DB LabsDB Labs

Updated March 12, 2026

By Jack Smith, iOS Developer at DB Labs

Storage Tips

How to Delete TikTok Cache on iPhone

TikTok is one of the biggest storage consumers on any iPhone, caching every video you scroll past. Here is how to clear that cache and free up 2-10 GB of space.

March 12, 2026  ·  6 min read

Quick Answer

To clear TikTok cache on iPhone, open TikTok and go to Profile > Menu (three lines) > Settings and Privacy > Cache & Cellular > Free Up Space > Clear Cache. This removes cached videos and images. For a deeper clean that typically frees more space, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > TikTok > Offload App, then reinstall. This clears all cached data, typically recovering 2-10 GB. Your account, liked videos, and followed creators are stored on TikTok's servers and are not affected.

How Much Space Is TikTok Using?

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and find TikTok in the app list. You will see the App Size (around 400-500 MB for TikTok itself) and Documents & Data (the cache). The Documents & Data figure is what you want to reduce. Heavy TikTok users who scroll for an hour or more daily can see this number reach 5-10 GB within a few weeks.

Method 1: TikTok's Built-In Cache Clear

1 Open TikTok Settings

Open TikTok and tap Profile (bottom right). Then tap the three-line menu (top right) and select Settings and Privacy.

2 Navigate to Free Up Space

Scroll down to Cache & Cellular and tap it. Then tap Free Up Space. You will see how much cache space TikTok is using.

3 Clear the Cache

Tap Clear next to the cache entry. TikTok will delete cached video and image data. This process takes a few seconds. Note that TikTok's built-in option often underreports cache size and may not clear everything — if you want a more thorough cleanup, use Method 2.

Method 2: Offload and Reinstall (More Thorough)

For a complete cache wipe, offload TikTok through iOS settings. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > TikTok > Offload App. This removes the app and all cached data while keeping your account credentials. Tap the TikTok icon on your home screen to reinstall, or download it from the App Store. Log back in and you start fresh with zero cache.

Warning about drafts: If you use the Offload method, your drafts are preserved. But if you choose "Delete App" instead, all local drafts will be permanently deleted because TikTok stores drafts only on your device. Post or save any important drafts to your camera roll before deleting.

Why TikTok Cache Gets So Large

TikTok caches video data aggressively for several reasons:

  • Autoplay preloading: TikTok preloads the next 2-3 videos in your feed before you even swipe, ensuring zero buffering. Each video is stored locally.
  • Replay caching: When you re-watch a video or scroll back, TikTok serves it from local cache rather than re-downloading, which means viewed videos linger on your device.
  • Effects and filters: AR effects, stickers, and video filters are downloaded and cached locally for immediate use.
  • Sound library: Trending sounds and music snippets are cached for the video creation screen.

The combination of video preloading and replay caching means that a typical 30-minute TikTok session can add 500 MB-1 GB to the cache. Over a month, this adds up quickly.

Tips to Reduce TikTok Storage Usage

  • Enable Data Saver: In TikTok Settings > Cache & Cellular > Data Saver, turn this on. Videos load at lower quality, reducing cache size per video.
  • Clear cache weekly: Use TikTok's built-in cache clear once a week to prevent major buildup.
  • Limit downloads: Avoid saving TikTok videos locally unless you specifically need them. Saved videos take additional space beyond cache.

For a broader look at cleaning up app caches and System Data on your iPhone, see our article on iPhone System Data. You may also want to check our complete iPhone storage guide for a full cleanup strategy.

Clean Up Your Camera Roll Too

Saved TikToks and screenshots add up fast. Swype Photo Cleaner helps you quickly sort through your camera roll — swipe left to delete, right to keep.

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+ · 100% on-device, zero uploads

Download on theApp Store

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TikTok have a clear cache button?

Yes. Unlike Instagram, TikTok has a built-in clear cache option. Open TikTok, go to Profile > Menu > Settings and Privacy > Cache & Cellular > Free Up Space > Clear Cache. However, this option often does not remove all cached data. For a more thorough cleanup, offload or delete and reinstall the app via Settings > General > iPhone Storage > TikTok.

Will clearing TikTok cache delete my drafts?

Clearing cache through TikTok's built-in option will not delete your drafts. However, deleting the entire app (not offloading) will delete your local drafts permanently, as drafts are stored only on your device. If you have important drafts, post them or save them to your camera roll before deleting the app.

Why does TikTok use so much storage on iPhone?

TikTok caches every video you watch for smooth playback and instant replays. Since TikTok videos autoplay as you scroll, heavy users can accumulate 2-10 GB of cached video data over weeks. TikTok also stores downloaded sounds, video effects, filters, and AR assets locally.