• Clear Safari cache on Mac
  • Clear Safari cache on iPhone or iPad
  • How to save passwords when clearing your cache

How to clear your Safari browser cache on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad

  • You can clear your cache on Safari in just a few steps on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
  • Clearing your cache, as well as history and cookies, can help resolve your device's performance issues.
  • Clearing your cookies will clear your passwords as well, unless you save them with keychain.

A cache is a store of data. When you visit a website on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the Safari browser keeps a snapshot of the pages you view.

If you go back to that website, Safari loads the cached page in an instant, instead of taking the time to retrieve the page from the internet again.

But an overloaded cache can take up storage space and cause your device to run inefficiently — and it could use a periodic clearing.

Here's what you need to know to clear your cache on Safari, as well as your cookies and browsing history.

How to clear Safari cache on Mac

You can either clear just your cache or your cache, history, and cookies. 

Clear your cache

1. Click on the Safari tab at the top left of your screen and choose Preferences from the dropdown menu.

2.  Click the Advanced tab of the menu that pops up.

3.  At the end of the tab, select the Show Develop menu in menu bar box and close the Preferences menu.

4. Click the Develop tab from the Safari menu at the top of the page.

5. Click Empty Caches from the dropdown menu.

Clear your cache, history, and cookies

You may also want to clear your browsing history and cookies in addition to emptying your cache. Here's how to do that.

1. Choose the History tab at the top of your screen.

2. At the very bottom of the dropdown menu, choose Clear History.

3.  A box pops up with a choice to clear the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all history. Choose your time frame and click the Clear History button.  

Once you clear the history, it will also clear the cache and cookies associated with that time period.

How to clear Safari cache on iPhone or iPad

To clear your cache and browsing history:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Safari .

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data .

4. On the screen that pops up, choose Clear History and Data .

To clear your cache but not your browsing history:

3. Tap Advanced .

4. Tap Website Data .

5. Choose Remove All Website Data .

What happens to saved passwords when you clear your cache

When you clear your cache, history, and cookies, you may discover that Safari has logged you out of your favorite websites.

While clearing Safari's cache alone will not delete your passwords, clearing your history and cookies can. That's because when you empty your cookies, you will lose their password data saved in Safari as well. And keep in mind that clearing your history also clears its associated cookies.

Luckily, Apple has a solution to this problem. If you use iCloud, check your iCloud settings on your phone or computer.

Make sure that you've checked the box for Safari. As long as this box is checked, any passwords you save through your browser will stay safe in your keychain .

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How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

maria-diaz

How many tabs are open on your mobile browser right now? Go ahead, check -- you might be surprised by what you find.

Also:  Apple releases iOS 17.5: Here's what it offers and why you should update

Americans spend over five hours a day on their smartphones. That's over five hours of your phone potentially accessing, retrieving, and saving cache and cookies, which can negatively impact your iPhone's storage space .

What is cache?

Cache is the temporary storage of some data, such as parts of a website from your last visit. Browser cache is content from a website stored on your phone that helps the browser execute faster the next time you visit that page.

Also: How to clear the cache on your Android phone or tablet (and why you should)

Cache data can slow down your phone's overall browsing performance because it takes up storage space on your device. Therefore, it's a good idea to clear out your cache regularly. In this article, we mainly focus on clearing the web browser cache on an iPhone, but other types of cache include mobile app cache and CPU cache.

How to clear cache on iPhone

What you'll need: Everything you need to clear your browser cache is in the iPhone's settings app or the Safari app, so grab your iPhone to get started.

Remember that clearing the cache can clear private data, which can close all open tabs in Safari. This action is also likely to log you out of all your websites. You will be prompted to sign in the next time you open these sites. 

1. Go to your iPhone's Settings app

To delete Safari's cached data, open the  Settings  app on your iPhone. You can also do this task directly in the Safari app. We'll show the process of getting an empty browser cache through iPhone Settings because this approach gives you more options.

Tap Settings to begin clearing the iPhone cache.

2. Find Safari on the list

Within  Settings , scroll down through the list of options and apps until you see  Safari . Then tap on Safari  to access its settings.

Find Safari on the list.

3. Find the Clear History and Website Data option

To clear the app cache, scroll down through the  Safari  options, until you find an option for  Clear History and Website Data . Tap on this option to start clearing Safari's cache.

Tap on the option highlighted above.

4. Confirm you want to clear the browser cache

A popup will appear. Tap Clear History to confirm you want to delete Safari's browsing history and cache.

After confirming, the browser cache and cookies in Safari will be deleted from your iPhone, but your autofill information should still be on your device. Cached images and browser history will also be deleted, and you'll be logged out of any websites you were previously logged in to. 

Also: Update your iPhone and turn on Stolen Device Protection ASAP

Your iPhone presents the option to close all your open tabs or keep them open for when you reopen Safari, a feature that wasn't available until recently. 

Tap on this option again to confirm.

How do I clear the cache from Chrome on iPhone?

If Google Chrome is your preferred browser, a substantial amount of data could be stored on your device, which could slow down performance. 

To clear browsing data and cache in Chrome, open the Google Chrome app and follow these steps:

  • Tap  Settings .
  • Go to  Privacy and Security .
  • Select  Clear Browsing Data .
  • Select the time from which you want to delete the data (if you want to delete all your browsing history, choose All Time ).
  • Go through the items you'd like to delete, like your Browsing History , Cookies and Site Data , Cached Images and Files , Saved Passwords , and Autofill Data .
  • Tap Clear Browsing Data  at the bottom of the screen to confirm.
  • Tap Done when you've deleted the Chrome cache.

Also: Apple releases iOS 17.4 with podcast transcripts, new emojis, and EU app store changes

Clearing the browsing and cache data in Google Chrome doesn't close all open tabs, but the action will refresh each tab and log you out of websites. Once you tap on one of the tabs you want to access, you will have to log back in.

How can I browse on Safari without history?

If you're learning how to clear cache on an iPhone, you might wonder if there's a way to use Safari without saving any browsing history. You can turn on Private Browsing by following these steps:

  • Open  Safari .
  • Tap on  Tabs .
  • Choose Private .

You can also enable Private Browsing by going to your iPhone Settings, finding Safari, and toggling on the private option. 

How do I clear my app cache on my iPhone?

To clear the app cache from your iPhone Settings app, you can either delete and reinstall it, offload it, or try to clear the cache from within the app. Unfortunately, iOS apps don't have consistent settings across the board that would allow you to clear the cache of every app.

Also: Apple warns: Don't put your wet iPhone in rice. Do this instead

Apps like TikTok and CapCut have options to Clear Cache within their respective settings. Amazon lets users delete their browsing history, while the Reddit app can clear local history. The results depend on what the app's settings let you do.

Is "clear cache" the same as offloading?

Not exactly, although app offloading can help boost phone performance if it's slowed down by low storage. To offload an app  means uninstalling it  without deleting any associated documents or data. 

To offload an app, go to  Settings , then  General , choose  iPhone Storage , select the app to offload, and then tap  Offload App . 

Also:  Apple secures iMessage against threats from the future

If you ever download the app again, you'll pick up where you left off.

Are cookies and cache the same thing?

Cookies and cache are not the same. Cookies are data files that websites send to your phone, including saved passwords to keep you logged in to an account or website preferences from the previous time you visited. 

Also: I tested the best Mint alternatives, and this is my new favorite money app

To offload an app, go to  Settings , then  General , choose  iPhone Storage , select the app to offload, and then tap  Offload App . If you ever download the app again, you'll pick up where you left off. When you tap Offload App, you will delete the app cache. 

Can I block cookies on my iPhone?

While you can block cookies on Safari, the experts are divided on whether you should. Blocking cookies entirely means that websites won't be able to get information from you, but it also means that some websites may not even work correctly on your browser. Many users enjoy a more personalized browsing experience so cookies can be useful for some people.

 If you'd like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:

  • Go to  Settings  and select  Safari .
  • Tap on the toggle next to  Block All Cookies .

