache.
Clearing cache on iPhones
iPhones do not have a dedicated "clear cache" button inside the YouTube app itself. Instead, you have two options.
Option 1: Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the top right, tap Settings, then Privacy, then Clear Watch History or Clear Search History. This removes your browsing traces but does not clear the technical cache files.
Option 2: Go to your phone's Settings app, tap General, then iPhone Storage. Find YouTube in the list and tap it. Tap Offload App (not Delete App). This removes the app but keeps your login data. Reinstall YouTube from the App Store. This clears all cache files but takes longer than Option 1.
Clearing cache on Windows and Mac computers
YouTube cache on a computer lives inside your web browser, not as a separate app. You clear it through your browser settings.
In Chrome: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Click Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data. Make sure Cached Images and Files is checked. Set the time range to All Time if you want to clear everything, or Last 7 Days for recent cache only. Click Clear Data.
In Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top right. Click Settings, then Privacy and Security. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked. Click Clear.
In Safari: Click Safari in the menu bar, then Settings, then Privacy. Click Manage Website Data, find YouTube in the list, and click Remove. Or click Remove All to clear all website cache at once.
In Edge: Click the three horizontal dots in the top right. Click Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services. Under Clear Browsing Data, click Choose What to Clear. Make sure Cached Images and Files is checked. Click Clear Now.
When clearing cache actually helps
Clearing cache solves real problems in specific situations. If YouTube videos are buffering constantly, freezing, or refusing to play, clearing cache often fixes it because corrupted cached files can interfere with playback. If your device is running low on storage space, clearing cache frees up gigabytes, especially if you watch YouTube frequently.
If you share a device with family members or roommates and want to remove traces of what you watched, clearing cache removes the thumbnail previews and search suggestions that appear when someone else opens YouTube. It does not remove your watch history from your account — only you can do that by going to YouTube.com, clicking your profile picture, and selecting History > Clear All Watch History.
Clearing cache does not speed up YouTube permanently. Cache exists to make things faster, so clearing it means YouTube will load slightly slower the next few times you use it while the cache rebuilds. After that, speed returns to normal.
What does not happen when you clear cache
Clearing cache does not log you out of YouTube or delete your account. Your subscriptions, playlists, and saved videos remain exactly as they were. Your watch history stays on your account unless you specifically clear that separately through YouTube's history settings.
Clearing cache does not affect other apps or websites on your device — only YouTube. If you clear browser cache instead of app cache, you remove temporary data from all websites you visited, not just YouTube.
Clearing cache does not make YouTube forget you. YouTube's servers still have your account information, viewing patterns, and recommendations. Cache is only the temporary copy stored on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my YouTube account or subscriptions?
No. Cache is only temporary data stored on your device. Your account, subscriptions, playlists, and saved videos live on YouTube's servers and are not affected by clearing cache on your phone or computer.
How much storage space does YouTube cache take up?
It varies depending on how often you watch YouTube and how long the app has been installed. Cache can range from 100 megabytes to several gigabytes. Check your device's storage settings to see the exact amount before clearing.
Should I clear YouTube cache regularly?
Only if you are experiencing playback problems or running low on storage. There is no benefit to clearing cache on a schedule if everything is working normally. Cache exists to make YouTube faster, so clearing it unnecessarily just means slower loading until the cache rebuilds.
Is clearing cache the same as clearing cookies?
No. Cookies store login information and preferences. Cache stores temporary copies of images and video data. Clearing cache keeps you logged in; clearing cookies may log you out. Most browsers let you clear them separately.
Can I clear cache without losing my watch history?
Yes. Clearing cache removes temporary files but does not touch your watch history. Your history stays on your account. If you want to remove history, you must do that separately through YouTube's history settings.