Quick answer
Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Avoid Clear storage unless you need a full reset: it deletes the app’s data and signs you out. iPhone: there’s no Clear cache button. Deleting and reinstalling the app is the only way to clear all its data. Offloading (Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Facebook > Offload App) is a lighter refresh, but Apple says it keeps the app’s documents and data. Chrome: More > Delete browsing data > Cached images and files. Safari on iPhone: Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data. Your Facebook account, posts and photos aren’t affected by any of these.
Does this match what you see?
- Facebook shows blank screens, gray boxes or old content.
- The app is slow, freezes, or a section won’t load.
- Another guide told you to clear Facebook’s cache, and you need the exact steps.
- You want to free up space Facebook is using on your phone.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Android menu names vary by phone maker. The paths below are Google’s Pixel paths; other phones use similar names.
Why this happens: the possible causes
What each option removes, from least to most.
| Option | What it removes | Signs you out? |
|---|---|---|
| Android Clear cache | Temporary files only | No |
| iPhone Offload App + Reinstall | The app itself; Apple says documents and data are kept, so cached files may stay | Usually not |
| iPhone delete and reinstall | The app and all its data on the phone | Yes |
| Browser Cached images and files | Saved copies of pages and images | No |
| Browser cookies | Logins and site settings | Yes |
| Android Clear storage | All the app’s data on the phone | Yes |
| Delete and reinstall the app | The app and its data on the phone | Yes |
- Damaged temporary filesCheck this first
Apps and browsers save images and data to load faster. If those files are damaged, Facebook can show blank screens or old content until they’re cleared.
- Too little free spacePossible
Google’s Android help notes that problems can start when less than 10% of a phone’s storage is free. Cached files add up.
- An outdated appPossible
Clearing the cache won’t fix bugs in an old version. Update Facebook as well.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Know your Facebook password, and make sure you can receive login codes, before using any option that signs you out.
- Update Facebook first. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
- Clearing the cache never deletes your Facebook account, posts or photos. Those are stored by Facebook, not on your phone.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Android: clear the Facebook app’s cache
Google says clearing the cache deletes temporary data. Your login and settings usually stay, so it’s the safest first step.
Android
- Open Settings > Apps (on a Pixel, then See all apps) > Facebook.
- Tap Storage & cache (on some phones, just Storage).
- Tap Clear cache.
- Open Facebook again and check whether the problem has gone.
Clear storage (or Clear data) is a much bigger step. Google says it permanently deletes the app’s data, so expect to log in again. Use it only if clearing the cache didn’t help, and you know your password.
Did it work? Facebook opens and loads normally.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: iPhone or iPad: delete and reinstall Facebook (or offload it)
iPhone doesn’t offer a Clear cache button for apps. Deleting the app is the only way to remove all its data. Offloading is gentler: it removes the app but, Apple says, keeps its documents and data, so cached files may survive.
iPhone & iPad
- Make sure you know your password and can receive login codes.
- Touch and hold the Facebook icon, then choose the option to remove or delete the app, and confirm. (Names vary between iOS versions.)
- Reinstall Facebook from the App Store and log in.
- Lighter option: open Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Facebook to see how much space it uses, tap Offload App, then reinstall it from the same screen. You usually stay logged in, but cached files may stay too.
Apple notes that deleting an app may lose data stored only in that app. Your Facebook account, posts and photos aren’t affected, because they’re stored by Facebook. If you use end-to-end encrypted chats, make sure your chat backup is set up first.
Did it work? The fresh copy opens, and you can log in.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 3: Chrome: clear cached images and files
Chrome saves copies of pages and images. Clearing only those keeps you logged in.
Computer (browser)
- On a computer: click More (top right) > Delete browsing data.
- Choose a time range. “All time” clears everything.
- Tick Cached images and files. Leave Cookies and other site data unticked if you want to stay logged in.
- Click Delete data, then reload facebook.com.
- Other browsers (Edge, Firefox, Safari on Mac): look in the privacy or history settings for an option to clear cached images and files or the cache. Names vary.
- On Android: in Chrome, tap More > Delete browsing data, choose a time range and Cached images and files, then delete. Google notes the default time range may be short, so check it.
Google notes that deleting browsing data in Chrome doesn’t delete your saved passwords.
