While many people forget to clear their cache (or understand what one is), you may have encountered the term when trying to find out how to improve performance in your favorite app, like TikTok.
Whatever the reason, this article hopes to clear things up for you.
We’re going to cover what a cache is, how it affects your iPhone or Android device, how to clear TikTok cache files, and how it will affect app performance.
What is a Cache?
The dictionary definition of a cache is a collection of items stored in a hidden place. In the computing world, it refers to a separate memory bank that allows for information to be quickly accessed.
A cache is included in almost every electronic device as a piece of hardware designed to hold temporary data and free up space in your phone’s internal memory.
An app’s cache is a separate folder used to store data in the form of temporary files. Cached data will typically include images and files an app needs to load when launching.
Storage of these files can help reduce cellular data usage as much of the information needed to launch an app as TikTok will already be stored on your device.
Generally, cache data is a good thing, but sometimes you may find the need to clear cache files to get things running smoothly.
The next time you open the app, the cache will need to be repopulated with the information you deleted and, as such, will require more data to load everything in properly.
What Are the TikTok Cache Files?
The TikTok app cache includes some important information for ease of use. Things like your personal settings, login details, and video watch history, among others, are stored in the TikTok cache.
From the time you download the TikTok app, the cache is updated with any changes you make and send to a storage space the app can easily access. This caching process takes place behind the scenes so as not to interrupt you while you use the app.
Over time the TikTok cache storage space will fill up, often with insignificant data, that can begin to slow down your device.
If this happens, you will probably want to free up space by clearing your cache on TikTok.
How to Clear Your TikTok Cache
There are a few reasons you might want to clear TikTok cache data. Maybe the cached data has become corrupted, or the storage space is simply becoming too full.
Whatever the case may be, follow these easy steps to clear cache files on TikTok:
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Step 1
Open TikTok and tap the three dots in the top right corner of your profile page.
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Step 2
Tap Settings and privacy.
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Step 3
Scroll to Cache & Cellular Data and select Free up space.
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Step 4
Tap the Clear button to the right of Cache to clear cache files.
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Step 5
Select Clear again in the pop up window to finalize and clear cache information on TikTok.
Your TikTok cache is now empty!
Remember, when you clear cache information on the TikTok app or others, you will have to redownload some information to the app’s cache the next time you open the app.
What Happens When You Clear Your TikTok Cache?
Now that your cache is cleared out, what exactly does that mean?
After you hit the clear cache button, the temporary data stored in the cache will be deleted. It may also mean you will have to log back into the TikTok app, as well as the app taking a little longer to load than you are used to.
But don’t worry, this is normal. When you delete these files and clear TikTok cache information, you are only removing them from your phone’s personal storage space.
All TikTok users have their information stored in TikTok’s servers, so your favorite videos liked videos, watch history, as well as any changes you’ve made from the settings menu, is safe.
All that’s happening is TikTok is repopulating the cache so it can load and search faster in the future. Over time these files will begin to take up more storage space, and you may need to clear the cache again. Make sure you have enough space on your device for the necessary files.