There are also third-party extensions that help you block cookies and trackers in Google Chrome, such as  Ghostery and Disconnect .

How do I check iPhone storage?

The iPhone's Settings can show you what's taking up most of your media storage, such as photos, videos, and music. You can also see each app's storage consumption, including temporary data. To view the details of your iPhone's storage space, follow these steps:

  • Go to the iPhone's Settings .
  • Tap on General .
  • Select iPhone Storage .
  • Scroll through to find the app you're looking for.
  • Tap on the app to view storage status and options.

Unfortunately, you can't clear your iPhone cache for third-party apps by going into your Settings app, but this approach does give you a visual of your iPhone's storage and the option to delete or offload apps.

Also: Here's the fastest way to declutter your iPhone and free up Gigabytes of space

When you look at your device's storage space, you'll probably see recommended steps to optimize your iPhone's storage, like offloading unused apps.

How to find and remove spyware from your phone

Keep your iphone super secure. this app shows you how, tired of your android phone running out of battery change these 10 settings.

How to clear cache on iPhone

Here's how to clear cache on iPhone to save some storage space

How to clear cache on iPhone

It's handy to know how to clear cache on iPhone for when you're struggling to fit more content onto your device. Many iPhones only have a small amount of internal storage, which you'd much rather save for photos, videos and music rather than your browser cache or unneeded app data.

Apple's made it easy to sort this out through the Settings app though. Just select the right app, tap a couple of options to confirm your choice, and a little slice of storage is yours once again.

  • How to hide apps on iPhone
  • How to check iPhone battery health
  • Here's how to clean an iPhone’s charging port without breaking it

Read our guide below to find out how to clear your app cache on your iPhone, and how to clear your browser cache.

How to clear cache on iPhone: Clear app data

While it sounds counterintuitive, the way you can save space with iPhone apps is by deleting the app, but not your own data. Read on to learn how to do this and what this actually does.

1. In the Settings app , first find the General settings option, then tap it.

How to clear iPhone cache

2. Next, tap the " iPhone Storage" option. You may then experience a bit of a wait while your phone calculates the current storage status, so don't panic if it takes a while.

3. Now scroll down to the list of apps, and select one.

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How to clear iPhone cache

4. On that app's page, select the " Offload App" option. 

How to clear iPhone cache

5. Tap again to confirm your choice, and you're done. 

How to clear iPhone cache

6. What this option does is delete the generic app data you downloaded from the App Store, but retains any data unique to you. If you want to get rid of all data, you can instead select the " Delete App" option at step 4.

To reinstall an app, navigate back to this screen and select the Reinstall option.

How to clear iPhone cache

Alternatively, find the app's grayed-out icon in your App Library or on your home screen and tap it to commence reinstallation.

How to clear iPhone cache

How to clear cache on iPhone: Clear Safari cache

There's a specific way to clear your cache in Safari, the default browser app for iPhones. Sadly there's not an equivalent for Chrome, the other app you're likely using to browse the web.

1. In the Settings menu, scroll down until you reach a list of all the default iPhone apps. Keep going until you find Safari , and tap it.

How to clear iPhone cache

2. Scroll down the Safari menu until you find the option " Clear History and Website Data ." This is what you're looking for, so tap it.

How to clear iPhone cache

3. The last step is to confirm your choice by tapping " Clear History and Data ." Once you've done that, Safari's cache has been wiped.

How to clear iPhone cache

If you're after more iPhone guides and tips, why not learn how to use YouTube picture-in-picture mode , how to watch Netflix with Spatial Audio on iPhone or how to make your iPhone charge faster ?

  • More: How to share files between Android and iPhone

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

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How to Clear Your iPhone Cache

Get Your iPhone running faster, right now

clear cache safari on iphone

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What to Know

  • To clear the Safari cache: Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data . For other browsers, clear cache in the app's settings.
  • To clear the cache from third-party apps: Navigate to the app within the iOS Settings app and toggle Reset cached content .
  • If an app doesn't have a cache clearing option: Delete and reinstall the app. This clears the old cache and starts a new one.

The iPhone automatically creates hidden files during day-to-day use that are stored in a temporary area of the iPhone's memory called a cache . Clearing this data can free up storage space or speed up your device. This guide shows how to do it on any iPhone with iOS 12 and later. (The directions for devices with iOS 11 are nearly identical.)

How to Clear the Safari Cache on an iPhone

The most commonly cleared cache on any device is the web browser cache. This is full of saved images and web pages, cookies, and other files.

The web browser cache is designed to speed up your browser by saving files it might need later so you don't have to download them again. Clearing Safari's cache might slow down your browser because it will have to download previously cached data. However, it's a common solution when the browser isn't working properly.

To clear the cache in Safari:

Tap the Settings app on the iPhone home screen.

Tap Safari .

Tap Clear History and Website Data .

In the confirmation box, tap Clear History and Data (or tap Cancel if you change your mind).

You can restart your iPhone to perform a more "lightweight" cache clearing. It will not clear every kind of cache: The Safari browser cache and some third-party apps won't be cleared, for example. But it's a great way to delete temporary files to free up storage or solve problems.

How to Clear Cache From Third-Party Apps on iPhone

Third-party apps that you install from the App Store may or may not allow you to clear their caches. It depends on whether that's a feature that the developer has added to the app.

The settings to clear caches for some third-party apps are located in the iPhone's Settings app. For example, to clear the cache of the Accuweather app:

Tap the iPhone's Settings app.

Scroll down and tap the AccuWeather app.

Turn on the Reset cached content slider.

How to Clear the Cache in Chrome

Sometimes the cache-cleaning settings are located in the app's settings, usually in a Settings menu within the app. The Chrome browser app is one of these apps.

Open the Chrome browser and tap the three-dot menu icon at the bottom of the screen.

Tap Settings .

Select Privacy .

Choose Clear Browsing Data .

If there's no option to clear the cache in either the app or the phone's settings, delete and reinstall the app. This will clear the old cache and start the app fresh. Be sure you know what you're losing here, though. You may not want to clear data you need to hold onto.

Reinstall Apps to Clear iPhone Cache

If an app doesn't let you clear the cache manually, you can still clear out the app's temporary files. The solution is to delete the app from the iPhone and immediately reinstall it.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to determine which apps on the iPhone take up the most space on your device.

The iPhone Storage screen lists all the apps installed on your iPhone and how much space they use, beginning with those that use the most space.

In the iPhone Storage screen, tap an app.

Look at the Documents & Data line for the app. This shows how much space the documents and data for the app take up on your device.

When you locate an app you want to delete, tap Delete app .

Tapping Delete app permanently deletes all the files created by the app. The app can be redownloaded, but the files are gone.

Why Would You Clear iPhone Cache?

The iPhone cache is an important and useful part of the device. It contains files that you need and, in some cases, speed up your phone. That said, there are two major reasons to clear the iPhone cache.

First, cached files take up storage space on the iPhone, and, over time, they add up. If you want to free up storage space on your iPhone, clearing the cache is one way to do it. Some of this is done automatically by iOS, but you can also do it manually.

The other reason to clear the iPhone cache is that cached files sometimes slow down the phone or cause things to behave in ways you don't want.

There are several different kinds of caches on the iPhone. As a result, there's not a single step you can take to clear all types of cache. Read on for instructions on the different ways to clear iPhone cache.

To clear search history on an iPhone , open Safari > tap the Bookmarks icon (looks like an open book) > History icon (clock) > Clear > All Time . Alternatively, go to Settings and tap Safari > scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data . Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.

To delete and clear cookies on an iPhone , go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website data . To clear individual cookies, swipe left on any website in the list and select Delete . Or, select Remove All Website Data > Remove Now .

To free up storage on an iPhone , go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage . Under Recommendations , check your options, such as offloading unused apps, reviewing and deleting large attachments, removing music files, and refreshing apps to clear out their data.

