ZDNETAs the new year begins, it's a great time to refresh your personal life and digital devices.If yourAndroid phoneor tablet has become sluggish, you're not alone. Over time, many devices can slow down, but the good news is there are simple ways to improve performance. One quick fix is restarting the device, which can solve many common issues. Another effective solution for speeding things up and freeing storage is to clear cached data from apps and websites.In this guide, I'll show you how to clear cached data, with easy instructions to help you find the right settings on Android devices. The steps outlined may vary slightly depending on your Android device's manufacturer and software customization. However, the general process is the same and this tutorial should help you get on the right track.If you're an Apple user, here'show to clear the cache on an iPhone.How to clear cached data from Android appsWhat you'll need: You just need an Android device and some apps. Keep in mind, though, that the location of the cached data settings might vary depending on your Android version and device model. 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 until you see Storage, and tap on it. Then, look for the Apps option. On some Android devices, you may not see Storage and you can go straight to Apps from the Settings menu.Note: If you're having trouble finding the Apps section, you can always use the search bar at the top of the Settings app to help.Also:Change this Android setting to instantly double your phone speedOnce you're in the Apps section, some Android versions make it easy to see which apps take up the most space. Just tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Sort by Size. (In my testing, though, 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. Just a heads up, 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 see two options: Clear storage and Clear cache.Also: How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking itTap Clear cache to remove the stored cache for that app. Avoid tapping Clear storage, though, since that 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 Keep browsing through your list of installed apps, checking out any app that uses a lot of space, and clearing its cache.Also:These 5 Android note-taking apps are the best I've tested - and they're all freeIf 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 ChromeWhat you need: You only need the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet. If Chrome is your main browser, it might have accumulated a lot of data, which can slow down your device. Here's how to clear its cache.1. Go to History settings in ChromeLaunch the Chrome app on your Android device, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, choose History, and then select Clear browsing data. ZDNET2. Choose the data you want to deleteThe next screen will show a list of options, letting you decide which data you'd like to remove from Chrome.You can also choose a time range for when you want the data cleared. Each option includes a short description explaining 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. Clearing cached images and files might cause Chrome to load images a bit slower the next time you visit a site.Pick the data you want to delete, choose a time frame, and then tap the Clear data button at the bottom. ZDNETOptional: A simpler way to clear Chrome's cacheOn newer versions of Chrome for Android, tapping the menu button will show an option called "Clear Browsing Data". When you tap this option, a popup will appear allowing you to clear browsing data from a specific period.If you choose More Options, you'll be taken to the Browsing Data screen, where you can select the data to delete and choose 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 to help them load faster. When you clear cached data, whether for Chrome or any app, you remove the files they've stored on your device. For example, in Facebook, 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 means the app could take longer to load content the next time you use it. But this approach won't affect the accounts you visit, posts, or your personal information.Will clearing cache delete all your app data?No, clearing the cache of an app 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 crucial information.Will clearing cache make your Android device faster?Yes, clearing the cache can free up storage and remove corrupted or outdated files that may slow down your device, leading to 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 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.See also