How to clear Discord cache and free up space on your PC

If you use Discord Every day, it's normal for your device to accumulate temporary app files. Every message, image, GIF, and video you view or send leaves a local footprint to speed up future loads, and over time, this takes up space and can slow down your system. Clear Discord Cache It is, therefore, a necessary task.

With a one-time cache clearing, You can recover storage, resolve errors and prevent outdated resources from being displayed. Below you'll find a complete guide for Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone, and the browser, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about privacy and hosted content.

What is Discord cache and why should you clear it?

Discord keeps local copies of items you see in chats and servers so that everything loads faster without asking the server every timeThis cache includes images, video thumbnails, temporary app data, and even some files generated by the rendering engine.

The less pleasant side is that this cache can grow too large and store sensitive content (e.g., images you didn't want to keep locally). Additionally, when Discord changes something on its servers, the app might continue to display old files if your team insists on using what's in the cache.

Another important reason is performance: clearing the cache sometimes fixes display issues, loading problems or strange behavior that persists even after the app is updated. It's a quick step that often makes the difference.

Real advantages of clearing or cleaning the Discord cache

Among the clearest benefits, you will see that you can fix errors without reinstalling the app. If specific images or videos aren't displaying, clearing the cache often resolves the issue.

You will also recover storage, because The cache can take up hundreds of MB or more If you use Discord frequently, on computers with limited space, cleaning it up frees up space to make everything run more smoothly.

Finally, it is a privacy enhancement: the cache can include temporary copies of personal files that you sent or received. By deleting them from local storage, you reduce the footprint on your device.

Precautions and what is (and isn't) deleted when clearing the cache

Clearing Disscord's cache removes temporary local files, but does not delete messages or attachments from the server. What is in the server It remains online, and will download again if you open it again.

If you are using an iPhone and choose “Offload app” or the built-in cache clearing, remember that only temporary data and the app disappear (if you download), keeping your essential documents and data linked to iCloud if applicable. In any case, anything posted on servers isn't deleted.

Please note that some tutorials insist on emptying several specific folders for effective cleaning. Three directories stand out on Discord that should be deleted on the desktop: “Cache”, “Code Cache” and “GPUCache”.

How to clear Discord cache on Windows

There are several ways to get to the folders we're interested in, but the quickest way is to use Windows Search and the shortcut to the AppData folder. The steps are simple and safe if you follow the correct order.

1. Close Discord completely so that no files are in use. Make sure to close from the tray as well. next to the clock if the app is still in the background.
2. Open the Start menu and, in the search bar, write %appdata% and press Enter. The user profile's Roaming directory will open.
3. On screen you will see a route similar to C:\Users\yourUser\AppData\Roaming. Some guides use the example “C:\Users\juanm\AppData\Roaming,” which serves as a reference for the format.
4. Go to the “Discord” folder and locate the subfolders Cache, Code Cache and GPUCacheIf you don't see any, it's okay: just delete the ones you see.
5. Delete those three folders and empty the Windows Recycle Bin to complete local cleanup. When you reopen Discord, they will automatically regenerate.

How to clear the Discord cache on macOS

On Mac, the cache is saved in the user's library. It is advisable to close Discord before touching files. to avoid conflicts when deleting folders.

1. In Finder, open the “Go” menu and choose “Go to Folder…”. The correct shortcut is Shift + Command + G to open the route box.
2. Enter the route ~ / Library / Application Support / discord / and press Enter to access the app data.
3. Select the “Cache,” “Code Cache,” and “GPUCache” folders and move them to the Trash. Then, empty the Trash so that the space release is effective.

Note: Some texts say Shift + Command + Q, which is actually log out of macOS. For “Go to folder” the correct shortcut is Shift + Command + G.

How to clear Discord cache on Android

Android offers a direct way to clear any app's cache (which also applies to clearing Discord's cache). You don't need to uninstall the app, unless you want to delete user data as well.

1. Open your phone’s Settings and go to “Applications” or “Application Manager.” The route may vary depending on the brand, but the idea is the same.
2. Find “Discord” in the list and access its application page. Inside you will see the storage details and memory usage.
3. Tap “Storage & cache” (or “Storage”). Select “Clear cache” to delete temporary files without losing your credentials or data.

If your Android doesn't display that option with that name, it may appear as "Clear cache." Both options do the same thing and do not affect Discord chats.

How to Clear Discord Cache on iPhone (iOS)

On iOS, there are two ways to clear the Discord cache. Some users see a “Clear caches” setting within Discord, and in other cases The recommended way is to uninstall or download the app to have iOS delete its temporary data.

• Option A: From Discord. Open the app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner to go to Settings. Scroll down to the “Dev Only” section and select “Clear Caches.”
• Option B: From iOS. In Settings > General > iPhone Storage, go to Discord and choose “Delete app” to delete everything (cache and data) or “Offload app” to remove the app while preserving essential documents and data.

If you choose to delete the app, reinstalling from the App Store will start with a clean cache. If you use “Offload App,” iOS deletes the app but keeps associated data.; however, the cache weight is significantly reduced.

Key folders to delete (desktop)

On Windows and macOS, the cleanup focuses on three directories within the Discord folder. They are safe to remove and they recreate themselves when you start the app:

• cache: Temporary files for resources that you have viewed or that the app needs from time to time.
• Cache code: Cache the code/JS compiled by the runtime to speed up execution.
• GPUCache: Graphics card cache related to interface rendering.

On Windows, you can access it from %appdata% > Discord; on macOS, from ~/Library/Application Support/discord/. Deleting these folders usually resolves persistent errors. and recovers space immediately.

Privacy: Local Content, Server Content, and Common Questions

A common question is whether clearing the Discord cache or "offloading" the app on iPhone will delete photos sent to servers. The answer is that Clearing the cache does not delete anything from the server. Everything you sent to a channel stays online.

The cache only affects your device: images, thumbnails, and other temporary files stored locally. Removing it improves your local privacy, because those files are no longer available on your computer if someone accesses them.

Another point to consider before clearing your Discord cache is that it may have been cached NSFW or sensitive content that you viewed. If you share a computer or are concerned about file exposure, clearing the cache is a good periodic practice.

When you should clear your Discord cache

There is no universal rule, but if you notice that Discord It works slowly, it doesn't show images or it's behaving strangely, it's a good time. Also if you run out of space or after a major update.

As a routine, many users choose to clear the cache every so often (for example, monthly). It is a fast and reversible process which rarely introduces any inconvenience.

Typical problems and how to act

• If Discord still crashes after clearing your cache, there may be user data corruption or a conflict with system extensions. Restart the device and try again. before moving to more drastic measures.
• On Android, if “Clearing cache” doesn’t solve the problem, you can try “Clear storage” (This does delete app data, such as the session). On iOS, delete and reinstall ensures a clean installation if the “Clear caches” option does not appear.
• On the desktop, make sure you completely close Discord before deleting folders. If Windows says a file is in use, close the app from the tray icon or end the process in Task Manager. Empty the Trash at the end to really free up space.

That's all for our tips on how and why to clear your Discord cache, plus what to do when you run into problems. By applying these steps when appropriate, Discord will run smoother, with fewer errors. and without taking up more space than necessary.