How to Clear Cache on Any Device 2026: The Complete Guide

How to Clear Cache on Any Device 2026

Last Updated: April 2026

A page loaded wrong. A site is showing you old information after an update. An app is acting up for no obvious reason. Nine times out of ten, clearing the cache fixes it. The problem is that every device, every browser, and every app does it slightly differently — and most guides only cover one or two of them.

This guide covers everything. Browsers on desktop and mobile, Windows and Mac system cache, Android and iPhone app cache, gaming consoles (PS5 and Xbox), smart TVs, streaming apps, DNS cache, and the popular apps people always forget to check (Discord, Spotify, Zoom). Pick your device from the navigation below and skip straight to the steps you need.

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What Is Cache, and Why Does Clearing It Help?

Your browser and apps store copies of files locally — images, stylesheets, scripts, page layouts — so they don’t have to re-download everything every time you visit a site or open an app. That temporary storage is the cache. It makes things faster under normal conditions.

Problems start when that stored copy gets out of date. A website updated its layout but your browser is still showing you the old version. An app cached some bad data after a glitch. Storage fills up. Clearing the cache forces everything to start fresh, downloading current versions rather than using the stale local copies.

Cache vs. Cookies vs. History: What’s the Difference?

These three things show up in the same settings menu, and people accidentally clear the wrong one all the time.

Cache — temporary files: images, scripts, page layouts. Clearing it won’t log you out of anything. Safe to clear anytime.

Cookies — small files that track your login sessions and site preferences. Clearing cookies will log you out of every website. Only clear these if you specifically want that, or you’re troubleshooting a login issue.

Browsing history — the list of sites you’ve visited. Separate from cache entirely. Clearing history doesn’t speed anything up; it just removes the record.

When a site isn’t loading correctly, clearing the cache is almost always the right call. Clearing cookies is almost never necessary unless you’re specifically trying to fix a login problem.

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The Fastest Fix: Try a Hard Refresh First {#hard-refresh}

Before clearing your entire cache, try a hard refresh. It forces your browser to re-download all files for the page you’re on right now, without clearing anything else and without logging you out of anything.

Hard refresh keyboard shortcuts:

Browser	Windows	Mac
Chrome	Ctrl + Shift + R	Cmd + Shift + R
Firefox	Ctrl + Shift + R	Cmd + Shift + R
Edge	Ctrl + Shift + R	Cmd + Shift + R
Safari	Not available (use Develop menu)	Cmd + Option + R
Opera	Ctrl + Shift + R	Cmd + Shift + R

When to use hard refresh: One specific page looks wrong, shows old content, or has broken images.

When to use full cache clear: Multiple sites are affected, the browser feels slow overall, or you want to free up disk space.

A hard refresh is non-destructive. It doesn’t log you out of anything, doesn’t change any settings, and takes under a second. If it fixes your problem, you’re done.

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All Browser Keyboard Shortcuts (Quick Reference)

Bookmark this table if you regularly need to clear cache across different browsers and operating systems.

Browser	Open Clear Browsing Data (Windows)	Open Clear Browsing Data (Mac)
Chrome	Ctrl + Shift + Delete	Cmd + Shift + Delete
Firefox	Ctrl + Shift + Delete	Cmd + Shift + Delete
Edge	Ctrl + Shift + Delete	Cmd + Shift + Delete
Safari	Cmd + Option + E (cache only)	Cmd + Option + E
Opera	Ctrl + Shift + Delete	Cmd + Shift + Delete
Brave	Ctrl + Shift + Delete	Cmd + Shift + Delete
Vivaldi	Ctrl + Shift + Delete	Cmd + Shift + Delete

Every Chromium-based browser uses Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows and Cmd + Shift + Delete on Mac. Learn those two shortcuts and you’re covered for the overwhelming majority of situations.

