Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETIf your Android phone or tablet is feeling sluggish, it's time for a refresh. Over time, our devices slow down. Fortunately, there are easy things you can do to improve their performance, rather than buying an entirely new one. First, you can just restart your device -- seriously, that solves many issues. But another simple solution for speeding things up (and freeing storage) is to clear cached data from the apps you use and sites you frequent. In this guide, I'll show you how to clear cached data on Android. If you're an Apple user, here's how to clear the cache on an iPhone. How to clear cached data from Android apps What you'll need: You just need an Android device with some apps installed. The location of cached data settings might vary depending on your Android version and device model, but the general process outlined below should be similar and easy to follow.   1. See all the apps installed on your Android device To quickly check all the apps on your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app. From there, scroll down until you see Storage, and tap on it. Then, look for the Apps option. If you're having trouble finding the Apps section, you can always use the search bar at the top of the Settings app to assist you.Note: On some Android devices, you may not see Storage and can go directly to Apps from the Settings menu.Also: My 5 favorite AI apps on Android right now - and how I use themOnce you're in the Apps section, most Android versions make it easy to see which apps take up the most space. Simply tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Sort by Size. (In my testing, this feature isn't available on Pixel phones running Android 15.) Show more ZDNET 2. Clear the cache of apps installed on your Android device Pick any app from the list to clear its cache. I recommend choosing an app you installed rather than a system service like Android System Intelligence. I've had mixed results when clearing the cache of system apps, so it's best to stick to clearing the cache for apps you've added yourself.Once you open an app, you'll see details like its size, user data, cache size, and the total storage it's using. At the top of the page, you'll find two options: Clear storage and Clear cache. Also: 5 things to do with the Linux terminal on your Android phone - including my favoriteTap Clear cache to remove the stored cache for that app. Avoid tapping Clear storage, as it will reset the app, and you'll need to set it up again. Clearing the cache won't cause any issues. Show more ZDNET 3. Repeat the previous step for all the apps on your Android device Continue browsing through your list of installed apps, checking for any app that uses a lot of space, and clearing its cache.Also: How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking itIf you're feeling extra thorough, you could clear the cache for every app on your phone. However, it's a good idea to start with the major offenders, like the Facebook app. Show more How to clear the cache from Chrome What you need: You only need the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet. If Chrome is your default browser, it has likely accumulated a lot of data, which can slow down your device. In that case, here's how to clear its cache. 1. Go to History settings in Chrome Open the Chrome app on your Android device, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, select History, and then choose Clear browsing data. ZDNET 2. Choose the data you want to delete The next screen will display a list of options, allowing you to choose which data you'd like to remove from Chrome. You can also select a time range for when you want the data cleared. Each option briefly explains what it does and how it might affect your browsing experience. For example, clearing cookies and site data will log you out of many (if not all) websites, while clearing cached images and files might cause Chrome to load images a bit slower the next time you visit a site.Select the data you want to delete, choose a time frame, and then tap the Clear data button at the bottom. ZDNET Optional: A simpler way to clear Chrome's cache On newer versions of Chrome for Android, tapping the menu button displays an option called Clear Browsing Data. When you select this, a popup will appear asking you to clear browsing data from a specific period. If you select More Options, you'll be taken to the Browsing Data screen, where you can choose the data to delete and select the time range. ZDNETFAQ Show more What does cached data mean? Cache is temporary storage that holds data like images, files, and scripts from websites you've visited or apps you've used, helping them load faster. When you clear cached data, whether for Chrome or any app, you remove the files they've stored on your device. Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn't wait to do it)For example, in the Facebook app, cached data might include profile pictures, photos, and videos. Deleting cached data from the Facebook app will remove these temporary files on your device, which may cause the app to load content a bit slower the next time you use it. But this won't affect the accounts you visit, posts, or your personal information. Will clearing the cache delete all your app data? No, clearing an app's cache won't delete important data like login credentials or saved settings. It only removes temporary files that help the app load faster, so you won't lose any important information. Will clearing the cache make your Android device faster? Yes, clearing the cache can free up storage and remove corrupted or outdated files that might slow down your device, resulting in smoother performance. How often should you clear your cached data? It depends on your device's performance. If you're noticing slowdowns or other issues, clearing the cache can be part of troubleshooting. Otherwise, you might only need to do it once every three or six months.  Is clearing the cache just about gaining storage space? Not exactly. One of the first things you should do when dealing with bugs or issues in an app is clear the cache. Often, cached files become corrupted or outdated, and clearing them forces the app to rebuild the cache, which can solve the problem. So, clearing the cache can help fix issues, not just free up storage. Neat, right? Can you clear the cache for all Android apps at once? There isn't a built-in feature to clear the cache for all Android apps simultaneously, but you can go through the list of apps and clear their cache individually. Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.See also