We are frequently asked by readers, “Why does TikTok take up so much storage?“
If you are one of those readers and looking for a solution, here’s a must-read guide for you.
This means the content of this article explains the steps to optimizing TikTok storage usage on your smartphone.
Overview
As of today, anyone who has a smartphone doesn’t need an introduction to the TikTok app. It is a widely used app used for sharing short videos and entertainment purposes.
However, some TikTok users have encountered an issue with this app. As they say, TikTok consumes a significant amount of storage space on their mobile devices. So, they wonder how to manage TikTok storage on your device.
Suppose you find yourself grappling with this storage dilemma; fear not! In this article, we will delve into the factors contributing to TikTok’s storage usage. Also, we will explain some useful tips to reduce TikTok’s storage footprint.
Also, if you wonder how to edit a video on TikTok after posting, this article explains it with a detailed step-by-step guide.
Why Does TikTok Take Up So Much Storage?
Before optimizing TikTok storage usage on your smartphone, let’s learn the reasons why TikTok consumes so much storage.
1. Cached Data
TikTok stores temporary data on your device to enhance app performance. This includes cached videos, images, and other media files. Over time, these files can accumulate and occupy storage space.
2. Offline Downloads
TikTok enables users to download videos for offline viewing. If you frequently download videos, especially those with higher resolutions or longer durations, they obviously consume substantial storage space.
3. Saved Videos
If you frequently save videos within the TikTok app, they will accumulate and occupy storage space. If you have a large collection of saved videos, they can contribute to increased storage usage.
4. User-Generated Content
Do you create and upload videos to TikTok? If so, the app temporarily stores those videos locally on your device before uploading them to the platform. This temporary storage can occupy space, especially if you create numerous videos.
5. App Updates
When TikTok releases updates, the new version may require additional space during the installation process. Although this space usage is temporary, it can contribute to the overall perception of TikTok occupying significant storage.
How to Clear the Storage of TikTok
Clearing the cache and other large files is a must if you intend to save up your phone’s space. You can reduce the TikTok app’s size.
To do that, you should clear the data and cache (Android), delete Downloads, and clear the Watch history. You can delete and reinstall the TikTok app if it’s taking up too much room on your phone.
That said, below is how to do that and enjoy the functions of your TikTok app.
Solution 01: Clear the Watch History
One of the primary culprits behind TikTok’s storage consumption is watch history.
To clear it, follow these steps.
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Tap on your profile icon located in the bottom right corner.
- Then, click on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner to access settings.
- Scroll down and tap on “Privacy and Safety“.
- Within the “Account” section, select “Clear Watch History“.
- Confirm your choice by tapping “Clear” when prompted.
By the way, here, our expert guide on “Why is My TikTok Not Working?” covers a range of troubleshooting techniques and common problems to help you get back on track.
Solution 02: Delete Any TikTok Drafts
If you know why TikTok takes up so much storage, deleting TikTok drafts is a no-brainer.
Drafts are the unfinished videos you may have saved within TikTok. Removing them can help free up storage space.
- Launch TikTok and navigate to your profile.
- Tap on the “Drafts” button, which is usually located next to the “+” icon.
- After that, browse through your drafts and select the ones you wish to delete.
- Once selected, look for the delete option (usually represented by a trash can icon) and confirm the deletion.
Solution 03: Clear Downloads on TikTok
If you have downloaded TikTok videos for offline viewing, consider removing those you no longer need.
- Open TikTok and access your profile.
- Tap on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
- Go to “Setting and Privacy” and select “Free up space“.
- Choose the videos you want to delete.
- Click the ‘Clear‘ and confirm the deletion.
Solution 04: Clear the Cache of TikTok
Clearing the TikTok cache for increased storage space is required after understanding TikTok’s storage requirements. In fact, those who know why TikTok takes up so much storage will try this solution very often.
Here’s how you can do it.
- Launch TikTok and go to your profile.
- Tap on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
- Access “Setting and Privacy” and then “Free up space“.
- Select the option to clear the cache.
- Confirm your choice and wait for the process to complete.
Solution 05: Clear the TikTok App Data [Android]
On Android devices, you can clear TikTok data, which includes cache and other files.
Follow these steps.
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and select “Apps & notifications“.
- Locate and tap on TikTok from the list of installed apps.
- Select “Storage” or “Storage & cache“.
- Choose the option to “Clear Cache” or “Clear Storage“.
- Confirm your decision to clear TikTok data.
Solution 06: Uninstall the TikTok App and Reinstall It
If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the TikTok app can help resolve storage issues.
Here’s what you need to do.
- First, you should find the TikTok app icon on your device’s home screen or app drawer.
- Long-press on the TikTok icon until an option to uninstall appears.
- Tap on “Uninstall” and wait for the app to be removed.
- Visit your device’s app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and search for TikTok.
- Download and install the app again from the store.
That’s it. The above solutions will get TikTok’s storage back to normal.
FAQ
TikTok itself doesn’t inherently take up a significant amount of storage. However, cached data, downloaded videos, saved videos, and user-generated content can accumulate over time, occupying considerable storage space.
You can try the following solutions:
- Clear your watch history.
- Delete your TikTok drafts.
- Clear downloaded videos.
- Clear the TikTok cache.
- Clear TikTok data (Android only).
- Uninstall and reinstall the TikTok app.
Clearing the TikTok cache can temporarily affect app performance until the cache is rebuilt. However, it should not have any long-term impact on the app’s functionality.
Before uninstalling TikTok, ensure that any important data, such as drafts or saved videos, are backed up. If not, make sure that they are exported to avoid permanent loss. Once you reinstall the app, you will need to log in again.
To prevent excessive storage usage, you can:
- Regularly clear your watch history and delete unnecessary drafts.
- Limit the number of videos you download for offline viewing.
- Periodically clear the TikTok cache to remove temporary files.
- Be mindful of the amount of user-generated content you save on your mobile device.
- Consider managing your phone’s storage space by deleting unused apps or files unrelated to TikTok.
Yes, but this is a temporary solution. As you use TikTok, it will rebuild its cache, again taking up storage.
Yes. Downloaded videos are stored on your device and use up additional storage.
Yes, streaming or downloading lower-quality videos can reduce TikTok’s storage footprint.
Yes, by regularly clearing the cache, downloading fewer videos, and reducing the video quality, you can limit TikTok’s storage use.
While TikTok does use more storage than many other apps, it’s typically not a cause for concern unless your device is low on storage.
Conclusion
Why does TikTok take up so much storage? In fact, it is a concern for many users across the globe.
However, by following the solutions in this article, you can effectively manage and free up space on your phone. Clearing your watch history, deleting drafts, clearing downloads, and clearing the cache are all simple yet effective solutions. These fixes can make a noticeable difference in storage usage.
For Android users, clearing TikTok data and uninstalling/reinstalling the app can also be helpful. To avoid future storage issues, it’s good practice to periodically clear the cache and delete unnecessary videos or drafts.
Additionally, being mindful of the number of videos downloaded for offline viewing can help prevent excessive storage usage. By implementing these practices, you can enjoy using TikTok while keeping your phone’s storage under control.
If you have more queries related to TikTok storage space consumption, please keep us posted.