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iGeeksBlog

It’s easy to clear Safari cache, history and cookies on your iPhone and iPad. This comes in handy when you want to delete some sensitive browsing information, in case you did not use Private Mode. Moreover, it can also help free up some space to keep your browser running efficiently. If Safari is being slow or behaving erratically, you can get rid of data to clear out the load. So let’s see what’s involved.

Why should you clear Safari cache?

  • Cookies can store a range of data, from your login details to your shopping preferences. If they become corrupted or get shared with perpetrators, they can put your information at risk.  
  • Clearing the Safari cache will prevent anyone else from seeing the websites you’ve been visiting and the searches you’ve been performing. If you’re utilizing a shared device or a public Wi-Fi network, this is extremely crucial. 
  • Overall, tips and tricks like this for Safari on your iPhone are simple but keep the data stored in your browser at a minimum and help free up space on your phone.

How to clear cache and history in Safari on iPhone or iPad

  • Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and select Safari . 

Tap on Safari and select Clear History and Website Data

This procedure will remove all cookies, cache, and history from your iPhone completely. Furthermore, you can prevent the cache from piling up by surfing in the Private Browsing Mode .  

How to delete specific website data from Safari on iPhone or iPad

  • Go to the Settings app → Safari .
  • Scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced . 

Go to the Settings app tap Safari scroll down and tap Advanced select Website Data

  • Once finalized, tap Done .

To remove data from all websites tap Remove All Website Data Remove Now

Clearing data from a particular website ensures the removal of all cookies. If you want, you can even customize Safari to your preference in a few simple steps.  

How to block cookies in Safari on iPhone

  • Under Privacy & Security, toggle on Block All Cookies .

Go to the Settings app Safari Under Privacy Security toggle on Block All Cookies Tap Block All

Yes. Clearing Safari cache, history, and cookies will log you out of the websites you are currently logged into.

No. Clearing your Safari cache, history, and cookies will not delete your bookmarks.

Yes. Clearing your Safari cache, history, and cookies will delete any saved passwords you have for websites.

Now, you’re safe…  

Clearing Safari cache, history, and cookies on iPhone can help you to secure your privacy and improve the performance of your device. It is a simple and easy process that only takes a few moments to complete.

Do let me know if you’d want me to cover more such articles. Until next time!

Read more: 

  • How to clear Chrome history, cache, and cookies on iPhone and iPad  
  • How to Fix A Problem Occurred with this Webpage so it was Reloaded on iPhone
  • How to disable Safari on iPhone? Easy ways to do it!
  • How to clear the DNS Cache on an iPhone or iPad

Mehak

Mehak has a master’s degree in communication and over ten years of writing experience. Her passion for technology and Apple products led her to iGeeksBlog, where she specializes in writing product roundups and app recommendations for fellow Apple users. When not typing away on her MacBook Pro, she loves being lost in a book or out exploring the world.

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How to clear cache on iPhone & iPad

How to clear cache on iPhone main image

Over time, iPhones and iPads tend to slow down as they get clogged up with unwanted files and apps. You can give your device a little speed boost by clearing out the junk and memory-clogging files on your device. In this article, we explain how to clean out the cache, which could get your iPhone or iPad running faster.

What is cache?

Pronounced ‘cash’, this is an area of memory on your device where small, temporary files are kept. These are often useful and speed up performance by allowing the CPU to access regularly used files quickly. The most common use is on websites where the cache will store product images, javascript settings and other relevant things that keep things ticking along nicely when you’re browsing. There is also app cache for storing temporary data for your apps.

Note: Cookies are also files that get saved on your iPhone when you visit websites. Cookies are a bit different to cache, which records page elements such as images so they open faster if you return to a particular webpage. Cookies store things like your username and password, but they can also be used to identify your computer so that advertisers can track you around the internet. You may also wish to delete cookies for that reason.

Does clearing cache make iPhone faster?

Cache is designed to speed up processes, so clearing cache could mean that, at least initially, your web browsing and app experiences slow down because the iPhone doesn’t have the necessary data saved in cache.

As a result, you may notice is the first time you visit a website, or use an app, after clearing the cache, things take slightly longer to load up or you may even have to log in once more. But, those items will then be stored in the cache for when you need them again (or until you clear your cache again).

Despite this it is still a good idea to clear cache out periodically: When the cache is filled up with lots of these files it takes longer to find necessary files, slowing things down.

Clearing cache can also free up space on your iPhone , which is another way to speed up your iPhone. For other ways to clear space on your iPhone read: How to clear Other/System Data on an iPhone , How to delete photos from iPhone but not from iCloud , and How to delete apps on iPhone/iPad .

How to clear iPhone cache

We’ll address the different ways to clear cache on iPhone or iPad below, including how to clear the different kinds of cache: browser cache and app cache. We’ll also look at some iPhone cleaners, as in apps that can remove unnecessary files, duplicates and junk from your iPhone.

We will start off with the fastest way to speed up your iPhone: a simple restart. This won’t clear cache as such, but it will recover space in RAM.

How to free up RAM/memory by restarting iPhone or iPad

Before you start deleting things from your iPhone or iPad, it’s worth taking the classic step of turning it off and on again. For the most part, iOS does a good job of managing memory without any user involvement. But we do find that restarting an iPhone from time to time is a good way to clear out the memory and ensure important apps have enough to run happily.

The process for restarting your iPhone depends on the age of your iPhone or iPad, old iPads and iPhones use the Home button but devices that don’t have this button require a key combination. Both methods are detailed below.

No Home button:

  • Press the volume up button.
  • Press the volume down button.
  • Press the Power button.
  • Swipe to turn your iPhone off.
  • Your iPhone will shut down.
  • Once the iPhone has shut down press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo appear, then wait for the device to reboot fully.

With some older iPhone models you may be able to hold down the power button and the volume up button at the same time until you see the “slide to power off” option appear.

With a Home button :

  • On an iPhone or iPad with a Home button (SE and suchlike), press and hold the power button until the slider appears.
  • Wait for your iPhone or iPad to power down.
  • Press the power button to start it up once more.

How to close apps to free up RAM

There was a time when force quitting an app was considered a great way to free up RAM on your iPhone or iPad. This may still be helpful, but it’s no longer recommended that you close background apps. However, if you want to try it, as it may help if a particular app is causing your device to slow down here’s what to do:

  • Swipe up from the bottom of the device screen and then let go when the pages you have open appear in a shuffle.
  • Find the app you want to close and swipe up on it.
  • You can select more than one app by using more than one finger.

How to close apps on iphone - swipe up

How to clear browser cache on an iPhone or iPad

The above options may have resulted in a speed improvement for your iPhone or iPad, but if not try these steps to clean iPhone cache.

Luckily, deleting the cache in Safari is simple.

  • Open Settings.
  • Scroll down until you find Safari, then tap on it to open the next menu.
  • Scroll down and tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’.
  • Depending on the version of iOS you are using you may see a screen offering to clear timeframe with options from Last hour to All history. You can also choose whether or not you want to Close All Tabs. In the popup, tap ‘Clear History and Data’ to confirm.

Delete Safari history iphone

There is also an option to just clear website data.

  • Scroll down and tap Advanced.
  • Tap on Website Data.
  • Wait for it to load.
  • Swipe to the bottom of the screen and choose Remove All Website Data. Or you can just remove data you don’t think you need individually. At the top of the screen you can see how much website data is stored on your iPhone (we had 1.2GB).

Delete Website Data iPhone

Note that this will log you out of any websites you’ve currently signed into, so make sure you know your passwords.

You may also want to delete your web browsing history. Read: How to delete browsing history on iPhone & iPad .

How to delete unwanted app data

If it’s app cache you want to clear, data stored by apps can be cleaned if you follow the steps below, although using Apple’s method does requite you to delete the app itself (which you can then reinstall).

