Free up Pokémon GO storage

Pokémon GO caches map tiles, gym and PokéStop art, and AR assets so the map feels instant. Your Pokémon, items, and Trainer level stay on your Niantic account. The local pile is cache and AR data.

See how much space Pokémon GO is using

iPhone

Open the iPhone Settings app.
Tap General > iPhone Storage.
Tap Pokémon GO.

Android

Open your phone Settings > Apps (or Apps and notifications).
Tap Pokémon GO.
Tap Storage or Storage and cache.

There is no map-pack installer like a shooter. Refresh Game Data and Android cache are the honest tools.

Refresh game data

Open Pokémon GO and tap the Poké Ball, then your avatar.
Tap the gear (Settings).
Open Advanced settings if you see it.
Tap Refresh Game Data (wording can be Reload game data).

This rebuilds local game files. Your creatures and items stay on the account. The map may reload more slowly for a few minutes.

AR and photo leftovers

AR snapshots you saved are in Photos or Gallery, not inside the Pokémon GO cache. Delete those copies there if they are large. Clearing the app cache does not empty Camera Roll.

Clear Pokémon GO cache on Android

Open your phone Settings > Apps > Pokémon GO.
Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
Tap Clear cache.

Do not tap Clear storage / Clear data unless you mean to reset Pokémon GO on this phone. That signs you out. Cloud progress stays. You may need to grant location and motion permissions again.

iPhone does not offer a separate Pokémon GO cache button. Use the in-app steps on this page, or offload the app in iPhone Storage if the system total stays high.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

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

Sign in to your Pokémon Trainer Club, Google, or Apple account first. Pokémon and items stay on the Niantic account.
Delete the app from your phone.
Restart your phone.
Install Pokémon GO again from the App Store or Google Play.
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 Pokémon GO is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.