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How to Clear Cache in Chrome (Windows and Mac) {#chrome-desktop}

Fastest method (keyboard shortcut):

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
2. Set Time range to All time
3. Check Cached images and files — leave cookies unchecked unless you specifically want to log out everywhere
4. Click Clear data

Alternative method (through menus):

1. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner
2. Select Delete browsing data
3. Set Time range to All time
4. Check Cached images and files
5. Click Clear data

For a single site only (without clearing everything):

1. Open Chrome DevTools by pressing F12
2. Right-click the reload button (circular arrow) in the address bar
3. Select Empty Cache and Hard Reload

This method clears cache only for the page currently open, leaving all other cached data intact. Useful when one specific site is misbehaving.

What you’ll notice afterward: Sites you visit regularly will load slightly slower on the first visit as Chrome re-downloads fresh copies. This is normal and temporary.

How to Clear Cache in Chrome on Android {#chrome-android}

1. Open the Chrome app on your Android phone
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner
3. Tap Delete browsing data
4. Set Time range to All time
5. Make sure Cached images and files is checked
6. Tap Delete data

Tip: If you only want to clear cache without removing cookies or passwords, uncheck everything except “Cached images and files” before tapping Delete data.

Samsung Internet browser users: The path is slightly different. Tap the three-line menu → Settings → Personal browsing data → Delete browsing data → check Cached images and files → Delete.

How to Clear Cache in Chrome on iPhone and iPad {#chrome-ios}

1. Open the Chrome app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the bottom-right corner
3. Tap Delete browsing data
4. Set Time range to All time
5. Check Cached images and files
6. Tap Delete browsing data and confirm

Important note for iPhone users: iOS limits what third-party browsers can do at the system level. Clearing Chrome’s cache on iPhone only clears Chrome’s own stored data. It doesn’t touch Safari’s cache, which is managed separately (covered below in the Safari section).

How to Clear Cache in Firefox {#firefox}

On Windows or Mac (keyboard shortcut):

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
2. Set Time range to Everything
3. Check Cached Web Content — leave cookies unchecked unless needed
4. Click Clear Now

Alternative method:

1. Click the three-line menu (☰) in the top-right corner
2. Select Settings
3. Go to Privacy & Security
4. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data
5. Click Clear Data
6. Check Cached Web Content only
7. Click Clear

Firefox on Android:

1. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap Delete browsing data
4. Check Cached images and web content
5. Tap Delete browsing data

Single-site cache clearing in Firefox: Type about:config in the address bar, then search for browser.cache.disk.enable. This gives you granular control over Firefox’s caching behavior — relevant for developers and power users.

Firefox’s automatic cache management: Unlike Chrome, Firefox lets you set a maximum cache size. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to Cached Web Content → check Override automatic cache management and set a size limit. This prevents cache from growing unchecked.

How to Clear Cache in Brave {#brave}

Brave is Chromium-based, so the process is identical to Chrome. Brave also has its own shields caching system, which works separately from the standard browser cache.

Standard browser cache (keyboard shortcut):

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
2. Set Time range to All time
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Click Clear data

Brave Shields cache (for Brave-specific blocking issues):

1. Click the orange Brave icon in the address bar (the shield icon)
2. Look at any blocked elements on the current page
3. If a site is breaking because Shields is blocking something it shouldn’t, toggle Brave Shields off for that site temporarily

This is worth knowing because some display issues on Brave aren’t browser cache problems at all — they’re Shields-related. If a hard refresh doesn’t fix the problem, toggling Shields off and reloading the page will tell you immediately whether Shields is the cause.

How to Clear Cache in Opera {#opera}

Opera uses the same Chromium base as Chrome and Edge, so the keyboard shortcut and menu structure are consistent.

Keyboard shortcut method:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
2. Set Time range to All time
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Click Clear data

Through the menu:

1. Click the O logo (Opera menu) in the top-left
2. Select History → Clear browsing data
3. Set the time range, check Cached images and files, click Clear data

Opera GX (gaming browser) users: The process is identical. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete and follow the same steps. Opera GX’s GX Control panel doesn’t add any separate cache system.

How Much Space Does Browser Cache Use?

Worth knowing before you clear: browser cache can grow significantly, but modern browsers set automatic limits.

