Official mobile applications, like all programs that consume network traffic, accumulate temporary files and cache over time. If measures are not taken to clean up internal memory, the risk of unpleasant consequences is high. You may experience social network client freezes, problems with authorization and loading of personal data. Sometimes, the solution to the problem is to delete temporary files, so it is useful to know the setup procedure. We will tell you how to clear the cache in Instagram on an iPhone manually and with the help of additional utilities.
What is Instagram cache and why should you clear it?
Like all utilities that consume data traffic on a smartphone, Instagram creates its own cache and fills it with temporary files that are generated during operation.
Why does Instagram take up a lot of space in memory? Let’s start with the fact that cache is a special dedicated area in the internal memory of a mobile device where temporary files of an online service are loaded and stored. When the utility is installed, it automatically creates its own cache. Over time, it can be filled to unlimited volumes. The following types of data are stored in the storage by default:
- Personal user settings – saved passwords, personal information, and more.
- Digital reports and information about software.
- Other data and information that is loaded from the social network.
Saved settings significantly improve the performance and functionality of the service, since when launching the mobile application, information is taken directly from the smartphone’s memory, rather than being loaded from the World Wide Web every time, while network traffic is saved.
Over time, with intensive use of the social network, the cache becomes full, free memory volumes are loaded, all of this can negatively affect the program’s performance. Let’s consider what an overloaded data storage can affect:
- The built-in memory becomes overloaded, which can affect not only Instagram but also other installed utilities on the smartphone.
- The internet service slows down, the speed of loading pages, photos, and videos decreases.
- In the worst case, this can lead to more serious consequences, the application will crash when the user is authorized, freeze and display errors.
To prevent all of this from happening, periodically clear the dedicated area and delete unnecessary files.
Step-by-step guide to clearing Instagram cache on iPhone
Every active user of a mobile application should know the procedure for deleting unnecessary and unwanted files from their smartphone’s memory. If you don’t perform preventive cleaning, you risk facing unpleasant consequences over time. Developers recommend performing such a procedure at least once a month to ensure that the service works smoothly and without issues.
There are two main ways to do this – manually deleting temporary files or using additional software. Below, we will discuss each method in detail for iPhones with the iOS operating system.
By standard manual method
The most common and simple method is to manually clear the cache in the internal memory. You don’t need to download and install additional programs, just select unnecessary documents and get rid of them yourself.
It should be noted that the Instagram application on the iPhone does not have standard tools and functions for freeing up space. Therefore, the only way is to delete the program and reinstall it. Let’s take a closer look at the steps to delete the cache:
- On the mobile device’s home screen, find the system settings section, the icon looks like a gear.
- After that, a list of available parameters will be displayed. We need to go to the data storage.
- On the next page, all utilities installed on the smartphone will be displayed, find and click on Instagram in the list.
- A program description will appear on the screen, indicating the space occupied by temporary files.
- Find the application uninstall button. At the same time, the cache will be erased.
- Go to the AppStore software store and download the official client of the social network.
- Install and launch it.
If you go to the storage after this and find Instagram, you will see that the amount of space occupied in the internal memory has significantly decreased. Here you will also see the unload utility button, but it is worth knowing that when using this function, only the application itself disappears, and saved documents remain untouched.
Using the program
To avoid repeating such a procedure every time, download and install special utilities for cleaning your mobile device. Currently, you can find a wide range of offerings in the App Store on the iPhone. Let’s consider an example of clearing cache using Clean Master:
- Launch the official AppStore software.
- In the main menu, search for the utility, find and install it on your smartphone.
- Launch the cleaner and click on the start button.
- After a few seconds, it will display a list of unnecessary temporary files from all the programs used on the phone.
- Choose the documents to be deleted and confirm the procedure.
Note that in order for the process to work, Clean Master needs access to the internal memory. There are now many similar programs for the iOS operating system.
Another way: disabling automatic saving of photos on iPhone
In addition to temporary files, the memory of your smartphone may be occupied by photos and videos that you upload to social networks from your gallery or take in real-time mode. After all, by default, Instagram has the automatic saving function of publications on your phone activated. To fix this, you will need to:
- Launch the mobile application on your smartphone.
- Click on the thumbnail of your account on the bottom panel of the workspace.
- On your personal page, click on the button in the form of three horizontal lines at the top of the screen. An additional window will appear, in which you need to go to the settings section.
- Find the tab for account settings.
- Select the “Original Photos” option. After that, switch the indicator to the off state.
After this, the service will not save photos by default, and the internal memory on your phone will be saved, which is especially important if its volume is limited.
The article discussed how to clear the cache in Instagram on an iPhone. The procedure is very simple, you can do it yourself or use third-party programs to delete temporary files. Try to repeat the procedure periodically, at least once a month, and as a result, the mobile application will work without crashes and freezes.