Free up app storage

Free up Skype storage

Skype keeps chat photos, files, voice messages, and call recordings on this phone so conversations open fast. Microsoft stores much of that on your account as well. Clearing local cache does not delete the cloud copy.

See how much space Skype is using

iPhone

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

Android

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

Skype does not have a WhatsApp-style Free up Storage screen. Use the system total, then delete files inside chats and clear cache.

Delete files, photos, and call recordings from a chat

1. Open the conversation.
2. Tap and hold a photo, file, video message, or call recording.
3. Tap Remove or Delete.

Microsoft's help uses Remove for items in a chat. Removing a file for you does not always remove it from the other person's Skype.

Delete or clear a conversation

1. On the chat list, tap and hold the conversation (iPhone: swipe left).
2. Tap Delete or Hide, depending on what Skype offers.
3. Confirm.

If you need a copy first, Microsoft's Skype export page can download Conversations and Files from your Microsoft account.

Remove files saved outside Skype

1. Open Files or Downloads on the phone.
2. Delete Skype photos, documents, and recordings you saved there.
3. Empty Recently Deleted / Trash if those copies went to Photos.

Clearing Skype cache does not remove files you already exported or saved.

Use less data so media does not keep downloading

1. Open Skype and tap your profile picture.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Open Messaging, Calling, or Data usage (the label depends on your version).
4. Turn off automatic media download, or lower call video quality if you see those switches.

After this, larger files download when you tap them.

Clear Skype cache on Android

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

Do not tap Clear storage / Clear data unless you mean to reset Skype. That signs you out and wipes local app data. Cloud chats stay on the Microsoft account.

iPhone does not offer a separate Skype cache button. Offload or delete the app in iPhone Storage if the system total stays high after you delete files.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

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

1. You do not need a chat backup for cloud history. Skype messages and files stay on your Microsoft account. Export anything you want to keep offline first, then sign in again after reinstall.
2. Delete the app from your phone.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Install Skype 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 Skype is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.