How to clear the TikTok cache on any device

TikTok’s storage use can grow over time. If the app starts freezing, running slowly, or taking up too much space, clearing the cache is one of the fastest ways to bring it back under control.

This guide explains how to clear TikTok’s cache on iPhone, Android, and desktop. It also covers what clearing your cache actually does and shares tips for reducing TikTok’s storage use without deleting the app.

Clear your TikTok cache on the mobile app (iPhone and Android)

Clearing your TikTok cache only takes a few taps. Here are two ways to do it.

Using the app settings

TikTok makes it easy to clear its cache directly from the app. The steps are the same on iPhone and Android.

1. Open TikTok and tap Profile in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top right, then choose Settings and privacy.
3. Scroll to Cache & mobile or Cache & cellular, and tap Free up space.
4. Next to Cache, tap Clear and confirm your choice when prompted.

The app may briefly feel slower while it rebuilds a new cache, but it returns to normal as you use it.

Reinstalling the app as an alternative

You can also clear the cache by deleting and reinstalling TikTok. This fully resets the app’s local storage. Your account and posted videos are unaffected, but saved drafts will be lost.

On both Android and iPhone, long-press the TikTok app and select Uninstall or Remove App, then confirm. Next, reinstall TikTok from the Google Play Store or App Store, then sign back into your account.

How to clear TikTok cache on desktop

TikTok doesn’t store cached data the same way on desktop as it does in the mobile app. When you access TikTok in a browser, temporary files like thumbnails, scripts, or layout data are cached by the browser itself. That means clearing the cache is a browser-level action, not something you do inside TikTok.

Chrome, Edge, Brave, and other Chromium browsers

The easiest way to clear your TikTok cache on Chrome, Edge, Brave, or other Chromium-based browsers is with a keyboard shortcut.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac) to open your browser’s menu for clearing data. Choose All time as the time range if you want to remove all cached files from your browser. Make sure Cached images and files is selected, then click Delete data.

This clears cached images and files for all websites in your browser; Chromium-based browsers don’t support clearing the cache for a single site. If you want to stay signed into any of your accounts, uncheck the option to clear cookies.

Safari (Mac)

To clear cached data for TikTok in Safari:

1. Open Safari and go to the Safari menu, then click Settings.
2. Click the Privacy tab, then Manage Website Data.
3. Search for TikTok.com, select it, and click Remove.

This deletes TikTok’s cached content and cookies from Safari without affecting other sites. It’s a more targeted option than clearing your entire browser cache.

TikTok desktop app on Windows

TikTok also has a Windows desktop app, but it doesn’t include an in-app option to clear cache or temporary files. To remove its stored data, you need to reset the TikTok app through Windows settings.

To reset TikTok’s Windows app:

1. Open Settings and go to Apps.
2. In Installed apps, find TikTok, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced options.
3. Scroll down, select Reset, and confirm when prompted.

Resetting removes all local data, including cached files.

Why clearing your TikTok cache matters

Clearing TikTok’s cache is quite straightforward. That said, it’s a good idea to first understand what the cache actually is and why the app stores it in the first place.

What is the TikTok cache?

TikTok’s cache is a set of temporary files the app saves while you use it. That includes video thumbnails, profile pictures, filters, and other content you've already seen or tapped. Instead of loading everything from scratch as you scroll, the app reuses those files to speed things up.

Cached files build up the longer you use the app. When that pile gets too big, it can take up space or cause the app to lag, freeze, or stop loading parts of the feed.

You can clear the cache thanks to the fact it’s separate from your account, drafts, or posted videos. It’s not personal content; it’s supporting material TikTok can easily re-fetch later.

What happens when you clear it?

Clearing the cache removes TikTok’s temporary files from your device. It doesn’t affect your account, videos, drafts, or messages, and you stay signed in.

Your For You feed won’t change, either. Recommendations come from your account activity, not local files, so clearing the cache does not affect what you see in the app.

Emptying TikTok’s cache can help if the app has been freezing, lagging, or slowing down because it’s storing too much data. The cache can reach hundreds of MBs on active accounts, so clearing it also frees up a noticeable amount of storage.

Tips to free up space without deleting TikTok

If clearing the cache isn’t enough, there are other ways to reduce TikTok’s storage load without uninstalling the app. These methods apply to both iPhone and Android and focus on features built into TikTok or your device.

Manage TikTok’s downloaded content

Aside from the cache, TikTok may accumulate other data categorized as Downloads. This can include things like filters, stickers, and effects.

To remove these files, look for Downloads on the same Free up space screen where you cleared the cache. Tap Clear, then confirm by tapping Clear again.

Delete unused drafts

Drafts aren’t stored on TikTok’s servers; they live on your phone. If you’ve built up a backlog of videos you don’t plan to post, deleting them can free up space fast.

To remove drafts you no longer need:

1. Open the Drafts folder in your profile.
2. Tap Select and choose the drafts you want to delete.
3. Tap Delete, then confirm.

By managing downloaded content and clearing out old drafts, you can significantly reduce TikTok’s storage footprint without uninstalling the app. If, however, you’re considering a permanent break from the app, read our guide on how to delete your TikTok account.