  • Tap on General > iPhone Storage. (On an iPad this option will be labelled iPad Storage.)
  • At the bottom of the screen (below are recommendations for ways to save space) you’ll see your apps, arranged by the amount of storage they take up. You can sort by size or last used date. Tap an app that’s taking up a lot of space.
  • Check the figure beside Documents & Data. This includes related media such as pictures, songs and podcasts, save games and preferences; in some cases it can be considerably larger than the app itself.
  • If the Documents & Data figure is taking up more room than you’d like or you simply don’t use that app anymore, you can delete the app and its files by tapping the Delete App option .
  • Once this is done, you can head to the App Store and re-download it. This clean install won’t include the data and documents and will therefore be smaller.

Deleting app on iOS or iPadOS

Foundry / IDG

How to offload unwanted apps

You can just delete the app without deleting the data associated with it, which could be a quick way to free up space while preserving the app date should you reinstall the app (useful if you are a gamer and don’t want to lose saved games). Here you can make use of the Offload App feature in iOS and iPadOS.

This is different to deleting them as offloading means that the related data is stored on your phone, but the app itself is deleted. This is only really useful in terms of things like games where the app sizes can be quite large when compared to their save files, but it’s a route you can take if space is at a premium.

To offload an app, follow the steps above for deleting apps but select Offload App instead. You can always download it later if you need it again and when you do all your data will be intact.

Why you should clear app caches

If the data associated with your apps is taking up a lot of space deleting it could recover gigabytes of space on your iPhone, and if your iPhone is running slow because you have only a little space left then deleting app data will certainly help speed things up.

If you are a social media user, for example, you could have gigabytes of data associated with a particular app. Deleting this data shouldn’t be an issue as it’s also stored in whichever social network you use.

What if you want to only delete the app data without deleting the app itself? Unfortunately, as far as Apple’s concerned it’s an all-or-nothing situation: if you want to delete the data you must also delete the app. You can easily reinstall an app you have previously downloaded (you won’t have to pay for it if you already own it), but what if you don’t want to do that.

Luckily, there are apps that can delete associated data from your apps without deleting the app itself. Even better, these iPhone cleaner apps can do much more than clear your cache.

Best iPhone cache cleaners

There are plenty of apps out there that do a quick and efficient job of getting rid of files you don’t need. These are normally downloaded to your Mac or PC; you then connect your iPhone (or iPad) and let the app do its thing. Most offer a free trial, but to use the full range of features you’ll normally need to cough up for a subscription. Still, $20/£20 is much cheaper than having to replace an entire device, so it’s probably worth the outlay.

CleanMyiPhone

CleanMyiPhone remove iPhone cache

CleanMyiPhone is from MacPaw (the makers of CleanMyMac which is our Mac cleaner of choice). It can declutter your iPhone and check things like network speed (which could be slowing you down).

We started by scanning the phone using the Declutter feature. It scanned screenshots, blur (which we assume means blury photos?), WhatsApp, Duplicates and Screen Recordings. It took around 12 minutes and presented us with 17.2GB worth of screen recordings, 13.7GB of screenshots, 2.08 of “Blur”, and some other app related data. Using the trial we were able to delete 6009 photos (in the Screenshot category) but we could have deleted a lot more with the full version.

There’s a three-day trial, but the full version is £24.99/£24.99 a year.

How to clear cache on iPhone & iPad: PhoneClean by iMobie

PhoneClean by iMobie can be used to remove junk files from iOS, but the app runs on your Mac. You can download PhoneClean on your Mac here .

Follow these steps:

  • Plug the iPhone into your Mac.
  • Open PhoneClean and click Scan.
  • Once the scan is complete, click Clean.

Some PhoneClean features, including Photo Caches, are only available in the Pro version . This starts at $19.99 (around £16), for a single Mac or PC for one year, or $29.99 (around £24) for a lifetime license. There is a free trial.

Cleaner Kit

Smart Cleaner app on iOS

If you prefer to keep things on your phone rather than hooking it up to a PC or Mac, then Cleaner Kit by BP Mobile is a good choice. This iOS/iPadOS app can help clear out the clutter on your device by removing duplicate photos, contacts and other ephemera that you have accumulated. The interface is well laid out, with simple one-touch options to let the app do its thing. There’s also a helpful guide included that tells you have to clear things up manually on your device if there’s something that the app can’t do.

Cleaner Kit comes with a 3-day free trial, but if you want to buy the app outright then it will set you back $34.99/£34.99.

How to pick the right iPhone cleaner for you

If you only want to remove data from your app and web-browser cache then you could follow our steps above, but if you are looking for an iPhone cleaner to help you recover some space iPhone cleaners can help.

iPhone cleaners can recover space on your iPhone and potentially speed things up if things have become sluggish, but you may be wondering if they are necessary and even if they are safe to use.

If you have the time to spend deleting duplicates and clearing app data a dedicated iPhone cleaner isn’t necessary. You could do the job yourself, but it would be time-consuming. If you don’t have the patience to sit and declutter your iPhone manually then an iPhone cleaner may appeal.

As for whether they are safe, any app purchased from one of Apple’s App Stores (iOS or Mac) is safe – Apple has approved it to be on the store. Mac apps can be downloaded from outside the Mac App Store, but to be installed on your Mac it still needs to be from a developer that Apple has approved. So, you should be ok using the software obtained that way. However, you should beware of the possibility that an unscrupulous party could access your data, so look for options that do all the processing on your iPhone.

Further reading

That’s all for today, but we hope the tips above help you to improve your device’s performance. For more general iOS speed tips, it would be worth taking a look at our broader tutorials: How to speed up a slow iPhone and How to speed up a slow iPad .

At some point you may wish to bite the bullet and buy a new device. You can do this direct from Apple , but we’d recommend taking the time to read some advice first; our iPhone buying guide and iPad buying guide should be your first ports of call.

iPhone & iPad: How to clear cache, history, and cookies

Avatar for Michael Potuck

It doesn’t take long for caches to fill up on iOS. From the default Safari browser, to third-party apps, follow along for how to clear the cache, history, and cookies on iPhone and iPad.

While clearing the cache in Safari is quick and easy with one fell swoop, the process can be different with third-party apps. We’ll first look at how to clear the cache in Safari on iPhone and iPad and then tackle other apps.

We’ve also got a walkthrough on clearing the cache, history, and cookies on Mac, check that out here .

How to clear cache on iPhone & iPad in Safari and other apps

  • Open  Settings
  • Swipe down and tap Safari
  • Swipe down again and tap Clear History and Website Data , tap it once again to confirm
  • If you’d like to clear data from individual websites without clearing the entire Safari cache, at the very bottom of Safari settings choose Advanced > Website Data > Edit (or swipe from right to left to delete individual items).

Keep in mind website data deleted from iPhone or iPad will be removed from your other Apple devices signed in to the same iCloud account if they sync with Safari.

Clear cache on iPhone and iPad 1

Clear cache on iPhone for third-party apps

  • Clearing the cache of third-party apps varies from developer to developer. Some like Slack offer an option in the app preferences in iOS Settings, while others like Facebook don’t. Check out the settings of your apps to see your options (Settings app > app name).
  • For apps that don’t provide a clear cache button, deleting the app and reinstalling it is another option.

You can always take a look at Settings   > General > iPhone Storage to prioritize which third-party apps you may want to tackle first.

Thanks for reading our guide on how to clear cache on iPhone and iPad!

Read more 9to5Mac tutorials:

  • How to take a scrolling screenshot on iPhone
  • How to reset your MacBook or Mac desktop before selling or giving it away
  • How to see your heart rate zones on Apple Watch and iPhone during or after workouts
  • Mac System Settings in macOS Ventura: Tips, tricks, and requests for the overhauled design

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How to clear the cache in Safari on Mac and iPhone - and what it does

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Like every web browser, Safari stores data on your Mac , iPhone , and iPad , with the express purpose of speeding up your online life. You may have the kind of internet speed that Apple Park takes for granted, but even so, it's better to spend that speed where it's needed.

