How to clear WhatsApp cache on iPhone

4 min read

Want to know how to clear WhatsApp cache on your iPhone? This is a great way to free up storage and keep the app running smoothly.

Over time, WhatsApp stores temporary files, media, and chat backups, which can slow down your device. Clearing the cache removes unnecessary data without deleting your messages or contacts.

In this guide, we'll explain what WhatsApp cache is, how to clear it from your iPhone settings, and how to manage WhatsApp storage more efficiently, so let's get started.

What is WhatsApp Cache on iPhone?

WhatsApp cache is an accumulation of temporary files, stored media, and data that helps the app load conversations, images, and videos faster. It's not a surprise to many that over; this simply builds up and starts to take up valuable storage space. Let's take a look at a few reasons why you should clear your WhatsApp cache regularly:

Free up storage – WhatsApp cache can occupy several gigabytes, especially if you receive a lot of media.
Improve app performance – Clearing cache can prevent lag and crashes.
Fix common issues – If WhatsApp is acting slow or messages are not loading properly.

How often should you clear WhatsApp cache?

It depends on how much media you send and receive. If your iPhone is running low on storage or WhatsApp is noticeably slowing down, it's a good time to clear the cache and free up space. If you frequently use WhatsApp for work, sharing large files, or being part of active group chats, your cache will build up faster. In this case, it's a good idea to check your storage every couple of weeks and remove unnecessary files before they cause issues.

How to clear WhatsApp Cache on iPhone?

There are multiple ways to clear WhatsApp cache on your iPhone, depending on whether you want to remove specific files or clear the app's stored data entirely. We'll break it all down and cover the various methods in the section below so you can find a way to suit your needs best.

Delete WhatsApp photos and videos

One of the biggest sources of WhatsApp cache is media files—photos, videos, and documents sent and received in chats. Manually deleting unnecessary media is an easy way to free up space.

Steps to delete WhatsApp Photos and Videos

Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
Go to Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage.
Under Review and Delete Items, you'll see large files and forwarded media.
Tap a category and select the files you want to delete.
Press Delete to remove them permanently.

Keep in mind that deleting photos and videos from WhatsApp doesn't remove them from your iPhone's Photos app if you have 'Save to Camera Roll' enabled. You may need to manually delete files from your Photos app to free up additional space.

Declutter WhatsApp media the smart way

If manually sorting through WhatsApp media feels overwhelming, use the Declutter module from CleanMyPhone to quickly scan and organize WhatsApp files so you can delete unnecessary items with ease; it detects duplicate photos and videos stored in WhatsApp; here's how to use it:

Open CleanMyPhone and select Declutter.
Tap WhatsApp to see all media files associated with the app.
Choose the files you no longer need and press Remove.

This method frees up storage without deleting your important messages.

Clear WhatsApp cache from iPhone settings

If you want to remove WhatsApp's temporary files, you can clear its cache directly from your iPhone settings; here's how:

Open up Settings on your iPhone.
Go to General > iPhone Storage.
Scroll down and find WhatsApp.
Tap Offload App – This removes temporary files but keeps your messages.

Note: Offloading WhatsApp does not delete your chats, but deleting the app will remove all data unless you back it up first. This is one of the easiest ways to clear WhatsApp cache without manually selecting files. Offloading the app is a quick fix when WhatsApp starts using excessive storage, but make sure you have a recent backup before deleting the app completely.

How to clear Cache in the WhatsApp app

WhatsApp has a couple of built-in tools to manage storage and clear cache efficiently directly in the app; let's take a look.

Clear Cache from Chats

WhatsApp allows you to review and delete chat-specific cache from its storage settings; here's how:

Open up WhatsApp and go to Settings.
Tap Storage and Data > Manage Storage.
Select a chat to see its storage breakdown (photos, videos, voice notes).
Tap Select Items and delete unnecessary files.

This method clears cache without affecting text messages, making it a great option if you want to keep conversations but remove large attachments.

Use the Search Tool to categorize and declutter WhatsApp cache

While WhatsApp's Search tool doesn't directly filter media files, it can help you identify chats with large attachments, making it easier to manage and clear cache; here's how:

Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
Open the chat where you suspect large media files are stored.
Open the chat and tap the contact or group name at the top to reveal more options.
Here, you can use the Search tool to specifically type in keywords or select Media, Links, and Docs to view all shared files in that chat.
Simply delete anything you no longer want.

If you want to clear all large WhatsApp media at once, the Storage Manager (found under Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage) is the better option.

Final thoughts: How to clear WhatsApp cache on iPhone

Knowing how to clear WhatsApp cache on an iPhone is pretty important for keeping the app running smoothly and freeing up valuable storage. Whether you delete media manually, clear cache through iPhone settings, or use CleanMyPhone's Declutter module to manage WhatsApp storage more efficiently, regular cleanup can improve performance and prevent unnecessary data buildup.

For more tips on managing storage on your iPhone, check out this guide on clearing iPhone cache.