• Chrome sets a default cache limit based on available disk space — typically 80 MB on small drives, up to several GB on large ones. Chrome manages this automatically.
• Firefox allows you to set a custom cache size (Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to Cached Web Content). Default is auto-managed.
• Safari manages cache automatically on both Mac and iOS without user-configurable limits.
• Active streaming users and developers tend to accumulate the largest caches — multiple GB isn’t unusual if you visit many media-heavy sites.
• On mobile, browser cache is typically limited by the OS. iOS in particular is more aggressive about managing app storage.

To check how much space Chrome’s cache is using: open chrome://settings/clearBrowserData, set the time range to “All time,” and Chrome will display an estimated size before you commit to clearing.

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How to Clear Cache in Safari on Mac {#safari-mac}

Safari handles cache differently from Chrome and Firefox — it doesn’t have a simple “clear cache” option in the main settings menu by default. You need either the Develop menu or the Privacy settings depending on what you’re trying to clear.

Method 1 — Keyboard shortcut (cache only, stays logged in):

Press Cmd + Option + E

This empties Safari’s cache immediately without touching cookies or history. You won’t be logged out of any website. This is the right choice for most situations.

If the shortcut doesn’t work, the Develop menu may be hidden. To enable it:

1. Click Safari in the menu bar → Settings (or Preferences on older macOS)
2. Click the Advanced tab
3. Check Show Develop menu in menu bar

Once enabled, Cmd + Option + E will work, or you can access it via Develop → Empty Caches.

Method 2 — Full clear including history (logs you out):

1. Click Safari in the menu bar
2. Select Clear History
3. Choose All History from the dropdown
4. Click Clear History

This clears history, cache, and cookies together. You will be logged out of websites. Only use this if you specifically want a complete wipe.

Method 3 — Per-website data:

1. Click Safari → Settings → Privacy tab
2. Click Manage Website Data
3. Search for a specific site, or click Remove All

This lets you selectively remove cached data and cookies for specific sites without affecting others. Useful when one particular website is misbehaving.

Apple’s official Safari support documentation covers additional options for Safari cache management across macOS versions.

How to Clear Cache in Safari on iPhone and iPad {#safari-ios}

Safari on iPhone and iPad combines cache, cookies, and history into a single action — you can’t clear just the cache without also clearing history.

Standard method:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Scroll down and tap Safari
3. Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data
4. Choose the time range (Last hour, Today, Today and yesterday, or All history)
5. Tap Clear History

What gets cleared: All browsing history, cached files, and cookies. You will be logged out of all websites you were signed into through Safari.

Alternative: Clear data per website

To remove data from specific sites without clearing everything:

1. Go to Settings → Safari
2. Scroll down and tap Advanced
3. Tap Website Data
4. Swipe left on a specific site and tap Delete, or tap Remove All Website Data at the bottom

This removes cached data and cookies for individual sites, leaving other sites’ data untouched.

Using a different browser on iPhone: If you use Chrome or Firefox on iOS, clearing their cache doesn’t affect Safari. Each browser manages its own storage independently. If you primarily use Safari, you need to clear Safari; if you primarily use Chrome on iOS, follow the Chrome iOS steps in Part 1.

For the full official guide, Apple’s support page for Safari on iPhone includes version-specific instructions.

How to Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge {#edge}

Edge is Chromium-based, so the process is nearly identical to Chrome.

Keyboard shortcut method:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
2. Set Time range to All time
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Click Clear now

Through the settings menu:

1. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right
2. Select Settings
3. Go to Privacy, search, and services
4. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear
5. Set Time range to All time, check Cached images and files
6. Click Clear now

Edge-specific option — InPrivate cache: Edge’s InPrivate mode stores no cache after the window closes, so no clearing is needed if you want a completely fresh session.

For single-site cache clearing in Edge: Press F12 to open DevTools → right-click the reload button → Empty Cache and Hard Reload. Works identically to Chrome.

