Tech Reference

How to clear Slack's cache to speed up the app and free space

A laptop sitting on a table, displaying the Slack logo.
Clearing Slack's cache can solve issues. Monticello/Shutterstock
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Slack has a cache that it uses to store messages you've read recently, so it can load those messages faster in the future. And the space that those messages take up on your device — especially if they have pictures or links attached — can add up quickly.

If Slack is running slowly, or taking up more storage space than it usually does, you should clear the cache. Every version of the Slack app has a different process for this, but it shouldn't ever take long.

How to clear Slack's cache on your Mac or PC

The Slack desktop apps — the ones you download onto a Mac or PC — let you clear the cache through the Help menu. This is located in different spots depending on your operating system.

If you're on a Mac, open Slack and click Help in the toolbar at the top of your screen. Hover your mouse over the Troubleshooting option, and then select Clear Cache and Restart.

The “Clear Cache and Restart” option in the Mac Slack app.
You'll need to restart Slack.  William Antonelli/Insider

If you're on a PC, open Slack and click the three stacked lines in the top-left corner of the window. Hover your mouse over Help, then Troubleshooting. Click the Clear Cache and Restart option.

The “Clear Cache and Restart” option in the PC Slack app.
In Windows, the option is a bit more hidden.  Slack; William Antonelli/Insider

When you click that option, Slack will shut down and then reopen itself. Once it restarts, your cache will be cleared.

How to clear Slack's cache on an iPhone or iPad

Unlike other devices, iPhones and iPads don't usually let you clear app caches manually. The only way to clear most app caches on an iPhone or iPad is to delete the app, and then reinstall it.

Slack is one of the rare exceptions. There are two ways to manually clear the Slack app's cache on an iPhone or iPad: Through the Slack app itself, or through your device settings.

First off, you can open the Slack app and tap the You option in the bottom-right corner. Select Preferences at the bottom, then Advanced. Tap the red Reset Cache option at the very bottom of the page.

Secondly, you can open the Settings app and scroll down to tap Slack. Once there, toggle on the Reset Cache on Next Launch switch. Once this is flipped on, Slack's cache will clear the next time you open the app.

The Slack iOS app's "Advanced Settings" screen, and the Slack menu in the iOS Settings app.
iOS and iPadOS users have two ways to clear the cache.  Slack; William Antonelli/Insider

How to clear Slack's cache on an Android

Android phones and tablets let you clear any app's cache through the device's Apps menu.

Open your Android's Settings app and tap the Apps option. Select All apps, then scroll down to tap the Slack option. Tap Storage & cache, and finally tap Clear cache.

The “App info” and “Storage” menus for Slack on an Android phone.
Androids have a dedicated "Clear cache" button.  William Antonelli/Insider

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ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.