What is Cached Data? Should You Clear Cache?

If you have come across the term "Cached data" and wondering what is cached data, you are at the right place. In this article, we will cover the topics mentioned below, you can click on any topic to read the particular section.

• What is Cached Data
• Why do Apps or Websites Store data on the Cache
• What is Cache Storage
• When you should clear cache
• What happens when you clear the cache
• How to clear cache

What is Cached Data

The Cached data is nothing but files, images, scripts and other media files stored on your devices by the website or app. Data is stored on your devices in a reserved space, so the next time when you are visiting the app or website, information is already available. It makes the process faster as it does not require to load all the files again.

Why do Apps and Websites Store Data on the Cache

The cache can help speed up the loading process. For example, Graphics such as logo, images will be saved on to your device thereby the app need not download them every time you use it. Bandwidth usage is minimized on both the ends. Sites and app data seems to appear almost instantly the moment you log in. Cached data is temporary and even some offline applications leave traces on cache storage so it can load faster.

What is Cache Storage

As it is the tendency of the app to store files locally on your device, cache occupies space. Each application creates a reserved space on your device to store offline files. As you use the app or website, the cache storage builds up with new files and graphics thereby occupying considerable storage on your device. Particularly if you are on a low storage resource, this may slow down the system, tablet or phone.

When You Should Clear Cache

If you are phone or tablet is high on specs with lots of storage, then there is no need to clear cache. Some phones with low memory space may hang up frequently if the cache memory occupies much of the storage leaving the phone fewer resources to operate. Your device may even freeze, and clearing the cache should give your device some breathing space to operate.

What Happens When You Clear Cache

When you clear cache, all the information stored in the apps cache memory is erased. For example, if you are clearing your Facebook cache, then all information stored on your phone or tablet including the usernames will be erased from the app. The app will now be as fresh as when you installed without any data. You will have to input the credentials all over again and start using the app. Clearing the cache frees memory space and lets your device perform faster. It is also a good practice to clear cache on regular intervals to keep your device healthy. Apps and websites are designed in such a way to recreate and store them in the cache memory every time you swipe of the cache. It would not be a problem for the app and does not affect the performance in any way.

How to Clear Cache

If you would like to get rid of the cache files stored by your favorite web browsers, follow these steps.

1. Clear Cache on Phones

To clear cache on your phone or tablet, navigate to Apps and select the app. Click the clear data button to delete stored files. For android smartphones, there are several cache cleaner apps but to make it convenient for our users.

2. Clear Cache on Internet Explorer

Go to Tools menu. Click Internet Options. Select the General Tab. Find the Browsing the Internet section and hit delete. This should clear all the files stored by IE.

3. Clear Cache on Mozilla Firefox

Go to Tools menu. Click Options and proceed to Advanced Tab. In the Offline Storage section, hit Clear Now. This should delete the files.

4. Clear Cache on Safari

Click on the Safari Menu and click Reset. You will be prompted for choosing options. Select the ones you wish to clear and hit enter.

Hopefully, you now know what is cached data, how and when you should clear the cache. If you find any difficulty in performing any of the steps mentioned above, comment below and we will help you out.