There isn't a single, phone-wide setting to "disable cache" entirely. Caching is used by apps and your browser to improve performance. Instead, you need to manage the cache for individual apps or your web browser. Here's how to clear (which effectively "disables" it until the next time data is cached) the cache in your browser:
Clearing Browser Cache on Android
The process varies slightly depending on the browser you're using:
Google Chrome
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Privacy and security.
- Tap Clear browsing data.
- Choose a time range (e.g., "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," "All time"). To completely clear all cache, select "All time."
- Make sure the box next to "Cached images and files" is checked. You can also choose to clear browsing history and cookies.
- Tap Clear data.
Android Browser (If Applicable)
Note: The generic "Android Browser" is mostly outdated, but some older phones may still use it.
- Open the Android Browser.
- Tap the Menu button (usually three vertical dots or a physical button).
- Go to More > Settings or directly to Settings.
- Look for Privacy & Security.
- Tap Clear cache, Clear history, and Clear all cookie data as appropriate.
Important Considerations:
- Clearing the cache removes temporary data. This means websites might load slightly slower the next time you visit them, as they'll need to re-download images and other files.
- App Cache: To clear the cache for individual apps, go to your phone's settings > Apps > [Choose the App] > Storage > Clear Cache. Note that clearing "Data" is different from clearing "Cache." Clearing data resets the app to its default state, deleting your login information and settings. Clearing the cache just removes temporary files.
- "Disabling" isn't really disabling. Clearing the cache only removes the currently stored data. The browser or app will start caching data again as you use it. There is no way to permanently stop a browser from caching.
- Why clear the cache? Clearing the cache can help resolve issues such as websites not loading correctly, apps crashing, or performance problems.