Edge on Android:

1. Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right
2. Tap Settings → Privacy and security
3. Tap Clear browsing data
4. Check Cached images and files, tap Clear data

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How to Clear Windows 11 Cache {#windows}

Windows accumulates several types of cache that can be cleared independently. Here are the most useful ones.

Temporary Files (quickest performance boost)

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type %temp% and press Enter
3. Select all files with Ctrl + A
4. Press Delete — skip any files that show a “file in use” error
5. Empty the Recycle Bin

This removes temporary files created by apps and the operating system. Some files may be locked because they’re currently in use; skip those.

Alternative through Settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Storage
2. Click Temporary files
3. Check what you want to remove (Temporary files, Delivery Optimization Files, Windows Update Cleanup)
4. Click Remove files

Microsoft Store Cache (fixes store app issues)

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter
3. A blank window appears and closes automatically — the Store restarts with its cache cleared

Use this if the Microsoft Store won’t open, shows errors, or has trouble downloading apps.

Windows Prefetch Cache (advanced users only)

1. Press Windows + R, type prefetch, press Enter
2. Accept the administrator permission prompt
3. Select all files and delete

Prefetch files help apps launch faster. Deleting them doesn’t cause problems but means those apps will take slightly longer to open until they rebuild. Not necessary for most users — only do this if specifically troubleshooting.

App-Specific Cache in Windows

Most Windows apps store their cache in %AppData% or %LocalAppData%. To access:

1. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%, press Enter
2. Open the folder for the specific app you’re troubleshooting
3. Look for a Cache folder and delete its contents

This is the manual method. For popular apps like Spotify and Discord, dedicated steps appear later in this guide.

DNS Cache on Windows {#dns-windows}

1. Click the Start button and search for Command Prompt
2. Right-click and select Run as administrator
3. Type: ipconfig /flushdns
4. Press Enter

You’ll see a confirmation: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

When to flush DNS: Use this when a website has moved to a new address but you’re still being sent to the old location, when you see “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” errors, or after making changes to your hosts file. Flushing DNS is also useful after changing VPN servers, since cached DNS entries can sometimes cause routing conflicts.

How to Clear Mac System Cache {#mac-system}

Mac caches user data in ~/Library/Caches/. Clearing user cache is safe. System-level caches (in /Library/Caches/ and /System/Library/Caches/) should be left alone unless you’re an advanced user — macOS manages these automatically, and deleting them can cause instability.

User Cache (safe to clear)

1. Quit all open applications
2. In Finder, click Go in the menu bar
3. Hold the Option key — Library appears in the menu
4. Click Library → Caches
5. Select individual app folders to delete, or select all and delete

Important: Don’t delete the entire Caches folder — only the contents. Delete specific app folders rather than everything at once if you’re unsure.

Faster method using Terminal:

1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal)
2. Type: sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/*
3. Press Enter and enter your admin password

This clears all user cache in one command. You’ll be prompted for your admin password.

DNS Cache on Mac {#dns-mac}

1. Open Terminal
2. Type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. Press Enter and enter your admin password
4. No confirmation message appears — success is silent on Mac

Alternatively, for macOS Sonoma and Sequoia specifically, the flush command remains the same but the underlying service name may vary by version.

Finder Cache (when Finder behaves strangely)

1. Open Terminal
2. Type: killall Finder
3. Press Enter — Finder restarts automatically

This clears Finder’s operational cache. Use it when Finder shows incorrect folder sizes, outdated preview thumbnails, or refuses to respond normally.

Safari Cache on Mac (reminder)

Safari’s cache is separate from system cache and is managed through Safari’s own Develop menu. Use Cmd + Option + E in Safari, not the Terminal commands above.

How to Clear App Cache on Android {#android-app}

Unlike iPhones, Android gives you direct access to clear individual app cache — without uninstalling the app and without losing your login or app data.

Clear Cache for a Single App

1. Open Settings on your Android device
2. Tap Apps (sometimes labeled Apps & notifications or Application manager)
3. Find and tap the app giving you trouble
4. Tap Storage & cache (or just Storage)
5. Tap Clear cache

This removes the app’s temporary files while keeping all your data, settings, and logins intact. The app rebuilds its cache as you use it.

