Data stored locally on a device to expedite application performance is a temporary storage area. It allows an application to retrieve information more quickly than downloading it repeatedly from a remote server. For instance, TikTok saves video thumbnails and user data in this temporary storage, so they appear faster when a user revisits a profile or scrolls through the “For You” page.
This temporary storage mechanism is vital for a seamless user experience. It reduces data consumption, conserves battery life, and allows content to load even with a poor network connection. Historically, the implementation of this technology has evolved to address the increasing demand for faster loading times and reduced latency in mobile applications, particularly those with heavy multimedia content like TikTok.