So when you revisit a website, Safari makes it so that as far as possible, you only need to download what has changed. Even with a news site that is being updated all day, the basic layout, the furniture of the page, doesn't change all that often, so Safari might as well download it once.

Behind the scenes, then, whenever you ask Safari to go to a site, it goes there with half an eye on what elements of the site it has already stored on your device. Then it will load up anything it can from your device, because retrieving locally stored data is always faster than downloading it.

No question, a Safari cache is a good thing. Except when it isn't.

When you should clear Safari's cache

It's possible for things to go wrong. If Safari doesn't appear to be loading a site, it could be that there's some data corruption in the cache.

Or it could be simply that you are tight on space and all of this invisibly stored cache data is taking up a lot of room. When you're particularly low on space, you know it, too, because your device runs noticeably slower.

So if you are having problems any time you're browsing the web on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, clearing the cache is at the very least a good first troubleshooting step.

You don't want to inadvertently introduce new problems or inconveniences, though. And clearing caches could also remove passwords that you thought Safari was saving for you.

So before you empty the cache, make sure that Safari is saving those passwords. On the Mac, go to System Preferences, click on Apple ID , then iCloud .

Or on iOS, open Settings , tap on your name at the top, then iCloud .

In either case, then check that Safari is turned on. With the Mac, that means a tick box is on, and with iOS, it means the slider button is turned on and showing green.

On the Mac, you'll need Safari to show you the normally hidden Develop menu

How to clear the cache in Safari on Mac

  • Launch Safari
  • Click on the Safari menu at top left
  • Choose Preferences
  • Click on Advanced
  • Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar to set it to on
  • Close the Preferences window, and open the Develop menu
  • Choose Empty Caches

There is no OK button, and then no visible confirmation that the caches have been cleared. But they have been.

Choose Empty Caches from the Develop menu

How to clear the cache in Safari on iPhone and iPad

  • Open Settings
  • Scroll down to Safari and tap
  • Choose Clear History and Website Data
  • Confirm by tapping the new Clear History and Data button that pops up

Unlike with the Mac, there is a visible indication that the cache has been cleared. The option for Clear History and Website Data is greyed out and unavailable.

Note that it won't stay unavailable. It is immediately available the moment you do anything more in Safari.

On iPhone and iPad, you have to clear both Safari's cache and history

What happens next

Once you have cleared the cache, you will typically find that some site loading problems are resolved. You'll also find that your device runs faster.

Except, of course, the next time you browse to a website, it will load a little slower than you're used to. But that will speed up again - once Safari has once more cached the site.

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How to view and clear your web browsing history in Safari on iPhone or iPad

Easily wipe your browsing history in Apple's Safari web browser in seconds.

iPhone 13 mini in hand

What you'll need

How to find your web-browsing history, how to clear your web browsing history.

Clearing your browsing history on iPhone and iPad in Safari has been a straightforward affair for years now.

Sometimes you want to clear your history to get rid of bloat and streamline your browsing experience. Other times, you're trying to hide a gift purchase from a loved one.

Apple makes it very easy to clear your browsing history on both the iPhone and iPad and we're here to show you how. Here's how you can make a fresh start in Safari and debloat your web browsing experience.

On the latest models, web browsing is smoother than ever before thanks to ProMotion in the iPhone 15 Pro and faster chipsets like the M2 found in the iPad Air 6 . If you're looking for a new Apple device, we highly recommend one of the following: 

iPhone 15 Pro $999 at Apple

iPhone 15 Pro $999 at Apple

Grab the best iPhone available right now starting from $999. With a gorgeous titanium finish and the most powerful chip ever in an iPhone, you won't be disappointed with the 15 Pro. 

iPad Air 6 13-inch |$799$754 at Amazon

iPad Air 6 13-inch | $799 $754 at Amazon

With an M2 chip and a 13-inch screen option, the new iPad Air 6 is one of the best iPads available right now. Normally $799, you can pick up the 13-inch model for nearly $50 off at the moment — don't miss out.

Viewing your web history in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is very easy to do, here's how:

  • In Safari, tap the Bookmarks button in the toolbar that's below the address bar.
  • Tap the History icon in the upper right corner. Here, you can view your entire web history.

To search for bookmarks, tap the Bookmarks button in the toolbar at the bottom of the app, then select the Bookmark icon.

  • Use the History search bar to find previously viewed pages.

To find History, tap the History menu. Then use the search to find previously viewed information.

If the time calls to wipe most or all of your web browsing history in Safari, here's how to do it on both iPhone and iPad.

To note, the below steps will be the same if you attempt to wipe your web browsing history on an iPhone 15 Pro Max or an iPad Mini 6 , all Apple devices require the same steps.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

  • In Safari, tap the Bookmarks button.
  • Select the History icon in the upper right corner.
  • Tap Clear and select how much history you'd like to clear: the last hour, the last day, 48 hours' worth, or all recorded history.

Safari iOS 17 Clear web history

One more thing… A feature no one talks about

Privacy on the web matters more than ever in these modern times. Websites store the pages you click on, especially when you sign into a page that can contain personal information about you.

It's great to have a feature like this in Safari — but it would be good to have this automated in iOS 18 . If Apple's web browser could automatically clear history after 24 hours it would be very useful, as you wouldn't leave a trail behind.

Regardless, it's still a good feature, and one you should use every week.

Daryl is iMore's Features Editor, overseeing long-form and in-depth articles and op-eds. Daryl loves using his experience as both a journalist and Apple fan to tell stories about Apple's products and its community, from the apps we use everyday to the products that have been long forgotten in the Cupertino archives.

Previously Software & Downloads Writer at TechRadar, and Deputy Editor at StealthOptional, he's also written a book, ' The Making of Tomb Raider ', which tells the story of the beginnings of Lara Croft and the series' early development. He's also written for many other publications including WIRED, MacFormat, Bloody Disgusting, VGC, GamesRadar, Nintendo Life, VRV Blog, The Loop Magazine, SUPER JUMP, Gizmodo, Film Stories, TopTenReviews, Miketendo64 and Daily Star.

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clear cache safari on iphone

How to Clear Safari Cache on iPhone

clear cache safari on iphone

Modern web browser apps, both on computers and smart phones, save a lot of data from the sites you visit. This is useful for improving the speed of web browsing, but sometimes you may want to clear out this cache, whether to clear up storage space, for privacy concerns, or for other reasons.

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Clear cached website data for all sites to save space.
  • Delete saved data from specific sites for privacy.

How to Clear Cache for Safari on iPhone

Clearing the website data cache is very easy and quick to do, but the option does require navigating into some obscure menus. For more guides on making the best use of your iPhone's settings, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter .

iPhone Life

Now you know how to clear your cache of website data for Safari whenever you want.

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How-To Geek

How to clear your history in any browser.

Looking to delete your browsing history?

Quick Links

Clear browsing history in google chrome for desktop, clear google chrome browsing history on android, clear chrome browsing history on iphone or ipad, clear browsing history in safari on iphone and ipad, clear browsing history in mozilla firefox, clear browsing history in microsoft edge, clear browsing history in safari on a mac, key takeaways.

Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to clear your browsing history on a Windows PC, or press Command+Shift+Delete on a Mac. Check your browser's settings to find this option on a mobile device.

All web browsers remember a list of the web pages you've visited. You can delete this list at any time, clearing your browsing history and erasing the tracks stored on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Each browser has its own separate history, so you'll need to clear the history in multiple places if you've used more than one browser.

In the future, you can use private browsing mode to browse sensitive websites without your browser saving any history. You won't have to clear your history afterward.

To clear your browsing history in Chrome , on Windows , Mac , or Linux , click the three-dot menu icon found in the top-right corner of the browser, hover your mouse cursor over "More Tools," and choose "Clear Browsing Data." You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open this screen on Windows, or press Command+Shift+Delete on a Mac.

On a Mac, the backspace key is labeled "Delete." Pressing the Delete key beside the Home and Edit keys doesn't work.

