Here’s How to Clear Facebook Cache to Fix Glitchy and Slow Apps

Sometimes the Facebook app can act a little crazy. Links won’t show the proper preview image, edited comments don’t update, and profile photo changes don’t go into effect. Typically, these issues are all caused by an overloaded cache.

In fact, many problems with the mobile app can be linked back to a lack of storage maintenance. But how can it be fixed?

Today, let’s look at how to clear Facebook cache to improve users’ social media experience.


Table of Contents

  1. Why Does Facebook Store Information?
  2. Why Delete FB Cache?
  3. How to Clear the Facebook App on iPhone
  4. Facebook’s Open Graph
  5. Don’t Forget to Clear Your Browser
  6. Using Facebook on iPhone Without the Native App
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. The Final Word

Why Does Facebook Store Information in the Cache?

Store Information in the Cache

In computers and programming, a cache is a virtual location where data and information can be temporarily stored to speed up loading times.

Facebook uses this to maintain temporary data from all the links and files users upload to the site. It makes accessing things much faster because users don’t need to prompt Facebook to redownload the details whenever they want to view it.

This data includes information from:

  • Links clicked
  • Images uploaded
  • Pages visited, and more

By maintaining a file of all these actions, Facebook can make running the app a much quicker, streamlined experience. However, sometimes things can happen to the files, which creates a need to clear the data.

Why Should Users Clear Facebook Cache?

Users Clear Facebook Cache

Social media is fantastic because it allows users to constantly contact others, promote brands and businesses, shop, read the news, and so much more. This is why Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets in 2023, are often some of the most visited apps and sites.

So, day in and day out as a user clicks links, uploads data, and generally interacts with a platform, the temporary file storage begins to fill. Letting these files remain in a webpage’s possession is a privacy risk. What’s even worse, is sometimes they can become corrupted and create some majorly apparent problems that can cause the user to clear Facebook cache.

Some signs that the files have to be cleared are:

  • Facebook does not appear properly in a web browser
  • Updated information is not displaying after saving
  • Profile and headline photos do not update after changing
  • Edited comments are not showing changes
  • The Facebook app is taking up more storage than usual

How to Clear Facebook Cache on the iPhone App

Cache on the iPhone App

There are two approaches to clear FB cache on iPhone – through the app and the phone’s settings. If the Facebook app is accessible, doing it is a simple method of handling the problem.

However, sometimes Facebook is completely unable to be opened due to the corrupted files. In that case, a user will want to delete them through the iPhone app settings menu.

Clearing the Facebook Cache Through the App

Cache Through the App

If the 2023 native application has some issues but is still accessible – be certain to log in, then follow these steps: 

  1. Tap the three lines button in the top right corner.
  2. Locate and select “Privacy and Settings.”
  3. This will generate a drop-down menu. Choose “Settings.”
  4. Find “Browser.” Select it.
  5. Locate the option “Clear browsing data.”

Erasing Facebook Cache Data through the iPhone App Settings

Sometimes, it isn’t an option to clear Facebook app cache. Additionally, it can still leave behind a lot of data that bogs down the iPhone’s storage.

Follow these steps to erase the rest of the data. 

  1. Open the “Settings” app on the iPhone.
  2. Navigate to “General,” then “Usage,” “Manage Storage,” and finally, “Facebook.”
  3. Select “Delete App” and uninstall the application from the iPhone.
  4. Reinstall the application through the app store. The files will be cleared, and all Facebook. Profile information and uploads will be untouched.

How to Clear Cache on Facebook for Android

The method for how to clear cache on Facebook on Android is a little more straightforward. In fact, there is no need to log into the application at all.

Just follow these five steps.

  1. Locate and open the “Settings” app on the Android phone.
  2. Tap to open the “Apps & Notifications” option.
  3. Find Facebook in the apps list and select it. It may be in the recent apps, or the user may need to select “Show All” to locate it.
  4. Press “Storage” or “Storage & Cache,” depending on the Android version.
  5. Simply select “Clear Cache.”

Emptying Facebook’s Open Graph Cache

Open Graph API is a technique for users to add tags to their Facebook data that tells other websites what to show and say when they are shared. This is super important for SEO and brand expansion.

Unfortunately, when the cache for these tags is overfilled, the information on the summary cards and the images themselves may not be displayed correctly, which is a huge problem. To locate where issues lie, users can use a Facebook link scraper and debugger.

What are Social Media Summary Cards?

Summary cards are the displayed bits of text next to an image when a post is shared on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. This information is curated explicitly by the linked blog or article’s creator, which is why it is important to them that the information display accurately.

Clearing Open Graph Cache with a Debugger

When these problems arise, it is typically handled through the use of a sharing debugger. This Facebook debugger is a convenient option for locating the source of any issues in the way a summary card is displayed.

The tool can be accessed through Facebook for Developers.

Once on the developer website, follow these steps:

  1. Locate “More” at the top of the page and select it.
  2. Choose “Tools.”
  3. Click “Sharing Debugger.”
  4. Sign in to Facebook.
  5. Make sure the webpage is on the “Sharing Debugger” tab.

Once on the debugger tab, the program will ask the user to insert a link to the malfunctioning post.

