Like other applications, WhatsApp stores a lot of temporary data over time, commonly commonly known as cached data. Clearing them frequently will free up storage space and improve the overall performance of WhatsApp. It is also the first solution that you need to try out whenever you have issues on WhatsApp. Based on the device, the method and steps for clearing the WhatsApp cache will vary.
The guide will provide the steps to clear the WhatsApp cache on all supported devices, including Android, iPhone, Mac, and Windows.
How to Clear WhatsApp Cache on Android Smartphone
1. Head to Settings and open Apps.
2. Click on See all apps or Manage Apps to show the full list of installed apps and find WhatsApp.
3. Once selected, tap on Storage & cache or Clear Data and then click Clear Cache.
This process will successfully clear the WhatsApp cache on your Android device.
How to Clear WhatsApp Cache on iPhone
iPhone users don’t have the same option to clear cache as Android users. To clear the cache, you will need to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
1. On your iPhone, go to Settings and choose the General option.
2. Tap iPhone Storage and scroll to find WhatsApp in the list of installed apps.
3. After selecting WhatsApp, click Offload App to uninstall the app but preserve your documents and data. Then, you can reinstall the app on your iPhone.
4. Alternatively, choose Delete App to remove WhatsApp from your iPhone by completely deleting the saved data. You have to reinstall the app and set up your WhatsApp account from scratch.
How to Clear WhatsApp Cache on Desktop
The WhatsApp desktop app on Windows doesn’t have a built-in way to clear the cache. You’ll need to use a third-party tool, such as CCleaner.
1. Install the CCleaner app by visiting ccleaner.com.
2. After installation, open the application and click on Analyze.
3. Once the scan is complete, a list of cache files will appear, including ones associated with WhatsApp.
4. Select WhatsApp and click Run Cleaner to remove the cache.
5. Confirm by clicking Continue in the pop-up dialog box.
Mac
1. Start your Mac and open Finder.
2. Go to the Go menu and select Go to Folder.
3. Type in ~/Library/Caches and click Go.
4. Look for the folder named WhatsApp and highlight it.
5. Right-click and choose Move to Bin.
6. Go to the Bin folder and delete the cache files to free up space.
How to Clear Cache On WhatsApp Web
There’s no direct option to clear the cache on the Web. However, you can delete cached images and files by clearing your browser’s data.
1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.
2. Select Settings and navigate to Privacy and Security.
3. Click on Delete Browsing Data.
4. Choose Cached images and files from the options, set your desired time range, and click Clear Data to remove the files.
Can I Clear WhatsApp Cache Using Third-Party Apps
Yes. You can clear the WhatsApp cache using third-party apps. However, it is not recommended to use third-party apps as they may contain harmful malware. If you insist on using the third-party app, you may install and use any of the following apps on your Smartphone.
- CCleaner
- Cleaner for WhatsApp
- Avast Cleanup
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Clearing the cached data will not delete your messages, photos, videos, or GIFs.