Clear Cache vs. Clear Data/Storage: These are different. Clear Cache removes temporary files only — you stay logged in and nothing is lost. Clear Data (also labeled Clear Storage on newer Android) resets the app completely to factory state — you lose your login, settings, and any locally stored content. Only use Clear Data as a last resort.

Bulk Cache Clear — Samsung Devices

Samsung’s Device Care is the quickest way to clear cache across all apps at once:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Battery and device care (or Device care)
3. Tap Storage
4. Tap Clean now

Device Care scans all apps, temporary files, and residual data and removes what’s safe to delete. Takes about 30 seconds.

Bulk Cache Clear — Google Pixel

1. Open the Files by Google app (pre-installed on Pixel phones; available on Google Play for others)
2. Tap Clean at the bottom
3. Under Junk files, tap Clean
4. Confirm

Files by Google identifies and removes app cache, temporary files, and other removable data across all your apps.

Bulk Cache Clear — Other Android Brands

Most Android manufacturers include some version of a storage cleaner. Check Settings → Storage or Settings → Device Maintenance. If your phone doesn’t include one, install Files by Google from the Play Store — it works on any Android device.

What to Clear on Android When Specific Apps Misbehave

Symptom	What to clear
App crashes on launch	Individual app cache → then app data if still crashing
App shows wrong or old content	Individual app cache
App is slow but working	Individual app cache
App forgot login after update	Clear app data (expect to log in again)
Chrome browser is slow	Chrome app → Storage → Clear Cache
Phone storage almost full	Samsung Device Care or Files by Google for bulk

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How to Clear Cache on iPhone and iPad (App Cache) {#iphone-app}

iOS doesn’t give you direct access to clear individual app cache the way Android does — Apple handles cache management automatically as part of its memory management system.

Your options on iPhone and iPad:

Option 1 — Offload the app (keeps data, clears cache)

1. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage
2. Find the app taking up space
3. Tap it, then tap Offload App

Offloading removes the app itself while keeping all its data. When you reinstall it, your data comes back. This is the closest thing to “clear app cache” on iOS.

Option 2 — Delete and reinstall the app

1. Long-press the app icon on the home screen
2. Tap Remove App → Delete App
3. Re-download from the App Store

This gives you a completely clean slate — all local cache is removed. You’ll need to log back in.

Option 3 — For Safari specifically

Go to Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data (as covered in the Safari iOS section above). This is the only direct cache-clear available in iOS.

Why iOS handles this differently: Apple’s iOS automatically manages memory and cache at the system level. The operating system evicts cached data from apps when storage is needed, without user intervention. Clearing individual app caches manually isn’t a feature Apple exposes because it generally isn’t necessary — the system does it for you.

How to Clear Cache on PS5 {#ps5}

The PS5 doesn’t have a cache clear option in its regular settings menu. You have to access Safe Mode — a special startup mode that bypasses the normal interface and gives you access to maintenance tools. It sounds more complicated than it is.

What you need before starting: A USB-C cable (the one that came with your DualSense controller). You can’t navigate Safe Mode wirelessly.

Steps to Clear PS5 Cache

1. Fully power off your PS5 — not rest mode. Hold the PS button on your controller, then select Power → Turn Off PS5. Wait for the power indicator to stop blinking completely.
2. Enter Safe Mode: Press and hold the power button on the console itself. You’ll hear one beep when the console starts — keep holding. When you hear a second beep (about 7 seconds later), release the button. The PS5 boots into Safe Mode.
3. Connect your controller using the USB cable. Press the PS button on the controller to activate it.
4. Use the D-pad to navigate to option 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database. Press X.
5. Select Clear System Software Cache. Press OK to confirm.
6. Your PS5 will restart when complete. Some display settings (like HDR brightness) may need to be reconfigured — this is normal. Your games, saves, and personal data are unaffected.

