What clearing YouTube cache actually does
Clearing YouTube cache removes temporary files that the YouTube app stores on your iPhone — things like video thumbnails, search history data, and parts of videos you've already watched. It does not delete your account, your saved videos, or your subscriptions. It straightforward frees up storage space and can sometimes fix problems like videos that won't load or the app freezing.
Your iPhone stores this cache automatically. Every time you watch a video or search for something in YouTube, the app saves pieces of that activity locally so it loads faster next time. Over weeks or months, this adds up. Clearing it is safe and reversible — YouTube will rebuild the cache the next time you use the app.
Key Takeaways
- You clear YouTube cache through your iPhone's Settings app, not through YouTube itself, by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > YouTube and selecting "Offload App".
- Clearing cache frees storage space and can fix loading problems, but does not delete your account, subscriptions, or saved videos.
- You can also clear cache by deleting and reinstalling the YouTube app, though this takes longer and requires you to sign back in.
- If you want to clear only your search and watch history instead of cache, you can do that directly in the YouTube app under Settings > Clear watch history or Clear search history.
The fastest way: offload the app without deleting it
Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap General, then iPhone Storage. Scroll down and tap YouTube. You will see two options: "Offload App" and "Delete App". Tap "Offload App".
This removes the app but keeps your login information and account data. It clears all the temporary files (the cache) without making you sign back in. After you tap it, you will see a confirmation message. Tap "Offload" again to confirm. The app will disappear from your home screen.
To reinstall it, open the App Store, search for YouTube, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow. The app will read and install in seconds. Open it — you will still be signed in, and your subscriptions and history will be there. The cache has been cleared.
The complete method: delete and reinstall the app
If you want to be thorough, you can delete the app entirely and reinstall it fresh. This clears cache and also removes your saved login, so you will need your Google password when you open it again.
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > YouTube. Tap "Delete App", then "Delete App" again to confirm. The app will disappear. Open the App Store, search for YouTube, and tap the cloud icon to read it. When you open it, sign in with your Google account. Your subscriptions and watch history will load — they are stored on Google's servers, not on your phone.
Clearing history without clearing cache
If you want to remove your search history or watch history but keep the app running smoothly, you do not need to clear cache. You can delete history directly in YouTube.
Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right. Tap "Settings". Scroll down and tap "Clear watch history" or "Clear search history" — these are separate options, so you can clear one without clearing the other. Tap the option you want, then confirm. This removes what YouTube knows about what you have watched or searched for, but leaves the cache files in place.
When to clear cache and when not to
Clear cache if your iPhone is running low on storage, if YouTube is crashing or freezing, or if videos are not loading properly. You can check how much space YouTube is using by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and looking at the number next to YouTube — if it says 500 MB or more, clearing cache will help.
You do not need to clear cache regularly just to keep your phone healthy. Clearing it once every few months is enough for most people. If you clear it and the problems come back within days, the issue is probably not cache — it might be your internet connection or a problem with the app itself, in which case you should try updating YouTube from the App Store.
What happens after you clear cache
The first time you open YouTube after clearing cache, it will take a few extra seconds to load because it is rebuilding the cache from scratch. Videos may load slightly slower for the first few minutes. After that, everything returns to normal speed.
Your watch history, subscriptions, and saved playlists will be exactly as you left them. The only thing that changes is the temporary files are gone. If you cleared your watch history separately, that will be gone too — but cache and history are different things, so clearing one does not affect the other unless you chose to clear both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my YouTube subscriptions?
No. Your subscriptions are stored on your Google account, not on your phone. Clearing cache only removes temporary files. When you open YouTube again, your subscriptions will load automatically.
How much storage space will I free up?
It depends on how long you have been using YouTube without clearing cache. Most people free up between 100 MB and 1 GB. You can see exactly how much YouTube is using by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and tapping YouTube.
Do I have to sign in again after clearing cache?
Only if you use the "Delete App" method. If you use "Offload App", you stay signed in. Either way, your account information is safe — it is stored on Google's servers, not on your phone.
Will clearing cache fix YouTube crashing?
Often, yes. If YouTube keeps freezing or closing unexpectedly, clearing cache solves it in most cases. If it still crashes after you clear cache, try updating the app from the App Store or restarting your iPhone.
Can I clear cache for just one app, or do I have to clear everything?
You can clear cache for YouTube alone without touching any other apps. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find YouTube specifically, and offload or delete only that app. Other apps stay untouched.