The tool then works by:

  • Pulling the information stored in the URLs
  • Identifying any errors or concerning the stored items
  • Alerting the user to the issues as well as any missing Facebook application IDs
  • Displaying a breakdown of any errors and a log showing when and how the URL was last scraped.

From there, the Facebook image debugger will allow the user to preview how the summary card currently looks. If the card is incorrect, the user can choose “Scrape Again,” forcing the debugger to delete the link cache and correct any issues.

Clear Multiple Links’ Cache at Once

The Facebook debugger is a great tool that can offer in-depth insight into a malfunctioning summary card. However, if there are issues with multiple links and time is of the essence, the multi-batch method is a faster way to go.

Here, the user can enter as many URLs as they need and follow the same steps to clear all the link’s caches simultaneously.

Don’t Forget to Clear Your Browser Cache

Clear Your Browser Cache

Whether using Facebook or any other website, clearing the browser is a great way to boost speed, enhance privacy, and optimize functionality. There are many different browsers out there, but here are the methods for the five most popular options.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome

Chrome 2023 has one of the lengthier techniques to delete the browser cache, but it is still fairly straightforward.

Begin by opening Chrome, then follow these steps:

  1. Click the menu button, which looks like three stacked dots, at the screen’s top right.
  2. Find the “Settings” option and select it.
  3. Scroll until you find “Clear browsing data.”
  4. In the new window, switch to the “Advanced” tab.
  5. Ensure that the “Cached files and images” selection is marked.
  6. Choose a time frame in the drop-down menu.
  7. Press “Clear data.”

Safari

Safari

Safari has the right idea when it comes to deleting browsing data. That is, it is an easy 3-step process.

Open the browser, then follow these steps:

  1. Click the “Safari” menu.
  2. Choose “Clear history.”
  3. Select a time frame and select “Empty Cache.”

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox

The 2023 version of Firefox has steadily become a popular choice in browsers due to its extensive add-on options, focus on privacy, and easily maintained features.

Simply:

  1. Click the three stacked lines in the top right corner of the browser.
  2. Select “Clear recent history.”
  3. Tap “Cache,” and feel free to uncheck all other options.
  4. Press “Clear now,” then “Done.”

Opera

Opera

Opera is a highly customizable browser that has multiple menu options. This means there are two different ways to access the cache information. To start, if you use the horizontal menu, press “Tools.” If you use the side menu, press “Settings.”

Now, follow these steps:

  1. Choose “Preferences,” then “Advanced.”
  2. Select the “History” tab.
  3. Click “Disk cache,” then “Empty now.”
  4. Press “OK.”

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is a classic browser that uses a lot of keyboard commands to enter menus.

So to begin clearing the cache: 

  1. Click [ctrl], [shift], [del] at the same time.
  2. Select “Delete browser history.”
  3. Choose “Temporary Internet files.”
  4. Click “Delete.”

Using Facebook on the iPhone Without the Native App

Without the Native App

Constantly monitoring Facebook’s app cache can take away the joy of using the platform. Luckily, there is a method for iPhone users to enjoy Facebook without opening the app at all. This is done by adding a bookmark to the home screen.

Here is how to create that direct link:

  1. Open Safari for iPhone.
  2. Navigate to Facebook.com and log in.
  3. Click “Share.”
  4. Search through the options for “Share to home screen.”

Once the page is shared to the home screen, a user can click the shared link to access a Facebook version that doesn’t collect data.

FAQ

How Do I Find Facebook Cache?

To locate a cached version of Facebook, a user must want to do a little digging. Popular websites dedicated to storing internet archives are no longer indexing Facebook. Instead, users must rely on search engines alone.

Here is how it is done:

  1. Open up a search engine.
  2. In the search dialogue box type, “site:facebook.com”
  3. After typing the command enter a space, then type in the profile name of the Facebook user
  4. Click the “Search” button
  5. Carefully search the results page until the cached information is located.
  6. Click the cached version of the link. On Google, this is an option on the right; on Bing, this looks like a download button.

What Happens if You Clear Cache on Facebook App?

Doing it removes broken temporary files and increases load speeds, app reliability, and functionality. It does not delete profile photos, saved profile information, or other important Facebook page details.

How Often Does Facebook Clear Cache?

Typically, temporary items are stored for about 30 days. However, when they become corrupt or other errors occur, these can accumulate and cause problems that require the user to manually help Facebook clear cache files.

How Often Should You Clear Facebook Cache?

It is recommended that users do it at least once a month. This allows for the deletion of corrupt files not removed by the standard flushing performed by apps. For browsers and apps used frequently, consider clearing the cached every two weeks.

Improve Your Social Media Experience

No matter where Facebook is accessed, there is a functional need for the platform to collect data pieces. When these bits pile too high, things can begin acting pretty strangely.

Following the steps to empty temporary files is a great way to get the platform working properly again and get users back to happily scrolling feeds and connecting with friends.

Do you have any great tips for maintaining the Facebook app? Leave your suggestions in the comments.

Published: February 10, 2021Updated: April 28, 2023

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson

Matt is an experienced technical writer and translator skilled in writing targeted texts for a variety of audiences. He has a diversified background, including social media management of various products. He is a data-driven strategist and a passionate story-teller. He posts about all social innovations and delivers high-quality research and content to our readers.


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