To delete your entire browsing history, select from "the beginning of time" in the drop-down box at the top of the screen and check the "Browsing history" option. You can also choose to clear other private data from here, including your download history, cookies, and browser cache.

To clear your browsing history in Google Chrome on Android tap the three-dot menu icon, then select "Clear Browsing History."

The default settings will clear your browsing history, cookies and site data, and your cached images and files from the last 15 minutes once you tap "Clear Data."

If you want to customize what information is removed, tap "More Options." You'll need to choose a time range that you want to delete from the drop-down list at the top of the screen. Select "from the beginning of time" to clear everything.

Ensure the "Browsing history" option is checked here and tap the "Clear Data" button. You can also choose to clear other types of personal data from here, including cookies and cached files.

To clear Chrome's history on your iPhone , or iPad , tap the three-dot menu icon, then select "Clear Browsing History." Choose what information you'd like to delete and a time range, then tap 'Clear Browsing Data.'

To clear your browsing history on Safari on an iPhone or iPad , open the Settings app and then navigate to Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Tap the "Clear History and Data" option to confirm your choice.

This button will clear all sensitive browsing data, including your cookies and cache.

To clear your browsing history in Firefox on the desktop, click the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser and then navigate to History > Clear Recent History. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open this tool on Windows or press Command+Shift+Delete on a Mac.

To delete your entire browsing history, select "Everything" at the top of the window and check "Browsing & Download History" in the detailed list of items to clear. You can also choose to clear other types of private data from here, including your cookies, browser cache, offline website data, and website-specific preferences.

To clear your browsing history in Microsoft Edge , click the Three-Dot Menu > History, then select the trash can icon. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open these options on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac.

Ensure the "Browsing History" box is checked and click "Clear." You can also choose to clear other types of private data from here, including your download history, cached data, cookies, and tabs you've set aside . Just check the type of data you want to delete and click the "Clear Now" button.

To clear your browsing history in Safari on a Mac, click History > Clear History from the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select the time period you want to clear history from and click "Clear History." To clear everything, select "all history".

Safari will delete your browsing history as well as your cookies, cached files, and other browsing-related data.

If you're using another browser, you should be able to easily find a "clear browsing history" option somewhere in its menus or on its settings screen.

  • Services & Software

New Month, New Reminder to Clear Your iPhone Cache

Your iPhone browsers deserve a fresh start every month or so.

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A person using an iPhone

A clear cache keeps your browsing snappy.

Your  iPhone  is a magical little pocket computer. It wakes you up on time, helps you answer questions anywhere you go and lets you stay in touch with friends and family. The least you can do for it is clear your cache every month.

Without regular maintenance, your browsing might start to feel sluggish over time. But it takes only a few seconds to keep your iPhone 15 or 15 Plus , iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max or any other model, moving as fast as possible. 

CNET Tech Tips logo showing the outlines of multiple devices

Browser caches are intended as a convenience, but without proper maintenance, they can turn into more of a hassle. Think of them like a table, counter or other flat surface in your home that starts as a quick place to leave and grab your keys but eventually turns into a cluttered mess where it's impossible to find anything. Your cache stores website data for faster retrieval the next time you visit, but if the design or content of that site changes, it can actually slow down your browsing or lead to bad formatting on the site. Clearing your cache is like clearing off the counter so everything is clean and easy to navigate.

Whether you use  Chrome , Safari or other browsers on your iPhone, your cache builds up that digital clutter over time. Clearing your cache gives the browser a new start, which can speed up your web surfing, even on  iOS 17 . (If you're trying to get your phone to run faster, try  managing your iPhone's storage .)

Website cookies are similar, except they store information about user data, rather than data on the website itself. Clearing your cookies gives you a chance to reset those preferences, which could improve your browsing experience. Note that clearing your cache and cookies will log you out of sites, which means you'll have to log into them again and reset any preferences. The upfront investment of that time can lead to a smoother experience down the road, and it can be a useful fix if you've recently changed settings that aren't being applied properly.

Here are step-by-step guides on how to clear your cache on your iPhone based on  the browser you use .

How to clear your iPhone cache in Safari

Safari is the default browser on iPhones, and you can clear your Safari cache in a few short steps. Starting with iOS 11, following this process will affect all devices signed in to your iCloud account . As a result, all your devices' caches will be cleared, and you'll need to sign in to everything the next time you use them. Here's what to do.

1 . Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2 . Select Safari from the list of apps.

3 . Go to Clear History and Website Data.

4 . Choose Clear History and Data in the pop-up box.

Then you're set!

Read more : Best iPhone in 2024: Which Apple Phone Should You Buy?

How to clear your iPhone cache in Chrome

Google Chrome internet browser logo

It's easy to clear your iPhone cache in Chrome.

Chrome is another popular browser for iPhone users. Thankfully, Google has simplified the process for clearing your Chrome cache, making it much faster to clear your data.

1 . Open the Chrome app.

2 . Select the three dots in the bottom right to open more options.

3 . Swipe over to Settings in the top menu bar. 

4 . Scroll down and tap Privacy and security .

5 . Tap Clear Browsing Data  to open up another menu. Select the intended time range at the top of the menu (anywhere from Last Hour to All Time). Make sure that Cookies, Site Data is checked, along with Cached Images and Files . Finally, hit Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of the screen.

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How to clear your iPhone cache in Firefox

If you're a Firefox devotee, don't worry. Clearing the cache on your iPhone is pretty straightforward. Just follow these steps. 

1 . Click the hamburger menu in the bottom right corner to open up options.

2 . Choose Settings at the bottom of the menu.

3 . Select  Data Management  in the Privacy section.

4 . You can select Website Data to clear data for individual sites, or select Clear Private Data at the bottom of the screen to clear data from all selected fields.

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What happens when you clear the cache? 

Clearing your cache removes the website data your phone stored locally to prevent having to download that data upon each new visit. The data in your cache builds over time and can end up slowing things down if it becomes too bulky or out of date. (My phone had about 150MB of data stored in Chrome when I checked.) Clearing that data gives sites a fresh start, which may fix some loading errors and speed up your browser. Clearing your cache also signs you out of pages, so be prepared to sign in to everything again. 

How often do I need to clear my cache?

Most people only need to clear their caches once every month or two. That's generally the point when your browser will build up a cache large enough to start slowing things down. If you frequent a large number of sites, you should err on the side of clearing your cache more often.

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How to clear 'Cache' from your Android or iPhone? Tips

If you feel that your smartphone has been acting wierd- heating up, slowing down and at times not performing as per commanded, then its a signal that you need to clear the caches in your device. here is a step-by-step guide to clear caches from your device- android or iphone..

smartphone

Fortunately, there are certain ways to fix your handset. Here are steps to follow, to diagnose what the trouble is and how to fix it. You will have to restart your device- which might help you, but if storage issues persist and your phone lags, then you must understand that it is certainly high time to clear the ‘cache’ on your smartphone. 

Here is a detailed guide for you to understand how to clear cache from your smartphone- Android and iPhone. Before taking a step ahead, here is everything you need to know about the Cache.

Why clearing ‘cache’ is important?

Cache files accumulate and cause your smartphone to slow down or behave strangely (lagging, heating, etc). Clearing the cache could free up the storage space and improve the smartphone’s performance.

Clearing cache on Android

  • To delete cache data for Android apps, follow the steps below:
  • Go to your Android settings 
  • Clear the system cache

By doing this, you could troubleshoot the concerning issues which have been causing your smartphone or tablet to overheat, lag or at times act unpredictable.

How to clear cache on Android: Step-by-step guide

  • Open settings on your Android device.
  • Select ‘Device Maintenance and Battery’.
  • There, click on Memory.
  • Now choose the apps that you have not used recently.
  • Select an app from the list, like YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram.
  • Go to App details.
  • There, tap on Storage.
  • Click the ‘Clear cache’ button.

Once, you are done, the Android cache will be cleared and you will witness the device performing fine.

