Microsoft Teams stores data on your device to make the app run faster. This cached data includes message history, images, videos, and temporary files. Over time, this cache can grow large and cause Teams to slow down, freeze, or display errors. Clearing cache in Teams is one of the easiest ways to fix performance problems without losing your actual messages or files.
This guide shows you exactly how to clear cache in Teams on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. You’ll learn why clearing cache matters, when you should do it, and what happens afterward. No technical skills required.
Why Your Teams Cache Matters
Teams creates a cache folder filled with temporary data every time you use the app. The cache helps Teams load faster and work offline. However, when this cache gets too large or corrupted, it becomes a problem.
Common signs you need to clear cache include:
- Teams takes forever to open
- Messages don’t load properly
- Videos or images won’t display
- The app crashes frequently
- You see error messages about corrupted data
- Your storage space is running low
Clearing cache fixes these issues because it removes corrupted or outdated files while keeping all your actual conversations, files, and contacts safe. Your messages stay in Teams servers, not on your device.
How to Clear Cache in Teams on Windows
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Close Teams Completely
Click the Teams icon in your system tray (bottom right corner). Select “Quit” to close the app fully. Do not just minimize it. Closing the app completely ensures you can delete all cached files safely.
Step 2: Open the File Explorer
Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer. You need to access the hidden Teams cache folder.
Step 3: Navigate to the Cache Folder
Type this path into the address bar at the top:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams
Press Enter. This takes you directly to the Teams data folder.
Step 4: Find the Cache Folder
Look for a folder named “Cache”. Inside this folder, you’ll find multiple numbered folders containing all your cached data. Select all these cache folders.
Step 5: Delete the Cache
Right-click and select “Delete”. You can also press the Delete key. A confirmation window appears. Click “Yes” to confirm deletion. Your system will remove all cached files.
Step 6: Clear Browser Cache (Optional but Recommended)
If you use Teams in a web browser, also clear your browser cache. Go to your browser settings, find “Clear browsing data” or “Clear cache,” and select all time periods.
Step 7: Restart Teams
Open Teams again. The app will rebuild a fresh cache from scratch. This usually takes a few seconds to a minute. You’ll notice Teams runs noticeably faster.
Complete Cache Folder Paths for Windows
Different Teams versions store cache in different locations. Here are all the main paths:
| Cache Location | Details |
|---|---|
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams\Cache | Main cache for desktop app |
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams\blob_storage | Stores blob data and images |
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams\databases | Local database files |
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams\IndexedDB | Indexed data for faster searches |
You can delete all these folders safely. Teams recreates them automatically.
How to Clear Cache in Teams on Mac
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Quit Teams
Click the Teams icon in your dock. Then press Command + Q to quit completely. Closing from the dock menu is not enough. You must fully quit the app.
Step 2: Open Finder
Click the Finder icon in your dock. This opens your file browser.
Step 3: Go to the Library Folder
Press Command + Shift + G. A “Go to Folder” dialog appears. Type this path:
~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams
Press Enter or click “Go”. This takes you to the Teams folder.
Step 4: Select and Delete Cache
Find the “Cache” folder. Click it once to select it. Press Command + Delete to move it to Trash. This removes all cached data.
Step 5: Empty the Trash
Right-click the Trash icon in your dock. Select “Empty Trash”. This permanently deletes the cache files from your Mac.
Step 6: Reopen Teams
Double-click the Teams icon to open it again. The app will create a new, clean cache. Performance should improve immediately.
Alternative Cache Locations on Mac
If the Teams folder structure differs, check these additional paths:
~/Library/Caches/com.microsoft.Teams~/Library/Cookies(search for Teams-related cookies)
How to Clear Cache in Teams on iPhone and iPad
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Go to Settings
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app. Scroll down and find “Teams”.
Step 2: Tap “Offload App”
This removes the app but keeps your data. Tap “Offload App”, then confirm by tapping it again. Your data stays in iCloud.
Step 3: Reinstall Teams
Go to the App Store. Search for “Microsoft Teams“. Tap “Get” then “Install”. Sign in with your account when the app opens.
Step 4: Sign Back In
Enter your Microsoft credentials. Teams will sync all your conversations and files from the cloud.
Quick Cache Clear Without Reinstalling
Go to iPhone Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Microsoft Teams > “Offload App” > Confirm.
This removes temporary files without uninstalling the app completely. Your actual data remains safe in Teams servers.
How to Clear Cache in Teams on Android
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to Settings on your Android phone or tablet. Scroll down to “Apps” or “Application Manager”.
Step 2: Find Microsoft Teams
Search for or scroll to “Microsoft Teams”. Tap on it.
Step 3: Tap “Storage”
You’ll see storage options. Tap “Storage” to open storage settings for the Teams app.
Step 4: Clear Cache
Tap “Clear Cache”. A confirmation message appears. Tap “OK” to confirm. This removes cached data but keeps your app data.
