Performing regular maintenance on your Android device is essential to keep it running smoothly. If you notice your smartphone or tablet becoming sluggish over time, don’t worry—there are simple steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve these issues. Often, a quick restart can do the trick.
Another effective way to boost performance and free up storage space on your Android phone is to clear cached data for apps and websites visited in Chrome. This article will guide you through both processes, which are relatively quick and easy. The most challenging part is knowing where to find the settings, but fear not, as we’ll show you precisely where to go.
Keep in mind that the steps might vary slightly depending on your Android device’s manufacturer and the customized software running on top of Android. Nevertheless, the general process is covered here and should be sufficient to get you on the right track. If you’re an Apple user, you can also check out our guide on how to clear the cache on an iPhone.
How to Clear App Cached Data:
What you’ll need: An Android device. Please note that the location for cached data settings may vary based on the Android version and device make/model.
- View a list of installed apps:
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Look for “Storage” in the main list and tap on it. On some devices, like the Moto G 5G, the “Storage” option might be skipped, and the “Apps” listing is directly available in the Settings app.
- If you’re having trouble finding the Apps listing, you can use the search bar in the Settings app to locate it.
To identify which apps are using the most storage on your device, tap on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner and select “Sort by Size.”
- Clear an app’s cache:
- Choose any app from the list (avoid clearing the cache of system apps or services like Android System Intelligence).
- When you open an app, you’ll see its size, user data, cache size, and total storage usage.
- Tap “Clear cache” to remove the cached data for that specific app. Avoid tapping “Clear storage,” as that will reset the app and require you to set it up again. Clearing the cache won’t have any negative consequences.
- Repeat the process:
- Continue going through the list and clear the cache of apps that are taking up a significant amount of space. Alternatively, you can clear the cache of all apps on your phone for a more thorough cleanup.
How to Clear Chrome’s Cached Data:
- Navigate to Chrome’s History settings:
- Open the Chrome app on your Android device.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “History” > “Clear browsing data.”
- Choose the data to remove:
- On the following screen, you’ll see a list of options for clearing data from Chrome.
- Select the data you want to remove and set the time frame for deletion.
- Each data option comes with a brief description of its impact on your browsing experience. For example, clearing cookies and site data will sign you out of websites you’re logged into, and clearing cached images and files may slightly increase load times for frequently visited sites.
- After making your selections, tap the “Clear data” button at the bottom of the screen.
FAQs:
- What is cached data? Cached data consists of files and information that apps have downloaded to speed up their performance. For instance, apps like Facebook store profile photos, pictures, videos, and other content in the cache, making it faster to scroll through your timeline. While cached files improve the overall experience, they are not essential and can consume excessive storage over time.
- How often should I clear my Android device’s cache? The frequency of cache clearing depends on your device’s performance. If you experience significant performance issues, it’s a good idea to include cache clearing in your troubleshooting routine. Otherwise, performing this task once every quarter or twice a year should suffice.
- Am I only gaining storage space by clearing the cache? No, clearing the cache is not just about gaining storage space. It can also resolve various app issues caused by corrupted or outdated cache files. Clearing the cache often acts as a simple and effective troubleshooting step to fix bugs and improve app performance.
