Zoom takes up storage two ways: a cache of chat images and shared files, and local recordings, which are the real space hogs. On Android you clear the cache in Settings; recordings are deleted from inside Zoom or your file manager.

Short answer:

  • Android: Settings > Apps > Zoom > Storage & cache > Clear cache (safe).
  • Local recordings are the biggest files: delete them in Zoom > Meetings > Recorded, or from your Downloads/Documents folder.
  • iPhone: Offload Zoom, and remove saved recordings from Files/Photos.
  • Avoid Clear storage / Clear data, which signs you out.

Where Zoom's Storage Goes

Zoom's app cache holds chat images, shared files, profile pictures, and temporary meeting data. This is usually modest, in the tens to low hundreds of megabytes.

The serious storage use comes from local recordings. If you record meetings to your device, each recording is a video file that can run hundreds of megabytes to several gigabytes per hour. On mobile, recordings typically save to cloud by default, but locally saved clips, downloaded recordings, and saved chat files quietly accumulate.

Clear the Zoom Cache on Android

Start with the system storage screen to clear temporary files.

  1. Open Settings > Apps.
  2. Tap Zoom (it may be listed as Zoom Workplace).
  3. Tap Storage & cache.
  4. Tap Clear cache.

You stay signed in and the space frees immediately. This often resolves loading glitches with shared images and chat as well.

Important: the same screen has Clear storage (or Clear data). That resets Zoom to a fresh install, signing you out and clearing local settings. Use it only if Zoom is malfunctioning. See clear cache vs clear data on Android and how to clear app cache on Android safely for what each button removes.

Delete Local Recordings (the Real Space Hog)

Recordings dwarf the cache, so this is where you recover the most space.

  1. In Zoom, tap Meetings, then the Recorded tab to see recordings saved to your account or device.
  2. Tap a recording and choose Delete for any you no longer need.
  3. On Android, also open Files by Google (or your file manager) and check the Documents and Downloads folders, plus any Zoom folder, for saved .mp4 recording files. Delete the large ones.

If you record regularly, switching to cloud recording in your Zoom account settings keeps these large files off your phone entirely.

Clear Zoom Storage on iPhone

iOS has no per-app cache button, so use these:

  • Offload App: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Zoom and tap Offload App to clear the app and cache while keeping your data.
  • Remove recordings: Check the Files app and Photos for saved Zoom recordings and delete the large clips, then empty the Recently Deleted album.

A Clenoir storage scan surfaces large video files like Zoom recordings on iPhone and lets you confirm each deletion before it happens.

Keep Zoom From Filling Your Phone

A few habits prevent recordings and cache from piling up.

  • Record to the cloud instead of locally when possible.
  • After each meeting you recorded, move or delete the local file promptly.
  • Clear the app cache every month or two if you use Zoom heavily.

Because recordings are large video files, they are exactly the kind of clutter that hides in the large videos category of your storage. For a broader sweep, see the free up Android space hub and the storage cleanup FAQ. Clearing Zoom's cache is quick; deleting old local recordings is where the gigabytes come back.

FAQ

What uses the most storage in the Zoom app?

Local recordings are the biggest space hogs. Each recording is a video file that can run hundreds of megabytes to several gigabytes per hour, far larger than the cache of chat images and shared files, which is usually tens to low hundreds of megabytes.

How do I delete local Zoom recordings on Android?

In Zoom, tap Meetings then the Recorded tab, tap a recording, and choose Delete. Also open Files by Google and check the Documents and Downloads folders, plus any Zoom folder, for saved .mp4 recording files and delete the large ones.

How can I stop Zoom recordings from filling up my phone?

Switch to cloud recording in your Zoom account settings, which keeps the large recording files off your phone entirely. After any meeting you record locally, move or delete the file promptly.