I looked into how to clear app data on iPhone after apps started taking too much space
“I can’t remember the last time I used that…or that…and why did I ever think installing THAT shopping app was a good idea?”
This conversation took place on a day I’ve now called ‘The Grand Removal of the App Mountain’ (sponsored by Lays, the snack that keeps you going no matter how many Tech Hills you have to climb).
The thing is, I have all sorts of apps I use for work, and they’re non-negotiable, but there are all the others I download thinking it’s a good idea at the time, then forget about until the sacred named day above arrived…I needed to take swift action and clean up my app cache…
What is the app cache on iPhone?
Your app cache is all the temporary data such as images, scripts, and login info. Apps store this locally on your iPhone. It helps them load faster and run more smoothly.
That’s all good stuff, but over time, this data builds up and can often take up a large amount of your device’s storage, leading to things like your phone running slowly and getting glitchy.
Which apps tend to accumulate the most of it?
It’s things like social media, video streaming, and mobile gaming apps. They’ll end up with the most cache on an iPhone simply because they’re constantly loading and refreshing.
Every time they do this, they temporarily save large media files like videos, images, or complex graphics. It therefore makes sense to have a good tidy-up and clear out…
Can you clear app cache on iPhone? Yes! Here’s how I do it
So, this is how to clear an app cache on iPhone. And I’ll start with the bad news: iOS does not have a set ‘Clear Cache’ button for every app.
If I want to clear app data or the cache, all I can use is the following:
In-app settings for specific apps
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Open the specific app (for instance, here is my Spotify). Then go to the app’s Settings or Preferences (often a gear icon or profile tab). Next, I’ll look for Storage, Data Usage, or Privacy, then tap Clear Cache… done!
Offload or reinstall apps via iPhone Storage
So, say I wanted to delete the Spotify app completely, I’d go to Settings and tap General. Then I’d tap iPhone Storage and select the app to delete. I’ll click on Offload App (this deletes the app but saves your documents and data) or Delete App (this removes all data).
Clear Safari’s Data
This is a good final step. Go to Settings, then scroll down and tap Safari (or Apps > Safari on newer iOS versions). Simply click Clear History and Website Data, and it’s all gone.
Tools I trust to keep my iPhone running smoothly
I’ll regularly run CleanMy®Phone if I feel my device is running slowly, glitching, draining the battery, or even overheating (which is rare).
One click of this app and I can see at a glance all the excess clutter and ephemera that’s accumulated on my phone and pick and choose what stays and what can be offloaded.
It’s a brilliant companion to iPhone native solutions for clearing data, and it will sit quietly in the background, only springing into action when it’s really required.
Once you realize how simple clearing iPhone app cache is, you’ll do it regularly
And that’s a tip I’ll recommend to you all. Get into good habits like clearing your app cache, removing excess junk files and duplicate photos, and your phone (and mind) will thank you for it in the long run.
I think scheduling a set time once every few weeks to undertake the task makes all the difference; a few moments every once in a while can keep your phone sweet for a lot longer.
What iPhone decluttering tips do you have? I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comment section.
