Clear cache to improve device fluidity and performance: These are the apps that consume the most memory

Madrid, (Portaltic/EP) – The cache is one of the first resources we turn to when we need to speed up the performance of our device, considering that most of the information it stores is one-time and not necessary for the correct operation of the applications they have installed.

The cache consists of temporary files containing data generated each time a service is used, which is stored for next use without requiring specific action from the user. For example, this storage space stores login details, and once these details are entered, the application will not request them again. Therefore, it is most common to keep the cache intact to speed up certain tasks, consume less mobile data, save battery life, and even access content offline.

This memory is used not only to save Internet data, but also to collect other files such as “thumbnails”, thumbnail copies and images stored on the device, which allow you to preview them without opening your own photos. Thanks to them, you can access these contents faster and reduce loading times.

Some applications also use this storage space to save results that are in use. For example, the cache can record changes to a video while using an editing program (that is, before manually saving the final result).

For the reasons mentioned above, there are a number of benefits to not touching the cache, although it is recommended in some cases, such as when an application fails during use, does not load completely at startup, closes suddenly, etc.

Once vacated, users will have to perform certain tasks again, such as entering access credentials or adding products to the cart again if they have not yet completed them, as all this data will be gone after deletion.

Browsers and streaming media are the most consuming applications

The consumption of the cache on the mobile device by the installed services depends firstly on how they are used and secondly on what they have to store on a daily basis. It is also a question of the type of “application” used.

Generally speaking, those devices that obtain data from the Internet or need to be connected to the network to operate store the most information, so these devices should be checked and cleaned regularly to avoid excessive consumption, which will affect the performance of the device.

Browsers are one of the “applications” that consume the most cache, whether they are used on a computer or in a mobile application. During navigation, they accumulate different types of files, such as those using JavaScript or CSS languages ​​(which allow the creation of graphics and visual presentation of documents written in HTML).

This way, if you visit a web page again, the browser does not need to download the same file again, resulting in faster loading and a better browsing experience.

In any case, it is recommended to clear the cache of Chrome, Edge and Mozilla Firefox from time to time, as well as other existing browsing services. In this way, it is possible to solve some problems registered on the site, such as the errors related to image loading or formatting indicated by Google.

Web browser extensions (ad blockers, translation tools, password managers, etc.) also require a corresponding cache to function. This means that your cache grows with each extension you add.

In addition to browsers, video apps like YouTube Music and Vimeo or music apps (Spotify, Apple Music) are also apps that use the most cache storage space, as they use it to reduce download times and allow users to access content uninterruptedly.

YouTube is not the only application developed by Google that consumes more cache, because other applications such as Google Photos or Google Maps also use similar storage space to provide their services. For example, the Maps “application” saves them to be able to access them offline.

Social networks are also among the most in need of caching, such as those developed by Meta (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp or Threads) and TikTok, which play videos and other multimedia content.

How to clear cache

Once you understand how the cache works, the consequences of deleting it and the benefits of maintaining it, it is worth remembering how to check the space the cache takes up in the application through the Device Settings section.

Once you have accessed it, you have to click on the “Apps” button, which lists all the apps installed on your computer along with the “Storage Usage”. This is reflected next to “Permissions”, “Notification Management” or “Data Usage”.

As far as browsers are concerned, they have their own shortcuts for clearing cache, which can be accessed from the results history or through the “Delete browsing data” option.

You will then have to select the time period that corresponds to the cache you want to delete. For example, Mozilla Firefox allows you to delete information stored for “the last hour,” the last two and four hours, or everything you searched throughout the day.

Chrome introduces a window that walks you to the browsing data you can delete, and offers advanced settings for what to delete. Your options include cached files and images, and the browser warns that by freeing up this space, “some websites may take longer to load the next time you visit.” In both cases, the size of the content to be deleted is reflected.

Finally, in Edge, you have to click the “Settings” section, select the “Privacy, search, and services” option, and then go to the “Delete browsing data” menu, which offers a system similar to Chrome and Mozilla for limiting time intervals.