On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Instagram, Storage and tap Clear cache. You stay logged in and nothing in your account changes. iPhone has no clear cache button, so your options are to offload the app or delete and reinstall it. The Instagram app itself has no option to clear its cache.
The cache is made up of temporary copies of photos, videos and other files that Instagram keeps on your phone so they load faster next time. Clearing it frees space and can fix a feed or Stories that won’t load properly. It fills up again as you use the app.
Clear Instagram’s cache on Android
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Tap Apps (on some phones, See all apps first) and choose Instagram.
- Tap Storage or Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear cache.
Menu names vary a little between phone brands (Android Help), but the path is similar on Samsung, Pixel and others.
Don’t confuse it with Clear storage or Clear data on the same screen. That button deletes all of the app’s data on the phone, and you’ll have to log in again.
Clear Instagram’s cache on iPhone
iOS doesn’t have a clear cache button for individual apps. Go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage, Instagram (Apple Support), and choose one of two options:
- Offload App removes the app but keeps its documents and data. Tap Reinstall App afterwards to get it back. Sources disagree on whether this clears the cache.
- Delete App removes the app and all its data from the phone, cache included. Reinstall it from the App Store and log in again.
Deleting the app doesn’t delete your Instagram account. Your posts, messages and followers are stored on Instagram’s side and come back when you log in. Before deleting, make sure you know your password or have access to the email or phone number on the account.
Instagram on a computer
On instagram.com the cache belongs to your browser. Delete the site data for Instagram only, not for every site:
- Chrome: Settings, Privacy and security, Third-party cookies, See all site data and permissions, search for “instagram” and delete it (Chrome Help).
- Firefox: on instagram.com, click the padlock in the address bar and choose Clear cookies and site data.
- Safari on Mac: Settings, Privacy, Manage Website Data, then remove instagram.com.
This signs you out of Instagram in that browser.
Links you open inside Instagram
When you tap a link in Instagram, it opens in Instagram’s own browser, which keeps its own cookies and cache. To clear them, open any link, tap the three dots at the top and look for the browser settings or browsing data option.
Clearing search history is something else
Recent searches aren’t part of the cache. To remove them, go to your profile, tap the menu, open Your activity, then Recent searches, and tap Clear all.
When clearing the cache helps
- Instagram takes up a lot of space on your phone.
- The feed, Stories or Reels won’t load or show old content. If your feed is stuck, see also why your Instagram feed won’t refresh.
- A Story won’t upload. Our guide on Stories that won’t upload lists other causes.
Expect the app to be a bit slower the first time you open it after clearing, while it downloads content again.
FAQ
Will clearing the cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Clearing the cache only removes temporary files on your phone. Your posts, messages and account stay as they are.
Does clearing the cache log me out?
Clear cache on Android doesn’t. Clear storage on Android, deleting the app on iPhone, and deleting site data in a browser do.
Why is there no clear cache option on my iPhone?
Apple doesn’t offer one for apps. Offloading or deleting and reinstalling the app is the way to do it.
How often should I clear Instagram’s cache?
Only when you need to, for example when the app takes too much space or stops loading content. It fills up again as you use the app.