In today’s digital world, the use of smartphones has become a necessity for most people. With the abundance of applications available online, it is not uncommon for users to experience issues with their apps. One of the most common issues is when an app crashes or becomes unresponsive. Most of the time, this can be solved by clearing the cache of the app. However, with so many people unaware of this simple fix, we decided to write an article about how to clear cache on an app on iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Clearing Cache on An App on iPhone
Mobile app developers add the cache feature to their apps to improve performance. When users perform the same tasks repeatedly, the app’s cache saves temporary files to their phone. This allows the app to load faster and provide a smoother user experience. However, over time, the app’s cached files can accumulate and cause problems. Sometimes, the cache files can become corrupt and cause the app to crash. If not cleared regularly, the app can become slow and unresponsive.
Clearing cache on an app can be challenging since iOS manages the caches’ storage. Individual apps control the duration of data cached on the device, making it difficult to know how to clear the cache of a specific app. This complexity is compounded as not all apps function in the same way. Therefore, we have come up with different methods that are easy to follow to clear the cache on an app on iPhone.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before proceeding with any method, there are a few things you should prepare for:
- Your iPhone
- The app which you want to clear cache for
- Some methods may require you to input your Apple ID password
- Take note of your login details for the app, as they may be erased.
- Lastly, clearing the cache of an app may also delete any data or content of the app, like saved preferences or game progress.
Method 1: Clear Cache using Settings
This method is the easiest way to clear the cache of an app.
- Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and click on the General tab.
- Tap on iPhone Storage.
- Scroll down and select the app you want to clear the cache for.
- Click on "Offload App" to free up its cache and other related files OR
- Click on "Delete App" to remove the app and its cache completely from your iPhone.
Pros:
- It’s easy to do
- No need to install any third-party software
Cons:
- The instructions and menu items may vary depending on your iOS version
- By deleting the app, you may lose important information like saved preferences or game progress.
Method 2: Clear Cache by Reinstalling the App
Reinstalling the app is another way to clear its cache.
- Hold down the app’s icon on the home screen until the app’s icon is shaking.
- Tap on the "X" of the app to delete it.
- Then go to the App Store and reinstall the deleted app.
Pros:
- It’s an effective way to clear cache
- You can regain storage space by removing the data that may or may not be important
- No need to install any third-party software.
Cons:
- By reinstalling, you may lose important information like saved preferences or game progress.
- You need to re-login to the app, and you might forget your login credentials.
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Method 3: Clear Cache using Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party apps that you can use to clear the cache of other apps. One example is the "Battery Doctor" app.
- Download the "Battery Doctor" app from the App Store.
- Open the app and click on the "Junk" tab.
- You will see a list of apps that you can clear the cache for. Select the one(s) you want to clear the cache for.
- Click on "Clean" and wait for it to clear your selected apps’ cache.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- No need to go to the Settings menu of your device. It can be done with just a few clicks on the app.
Cons:
- You have to download a third-party app
- Not all third-party apps are reliable or safe to use.
Why Can’t I Clear Cache on An App on iPhone?
Sometimes, users may experience issues clearing the cache of an app on their iPhone. Here are some reasons why this might happen and how to fix them:
1. Not enough storage space
A crowded storage space can cause your phone to slow down or freeze. To fix this, move some of your data from your device to an external storage service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
2. The app doesn’t have the clearing cache feature
Some apps don’t allow clearing their cache. It’s either the app doesn’t use cache files, or the app remembers user settings and data internally.
3. Outdated app or iOS version
iOS and apps can have issues if they are not up-to-date. Check if your app and operating system are updated to the latest version.
Additional Tips
Make it a point to clear the cache of an app frequently. Doing so will help prevent your phone from slowing down or freezing unexpectedly. Don’t let the cached files accumulate by regularly clearing the unnecessary data on your device.
5 FAQs about Clearing Cache on An App on iPhone
Q1: Will clearing cache remove my personal data from my phone?
A: No, it will not. Clearing cache will only delete the temporary data generated by the app. Your personal data will remain untouched.
Q2: Will I be able to use the app after clearing cache on it?
A: Yes, but some saved preferences or game progress may be lost. You may need to log in again to the app after clearing the cache.
Q3: Can I clear cache for all my apps at once?
A: No, clearing cache needs to be done for each app separately.
Q4: How long does it take to clear cache using a third-party app?
A: The amount of time it takes to clear cache depends on the size of the data you wish to clear.
Q5: Will clearing cache affect battery life?
A: No. it won’t. Clearing cache will only affect your apps and how they operate on your iPhone.
In Conclusion
Clearing cache on an app is an effective way to fix app-related issues on your iPhone. You can use the above-mentioned methods to clear cache and free up space on your device. If you experience any issues clearing cache, refer to the why can’t I section to check what may be causing the issue. Lastly, remember to frequently clear cache files on your device to ensure its optimum performance.