Clearing cache on iPhone

To clear the cache on your iPhone, you will have to use the Safari app to delete your browser history and data. With this process you will be able to website data, and remove cookies and permissions, which could help improve your handset’s performance.

Steps to clear Cache on an iPhone:

  • Open Safari on your iPhone.
  • Now click on the Bookmarks button
  • Then go to the History button.
  • Click on the Clear button.
  • Choose your browser history to erase from the erase timeframe option.
  • Click to confirm on Clear History.

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Further tips:.

If clearing the cache does not resolve your concerning issue, consider that methods like removing unused apps, performing a factory reset or checking for viruses could help to navigate the trouble. 

One must know to keep their device updated and also, clear the caches regularly, which could help in maintaining optimal performance.

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How to Clear System Storage on Your iPhone

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With more apps, games, photos, and videos piling up on your iPhone, you may check on the available storage space and realize that “system data” is consuming a huge portion of it. This can be aggravating, especially if the system is using more space than you are. If you’re looking for ways to clear system data on iPhone, we’re here to help.

Understanding High System Storage

According to Apple , “System data includes caches, logs, and other sources currently in use by the system.” But what exactly does this mean?

System Data on iPhone

Much of the system data belongs to caches. Caches are used by web browsers when you visit websites for the first time and social media apps for photos or posts you recently opened. Apps use caches to load quicker and retrieve items faster. While this data is temporary, it does take up space in iPhone’s system data.

Other items that fall into the system data storage include:

  • iOS updates that were downloaded but not installed
  • Offline translation languages
  • Siri voices
  • Keychain data
  • Fonts and dictionaries
  • Miscellaneous other resources needed by the system

View System Data

To view your system data usage, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings and select General .
  • Pick iPhone Storage and view System Data in light gray in the graph at the top. Note that on earlier versions of iOS, System Data was labeled Other .

System Data in Settings on iPhone

If you’re concerned about the amount of space you see being consumed, there are things you can do to clear system storage on iPhone. Although a bit more challenging than freeing up overall storage space on your device, try the items in our step-by-step guide below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing System Data

From a basic restart to clearing cache to managing your message history, these several steps can help you reduce system data from iPhone.

Step 1. Restart Your iPhone

This may seem like a simple thing, but restarting your iPhone can help you regain space in your system storage. When you restart your device, temporary files that are consuming that space are removed. While they can easily and will likely reappear later, a quick short-term way to see more space in system data is often a result of a restart.

  • On iPhone X, 11, and later : Press and hold the side button (right) and either volume button (left).
  • On iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2 nd or 3 rd generation) : Press and hold the side button (right).
  • On iPhone 5 and earlier or SE (1 st generation) : Press and hold the top button.

Slider to power off iPhone

  • Turn your device back on by pressing and holding the side or top button until you see the Apple logo. 

You can then visit Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much system data space you may have regained. 

In the image below, you can see the amount of system data in use before (left) and after (right) restarting an iPhone. While not a significant difference, restarting your device can still decrease the amount of system storage being used.

System Data before and after iPhone restart

Step 2. Clear Safari History and Data

One cache that you can easily clear on your iPhone is for Safari. Apple provides you with a fast and simple way to clean out your website data for this browser in just a few taps.

Follow the steps below to clear your Safari cache, history, and cookies:

  • Open the Settings app and select Safari .
  • Pick Clear History and Website Data . This option is grayed out if you have no history or data to remove or after you use the option.
  • Select All History and All Profiles for all cache.

Clear History and Website Data in the Safari settings

Follow the steps below to clear only your Safari cache and cookies:

  • Tap Advanced and choose Website Data .

Remove All Website Data in the Safari settings

Step 3. Clear App Cache

For third-party apps on your iPhone, clearing the caches isn’t as straightforward as Safari. However, there are still two different ways to do so depending on the app.

In-App Option

Some third-party apps allow you to clear the cache directly from the app’s settings. This includes social media apps like Facebook and TikTok as well as web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. 

As an example, here are the steps to delete the cache on TikTok:

  • Go to the profile tab and tap the three lines on the top right. Select Settings and privacy at the bottom.
  • Scroll down to the Cache & Cellular section and pick Free up space .
  • Notice you can also pick Clear next to Downloads to remove those items and Manage next to Drafts to remove those drafts you no longer need.

Clear Cache in the TikTok app

To see if you can delete the cache from a particular app, open it and access the Settings. Then, look for options like “Clear data” or “Clear cache.”

Manual Removal

Another way to clear cache from an app is to delete and then reinstall it. Once you do this, you’ll start from scratch with the app and its data.

  • To delete an app, long-press its icon on your Home screen. 
  • Select Remove App and then Delete App . This is useful when deleting just one app.
  • Continue pressing the icon to enter jiggle mode. Tap the minus sign on the top left corner of the icon and select Delete App . Continue the same process to remove additional apps and tap Done when you finish. 

Remove App and Delete App on iPhone

You can then head to the App Store to restore the deleted app .

Step 4. Delete Unnecessary Apple Apps

While Apple provides many useful apps, there may be those you never open. You can delete these apps just like third-party apps you download from the App Store which removes the cache associated with the apps. 

Some exceptions include Messages, Photos, Camera, and Safari which must remain on your device. Visit the Apple Support page for a complete list of removable apps.

To delete an app provided by Apple, be sure you’re running iOS 14 or later. Then, follow the above steps below Manual Removal. 

No delete option in Photos on iPhone

Should you decide later to use an Apple app you’ve deleted, simply locate it on the App Store and reinstall it.

Step 5. Manage Message History

While the Messages app uses its own amount of space on iPhone, there are a couple of items you can take care of that affect your system storage. 

Limit Message History

One way to reduce the space that the Messages app consumes is to limit the length of time that texts are saved. Rather than saving messages forever, you can automatically delete them after 30 days or one year.

Follow these steps to change the message history limit:

  • Open the Settings app and select Messages .
  • Scroll down to Messages History and tap Keep Messages .
  • Choose 30 Days or 1 Year per your preference.
  • You’ll be prompted to delete messages currently within the timeframe you select. Tap Delete to continue.

Change message history limit on iPhone

Remove Large Attachments

Another way to regain storage with the Messages app is to remove large attachments. These photos, videos, and files you share in text messages can take up more space than you think.

Follow these steps to remove large message attachments:

  • Open the Settings app and select General .
  • Pick iPhone Storage .
  • Below Recommendations, you should see an option for Review Large Attachments . Select it to do exactly that. You can then see all large attachments with the option to select each one for a full view.
  • To delete individual attachments, slide one from right to left and tap Delete . 

Remove Large Attachments on iPhone

Step 6. Factory Reset Your iPhone

As a last resort, you can factory reset your iPhone. This option erases all data and content from your device, allowing you to start with a completely clean slate. 

Warning : Be sure to back up your device before resetting your iPhone.

Here are the steps to reset your iPhone should you decide it’s the best option for you.

  • Pick Transfer or Reset iPhone .
  • Select Erase All Contents and Settings .

Transfer or Reset iPhone

When your iPhone restarts, you can set it up from scratch or restore it from your backup .

This option should only be used after careful consideration, if all other methods have failed, or if you are desperate to regain space for system data. Remember, you cannot undo this action.

Space-Hungry Apps

There are many storage-hogging apps out there; however, those that affect your system storage are usually ones that use caches, or temporary files. These types of apps include social media and web browsers as mentioned earlier, but also media streaming services and cloud-based applications.

Apps like YouTube hold onto caches for the videos you watch while those like Google Docs keep a cache of the most recent document you edited.

While the amount of space each cache contains varies, here are just some apps to consider that use temporary files:

  • 👥 Social media : Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok
  • 🌐 Web browsers : Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge
  • ☁️ Cloud services : Google apps, Dropbox, and Evernote
  • 📹 Music and video : YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music

Wondering how much system data is used by open apps? You probably realize that some system resources are being used, but if you’re curious as to how much, try this simple test.