When to Clear PS5 Cache

• The system menu is laggy or slow to respond
• Games crash back to the home screen for no clear reason
• Loading times are significantly longer than usual
• You’re experiencing login or online connectivity errors
• A game’s customer support specifically tells you to do this

PS5 Rebuild Database (more thorough fix)

In the same Safe Mode menu, option 5 also includes Rebuild Database — a separate, more intensive process that scans your SSD and rebuilds the file system index. This doesn’t delete any game data or save files. Use it if clearing the cache doesn’t resolve your issues. Rebuilding the database takes longer (anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on storage usage) but is completely safe.

How to Clear Cache on Xbox Series X and Series S {#xbox}

Xbox gives you two methods: a power cycle (which clears most cached data) and a settings-based option.

Method 1 — Power Cycle (simplest, most effective)

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller
2. Navigate to Profile & System → Settings → General → Power Options
3. Select Full Shutdown (not Sleep)
4. Wait for the console to fully power off — the Xbox logo on the front should go dark
5. Unplug the power cable from the back of the console
6. Wait at least two full minutes
7. Plug the cable back in and turn the console on

The waiting period matters. The capacitors need to fully discharge to clear the temporary storage. Waiting only 10-15 seconds isn’t enough.

The Xbox button pulse: When you plug the cable back in, the Xbox logo on the front may pulse orange. Wait for it to stop before pressing the power button.

Method 2 — Through Settings (for specific Blu-ray or persistent cache issues)

1. Press the Xbox button → Profile & System → Settings
2. Go to Devices & connections → Blu-ray
3. Select Persistent Storage → Clear Persistent Storage

This is specifically for issues with disc-based games or the Blu-ray player. Most general performance issues are solved by Method 1.

Signs You Need to Clear Xbox Cache

• Games won’t launch or freeze at the loading screen
• The home menu is slow to respond
• Games installed from disc are showing errors
• The console takes unusually long to boot

How to Clear Cache on Smart TVs and Streaming Devices {#smart-tv}

Smart TV cache management varies dramatically by manufacturer and platform. Here’s the method for each major system.

Samsung Smart TV

1. Press the Home button on your remote
2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon)
3. Go to Support → Device Care
4. Select Manage Storage
5. Select the app causing issues
6. Select View Details → Clear cache → Clear cache (confirm)

For a full storage clean: Settings → Support → Device Care → Clean Now.

To clear cache for all apps at once: Settings → General → Storage → Clear Cache.

LG Smart TV (webOS)

1. Press the Settings button on your remote
2. Navigate to All Settings → General
3. Select Storage
4. Click Clear Cache

If that path isn’t available on your LG model: Settings → Support → Additional Settings → Clear Cache.

Sony/Android TV and Google TV

Sony TVs running Android TV or Google TV use Android’s app management system:

1. Press the Home button
2. Go to Settings (gear icon)
3. Select Apps → See all apps
4. Select the app you want to clear
5. Select Clear cache → OK

For Fire TV–based Sony models, use the Fire TV steps below instead.

Roku (and TCL Roku TVs)

Roku doesn’t have a direct “Clear Cache” option per app. The most effective method is a system restart, which clears all temporary memory:

Via settings:

1. Press Home on your Roku remote
2. Go to Settings → System → Power → System Restart

Via remote shortcut (all Roku devices): Press the following sequence on your Roku remote: Home (5×) → Up → Rewind → Fast Forward → Rewind → Fast Forward

This triggers a system restart that clears the cache. Wait for the Roku to fully reboot before using it.

For a specific misbehaving channel: Remove the channel (app), restart the Roku, then reinstall the channel from the Roku Channel Store. This is the only way to clear app-specific cache on Roku.

Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick

Fire TV allows direct per-app cache clearing:

1. Press Home on your Fire TV remote
2. Go to Settings (gear icon)
3. Select Applications → Manage Installed Applications
4. Select the app giving you trouble
5. Select Clear Cache → confirm

For Fire TV Stick specifically, the path may be: Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications.