Did it work? facebook.com loads normally after a reload.
Did Fix 3 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 3. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 4: Safari on iPhone: remove website data
Safari keeps cache and cookies together. Removing website data clears both, so you’ll be logged out of websites, but your browsing history stays.
iPhone & iPad
- Open Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
- Tap Remove All Website Data to clear the cache and cookies, but keep your history.
- Or, to clear history as well, go back to Settings > Apps > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Open facebook.com and log in again.
Did it work? facebook.com loads normally after you log back in.
Did Fix 4 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 4. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 5: Facebook Lite: same steps as the main app
Facebook Lite is an Android app, so you clear its cache the same way as any other app.
Android
- Settings > Apps > Facebook Lite > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
- If Lite still misbehaves, see Facebook Lite not working.
Did it work? Facebook Lite opens and loads normally.
Did Fix 5 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 5. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
When clearing the cache helps, and when it won’t
Clearing the cache helps with problems on your device, such as blank screens, old content or a section that won’t load. It won’t fix:
- Problems with your account, such as a lock, restriction or disabled account. See Facebook account locked or Facebook jail.
- A Facebook outage. Check Is Facebook down? first.
- A feature that isn’t available to you, such as Marketplace or Dating. See Marketplace not showing or Dating not showing.
For specific problems, these guides show where clearing the cache fits among the other fixes: app keeps crashing, photos not loading, videos not playing, feed not updating and session expired.
Error messages and what they mean
These are the prompts you may see while clearing data. Wording varies by device.
Clear app storage? / Delete app data?- What it usually means
- You’ve chosen Clear storage, not Clear cache. This deletes the app’s data and signs you out.
- What to do
- Tap Cancel if you only meant to clear the cache. Fix 1
Offload “Facebook”?- What it usually means
- iPhone is about to remove the app but keep its documents and data.
- What to do
- Confirm, then tap Reinstall App. Fix 2
A prompt to delete the app and its data- What it usually means
- You’ve chosen to delete the app, not offload it.
- What to do
- Only continue if you know your password. Fix 2
How to know it worked
- Facebook opens and loads normally.
- You’re still logged in, or you’ve logged back in.
- Your posts and photos are all still there.
Still not working? Your next steps
- If the app still crashes, see Facebook app keeps crashing.
- If nothing on Facebook loads, see Facebook not working.
- Report the problem in the app: ☰ Menu > Help and support > Report a problem.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
- Pixel Help: fix an app that isn’t workingPixel Phone Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Apple: check iPhone storage and offload appsApple Support (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Chrome Help: delete browsing dataGoogle Chrome Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Apple: clear Safari history, cache and cookiesApple Support (external site, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing Facebook’s cache delete my posts or photos?
No. Your posts and photos are stored by Facebook, not in the cache. Clearing the cache only removes temporary copies on your device. Deleting the app or using Clear storage can remove anything stored only on the phone, such as chat history that isn’t backed up.
How do I clear Facebook’s cache on iPhone?
iPhone has no Clear cache button. Deleting and reinstalling the app clears all its data. Offloading it in Settings > General > iPhone Storage is a lighter refresh, but Apple says it keeps the app’s documents and data.
What’s the difference between Clear cache and Clear storage?
Clear cache removes temporary files and keeps you logged in. Clear storage deletes all the app’s data on the phone and signs you out.
Will I be logged out?
Usually not after clearing the cache on Android or in Chrome, or after offloading on iPhone. Expect to log in again after Clear storage, deleting the app, or clearing browser cookies or Safari website data.
How often should I clear Facebook’s cache?
Only when something isn’t working, or you need space. Google notes that some apps may be slow the next time you open them after clearing the cache.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Fix an installed app that isn’t working on a Pixel phone (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Fix an installed Android app that isn’t working (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Clear up space (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Fix an Android device that freezes or won’t respond (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad (external site, opens in a new tab)
- If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Delete browsing data in Chrome (computer) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Clear cache & cookies (Android) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Delete your Safari history, cache, and cookies on iPhone (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to manually update apps from the App Store (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to update apps on Android (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 21 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 19 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 21 October 2026: First published as the single full how-to for clearing Facebook’s cache.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Facebook. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.