Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites in the world, with upwards of 2 billion active users per month. This is a lot of data and activity to monitor. Like most apps and sites, Instagram keeps a temporary cache of information and data to help users navigate the app quickly and smoothly. However, there are times when you may need to know how to clear Instagram data from the cache.
What is the Instagram Cache?
Before we discuss how to delete Instagram cache data, it is important to know exactly what the cache is. As stated above, the cache is a file of temporarily stored information, which is intended to make the app easier and more efficient to use.
How does the cache do this? The cache notes how you use the app, which pages you interact with, and who you speak to most often, for example. This data is then used to prevent the app from having to re-download information over and over as you navigate to frequently visited pages.
In general, this helps the app to function more smoothly, and should allow your phone or computer to load the pages more quickly.
When You Should Clear Your Instagram Cache
Generally speaking, there is no set reason to clear your cache at regular intervals. Of course, if you wish to, clearing your cache should not cause any issues with the app or site, other than perhaps slowing them down temporarily.
However, there is one particular instance in which you should know how to clear cache in Instagram. Because of the immense traffic that Instagram experiences, it is constantly being updated and tweaked to provide the best possible performance. Most of the time, these changes are small and should have no impact upon your use, but some updates are bigger than others.
If the site or app has been updated to a point where the data and information in your cache do not match the site any longer, it can cause Instagram to crash or malfunction.
If you experience issues with Instagram on a regular or semi-regular basis, and you have not yet tried clearing the cache, this should be one of the first things you attempt. Once you have cleared the cache, re-open the app or website, and you should find that it works without crashing.
Here’s how to clear data on Instagram:
How to Clear Cache on Instagram Android
If you have an android phone, clearing your Instagram app cache is very straightforward and should only take a few moments. Here’s how to clear cache on Instagram when you have an android device:
- Open the settings menu from your phone’s home screen.
- Find and press the “apps” option.
- Scroll to or search for Instagram and press the icon.
- You will find two options on this page: “clear data” and “clear cache.”
- Simply choose “clear cache” and it will empty the temporary data from your Instagram cache.
If you choose the “clear data” option, your phone will wipe all data for Instagram, including any saved log-in information. This will not impact your profile, but you will have to log in when you next open the app.
How to Clear Instagram Cache iPhone
Clearing your Instagram cache when you have an iPhone is slightly harder. In order to clear the cache, you will either need to delete the app, use a third party app, or manually remove cached information through the Instagram app. Here’s a breakdown for each process.
How to Clear Instagram cache on iPhone by Deleting the App
Deleting the Instagram app is the only way to fully clear your cache without third party software if you have an iPhone. You can do this in many ways, but this is the most common:
- Open your settings app.
- Go to “General,” then “iPhone Storage” and find the Instagram app.
- Press the icon, and when you can see the apps data, press the “Delete App” option.
- Confirm the app deletion, and all cached information will be permanently removed with the app.
Once you have done this, you can re-install the app to get a fresh start with an empty cache.
How to Clear Instagram cache on iPhone with Third-Party Software
There are many apps that allow you to fully clear stored caches. One example is iMyFone Umate Pro, which works for most iPhones, including but not limited to the iPhone 12, 13, and 14. This data erasing app is designed to boost your phone’s performance by clearing caches and hidden caches. Here’s how to use it:
- Download the software, run the program, and connect it to your iPhone.
- Click “1-Click Free Up Space” mode and hit the “Quick Scan” button.
- Allow the scan to run fully, then click “Clean” to clear out junk files, temporary data, and app caches.
This will not only remove your Instagram cache, but caches associated with any other apps on your phone.
How to Clear Instagram cache on iPhone Manually
Clearing your Instagram cache manually on an iPhone is not difficult when you know how to do it. In order to do this, you must:
- Open your Instagram app.
- Tap the three horizontal lines at the top right of your profile, then tap “Your Activity.”
- Enter the “Recent Searches” option and press “Clear All.”
- You will be prompted to confirm this action.
If you confirm the action, your search history will be cleared within the Instagram app.
How to Clear Instagram Cache Computer
If you frequently use Instagram on your computer, there is no way to clear only the Instagram cache without doing it manually. However, you can clear your computer’s web cache to remove cached information for all sites, apps, and programs.
This will not impact the running of these apps and sites, or impact your profile or data; it will simply remove the temporary information held in their caches. Here’s how you can do this:
- Open your browser.
- Find and open the settings menu.
- Choose “clear browsing data” and set the time range you want to clear.
- Choose which kind of data you want to remove – for example, cookies, cached images, or all – and press “OK.”
Once you do this, your browser’s cache will be cleared of all selected information. If you want to remove only cached information from Instagram, however, you can do it this way:
- Go to the Instagram website and open your account settings.
- Tap “Privacy and Security,” then open “View Account Data.”
- Find the “Search History” option and select “View All.”
- Click “Clear History” – once you do this, you will be prompted to confirm your choice.
- Press “Yes, I’m sure.”
Once you do this, your Instagram search history will be cleared and the amount of cached information the site holds for you will be significantly reduced.
FAQs
Does clearing the Instagram cache make the app work better than before?
There are times when clearing your Instagram cache could improve the performance of the site or app. For example, if the Instagram app or site crashes frequently, it may be because the data in the cache does not match new information on the site. Clearing the cache may resolve the issue.
How often should I clear my Instagram cache?
There is no set rule around when you should clear your cache; different people clear their app and browser caches at different intervals. For example, Statista found that 14.63% of respondents cleared their cache every day, while 12.49% never clear their caches at all. In general, you only need to clear your cache when there are issues with the app, but whether you clear it more often is up to you.
Does Instagram keep cache data private?
Your Instagram cache data is kept purely to improve the performance of the site and/or Instagram app. This data includes search results, your frequently visited pages, media files, and your log-in information. Instagram does not share this with third parties.
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