  • Check the amount of system data being used in Settings and take a screenshot of it.
  • Close your open apps. (Access the App Switcher and swipe each app up and off the screen.)
  • Reopen your Settings to see the refreshed amount of system data and take a screenshot.
  • Compare the amounts in the screenshots for before and after closing your apps. 

In the image below, you can see our system data before (left) and after (right) closing more than 15 open apps.

System Data before and after closing iPhone apps

Similar to restarting your iPhone, you may not see a big difference, but you should still see one, nonetheless. Interesting, right?

From basic cache clearing to uninstalling apps to limiting your text message history, there’s a variety of things you can do to clean up your system storage. While you can’t completely get rid of system data on iPhone because your system always needs some type of resource, you can still take steps to decrease the amount consumed.

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Sandy Writtenhouse is an accomplished freelance writer with a dedication spanning over ten years to crafting comprehensive tutorials, informative guides, and software lists. Her expertise graces the digital pages of renow...

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Brett Johnson

This article has been approved by Brett Johnson, Data Recovery Engineer at ACE Data Recovery. Brett has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems and Network, 12 years of experience.

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Clear the history, cache, and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn how to delete your history, cookies, and cache in Settings.

Delete history, cache, and cookies

Clear cookies and cache, but keep your history, delete a website from your history, block cookies, use content blockers.

Go to Settings > Safari.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

ios-17-iphone-14-pro-settings-safari-clear-history-and-website-data

Clearing your history, cookies, and browsing data from Safari won't change your AutoFill information.

When there's no history or website data to clear, the button to clear it turns gray. The button might also be gray if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time .

To visit sites without leaving a history, turn Private Browsing on .

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.

Tap Remove All Website Data.

When there's no website data to clear, the button to clear it turns gray. The button might also be gray if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time .

Open the Safari app.

Bookmarks button

Tap the Edit button, then select the website or websites that you want to delete from your history.

Tap the Delete button.

A cookie is a piece of data that a site puts on your device so that site can remember you when you visit again.

To block cookies:

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced.

Turn on Block All Cookies.

ios-17-iphone-14-pro-settings-safari-block-all-cookies

If you block cookies, some web pages might not work. Here are some examples:

You will likely not be able to sign in to a site even when using your correct username and password.

You might see a message that cookies are required or that your browser's cookies are off.

Some features on a site might not work.

Content blockers are third-party apps and extensions that let Safari block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content.

To get a content blocker:

Download a content blocking app from the App Store.

Tap Settings > Safari > Extensions.

Tap to turn on a listed content blocker.

You can use more than one content blocker. If you need help, contact the app developer .

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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COMMENTS

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    Open Settings. Scroll down until you find Safari, then tap on it to open the next menu. Scroll down and tap 'Clear History and Website Data'. Depending on the version of iOS you are using you ...

  11. How to Clear the Cache on Your iPhone

    From the menu, choose the Clear Browsing Data option. From the top, make sure to choose the All time option in the Time range section. Below, enable the Cookies, Site Data and Cached Images and ...

  12. How To Clear the Cache on Your iPhone : HelloTech How

    To clear the cache from Safari on your iPhone, open the Settings app and go to Safari. Then scroll down and select Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data. Finally, tap Remove Now to clear the cache and cookies from Safari on your iPhone. Open the Settings app. This is an app with a gear-shaped icon.

  13. Clear cache on iPhone and iPad for Safari and more

    It doesn't take long for caches to fill up on iOS. From the default Safari browser, to third-party apps, follow along for how to clear the cache, history, and cookies on iPhone and iPad.

  14. How to clear the cache in Safari on Mac and iPhone

    Click on the Safari menu at top left. Choose Preferences. Click on Advanced. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar to set it to on. Close the Preferences window, and open the Develop menu. Choose ...

  15. How to view and clear your web browsing history in Safari on iPhone or

    Tap Clear and select how much history you'd like to clear: the last hour, the last day, 48 hours' worth, or all recorded history. To clear History, tap the Bookmarks button, then choose the History icon. Tap Clear than select how much history you'd like to erase. (Image credit: Future / Apple) One more thing….

  16. Clear the history, cache and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad

    Clear the history, cache and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Find out how to delete your history, cookies and cache in Settings. Delete your history, cache and cookies. Clear your cookies and the cache, but keep your history. Delete a website from your history. Block cookies. Use content blockers. Delete history, cache ...

  17. How to clear cache on iPhone

    2. Tap on 'General'. 3. Tap on 'iPhone Storage'. Look through any apps that you feel can use a cache cleaning. 4. Tap on desired app and hit 'Offload App'. With these cache-cleaning tips, you ...

  18. How to Clear Cache & Cookies on Safari

    Bear in mind that when you clear your cache on an iPad or iPhone, you also delete your browsing history. Open the Settings app with the cog symbol. Scroll down on the left-hand side and tap Safari. On the right-hand side, scroll down to Clear History and Website Data. A screen will now pop up, select Clear History and Data.

  19. How to Clear Safari Cache on iPhone

    Open Settings app. Scroll down to locate the Safari option and tap it. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap the Advanced option. Tap Website Data. On this screen you can delete saved data from individual sites by finding the site in the list (using the search field or tapping Show All Sites if necessary) and swiping the entry to the left ...

  20. How To Clear Your iPhone Cache (and Why You Should)

    Clearing Safari browser cache. Safari lets you clear your browsing cache in a few simple steps. Here's how to do it: Open Safari on your iPhone. Tap the pages icon and then the clock icon. From there, you can select how much of your browsing history you want to clear. Tap Clear History.

  21. How to Clear Your History in Any Browser

    Clear Browsing History in Safari on iPhone and iPad To clear your browsing history on Safari on an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and then navigate to Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Tap the "Clear History and Data" option to confirm your choice. This button will clear all sensitive browsing data, including your cookies and cache.

  22. Can I force a cache refresh in Safari running on iOS?

    Delete the cached data for a single site by going to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Show All Sites.. Tap Edit on the bottom right of the screen, and then scroll in the list or search with the search field to find the website you want to clear). Tap the red -icon next to the site address, and then tap the Delete button that appears.. Return to Safari and reload the page, and all ...

  23. New Month, New Reminder to Clear Your iPhone Cache

    Chrome is another popular browser for iPhone users. Thankfully, Google has simplified the process for clearing your Chrome cache, making it much faster to clear your data. 1. Open the Chrome app ...

  24. How to clear browser cache for just one specific site in Mobile Safari?

    To clear cookies for a specific site on Chrome for iOS. Save any site as a Bookmark via 3-dot menu at top right. Rename Bookmark to something like "Clear Site Cookies". Copy/paste the below code below as the URL. Now just visit any site, pull up your bookmarks and click on the bookmark we just made. That will clear the cookies just for that ...

  25. How to clear 'Cache' from your Android or iPhone? Tips

    Steps to clear Cache on an iPhone: Open Safari on your iPhone. Now click on the Bookmarks button. Then go to the History button. Click on the Clear button. Choose your browser history to erase ...

  26. How to Clear System Storage on iPhone in 2023

    Continue pressing the icon to enter jiggle mode. Tap the minus sign on the top left corner of the icon and select Delete App. Continue the same process to remove additional apps and tap Done when you finish. Confirm by tapping Delete. You can then head to the App Store to restore the deleted app. Step 4.

  27. PDF Clear Browser History/Cache

    In the Clear drop-down, select the opon that will allow you to clear all of your history/cache and click Clear History: 11 4. Return to the Safari menu and select Seangs: ... Visit the help page for Safari on your device (iPhone, iPad, MAC, etc.) for instrucons on how to ulize Private Window browsing. Aer opening your Private browser session ...

  28. Clear the history, cache, and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad

    Clear the history, cache, and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Learn how to delete your history, cookies, and cache in Settings. Delete history, cache, and cookies. Clear cookies and cache, but keep your history. Delete a website from your history. Block cookies. Use content blockers. Delete history, cache, and cookies