Apple TV (tvOS)

Apple TV doesn’t expose cache clearing to users — tvOS manages it automatically. If an app is misbehaving:

1. Force-close the app: Double-press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom on newer remotes) to see open apps. Swipe up on the misbehaving app to close it.
2. Restart Apple TV: Press and hold the Home button → select Sleep. Unplug the power cable, wait 30 seconds, plug back in.
3. Delete and reinstall the app: Go to the app on the home screen, press and hold, then select Delete.

Universal Quick Fix: Power Cycle

For any smart TV or streaming device that’s acting up and doesn’t have an obvious cache option, the power cycle works across all platforms:

Unplug the TV or streaming device from the wall for 30 full seconds. This drains the capacitors and clears volatile memory that can’t be cleared with a remote shutdown alone. Plug back in and wait for the full boot sequence.

How to Clear Cache in Popular Apps {#popular-apps}

Spotify

On Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Spotify\Storage, press Enter
2. Select all files in the Storage folder and delete them

On Mac:

1. Open Finder → Go → Go to Folder
2. Type: ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify/PersistentCache
3. Select all files and delete

On Android: Settings → Apps → Spotify → Storage → Clear Cache

On iPhone/iPad:

1. Open the Spotify app
2. Tap the gear icon → Storage
3. Tap Delete Cache

Spotify’s cache can grow to several gigabytes on desktop. If Spotify is using excessive disk space, this is the first thing to check.

Discord

On Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Discord, press Enter
2. Delete the Cache, Code Cache, and GPUCache folders

On Mac:

1. Open Finder → Go → Go to Folder
2. Type: ~/Library/Application Support/discord
3. Delete Cache, Code Cache, and GPUCache folders

On Android: Settings → Apps → Discord → Storage → Clear Cache

On iPhone: Delete and reinstall Discord (iOS doesn’t expose cache directly).

Discord’s cache accumulates images, videos, and files shared in servers. On desktop it can reach 1-2 GB without you noticing. Clearing it won’t log you out or remove any messages.

Zoom

On Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Zoom, press Enter
2. Delete the data folder contents

On Mac:

1. Open Finder → Go → Go to Folder
2. Type: ~/Library/Application Support/zoom.us
3. Delete the cache folder contents

On Android and iPhone: Uninstall and reinstall the Zoom app. Zoom doesn’t provide a direct in-app cache clear on mobile.

Teams (Microsoft Teams)

On Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams, press Enter
2. Delete the contents of: Cache, blob_storage, databases, GPUCache, Local Storage, tmp

On Mac:

1. Go to Finder → Go → Go to Folder
2. Type: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams
3. Delete the same folders as above

Teams accumulates a significant cache that can cause login issues and slow performance on low-end machines. Clearing it is a standard fix before escalating Teams issues to IT.

When to Clear Cache — and When Not To {#when}

Most guides tell you to clear your cache regularly. That advice is largely wrong in 2026. Here’s the honest version:

When clearing cache actually helps

A website is showing you an outdated version. You know a site updated — new design, new content — but you’re still seeing the old version. Clear the browser cache for that site or do a hard refresh.

A site won’t load or displays broken layout. Images missing, CSS not loading, broken page structure. Cached files may have been partially corrupted. Clear cache.

An app is crashing or behaving erratically after an update. The update may have conflicted with cached data. Clear the app’s cache.

You’re almost out of storage space. Browser cache can grow to several gigabytes. Clearing it reclaims storage without affecting your data.

Troubleshooting authentication issues. If you’re stuck in a login loop or getting authentication errors on a specific site, clearing cache and cookies for that site often fixes it.

Your PS5 or Xbox is lagging. Console system cache can become corrupt over time. Clearing it is a safe diagnostic step.

When clearing cache is unnecessary (and slightly counterproductive)

As a regular maintenance routine. Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) automatically manage cache size. Chrome has a default limit it enforces itself. Clearing cache manually every week doesn’t improve performance — it just means your browser has to re-download more files on first visits.

When a completely different site is the problem. If Netflix is slow but everything else is fine, the problem isn’t your cache — it’s either Netflix’s servers or your internet connection.

