what does it mean to clear data from an app
Anybody who has e'er encountered an app or software problem on Android may accept been given the advice "clear app cache" or "articulate app information". These two solutions are often thought of as miracle cures for Android, only what is the difference between these seemingly similar operations? Well, that is exactly what we effort to explain in this commodity.
Leap to:
- What is cache?
- What does 'Clear app cache' hateful?
- What does 'Articulate app data' or 'clear app storage mean?
- When should they be used?
- How to clear app data or cached data?
- Beware of performance-boosting apps
- Determination
What is cache?
Before nosotros get into the nitty-gritty of app enshroud, permit's try to understand what 'cache' is. In the simplest of terms, the cache is a reserved storage infinite that stores temporary data. This data is primarily used to help apps, browsers, and websites to load faster. Another manner to call back it is to recollect of cache as a tool to speed upwards and offer a faster experience. Apart from offer a faster, smoother user feel, the cache too helps you reduce the amount of information that is processed and consumed.
Let me endeavour to help you sympathize this using an example.
After restarting your phone, have you ever noticed how irksome your camera app is to open up at first, while each subsequent attempt is quicker? The increase in speed after the initial launch of an app is thanks to this cached data. Similarly, you might detect that websites load faster on a second visit. This is considering your browser stores some data is because files such as images have been previously stored in the cache.
What does 'Clear app cache' hateful?
Now that y'all sort of understand what 'enshroud' really ways, it is also easier to empathize the term 'articulate app cache'. When yous perform this step, what essentially happens is that all the temporary data pertaining to an app is manually deleted.
Now, in that location is often no demand to manually manage cached information on Android smartphones because Android is very capable of doing this on its ain without you lot even noticing information technology. However, if an app starts to misbehave or stop working, then you lot may be required to take this step as part of troubleshooting.
When y'all clear an app's cached data, you remove the temporary files placed in that location, and you'd be surprised how ofttimes this simple pace works. You should also note, however, that it doesn'tguarantee better functioning, and the app may even be temporarily slower the next time it's used.
What does 'articulate app data' or 'clear app storage' mean?
If you haven't noticed still, 'clear app cache' and 'clear app data' (clear app storage on newer phones) are two singled-out steps. What you should note, however, is that clearing app data is a more severe (for want of a better give-and-take) footstep. While the cache tin be cleared with little risk to app settings, preferences and saved states, immigration the app data will delete/remove these entirely.
Clearing information essentially resets an app to its default state: it makes your app act like when you lot start downloaded and installed it. For instance, say you lot make changes to the settings of your favorite fitness app. You modify the length of exercises and sound settings.
Clearing the cache volition not bear upon these saved settings. Clearing stored data may, and likely volition.
When should they be applied?
At that place are a few circumstances in which you may wish to clear app or cached data.
- Firstly, to save storage infinite. Some apps can store several GBs of information that you no longer need (podcast apps are often guilty of this). In this case, you may wish to articulate their information.
- The other and more common reason is to reset an app to a default state if it has get problematic, buggy or otherwise disruptive.
How to clear app information or cached data?
On Android xi and above follow these steps to clear app information or cached data.
- Become to the Settings Bill of fare
- Click on Storage
- Select Other Apps
This will open a list of apps currently installed on your phone. By default, it volition evidence you the apps with the most information used at the top. On older Android versions, y'all as well get the option to sort the apps by size.
- Select the app yous want to articulate the cache/information
- Yous will no meet two options: 'Articulate enshroud' and 'Articulate storage'.
- Depending on your intention, choose between either of these options
- Once again, do note that 'clear app information' or 'clear app storage' is the more desperate of the two options and should simply exist used if yous have massive issues with an app or if you are really running low on storage space
If you are on an older version of Android, y'all have the option to clear all cached files with a unmarried click. To do this, all y'all need to do is to get to Settings -> Storage -> Cached data and select 'Clear Cache'. This option is no longer bachelor on newer Android versions including Android x and eleven.
However, this only works to clean one app. In social club to clean the enshroud of every app at the same fourth dimension, follow the steps
On Android eight Oreo you may not be able to do a system-wide clearing of cache and data, depending on your manufacturer's pare. If you go to Settings > Storage > Free upward space > TemporaryFiles and find Cached information there.
A give-and-take on "performance-boosting" apps
There are many apps that claim to "boost device performance" just oftentimes this just isn't truthful. In many cases, these apps just provide a one-touch push for ending processes and clearing the cache, both of which are largely unnecessary on today's Android platform.
You lot can, and should, practise this manually if information technology is ever required, but don't brand it a habit.
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So, cleaning your app when your phone is running slowly or the retention is full could seem like the best option in the short run, only it could accept consequences in the long term, which is why you shouldn't practise it also often.
Final thoughts
There is no "better" or "worse" option when it comes to immigration the cache and clearing app data. Both processes accept their purpose.
- Problems with the Google Play Store? Here'southward how to re-install it
Your first step towards fixing a problematic app should exist clearing the enshroud, every bit this is the to the lowest degree intrusive method for apace fixing apps. If that fails, or if you wish to free upwards a larger volume of storage space, then clear the data. But call up that anything stored or saved in the app, including audio, video, or image files, volition likewise be removed.
Has that cleared upwards your concerns regarding app data and cached data? If not, tell us in the comments.
This article was concluding updated in April 2021. Older comments accept been preserved.
Source: https://www.nextpit.com/clear-app-cache-vs-clear-app-data-difference
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