Clearing the cache data from the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad can help speed up downloads and fix issues you may be experiencing. The App Store caches data like app info, screenshots, and more to help pages load faster, but over time this data can get outdated or corrupted leading to problems. Thankfully, clearing this cache is easy to do.
What is the App Store cache?
The App Store cache refers to temporary data the App Store app stores locally on your device. This includes things like:
- App icons
- Screenshots
- App information and descriptions
- User ratings and reviews
Caching this data makes the App Store faster, allowing it to load this data from your device storage rather than downloading it from the internet each time. However, if this cached data gets outdated or corrupted, it can cause issues like slow loading times or missing/incorrect information.
Why should I clear the App Store cache?
Clearing the App Store cache can fix a number of common issues including:
- Slow downloads: Outdated cache files can slow down app downloads and updates.
- Missing or incorrect information: If cached app data is outdated you may see wrong screenshots, descriptions, or reviews.
- Crashing: Corrupt cache data may cause the App Store to crash or freeze.
- Fix app issues: Clearing the cache can resolve problems with individual apps.
- Free up space: The cache can take up a considerable amount of storage space on your device.
Clearing this temporary data forces the App Store to grab fresh content from Apple’s servers which will have the latest updates.
How to clear App Store cache on iPhone or iPad
There are a couple quick and easy ways to clear the App Store cache on iPhone or iPad. The steps are the same whether you are using an iPhone or iPad.
Clear cache in Settings
The easiest way to clear the App Store cache is directly in your Settings app:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Tap on iPhone Storage (on iPhone) or iPad Storage (on iPad).
- Wait for your device storage to be analyzed.
- Tap on App Store.
- Tap on Offload App. This will delete the cached data for App Store while keeping the App Store app itself.
- Once it’s completed, tap Reinstall App to reinstall App Store without the old cache.
This process removes all the App Store cache while retaining your App Store preferences and login. It’s quick, usually only taking a minute or so to complete.
Offload unused apps
Another way to clear cache is by offloading unused apps. Offloading uninstalls apps while retaining their documents and data. To do this:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage.
- Wait for your storage to be analyzed.
- Tap on Offload Unused Apps.
- Tap Offload App next to App Store.
- Tap Reinstall App when it’s done to reinstall a clean App Store app.
This takes a bit longer as it clears cache for many apps, but is more thorough.
Restart your device
You can also try the traditional reboot. Restarting your iPhone or iPad will clear out all currently running apps and their cache. To restart:
- Hold down the Side or Power button until the “Slide to power off” prompt appears.
- Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
- After at least 30 seconds, hold down the Power button to turn your device back on.
Give App Store some time to reload its cache when you open it again and issues should resolve.
Force quit App Store
Force quitting the App Store app can also flush out any temporary cached files it has stored:
- Double click the Home button to open the multitasking view.
- Swipe up on the App Store preview to force quit it.
- Open App Store again from your Home Screen.
Additional ways to clear iPhone or iPad storage
Clearing the App Store cache is just one way to free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad. Here are some other techniques and apps that can help:
- Offload unused apps – This removes apps you rarely use while saving their documents and data.
- Delete unused apps – Completely uninstall apps you never use.
- Manage photos – Use the built-in Photos app to find and delete blurry, large, or duplicated photos and videos.
- Manage device backups – Delete old iOS backups from iTunes or iCloud that you no longer need.
- Clear website data – Delete browsing history, cookies, and other website data stored on your device using Settings.
- Use offline storage – Save podcasts, playlists, and other media for offline use so it’s not taking up valuable storage.
- Use cloud storage apps – Upload files to cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive to remove them from local storage.
- Try storage cleaner apps – Tools like PhoneClean help find and delete junk like unused files, inbox spam, app cache, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing the App Store cache delete any apps?
No, clearing the App Store cache does not delete or uninstall any apps from your iPhone or iPad. It only removes stored temporary data used by the App Store app itself. Your apps, their data, and all of your customizations will remain intact.
Will I lose my App Store login info or purchase history?
No, your App Store login credentials, purchase history, and all personal data will be untouched. Clearing the cache only deletes temporary app data files that have built up over time.
Is it better to clear cache on iPhone or iPad using Settings or offloading apps?
Both methods work to clear the App Store cache. Using the Settings method is quicker and cleans only App Store data. Offloading unused apps clears cache from many apps but takes longer. Either method can solve most App Store caching issues.
How can I stop so much cache data building up?
There are a few ways to reduce how much cache buildup happens on your device:
- Close apps you aren’t using to stop cache files from accumulating.
- Turn on Offload Unused Apps in Settings to auto-delete unneeded cache files.
- Use your device storage tools to manually offload or delete unneeded apps.
- Update apps frequently as updates can clear old caches.
- Turn on Optimize Storage in Settings to automatically remove apps you don’t use freeing up cache space.
How much storage space can clearing the cache free up?
This depends on how much cache data has built up for App Store and other apps. Typically you’ll free up anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to over 1GB. The more apps you have, the more storage clearing app caches will recover.
Conclusion
Clearing the App Store cache should be part of regular device maintenance to keep your iPhone or iPad running smoothly. A cluttered cache can slow down the App Store, prevent apps from updating correctly, freeze your device, and take up precious storage space.
Using the Settings app is the fastest way to clear only the App Store cache. Offloading unused apps will clear cache for many apps at once but is slower. Restarting your device or force quitting the App Store app can also help fix issues.
Be sure to monitor your device storage and clear the App Store cache whenever you notice apps slowing down or acting oddly. This simple fix takes just a few minutes but will keep your App Store running optimally.
