Understanding TikTok’s Storage Usage: Tips for Clearing Cache and Freeing Up Space

If you’ve been using TikTok for a while, you may have noticed the video app consuming a significant amount of storage on your device. But why does TikTok require so much space, and what are the best methods to clear its cache and free up storage?

With numerous trends, challenges, and communities to engage with, many users find themselves spending hours browsing their For You Pages on TikTok.

However, some users have observed that the app can take up gigabytes of storage on their devices.

TikTok / Unsplash: Tingey Injury Law Firm

TikTok is a popular platform used by millions worldwide.

Why does TikTok use so much storage?

The reason behind TikTok’s large storage consumption is not fully understood.

The app itself occupies approximately 300MB of storage, but this can quickly increase due to additional files generated by the app, including cache, watch history, downloads, and drafts.

Despite user complaints regarding the app’s storage usage, TikTok has not provided any official comments. However, users have discovered some effective methods to minimize the app’s storage footprint.

How to reduce TikTok’s storage size

There are several techniques to lessen the size of TikTok on your device. The most common methods include deleting drafts, clearing the TikTok cache, or deleting and reinstalling the app.

Here’s how you can effectively reduce TikTok’s storage usage:

Delete your drafts

Screenshot of TikTok drafts page — TikTok

Uninstalling the app will erase all your drafts.

TikTok allows users to save videos as drafts, and some users accumulate hundreds of drafts, which can consume a considerable amount of storage. To free up space, it’s a good idea to review your drafts and delete any unnecessary ones.

If you want to eliminate all your drafts, deleting and reinstalling the app will also remove them.

Clear the TikTok cache

Screenshot of clear cache option on TikTok — TikTok

Clearing your cache can help regain some storage space.

Another effective way to lower the app’s storage usage is by clearing the TikTok cache. Follow these steps:

Open TikTok.
Click on the ‘Profile’ tab.
Select the three lines in the top right corner, then choose ‘Settings and privacy.’
Scroll to ‘Cache and cellular data,’ and click ‘Clear cache.’

Clear your watch history

TikTok tracks all the videos you’ve recently watched in your watch history, which can take up substantial storage over time. Regularly clearing your watch history can help free storage and enhance the app’s performance, making it easier to manage your content.

Delete and reinstall the app

Some users have achieved success by completely uninstalling and then reinstalling the TikTok app. As mentioned earlier, this will also delete any saved drafts, so ensure you save any content you want to keep before proceeding.

Many have reported that this method significantly decreases the amount of storage TikTok occupies on their devices, making it a feasible option if storage issues are a concern.