What clearing your cache does and why you might need to
Clearing your Paramount Plus cache removes temporary files the app stores on your device — things like images, video previews, and login information. Over time, these files pile up and can slow down the app, cause playback problems, or take up storage space on your phone or tablet. Clearing the cache does not delete your account, your watchlist, or your saved passwords; it only removes the temporary junk the app accumulated while you were using it.
You might notice the need to clear cache if Paramount Plus starts loading slowly, if videos stutter or freeze mid-playback, or if you are running low on device storage. Some people clear cache regularly as maintenance, the way you might empty a trash bin. Others do it only when they run into a specific problem. The process takes less than a minute and is safe to do at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cache removes temporary files stored by the Paramount Plus app but does not affect your account, watchlist, or login credentials.
- On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Paramount Plus > Storage > Clear Cache; on iPhone, you must delete and reinstall the app to clear cache completely.
- If clearing cache does not fix playback problems, try signing out and back in, or uninstalling and reinstalling the entire app.
- Clearing cache takes less than a minute and is safe to do at any time without losing your viewing history or saved shows.
How to clear cache on Android devices
On Android phones and tablets, the cache-clearing option lives in your system settings, not inside the Paramount Plus app itself. Open your device Settings app, then tap Apps (or Applications, depending on your Android version). Scroll down and find Paramount Plus in the list, then tap it.
Once you are in the Paramount Plus app information page, look for a button or option labeled Storage or Storage and Cache. Tap it, and you will see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Data. Tap Clear Cache only — do not tap Clear Data, which would sign you out and erase your saved preferences. After you tap Clear Cache, the system will confirm that the cache has been removed, and you can close Settings and open Paramount Plus again.
How to clear cache on iPhone and iPad
Apple's iOS does not give apps a separate cache-clearing option the way Android does. Instead, you clear the Paramount Plus cache by removing and reinstalling the app. Open the App Store, search for Paramount Plus, and tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow to reinstall it. Your account information and watchlist remain tied to your Paramount Plus login, so you will not lose anything when you sign back in.
If you want to avoid reinstalling, you can also go to iPhone Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find Paramount Plus in the list, tap it, and select Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data; then tap the app name again and select Reinstall App. The result is the same as deleting and reinstalling, but it is slightly faster and less disruptive to your workflow.
What to do if clearing cache does not solve the problem
If you cleared the cache and Paramount Plus still plays choppy video, freezes, or crashes, try signing out and signing back in. Open the app, go to your account settings (usually a gear icon or your profile picture), scroll down to find Sign Out or Logout, and tap it. Then open the app fresh and sign in again with your email and password. This refreshes your session without touching the app itself and often fixes playback issues that cache clearing alone does not resolve.
If that does not work, uninstall the entire app and reinstall it from scratch. This is different from clearing cache — it removes the app completely and downloads a fresh copy. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Paramount Plus > Uninstall; on iPhone, press and hold the app icon on your home screen and select Remove App > Delete App. Then read it again from the Google Play Store or App Store. Sign in, and the app should work as if it were brand new.
How much storage space you might free up
The amount of cache Paramount Plus stores varies depending on how often you use the app and how many videos you have watched. Light users might free up 50 to 200 megabytes; heavy users could see 500 megabytes to 1 gigabyte or more. The exact amount depends on your individual viewing habits and how long the app has been installed.
If your device is critically low on storage, clearing cache is worth doing, though it usually does not solve a severe storage shortage by itself. If you need more space, look for other apps you no longer use or old photos and videos taking up room. Clearing cache is most effective when combined with removing unused apps or media files.
When to clear cache as regular maintenance
You do not need to clear cache on any set schedule. Many people clear it once every few months or whenever they notice the app running slowly. If you stream video every day and have limited storage, clearing cache once a month is reasonable. If you use Paramount Plus occasionally and have plenty of storage, you may never need to clear it.
Some people clear cache before traveling or before a big streaming session to make sure the app runs smoothly. Others clear it only when they encounter a specific problem. Both approaches are fine — cache clearing is safe and reversible, so there is no harm in doing it more often than strictly necessary. Think of it as optional maintenance rather than something you must do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my watchlist or saved shows?
No. Your watchlist, saved shows, and viewing history are stored on Paramount Plus servers tied to your account, not on your device. Clearing cache removes only temporary files. Your account information stays intact.
Do I need to sign in again after clearing cache?
On Android, usually not — your login stays saved. On iPhone, if you reinstall the app to clear cache, you will need to sign in again, but it takes only a few seconds with your email and password.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?
Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clearing data removes everything, including your login information, preferences, and saved settings. Always choose Clear Cache unless you are trying to completely reset the app.
Can I clear cache while I am watching something?
Yes, but the app will close. Close Paramount Plus completely before you go into Settings to clear cache. After clearing, open the app again and sign in if needed.
Why does Paramount Plus cache build up so fast?
The app stores preview images, video thumbnails, and playback data for every show or movie you browse or watch. The more you use the app, the more cache it creates. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.