If you don’t know what cache is, this guide will cover everything to know about Instagram caching. Besides, it will discuss how to check the storage used by Instagram and offers different ways to clean up the storage for Android and iPhone. Lastly, we will discuss the frequently asked questions.
What Is Instagram Caching?
Caching is a method used by applications, such as Instagram, to temporarily store files that are likely needed to make the future loading faster and easier. The cache saves time by avoiding re-downloading the same content in any application or browser. Here’s the kicker: when using Instagram, any feed needs to get downloaded before accessing it. Therefore, Instagram creates a cache of every feed you scroll through so that when you come back later and try to access the same feed, you won’t need to download or load it. It will automatically retrieve from the saved cache, saving bandwidth and time. Instagram stores the cache locally on your device, and the more you keep scrolling and viewing feeds, the more the cache gets generated and the more space used by Instagram. If you don’t handle the growing space by clearing the cache, you will soon get the annoying notification of running out of space.
Why Does Instagram Take So Much Space?
Simple, it’s because of the cache. As noted, the more you view and load feeds, the more the cache and space consumed. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Instagram takes over 1GB in some cases, especially if it is your favorite social media app.
How To Check Space Consumed by Instagram
The method to check how much space Instagram takes depends on your phone type. For Android users, the steps below will work. For iOS users, follow the steps below. Now that you know the total space that Instagram is consuming, the next thing should be to clear the cache, which is the main cause of the large space consumption.
How To Clear Instagram Cache
For Android phones, you can clear the cache from Settings. However, for iOS, the only option is to uninstall the Instagram app and reinstall it. Let’s start with Android. Follow the steps below to clear the cache. If you want to remove all the settings and clear the data from Instagram, click the “Clear Data” option. The options save on space, but you will get logged out from your Instagram account. As noted earlier, iOS requires deleting the Instagram app to clear the cache. To delete the app, follow the instructions below. That’s it! You can now reinstall Instagram from App Store and sign in to continue using your Instagram account, having saved space. Note that any time your iOS runs out of space because of Instagram, you must keep deleting and reinstalling Instagram using the four steps above.
Conclusion
Instagram is excellent for keeping up with your favorite celebrities and catching up with friends. There is plenty of feeds to load, and you can’t exhaust viewing the pictures and videos. The bad news is that the more you have fun viewing feeds, the more Instagram consumes your phone’s space. This guide covered all you need to know about Instagram taking so much space and how to counteract that. Clearing the Instagram cache saves the day.
