Clear cache from individual apps on your Samsung device
The fastest way to clear cache is to go into Settings, find the app you want to clean, and delete its stored data. Open Settings, then tap Apps (or process Manager on older Samsung models). Scroll to find the app, tap it, then select Storage. You will see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap Clear Cache to remove temporary files without deleting your login information or saved preferences.
If you tap Clear Data instead, the app will forget your passwords and settings — you will have to log back in next time you open it. Most of the time you only need Clear Cache, which removes old images, videos, and temporary files the app downloaded to load faster.
Repeat this for any app that is using a lot of storage or running slowly. You can check which apps are taking up the most space by going to Settings > Storage and looking at the list of apps by size.
Key Takeaways
- Clear cache through Settings > Apps > [app name] > Storage > Clear Cache to remove temporary files without losing your login information.
- Clear Data erases everything the app has stored, including passwords and preferences, so use it only when you want to reset an app completely.
- Samsung devices let you clear cache for one app at a time or for all apps at once through Settings > Storage > Cached Data.
- Clearing cache frees up storage space and can fix apps that are freezing, loading slowly, or showing outdated information.
Clear cache for all apps at once
If you want to clean up space without going through each app individually, Samsung lets you delete all cached data in one step. Go to Settings, then Storage, then tap Cached Data. A popup will ask you to confirm — tap Delete.
This removes temporary files from every app on your phone or tablet at once. Your logins, passwords, and app settings stay in place. The next time you open each app, it will read fresh cache files as you use it.
This is the safest and fastest way to free up storage if your device is running low on space or you notice apps are behaving strangely.
Clear the browser cache on Samsung Internet
If you use Samsung Internet (the built-in browser), clearing its cache works the same way as other apps. Open Settings > Apps, find Samsung Internet, tap Storage, then Clear Cache.
You can also clear cache directly from inside the browser. Open Samsung Internet, tap the three-line menu button in the bottom right, then go to Settings > Privacy > Delete browsing data. Check the boxes for Cookies and site data and Cached images and files, then tap Delete. This method lets you choose what time period to clear — the last hour, day, week, or all time.
Clear cache on Chrome or other third-party browsers
If you use Google Chrome, Firefox, or another browser app, the steps are slightly different. Open the browser, tap the three-dot menu, then go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data. Select the time range and check the boxes for Cookies and site data and Cached images and files, then tap Clear data.
Each browser stores its cache in its own folder, so clearing cache in Chrome does not clear cache in Samsung Internet or Firefox. If you use multiple browsers, you may need to clear cache in each one separately.
When to clear cache and what it does
Cache is temporary data that apps and websites store on your device to load faster the next time you use them. Over time, cache files pile up and take up storage space. Clearing cache does not delete your photos, messages, or any important files — it only removes these temporary files.
Clear cache when your device is running low on storage, when an app is freezing or loading slowly, or when a website is showing outdated information. You can safely clear cache as often as you want. The only downside is that apps may take a few extra seconds to load the first time after you clear cache, because they have to read fresh temporary files.
Do not confuse cache with data. Clearing cache is safe and reversible. Clearing data erases your logins, settings, and saved information, and you cannot get it back without logging in again.
How much storage you can free up by clearing cache
The amount of space you recover depends on how long you have been using your device and which apps you use most. Social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook often store the most cache because they read many images and videos. Clearing cache on these apps can free up hundreds of megabytes or even a gigabyte on older devices.
You can see exactly how much cache each app is using before you clear it. Go to Settings > Apps, tap an app, then tap Storage. The number next to Cache shows how much temporary data that app has stored. If a number is large, clearing that app's cache will noticeably free up space.
If you are running very low on storage and clearing cache does not free up enough space, you may need to uninstall apps you do not use, delete old photos and videos, or move files to cloud storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Cache is only temporary files that apps read to load faster. Your photos, messages, contacts, and all other personal data stay on your device. Clearing cache is completely safe and will not erase anything important.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?
Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clearing data erases everything the app has stored, including your login information, passwords, and settings. You should only clear data if you want to reset an app completely and do not mind logging back in.
How often should I clear cache on my Samsung?
You can clear cache as often as you want — there is no downside. Many people clear cache once a month or whenever their device starts running low on storage. If an app is freezing or showing old information, clearing its cache can fix the problem when ready.
Can I clear cache automatically on my Samsung?
Samsung does not have a built-in automatic cache-clearing feature in Settings. However, some third-party cleaning apps offer automatic cache clearing. Be cautious with these apps — stick to well-known ones from the Google Play Store, and avoid apps that ask for excessive permissions.
Why is my Samsung running out of storage even after I clear cache?
Cache is usually not the biggest storage user. Photos, videos, and large app files take up much more space. Check Settings > Storage to see what is using the most space, then delete old photos or videos, uninstall apps you do not use, or move files to cloud storage like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.