Mobile — AndroidClear Cache in Google Chrome
Follow these 4 simple steps
1
Open Chrome Menu
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of Chrome.
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example.com
⋮
2
Tap Delete Browsing Data
Tap "Delete browsing data" from the menu.
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New tab
New incognito tab
History
Delete browsing data
Downloads
Settings
3
Select Cached Images and Files
Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked. Choose your time range — select "All time" to clear everything.
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Delete browsing data
Time range:All time ▾
Delete data
4
Tap Delete Data
Tap the "Delete data" button at the bottom. Confirm if prompted.
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Delete browsing data
Time range:All time ▾
Delete data
All Done!
Your browser cache has been cleared. The page should now load fresh content.
Everything You Need to Know About Clearing Google Chrome Cache
Is Google Chrome on your Android phone running slowly or showing old versions of websites? Clearing the browser cache is one of the easiest solutions. Your Android device's Google Chrome browser stores temporary data like images, stylesheets, and scripts to speed up page loading. Over time, this cached data can pile up, become outdated, or even get corrupted — leading to slow performance, broken page layouts, or websites refusing to update. By clearing the Google Chrome cache on your Android phone, you free up storage space and force the browser to load fresh content from every website you visit. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to quickly clear your Google Chrome cache on Android.
Why Clear Cache in Google Chrome?
Your Android phone's Google Chrome browser relies on cached data to load pages quickly, but the cache can cause issues over time. Outdated cache can prevent you from seeing the latest version of websites. Corrupted cached files can cause Google Chrome to crash or freeze. A large cache consumes your phone's storage space. Some website features may break when cache data conflicts with new site code. Clearing Google Chrome cache on Android is quick, safe, and often resolves browsing problems instantly.
When Should You Clear Google Chrome Cache?
You should consider clearing your Google Chrome cache when: websites look broken or display incorrectly; pages load very slowly despite having a good internet connection; you see an old version of a website after it was updated; you encounter error messages on websites that should work fine; web applications or online tools aren't functioning properly; you want to free up storage space on your device; you're troubleshooting login or authentication issues; a website asks you to clear your cache to fix a problem. As a general practice, clearing your cache every few weeks helps maintain optimal browser performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear the cache in Google Chrome?
To clear Google Chrome cache on your Android phone, open the browser menu, go to settings, find the browsing data or privacy section, check 'Cached images and files', and tap clear or delete. See the detailed steps above for the exact process.
Will clearing Google Chrome cache delete my saved passwords?
No, clearing the cache in Google Chrome will not delete your saved passwords. The cache only contains temporary files like images, scripts, and website data. Passwords are stored separately in Google Chrome's password manager. However, be careful not to check the 'Passwords' or 'Saved logins' option when clearing data — only select 'Cached images and files' if you want to keep your passwords safe.
How often should I clear my Google Chrome cache?
There's no strict rule, but clearing your Google Chrome cache every 2-4 weeks is a good practice for most users. If you browse heavily, you might want to clear it weekly. If you notice websites loading slowly, displaying incorrectly, or using too much storage, it's time to clear the cache. Some users prefer to clear the cache only when they encounter problems, which is also perfectly fine.
What is browser cache and why does Google Chrome use it?
Google Chrome, like all modern browsers, uses cache to store copies of web page resources — images, CSS stylesheets, JavaScript files, and other content — on your device. This means when you revisit a website, Google Chrome can load these files from your local storage instead of downloading them again, making pages load much faster. The cache is essentially a performance optimization that saves bandwidth and reduces load times.
Will clearing cache in Google Chrome log me out of websites?
Clearing only the cache (cached images and files) in Google Chrome should NOT log you out of websites. However, if you also clear cookies and site data at the same time, you WILL be logged out of most websites. When clearing cache, make sure only 'Cached images and files' is checked, and leave 'Cookies and site data' unchecked if you want to stay logged in.
Can I clear Google Chrome cache for a specific time range?
Yes, most versions of Google Chrome allow you to choose a time range when clearing cache. Common options include: Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, and All time. Selecting 'All time' clears everything, while shorter periods only remove recently cached data. Choose the time range that suits your needs — if you're troubleshooting a specific issue, 'All time' is usually the most effective option.
What's the difference between cache and cookies in Google Chrome?
In Google Chrome, cache and cookies serve different purposes. Cache stores website files (images, scripts, stylesheets) to speed up page loading on future visits. Cookies store small pieces of data like login status, preferences, and shopping cart contents. Clearing cache won't affect your login sessions or preferences, but clearing cookies will log you out and reset site-specific settings. When troubleshooting, it's usually best to clear the cache first before touching cookies.
Does clearing Google Chrome cache speed up my browser?