To make your browser “faster” in general. A cache full of recently used files actually makes browsing faster, not slower. The only scenario where clearing improves speed is when the cache has grown so large it’s interfering with disk performance (rare with modern storage).

When you’re not sure what’s wrong. Clearing cache is a first step, not a solution to everything. If clearing cache doesn’t fix a problem, the cause is elsewhere — your internet connection, the website’s own servers, your device’s hardware, or a different app.

The right decision framework

Problem	Right solution
One page looks wrong	Hard refresh first (Ctrl+Shift+R)
Multiple sites look wrong	Clear browser cache
App is slow after update	Clear that app’s cache
Website login is stuck	Clear cache AND cookies for that site
“DNS_PROBE” errors	Flush DNS cache
PS5 / Xbox is laggy	Clear console cache
Smart TV app is buffering	Clear app cache or power cycle TV
General “slow browser”	Check extensions, not cache
Low storage warning	Clear Spotify/Discord/browser cache

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Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Saved passwords are stored separately from cache — in your browser’s password manager or a dedicated password manager. Clearing cached images and files will not remove your saved passwords. If you also check “Saved passwords” or “Sign-in data” in the clear browsing data dialog, those will be removed — but that box is unchecked by default.

Will clearing cache log me out of websites?

Only if you also clear cookies. Cache files are not login credentials. Clear “Cached images and files” only, and your logins remain intact. Clear cookies, and every site will ask you to sign in again.

What’s the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?

Cache stores website files (images, scripts, layouts) to load pages faster — it contains no personal identifying information. Cookies store your login sessions and preferences — they’re how websites remember who you are. Clear cache to fix display issues and free up space. Clear cookies when you want to remove login sessions or fix authentication problems.

How often should I clear my browser cache?

Rarely, and only when you have a specific reason. Modern browsers manage cache size automatically. Clear it when something is visibly broken, when you’re troubleshooting a specific issue, or when browser storage is contributing to low disk space on your device. A monthly routine isn’t necessary and provides no real benefit.

Does clearing cache speed up my computer?

Generally, no. Your cache actually helps pages load faster on repeat visits. The exception: if your cache has grown very large (multiple GB) and your storage drive is nearly full, clearing it can help disk performance. But if you have normal storage availability, clearing cache makes your first page loads slightly slower while things rebuild.

What’s a hard refresh and when should I use it?

A hard refresh (Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows, Cmd + Shift + R on Mac) forces your browser to re-download all files for the page you’re currently on. It’s faster, doesn’t log you out, and fixes problems on a single page. Use it first before committing to a full cache clear. If the hard refresh fixes the problem, you’re done — no full cache clear needed.

How do I clear cache for just one website in Chrome?

Open Chrome DevTools by pressing F12, then right-click the reload button and select Empty Cache and Hard Reload. This clears cache only for the currently open page. Alternatively, click the padlock icon in the address bar → Site Settings → Clear data to remove all data for that specific domain.

My cache is cleared but a website still looks wrong. What next?

A few possibilities: the website itself may be down or in the middle of an update (try again in a few minutes); your internet connection may be the issue (try a different network or disable VPN temporarily); the problem may be an extension interfering with the page (try opening the site in an Incognito/Private window, which disables extensions); or the browser itself needs an update.

Is clearing cache safe? Can anything go wrong?

Clearing browser cache is completely safe. The worst outcome is that pages load slightly slower as they rebuild. System cache clearing on Windows and Mac is also safe for the user-level folders described in this guide. The only area to be careful: don’t delete system-level caches on Mac (/System/Library/Caches/) — stick to ~/Library/Caches/. On consoles, clearing cache never affects your game saves or personal data.

Does clearing cache improve privacy?

Partially. Cache files can contain copies of pages you’ve visited, so clearing them removes some locally stored evidence of your browsing activity. But cache alone isn’t the primary privacy concern — cookies, supercookies, and browser fingerprinting are more significant tracking mechanisms. For meaningful privacy improvement, combine cache clearing with clearing cookies, using a browser with fingerprinting protection, and using a verified VPN service. Cache clearing alone is not a privacy solution.