How to delete Google Drive's cache and reclaim wasted storage space

• You can delete your Google Drive cache on a computer by clearing your browser history.
• On an Android, you can clear Google Drive's cache through the app's Settings menu.
• iPhone and iPad users can only clear Google Drive's cache by deleting and reinstalling the app.

Like most apps and websites, Google Drive has a cache of data it uses to quickly load information you've accessed recently. And if you use Google Drive a lot, that cache can balloon in size until it starts hogging storage space.

But no matter how you use Google Drive, you can clear its cache in just a few moments. Here's how to do it.

How to delete Google Drive's cache on a Mac or PC

If you're using the Google Drive website on your Mac or PC, the only way to clear the website's cache is to clear your internet browser's browsing data.

Few (if any) browsers let you clear the cache for only one specific site. However, most will let you clear your browser cache without deleting your entire browsing history.

In Google Chrome, click the stacked three dots in the top-right corner of your browser, then hover your mouse over More tools. Select Clear browsing data. In the menu that opens, set the time range to All time, and check the box labeled Cached images and files. Then click Clear data.

In Microsoft Edge, click the three dots in the top-right corner, and then History. In the pop-up that appears, click the three dots in the top-right corner, then select Clear browsing data. Set the time range to All time, check the box labeled Cached images and files, then click Clear now.

In Firefox, click the three stacked lines in the top-right corner, and then History. Select Clear recent history. Set the time range to Everything, make sure the Cache option is checked, and then click OK. 

Once you do this, you might have to sign back into Google Drive.

How to delete Google Drive's cache on an Android

The Google Drive Android app has a built-in feature that lets you clear the cache at any time.

1. Open Google Drive and log into any of your accounts.

2. Tap the stacked three lines in the top-left corner of the screen, then select Settings.

3. Scroll down and tap Clear cache, then confirm that you want to clear it.

You can also tap the Cache size option to put a limit on how big the cache can be.

How to delete Google Drive's cache on an iPhone or iPad

The only way to clear most app caches on an iPhone or iPad is to delete the app and reinstall it. Google Drive is no different.

Tap and hold your finger on the Google Drive app icon and select Remove App when it appears. Tap Delete App, and then Delete again.

You can then reinstall Google Drive for free from the App Store. You'll have to log back into your Google accounts.

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