What is Cache on TikTok & How to Clear It

Clearing cache allows you to free up space on your phone. Learn “What is cache on TikTok” and how to clear it on Android and iOS devices in this article.

Below, I’ve explained in detail what TikTok cache is, how to clear it, and what happens when you clear it.

What is cache on TikTok?

Cache on TikTok is a memory-cleanup feature for mobile devices that allows you to remove the TikTok app’s temporary data stored on your phone, also called the cache data.

The TikTok app stores its cache data in your phone’s cache memory so that the data is easier to find and load, which helps the app load and run faster. Also, cache data is not exclusive to TikTok — many apps use the same technique to increase their performance.

How it works:

Whenever you open the TikTok app, it has to display certain elements, such as its layout, your profile info, and multimedia elements (images, videos), which are stored on a TikTok server.

So, every time you open TikTok, it has to download this data from the server to display — a task that is more time-consuming than fetching the same data from your device — so the app just stores the data on your device to fetch and display its elements faster.

Also Read: How to Block Someone on TikTok?

What happens when I clear the cache on TikTok?

TikTok can continue to accumulate cache data on your phone. Clearing it can help speed up the app’s performance. Additionally, here’s what clearing the cache does:

• It clears up space on your phone: Clearing TikTok cache frees up space in your phone’s cache memory. It frees up space for other apps to occupy.
• Acts as a restart for TikTok: Clearing the TikTok cache gives the app a fresh start. 
• Fixes issues: Clearing the cache can fix lagging and crashing. So, go ahead and clear the cache if your app is laggy.
• Updates your feed: Clearing the cache might update your feed with new content.

Should I clear the TikTok cache?

You don’t need to clear your TikTok’s cache every time you use the app. But not cleaning the cache at all can result in a large cache buildup, which can slow down the phone’s processing and even lead to TikTok crashes.

So, if your app is lagging, it might be time to clear the cache. But generally, it’s recommended to clear the cache once in a while — when enough cache builds up — to avoid lags and slowdowns.

How often you should clear the cache also comes down to your device: some devices are not affected by large cache buildup, while others might slow down early.

Also Read: What does TTM mean on Instagram?

How to clear TikTok cache (Android/iOS)

You can clear the TikTok cache in the following six steps:

1. Open TikTok.

2. Access your profile: Tap the “Profile” icon at the bottom right. It looks like the silhouette of a person.

3. Open the settings menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (the hamburger icon) at the top right corner. It will reveal the TikTok settings menu.
4. Next, tap Settings and privacy.

5. Scroll down and tap Free up space: Find the “Free up space” option under the “Cache & Cellular Data” section by scrolling down a bit.

6. Tap Clear, next to Cache. Once you tap clear, a confirmation message will appear. Confirm your decision by tapping “Clear.” It will clear your TikTok cache.

Though you can clear TikTok’s cache through the app’s internal settings, as shown above, Android devices allow you to do it without opening the app — through its external settings. However, Apple devices allow you to clear TikTok’s cache only through the app’s internal settings.

Interesting: Can you see who shared you TikTok?

Conclusion

TikTok cache is the temporary data your phone stores to run the app smoothly. Clearing TikTok’s cache regularly is needed to maintain the app’s performance. Also, it does not delete anything from your TikTok account. To clear the cache, go to your profile > tap the three lines in the top right corner > tap “Settings & privacy” > find and tap “Free up space,” > tap “Clear” next to the cache option, and confirm your decision.