Step 5: Optional: Clear All Data
If clearing cache alone doesn’t help, tap “Clear All Data” instead. This removes everything including your login information. You’ll need to sign back in.
Step 6: Restart Teams
Close and reopen the Teams app. It will rebuild its cache automatically.
What Happens When You Clear Cache
After you clear cache, you might notice these changes:
Teams will take a few extra seconds to load initially because it rebuilds the cache. This is normal and happens only once.
You’ll see faster performance overall. Pages load quicker. Messages appear faster. Videos play more smoothly.
All your conversations, files, and contacts remain exactly as they were. Nothing is deleted from Teams servers.
You might need to re-download some images or files you viewed recently since these were stored in cache. Teams retrieves them again when needed.
Offline functionality might work slower temporarily until Teams rebuilds local data. This is temporary.
When Should You Clear Teams Cache
Clear cache in these situations:
After major Teams updates to prevent compatibility issues with old cached data.
When you notice Teams running slower than usual for no clear reason.
If you see repeated error messages about corrupted data or sync failures.
When you’re running low on storage space and need to free up room quickly.
Before troubleshooting other Teams problems to rule out cache issues.
If Teams won’t load certain messages, images, or files properly.
Roughly every 3 to 6 months as regular maintenance even if everything works fine.
How Much Storage Does Teams Cache Use
Teams cache typically uses between 200 MB to 1 GB on most devices. This depends on how long you’ve used Teams and how many conversations you participate in.
Power users with years of chat history might accumulate 2 to 3 GB of cached data. Clearing cache can free up significant storage space.
Check your device storage before and after clearing cache to see the actual impact. The freed space varies greatly based on individual usage patterns.
Preventing Cache Buildup
You don’t need to clear cache constantly. Simple habits prevent excessive cache growth.
Log out of Teams when not using it for extended periods. This stops the app from caching new data unnecessarily.
Disable message preview caching in Teams settings if you’re concerned about privacy. Go to Settings > Privacy > and adjust accordingly.
Keep Teams updated to the latest version. Updates often include performance improvements that manage cache better.
Clear your browser cache monthly if you use Teams through a web browser regularly.
Close Teams when switching between work and personal devices to save cache space on each device.
Troubleshooting After Clearing Cache
If Teams still runs slowly after clearing cache, try these additional steps:
Restart your computer or phone completely. This clears system memory and can resolve lingering issues.
Uninstall and reinstall Teams completely. Sometimes clearing cache alone isn’t enough. Full reinstallation removes all Teams files and rebuilds everything fresh.
Check your internet connection. Slow cache clearing or rebuilding often indicates network issues rather than app problems.
Update your operating system. Outdated Windows or Mac systems sometimes cause Teams performance problems.
Check available storage space. If your device is almost full, Teams performance suffers regardless of cache size.
Disable Teams startup launch if you don’t need Teams running automatically. Go to Settings > Privacy and disable “Launch App” option.
Disable browser extensions if using Teams in a web browser. Some extensions interfere with Teams performance.
Contact Microsoft Teams support if problems persist. They can check your account for deeper issues.
FAQs:
Will clearing cache delete my messages and files?
No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files stored on your device. All your actual messages, files, and conversations stay safely in Teams servers and on your account. You can access everything after clearing cache.
How often should I clear Teams cache?
Most users benefit from clearing cache every 3 to 6 months. If you notice performance issues sooner, clear it immediately. Power users who collaborate heavily might clear cache monthly.
Can I lose my login information when clearing cache?
On Windows and Mac, clearing the standard cache folder keeps your login information. You’ll typically stay logged in. On mobile devices, it depends on whether you clear cache only or all data. Clearing cache alone keeps you logged in.
Why does Teams cache get so large?
Teams caches messages, images, videos, and other content you view regularly. Conversations with many images or file attachments create larger cache files. The longer you use the same Teams account, the more cache accumulates.
Is clearing cache the same as uninstalling and reinstalling Teams?
No, but full reinstall is more thorough. Clearing cache removes temporary files while keeping the app installed. Uninstalling and reinstalling removes everything including the app itself and all Teams data, then rebuilds from scratch. Reinstalling is more effective for serious problems but takes more time.
Conclusion
Clearing cache in Teams is simple, safe, and one of the most effective ways to fix performance problems. The process takes less than five minutes on any device. You lose nothing but outdated temporary files while gaining faster app performance.
Start with the step-by-step instructions for your specific device. If you use Teams on multiple devices, clear cache on each one. Notice the speed improvement within minutes of restarting the app.
For more information about optimizing your Teams experience, check out Microsoft’s official Teams support documentation for comprehensive technical guidance. You can also explore troubleshooting techniques through Microsoft’s help center for deeper issues beyond cache clearing.
Make cache clearing part of your regular device maintenance routine. Your Teams app will thank you with faster performance and fewer headaches.