Yes, clearing the Google Chrome cache can speed up your browsing, especially if the cache has grown very large or contains corrupted data. A bloated cache can actually slow down Google Chrome because the browser spends time searching through old files. After clearing the cache, the first visit to each website may take slightly longer since files need to be re-downloaded, but subsequent browsing is typically faster and more responsive.
How much storage space does Google Chrome cache use?
Google Chrome's cache size varies depending on your browsing habits, but it can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. Heavy web users who visit many image-rich sites may accumulate larger caches. On mobile devices, this can be significant since storage is more limited. You can usually check the cache size in Google Chrome's settings under storage or site data. Clearing the cache regularly helps keep storage usage in check.
Does incognito/private mode in Google Chrome use cache?
When you browse in Google Chrome's incognito or private mode, the browser does create a temporary cache during your session, but it is automatically deleted when you close the private window or tab. This means private browsing doesn't contribute to your long-term cache buildup. However, your regular browsing cache still exists and may need to be cleared separately. Incognito mode is useful for one-time browsing without leaving cache data behind.
Can I set Google Chrome to automatically clear cache?
Yes, many versions of Google Chrome offer settings to automatically clear cache data. On desktop Google Chrome, you can often find this in Privacy & Security settings where you can set the browser to clear cache on exit. Some mobile versions may also offer this option. Additionally, browser extensions or add-ons can provide more granular automatic cache clearing on schedules. Check Google Chrome's settings for 'Clear on exit' or similar options.
Can I clear cache for all browsers at once?
There's no built-in way to clear cache for all browsers at once. Each browser — Google Chrome included — manages its own cache independently. You need to clear the cache in each browser separately. On some devices, you can clear app cache through system settings (like Android's App settings), but for the most thorough clean, it's best to clear cache within each browser individually.
Can I clear Google Chrome cache for just one specific website?
Yes, Google Chrome offers ways to clear cache for specific websites. On desktop, you can usually right-click on a page, open Developer Tools (F12), then right-click the refresh button and select 'Empty Cache and Hard Reload'. Alternatively, you can go to Google Chrome's site settings to remove data for individual sites. This is useful when a specific site is acting up but you don't want to clear your entire cache.
What happens to my browsing after I clear Google Chrome cache?
After clearing the Google Chrome cache, the first time you visit each website it will take slightly longer to load because the browser needs to download all resources fresh. This is normal and temporary. After that initial visit, Google Chrome will rebuild its cache naturally as you browse, and pages will load quickly again. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history (unless you cleared that too), and browser settings remain unchanged.
What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing history in Google Chrome?
Clearing cache in Google Chrome removes stored website files (images, scripts, stylesheets) that speed up page loading. Clearing history removes the record of websites you've visited, including URLs in the address bar suggestions and the history page. These are separate operations — you can clear one without the other. Clearing cache fixes display issues, while clearing history is more about privacy. Some browsers combine these options, so read the checkboxes carefully.
Does clearing Google Chrome cache affect my mobile data usage?
Yes, temporarily. After clearing Google Chrome's cache on a mobile device, websites need to re-download all their resources (images, scripts, etc.) on your next visit, which uses data. If you're on a limited mobile data plan, consider clearing cache while connected to Wi-Fi, then visiting your most-used sites to rebuild the cache. After the cache rebuilds, your data usage returns to normal levels.
Will clearing Google Chrome cache delete my bookmarks?
No, clearing the cache in Google Chrome will never delete your bookmarks. Bookmarks are stored separately from cached data and are not affected by clearing the cache, cookies, or even browsing history. Your bookmarks will remain exactly as they are after you clear the cache. If you're syncing bookmarks with a Google Chrome account, they're also backed up in the cloud.
Are Google Chrome extensions or add-ons affected by clearing cache?
Clearing Google Chrome's cache generally does not affect your installed extensions or add-ons. Extensions remain installed and functional. However, some extensions store their own temporary data that may be cleared. Extension settings and configurations are typically preserved. If an extension uses cached data for offline functionality, that data may need to be re-downloaded. In rare cases, clearing all site data (not just cache) might reset some extension permissions.
How large can the Google Chrome cache get?
Google Chrome doesn't have a fixed maximum cache size — it dynamically manages cache based on available disk space. On desktop, the cache can grow to several gigabytes if left unchecked. On mobile devices, the cache is typically smaller due to limited storage. Factors that increase cache size include: visiting many different websites, browsing image-heavy or video-heavy sites, and using web applications. If you notice Google Chrome using a lot of storage, clearing the cache is the fastest way to reclaim space.
Is clearing cache in Google Chrome safe?
Yes, clearing the cache in Google Chrome is completely safe. It does not delete personal data like passwords, bookmarks, or downloads. The only effect is that websites will need to re-download their resources on your next visit, which may cause a brief delay. Clearing cache is a routine maintenance task recommended by browser developers and IT professionals. There's no risk of data loss or browser damage — Google Chrome will simply rebuild its cache as you continue browsing.