How to Clear Cache on a Tablet: Android and iPad

Clearing cache removes temporary files that apps and websites keep to load content more quickly. It can help when an app displays outdated information, glitches, or uses unexpectedly large storage. It usually does not delete your account or personal documents, but nearby options such as “Clear storage” or “Clear data” may erase local settings and files. Read each label before confirming.

Tablet menus vary by manufacturer, operating-system version, and app. The paths below are common examples, not guarantees. You generally do not need a special cleaner app or a computer. If the tablet is shared, make sure you know the relevant account passwords before clearing browser data that may sign you out.

What You’ll Need

Your tablet, unlocked and charged or connected to power.
A moment to check which app or browser is having trouble.
Account passwords if you may need to sign in again after removing website data.

Step-by-Step

Identify what to clear. If one app is slow or showing stale content, start with that app rather than clearing everything. If the problem happens only on websites, clear the browser’s cache or site data. This keeps the change targeted.
Open Settings on an Android tablet. Tap the Settings app, then look for “Apps,” “Applications,” or “Apps & notifications.” Menu names and paths may differ slightly by version and manufacturer. If you do not see the label, use Settings search and enter “Apps.”
Select the affected app. Open the app list, tap the app, and choose “Storage,” “Storage & cache,” or a similar option. Some tablets require tapping “See all apps” first. Check the app name carefully before changing anything.
Clear only the cache. Tap “Clear cache” and confirm if prompted. Do not choose “Clear storage,” “Clear data,” or “Uninstall” unless you intend to remove the app’s saved local information or the app itself. On some Android versions, the cache amount may show as zero if there is little temporary data to remove.
Reopen the app and check it. Return to the Home screen and launch the app. It may take a little longer to load at first because it has to rebuild temporary files. Check whether the original problem is resolved before clearing data or changing other settings.
Clear Safari website data on an iPad if needed. Open Settings, find “Safari,” and look for “Clear History and Website Data.” Menu placement may differ slightly by iPadOS version. This removes browsing history and website data as well as cached content, and may sign you out of websites. If you want more control, use Safari’s website-data controls, where available, to remove data for selected sites.
Check other iPad browsers or apps separately. For a browser other than Safari, open that app’s settings and look for privacy, browsing data, or cache options. For a regular app, check its in-app settings for a cache-clear control. iPadOS does not provide a general button to clear every app’s cache; if an app offers no such option, restarting or reinstalling may be the available alternatives.
Restart only if the issue remains. Restarting can close a stuck process, but it does not necessarily clear an app’s cache. After the restart, test the app again. If storage remains low, review large downloads and unused apps rather than repeatedly clearing small caches.

Common Mistakes

Choosing “Clear data” by mistake: Cache and app data are different. Clearing data can reset an app, remove downloaded content, or require you to sign in again. Pause and read the confirmation message.
Expecting one universal button: Android commonly lets you clear individual app caches in Settings; iPadOS does not have a matching system-wide control. Browser and app options vary.
Assuming cache is the same as storage: Clearing cache may free only a small amount of space, and it can grow again as apps are used. It is not a substitute for managing large files.
Using a random cleaning app: A third-party cleaner is usually unnecessary for this task and may request broad access. Prefer the tablet’s Settings or the app’s own controls.
Clearing browser history without checking: “Clear history and website data” can remove more than cached files, including history and sign-in sessions. Choose it only if those effects are acceptable.

Tips

Clear the cache of the app that is actually misbehaving first. A broad reset can make it harder to tell what fixed the problem.
Try closing and reopening the app before clearing anything. For a website, refresh the page or close and reopen the browser.
After clearing cache, allow the app or website to load once. Temporary files are recreated, so the first visit may be slower or use more data.
Keep app and tablet software updated through the official update settings. Updates can resolve problems that cache clearing cannot.
When a menu is hard to find, use Settings search for “cache,” “storage,” or the app’s name. Results depend on the device and software version.

Troubleshooting

I cannot find “Clear cache”

On Android, open the app’s information page and look under Storage; the exact wording and location differ between devices. If only “Clear storage” appears, do not use it as a substitute unless you accept that it may reset the app. On iPad, check inside the app; some apps have no manual cache option.

The cache option is greyed out or shows no space

The app may have no removable cache at that moment, or the system may not expose a separate control. Close and reopen the app, restart the tablet if it is unresponsive, and check whether the problem continues. There is no need to force a cache clear when none is available.

The app is still slow or broken

Confirm that the tablet has a reliable internet connection, then close and reopen the app and check for an update. If the issue affects only one website, try another browser or clear data for that specific site if the browser supports it. As a later step, reinstall the app only after checking that important information is synced or backed up; uninstalling can remove local files.

I cleared something and got signed out

Sign in again using the correct account. Browser history and website-data controls can remove saved sessions, while clearing app data can reset an app. If you cannot access the account, use the service’s official account-recovery process rather than clearing more tablet data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete photos or documents?

Clearing an app’s cache normally removes temporary files, not personal photos or documents. However, “Clear data” or uninstalling may remove files saved only inside that app, so check its warning and backup options first.

How often should I clear my tablet’s cache?

There is no required schedule. Clear a particular app’s cache when troubleshooting a problem or when its temporary files are taking up space; routine clearing is usually unnecessary.

Will clearing cache make my tablet faster?

It may help if corrupted or outdated temporary files are causing a specific issue, but it is not a general speed boost. The app may load more slowly once while it rebuilds its cache.

Can I clear the cache for every app at once?

Android’s available controls depend on its version and manufacturer, and many current tablets require clearing app caches individually. iPadOS does not provide a system-wide cache-clear button. Avoid third-party tools that promise a universal cleanup without checking what access they need.

Is clearing cache the same as clearing cookies?

No. Cache usually means temporary files such as page images, while cookies and other website data can remember preferences or sign-in sessions. A browser command may remove several kinds of data together, so read its description before confirming.

Further reading: Apple Support and Google Help. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.