How to Clear Cache on Instagram and Boost Your App’s Speed

Picture this: you’re scrolling peacefully through your feed, double-tapping images, and leaving heartfelt comments, only to be faced with sluggish load times and a less-than-seamless UX.

The culprit behind those annoying lags? The sneaky cache — a hidden collection of temporary files that might be causing those frustrating load delays and lags. Fortunately for you, there’s a simple solution. Let us show you how to clear the cache on Instagram, free up valuable space and optimize your app’s speed without losing any of your data or personal touches. Let’s dive in and make Instagram swift again!

What is cache?

Cache is a temporary storage area on your device that stores data from apps and websites you’ve visited. It’s like a quick-access memory that helps these apps load faster when you use them again. By keeping certain data handy, like images or information, the app doesn’t have to download everything from scratch every time you open it, resulting in quicker performance.

However, over time, the cache can accumulate a lot of unnecessary data, which might slow down the app instead of making it faster. Clearing the cache means deleting this stored data, giving your app a fresh start and potentially improving its speed and overall performance. It’s a simple and effective way to ensure your favorite apps, including Instagram, run smoothly and efficiently.

What data is stored in the cache?

Here are a few examples of cache data that apps and websites may store on your device.

• Images and graphics. When you browse through your social media feed, the images and graphics of posts get stored in the cache. This way, when you revisit the same posts later, the app can load them quickly without having to download them again.
• Website HTML and CSS. When you visit a website, the browser stores parts of its layout, design, and formatting (HTML and CSS files) in the cache. This helps the site load faster when you return to it or navigate to other pages within the same site.
• App data. Many apps store certain temporary data in the cache to speed up their performance. For example, a weather app might cache the latest weather forecasts, a news app might cache recent articles, or a map app might cache map tiles for faster navigation.
• Browser data. Web browsers often store data like cookies, which are tiny pieces of information that remember your preferences and login details for websites. Also, the browser cache stores elements of web pages to reduce loading times when you revisit those sites.
• Media playback. Streaming apps like YouTube and Netflix store parts of videos or songs in the cache as you watch or listen to them. This allows for smoother playback if you rewind or rewatch something you’ve seen before.

How to clear Instagram cache on iPhone?

When it comes to clearing the cache on Instagram, there’s yet no direct option within the app settings. However, a surefire way to achieve a clean slate is by deleting the Instagram app itself. It’s a simple method that works like a charm.

Rest assured, your photos, messages, and all your linked content will remain safe and sound — deleting the app won’t affect any of your valuable files.

Just be sure to remember your login credentials, as you’ll need them after reinstalling the app. Ok, here’s what you need to do:

1. Tap the Instagram app icon on your iOS device and hold the app until a menu appears.
2. Tap Remove app on the menu.
3. Tap Delete.
4. Tap Delete app.
5. Reinstall the app.

That’s it! You have successfully cleared the Instagram cache on your iPhone. Log in as usual and enjoy improved speed and performance, as the app will start fresh, ready to load new content more efficiently.

As I already have mentioned, clearing the cache does not delete your Instagram account, posts, or any personal data. It only removes temporary files that were stored to speed up the app.

How to clear Instagram cache on Android?

To clear your Instagram cache on your Android device, give your app a fresh start and potentially boost its performance, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open your Android Settings page.
2. Tap Apps or Apps and notifications.
3. Scroll to or search for Instagram on the list of installed apps.
4. Tap Instagram > Storage.
5. Tap Clear cache.

All your important content remains intact — only the temporary files have been removed. When you open Instagram again, you’ll likely notice a snappier experience as the app starts anew with a clean slate. Enjoy!

How to clear your search history on Instagram?

Another piece of data you might want to manage on Instagram is your search history. Whether it’s for a speed boost, freeing up memory, or simply maintaining your privacy, clearing your search history can be a smart move. There are two methods to achieve this, each with a slightly different route to accessing your search queries. But rest assured, the result will be the same in both cases — no more stored search history. Let’s dive into the instructions.

Clearing search history from the Explore Tab

1. Tap the magnifying glass icon in the lower menu. 
2. Tap the search field, you will see the entire search history. 
3. If you want to delete the entire search, tap See All.
4. Tap Clear all.

Clearing Search History from Your Profile

1. Tap the three lines.
2. Go to Your activity.
3. Choose Recent searches.
4. Tap Clear all. 

And there you have it! Your Instagram search history is now cleared, offering a fresher experience and enhancing your privacy. Whether you choose the Explore tab or your profile settings, the process is straightforward, making it easy to maintain the level of privacy you desire.

Bottomline

If you’re a frequent Instagram user, it’s only natural for data to pile up on your device over time. Regularly clearing the cache becomes a necessity to maintain the app’s speed and performance.

However, there’s no need to go to the extreme and wipe out your Instagram data every week or month. Instead, it’s more practical to clear the cache as needed — when the app noticeably slows down or experiences crashes.

If you want to take a break from Instagram and wonder how you can deactivate your account, we’ve got you covered with a guide on how to do just that.