Clear cache through Settings on your Samsung tablet
The fastest way to clear cache on a Samsung tablet is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then go to Apps. Select the app whose cache you want to clear — or clear cache for all apps at once through Storage. Tap Storage, then select Cached data, and confirm the deletion. The whole process takes under a minute and frees up space without removing your passwords, photos, or installed apps.
If you want to clear cache for a single app instead, open Settings, tap Apps, find the app in the list, select Storage, and tap Clear cache. This removes temporary files that app created without affecting your account login or saved data within that app.
Samsung tablets running Android 6.0 and newer all use this same path. Older models may have slightly different menu names — look for "process Manager" instead of "Apps" — but the steps are identical.
Key Takeaways
- Cache clears through Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage > Clear cache for individual apps, or Settings > Storage > Cached data to clear all at once.
- Clearing cache removes temporary files and frees storage space but does not delete your login information, photos, documents, or app settings.
- You can clear cache monthly or whenever your tablet feels slow, with no risk of losing important data.
- Samsung tablets also let you clear cache through the device maintenance tool, which appears on some models under Settings > Device care.
Use Device Care to clear cache automatically
Many Samsung tablets include a Device Care tool that clears cache as part of routine maintenance. Open Settings, tap Device care (or Device maintenance on older models), and select Storage. Tap Optimize or Clean to remove cached files, temporary downloads, and other junk files your tablet accumulated.
This method is useful if you want to clear cache along with other temporary files in one action. Device Care also shows you how much storage space you are using and which apps take up the most room, so you can spot apps that need uninstalling if space is tight.
Clear browser cache separately from app cache
If your tablet feels slow when browsing, the problem may be cache stored by your web browser rather than apps. Samsung tablets usually come with Samsung Internet or Chrome pre-installed. Each browser stores its own cache separately from the Settings cache options.
For Samsung Internet, open the app, tap the three-line menu button, select Settings, then Privacy, then Delete browsing data. Check the Cached images and files box and tap Delete. For Chrome, open the app, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Privacy, then Clear browsing data. Choose Cached images and files and tap Clear data.
Clearing browser cache removes temporary web pages and images your tablet downloaded while you browsed. It does not sign you out of websites or delete your bookmarks.
What cache is and why you should clear it
Cache is temporary data that apps and websites store on your tablet to load faster the next time you use them. When you open an app or visit a website, it saves images, text, and other files so it does not have to read them again. Over time, cache builds up and takes up storage space, which can slow your tablet down.
Clearing cache regularly — once a month or when your tablet feels sluggish — is a safe way to free up space and improve performance. Cache is meant to be temporary, so deleting it causes no permanent damage. The app or website will straightforward read those files again the next time you use it, which takes a few extra seconds the first time but then speeds up again.
Difference between clearing cache and clearing data
Cache and data are not the same thing. Cache is temporary files — images, web pages, and other downloads. Data is your account information, saved passwords, game progress, and app settings. Clearing cache is safe and recommended. Clearing data will sign you out of apps and erase your saved information.
When you clear cache through Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage, you see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear data. Always tap Clear cache unless you want to remove all your information from that app. If you accidentally tap Clear data, you will need to log back in and reset your preferences, but your account itself is not deleted.
When to clear cache on your Samsung tablet
Clear cache when your tablet starts to feel slow, when you are running low on storage space, or as routine maintenance once a month. You can also clear cache before selling or giving away your tablet, though you should also clear data and perform a factory reset to remove all personal information.
If a specific app is misbehaving — crashing, freezing, or loading slowly — clearing that app's cache often fixes the problem. Open Settings, find the app, and clear its cache. The app will rebuild its cache the next time you open it, and the fresh cache often resolves glitches.
There is no downside to clearing cache frequently. Your tablet will not suffer any damage, and you will free up storage space each time you do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my photos or documents?
No. Cache is temporary files only. Your photos, documents, messages, and all personal files remain on your tablet. Clearing cache removes only the temporary data that apps and websites created to speed up loading.
Do I need to clear cache on every app or can I clear it all at once?
You can clear all cache at once through Settings > Storage > Cached data. This removes temporary files from every app in one step. You can also clear cache for individual apps if you only want to free up space from one specific app.
Will I be signed out of my apps after clearing cache?
No. Clearing cache does not sign you out. Your login information is stored as data, not cache. You will remain logged in to all your apps. If you want to sign out, you must do that manually through the app's settings.
How much storage space does cache usually take up?
Cache size varies by how much you use your tablet and which apps you use most. Clearing cache can free anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes, depending on your usage. Check Storage in Settings to see how much space cached data is using on your specific tablet.
Can I set my Samsung tablet to clear cache automatically?
Samsung tablets do not have a built-in automatic cache-clearing schedule. You must clear cache manually through Settings or Device Care. However, some third-party cleaning apps offer automatic cache clearing, though they are not necessary for most users.