Every mobile app collects cache in the background to improve user experience. Cache data includes logins, search results, frequently visited pages, and other media files. It actually makes more sense on social apps like Instagram and Facebook to quickly load media files on the go. While we don’t recommend clearing app caches often, it does have some benefits. This post will cover everything you need to know about clearing cache on Instagram.
Unlike Snapchat, Instagram does not allow you to clear the cache from the app. You have to open the app info menu on Android and clear the cache. Before we show you how, let’s first understand what Instagram’s cache collects.
Instagram Cache Explained
A cache is a collection of files that make your apps load and launch faster. Instagram caches almost every feature of the app that you use the most. For example, you may frequently visit your profile or someone’s Instagram account. Instagram stores data and uses it the next time you try to access the same account. That way the app doesn’t need to download photos and videos from scratch. It can use the collected cache files and load immediately.
Caching helps Instagram remember your search queries and load the Explore page quickly. It benefits users in two ways. First, Instagram doesn’t need to load every media file. Second, it cuts down on internet usage and speeds up the app experience.
As you continue to use Instagram for several months or years, the app will silently create a cache in the background. However, you cannot view or access those files. You can only see the amount of cache data Instagram has collected (in MB or GB).
Why you need to clear cache on Instagram
There are two main reasons to clear the Instagram cache on your phone. The first is to free up storage space. Over the years, the Instagram app may have collected cache data in the hundreds of MB. If you’re addicted to watching Reels, that number can come in a few Gigabytes. When you are dealing with low memory on your phone and want to free up internal memory without deleting large media files, you should check frequently used apps (such as Instagram in this case), memory data cache collected and delete it.
At times, Instagram may retain a bunch of old or corrupted caches, which can lead to problems like the app not refreshing the feed, not loading photos or videos, etc. Once Instagram is up and running wrong behavior on your phone, you can clear the cache and try again.
Clear Instagram cache on Android
Now that you know how Instagram cache works and why you need to clear it, here’s how to clear Instagram cache on Android.
Step 1: Find the Instagram app on your phone’s home screen or app drawer.
Step 2: Long press on the Instagram app icon.
Step 3: Tap the small ‘i’ button and open the app info menu.
Step 4: Open Storage in the Usage menu.
Step 5: Check Instagram cache data and tap Clear cache.
Check Instagram Cache on iPhone
Unlike Android, you cannot simply clear the Instagram cache on iPhone. You can check the documents and data collected by Instagram on your iPhone and take the necessary actions.
Step 1: Open Settings on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to the General menu.
Step 3: Open iPhone Storage.
Step 4: Scroll down to Instagram and open it.
Step 5: Check Instagram app size (native app size) and document & data size (cache).
You have two options to choose from.
Offload Instagram: This will only remove Instagram from your phone but will not affect the collected documents and data.
Delete an app: This will delete the app and all associated data from your iPhone.
You can delete Instagram and reinstall it from the App Store to start from scratch. There is no way to clear Instagram cache data without deleting the app on iPhone.
Will clearing cache delete your Instagram photos
When you clear Instagram’s cache, it means you’re only deleting the files that the app stores on your phone. You don’t delete any media that you’ve posted from your Instagram account, and they remain safe across the company’s services. So your uploaded photos, videos and Instagram Stories stay intact. You’ll only notice longer load times at first because the app is loading all the data from scratch and collecting a new cache.
What happens to Instagram messages
Deleting your Instagram capture list will not lose your chats as they are still safe on Instagram’s servers.
Clean everything
While it is recommended to clear the cache of the Instagram app, it is not recommended that you do it often as it affects your app experience. Plus, you don’t need to worry about Instagram deleting your media files or messages. Your data is securely stored on Instagram servers.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
