Do you often experience hitches when using your seemingly perfect device and for a moment you wonder what the problem could be? It might interest you to find out if these hitches are caused by a cache overload. Cache, pronounced as “cash” is a space meant for the storage of temporary data to enhance the efficacy of smart devices.
It is a small yet expensive storage unit used to enhance the efficiency of recently accessed data. It is important to note that to restrict the access of the cache client, cache storage is separated from the main storage of a device. This article aims to help you find out how to clear the Facebook cache on your smartphone. Knowing this will help you enhance your Facebook experience.
How does Facebook cache work?
Facebook cache functions the same as any other cache. The primary purpose of a cache is to provide a media space where temporary files or data can be stored. For this reason, in the quest for cache clients to access data about you, they check if the data is available in the cache unit. When the cache client finds data, (this is referred to as a cache hit), the Facebook cache provides a means for it to access such data.
On the other hand, when the cache client does not find the data it wants from the temporary storage (referred to as cache miss), it goes on to download the required data from the memory and stores them in the Facebook cache. The process of doing this largely depends on the cache protocol, the caching algorithm, and other system policies being utilized. What follows next is the benefits of knowing how to clear the Facebook cache.
Pros of using Facebook cache
One of the many pros of using Facebook cache is that it reduces the time required to process and retrieve data unlike trying to access data from the main storage. It also improves the input and output performance of devices and most importantly, allows you to work proficiently to grow your Facebook page. More so, clearing your Facebook cache will not wipe away your personal information like photos, contacts, and other valuable things you possess on your device.
Cons of clearing Facebook cache
- Sites load slowly
Because there are no longer data for Facebook to access and process when logging in, the website slowly loads as a means of retrieving some data from the main media storage to help it process your information.
- Data is lost
Well once you delete the cache, no data or information can be found in your temporary storage. It’s like taking the trash out. Although cache cannot entirely be seen as trash as it keeps relevant information and data that helps websites load fast.
- Inability to receive targeted adverts
Caches are specific information collected about you to increase your user experience when browsing the internet. For this reason, the data stored in the cache are used by general websites for advertising on the internet and the type of content you prefer to watch or read when using the net.
- It does little to provide space
Although caches may have something to do with hitches here and there on your phone due to the space they take up, it is not guaranteed the phone to work perfectly after these caches are deleted. The reality is, that caches do not take up that much space but do help when deleted with other junks.
Guidelines to help clear Facebook cache
As we are fond and slowly getting addicted to the usage of social media, we post to get more popular on Facebook, increase likes, and upload and download videos and images for either informative or entertaining reasons. However, what we forget or do not know is that these things we do on our social media platforms pile up to take space on our devices, slowing the fast pace at which our smart devices work. For purposes of learning how to clear the Facebook cache on smartphones to free up space, follow these simple steps;
Guidelines to delete Cache using the Facebook App
Follow this step-by-step process to understand how to clear the Facebook cache;
- Start by tapping the three horizontal lines in the Servicetom-right corner if using an iPhone and at the upper-right corner if using Android of the Facebook app.
- At the Servicetom of the next screen, touch “Settings & Privacy.”
- After, a drop-down menu with additional options will appear. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll to the Servicetom of the page and tap the word “Browser Settings.”
- Click on “your browsing data” and you’re done.
Guidelines for clearing cache on Android devices
- First, locate the “settings” app on your Android device and open it.
- Search through the list of options and select “Apps & Notifications”.
- In the drop-down list, locate and select the Facebook app.
- When it pops up, tap storage. If your Android device is running Android 10, however, tap storage and cache.
- After doing this, simply select clear cache to free up space on your device.
If you can follow through with the steps provided above, congratulations! You just got your Android device working a notch faster than before.
Guidelines for clearing cache for IOS users
For more complicated devices like the iPhone,
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- In the options given, select “General”, look for “Usage” and then tap “Manage Storage”.
- After doing this, click on the Facebook app and then select the delete button.
- Reinstall the application via the App store and the files will automatically be cleared. However, your profile details will remain as they were.
Conclusion
We hope this article on how to clear the Facebook cache on smartphones answers you and gives you all the information you need to clear the cache on your smart devices. If you have any questions, do write them in the comments section. We will do our best to answer them.