How to Clear Cache on Android TV/Google TV (Improve Speed)

In this guide, we’ll show you How to Clear Cache on Android TV and Google TV devices to improve speed and enhance your overall experience.

If your Android TV or Google TV device is running slow, low on storage, or having problems with certain apps, clearing the cache is one of the easiest solutions worth trying.

Streaming apps continually store temporary files, otherwise known as “cache,” on your device. Over time, these files can take up valuable storage space and occasionally cause apps to freeze, crash, or simply not work as they should.

In this guide, we show how to clear cache on Android TV and Google TV devices in just a few simple steps.

We also explain how to clear the cache for individual applications, the difference between clearing cache and app data, and whether clearing cache will actually make your device faster.

These instructions work with nearly any device running the Android TV or Google TV operating system, including Onn 4K Pro, Onn 4K Plus, NVIDIA SHIELD, Google TV Streamer, MECOOL, Formuler, and various Smart TVs.

What is Cache on Android TV/Google TV?

Cache consists of temporary files that applications store on your device.

For example, streaming applications may cache images, menus, metadata, and other information so they don’t have to retrieve everything again each time you open the app.

This is completely normal and cache is not necessarily a bad thing.

However, cached files can accumulate over time, which is important on streaming devices that have limited internal storage.

Cached data can also occasionally become problematic and cause an application to freeze, crash, load incorrectly, or experience other performance issues.

Google recommends clearing an application’s cache as one of its troubleshooting steps for playback problems on Android TV and Google TV.

The good news is that clearing cache is extremely easy and does not uninstall your applications.

How to Clear All Cache on Android TV/Google TV

The quickest option is to clear cached data from your entire device at once.

In the example below, we are using an Onn 4K Pro. Your settings may look slightly different depending on the device you are using.

1. From the home screen, select the Settings icon.

2. Click All Settings.

3. Choose System.

4. Select Internal shared storage.

5. Click Cached data.

6. Click OK.

That’s it! Cached files have now been removed from your device.

You can return to this menu afterward to see how much storage space was recovered.

How to Clear Cache for Individual Apps

You don’t always need to clear the cache for your entire device.

If you are only experiencing problems with one application, we suggest clearing the cache for that app first.

This is particularly useful if an application is freezing, crashing, displaying old information, or having playback issues.

1. Open Settings and select Apps.

2. Choose See all apps if necessary.

3. Find and choose the application you are having problems with. We have selected Nuvio.

4. Select Clear cache.

5. Choose OK.

You will notice that the amount of cache listed for the application should drop significantly or return to zero.

Launch the application again to see if your problem has been resolved.

If not, you may also want to force stop the application and restart your device before trying again.

Clear Cache vs. Clear Data

When viewing an application’s settings, you will likely see options for both Clear cache and Clear data. It is important to understand that these are not the same thing.

Clear Cache removes temporary files created by the application. It generally leaves your login information, settings, and other important app data intact.

Clear Data essentially resets the application by deleting its locally stored app data.

This means you will likely be logged out of the app and lose various settings, preferences and more.

For this reason, we always suggest trying Clear cache first when troubleshooting an application.

If clearing the cache doesn’t solve the problem, clearing data can be a useful next step, but you will likely have to set up the app again.

Does Clearing Cache Make Android TV Faster?

Clearing cache can help improve performance in certain situations, but it isn’t a magic speed boost.

If your device is nearly out of storage, removing hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes of cached files can free up valuable space.

It can also fix problematic temporary files that are causing a particular application to behave slowly or incorrectly. However, cache also serves a purpose.

Applications use cached files so they don’t have to download or recreate the same information every time you use them. This means an application may actually take slightly longer to load the first time you launch it after clearing its cache.

Cache will also begin accumulating again as you continue using your applications.

If your entire device remains sluggish after clearing cache, there are several other adjustments you can make, including using Speed Boost Tools such as Fast Task Killer.

Our speed boost guide covers additional methods for improving performance that go beyond simply clearing cached files.

Will Clearing Cache Fix Buffering?

While clearing your cache may fix buffering, it is likely not the full cause for this type of issue when viewing media content.

If one particular Streaming APK suddenly begins freezing, crashing, or having playback problems, clearing its cache is worth trying.

Google itself lists clearing an application’s cache as a troubleshooting step for video playback problems on Google TV and Android TV.

However, persistent buffering can also be caused by your Internet connection, Wi-Fi signal, streaming source, application, VPN connection, or the service you are attempting to use.

If every app on your device is buffering, the problem probably isn’t just cached data.

Final Thoughts

Clearing cache is one of the easiest troubleshooting methods available for Android TV and Google TV devices.

It is safe, takes only a few minutes, and can free up valuable internal storage while resolving problems with applications that are freezing, crashing, or not loading properly.

For most users, we recommend clearing the cache for an individual application first when troubleshooting a specific problem.

If your device is low on storage or you haven’t cleaned it up in a long time, clearing all cached data at once is another option.

Remember that cache will return as you continue using your apps, and that’s completely normal.

What do you think of clearing cache on Android TV or Google TV? Did it improve performance or fix an application that wasn’t working correctly? Let us know in the comments below!