Free up app storage

Free up Google Chrome storage

Chrome stores cached images and files so sites reopen fast. Downloads and site data add more. Cached files are safe to clear. Sites may load slower until they cache again. Downloaded files sit in Files / Downloads until you delete them there.

See how much space Chrome is using

iPhone

1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.
3. Tap Chrome.

Android

1. Open your phone Settings > Apps.
2. Tap Chrome.
3. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.

Clear browsing data

iPhone

1. Open Chrome and tap the menu (three dots).
2. Tap Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data (some versions nest this under Privacy and security).
3. Choose a time range. All time frees the most cache.
4. Keep Cached Images and Files checked.
5. Leave passwords, autofill, and saved tabs unchecked unless you mean to remove them.
6. Tap Clear Browsing Data.

Android

1. Open Chrome and tap the menu (three dots).
2. Tap Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data (wording can also be Delete browsing data).
3. Open the Cached images and files tab, or check that box under Advanced.
4. Choose a time range, then tap Clear data / Clear browsing data.

Clearing cookies and site data signs you out of websites. Use that only if you also want those logins gone. History is not the big storage item. Cache and site data are.

Delete downloads

1. In Chrome, open the menu > Downloads.
2. Tap and hold a file (or tap the menu next to it) and delete it.
3. Also open the Files or Downloads app and delete leftover Chrome files, including Recently Deleted / Trash.

Clear browsing data does not always remove files already saved to Downloads.

Remove site data for one site

1. Open Chrome Settings > Privacy / Privacy and security > Site settings.
2. Open All sites (or a specific site from the address bar menu > Site settings).
3. Tap a large site and delete its data.

Offline pages, Progressive Web Apps, and heavy media sites (video, maps, docs) are the usual large entries.

Clear Chrome cache on Android

1. Open your phone Settings > Apps > Chrome.
2. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
3. Tap Clear cache.

Do not tap Clear storage / Clear data unless you mean to reset Chrome and sign out of Google in the browser.

iPhone does not offer a separate Chrome cache button. Use Clear browsing data, then offload if the total stays high.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

If you already cleaned media and Google Chrome still looks huge, a fresh install can clear leftover cache and temp files that are hard to reach by hand.

1. Bookmarks and tabs sync if you use a Google account. Keep Downloads you still need. Reinstalling signs you out of sites on this phone.
2. Delete the app from your phone.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Install Google Chrome again from the App Store or Google Play.
5. Sign in and restore from backup if the app offers it.

This often frees a lot of space. You may need to download some media again after restore.

What to do next

After Chrome is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.