If your iPhone is running low on storage, Safari is acting strangely, or a website isn’t loading correctly, clearing cached data can help. The quickest method depends on whether you want to clear Safari’s cache, data from a specific website, or an individual app’s cached data.
How to Clear Cache on iPhone
Clear Safari cache
Apple provides several ways to remove Safari’s stored browsing data.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps.
- Select Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Choose the timeframe you want to clear.
- Tap Clear History to confirm.
This removes Safari’s history, cookies, and cached website data for the selected timeframe. Your AutoFill information isn’t changed.
Quick answer:
Settings → Apps → Safari → Clear History and Website Data → choose timeframe → Clear History
Want to clear cache but keep your browsing history?
If you don’t want to erase your Safari history, Apple also provides an option to clear cookies and cached website data while keeping your history.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Safari → Advanced → Website Data → Remove All Website Data
This can be useful if a particular website is behaving incorrectly but you want to keep your browsing history.
How to Clear Cache for One Website on iPhone
You don’t always need to wipe all Safari data.
If only one website is causing problems, you can remove its stored website data instead.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Advanced.
- Select Website Data.
- Find the website you want to remove.
- Delete its stored data.
Afterward, you may need to sign in to that website again.
How to Clear an App’s Cache on iPhone
Unlike some Android phones, iPhone doesn’t provide a universal Clear Cache button for every app.
The available option depends on the app.
Offload the app
If an app is taking up a lot of space, you can offload it while keeping its documents and data.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage.
- Select the app.
- Tap Offload App.
- Confirm.
You can then reinstall the app from the same screen or from the App Store.
Delete and reinstall the app
If an app continues to have problems, deleting and reinstalling it can remove locally stored app data.
Go to:
Settings → General → iPhone Storage → [App Name] → Delete App
Then reinstall the app from the App Store.
Important: Before deleting an app, check whether it stores important information locally or whether your data is synced to an account or cloud service.
How to Clear Cache in Chrome on iPhone
If you use Google Chrome instead of Safari, its browsing data is managed inside the Chrome app.
- Open Chrome on your iPhone.
- Tap the three-dot menu.
- Choose Delete Browsing Data.
- Select the data you want to remove.
- Choose the appropriate time range.
- Confirm the deletion.
Chrome and Safari maintain their own browsing data, so clearing Safari’s cache does not automatically clear Chrome’s cache.
Does Clearing Cache Delete Everything on an iPhone?
No. Clearing Safari’s cached website data does not erase your photos, contacts, messages, or other personal files.
However, depending on the option you choose, clearing browser data can remove things such as:
- Cached website files
- Cookies
- Browsing history
- Website data
- Some saved website sessions
If you use an option that clears cookies or website data, you may be signed out of websites.
Will Clearing Cache Free Up iPhone Storage?
It can, but the amount varies.
Safari and apps can accumulate temporary files and website data over time. Clearing them may recover some storage, but it isn’t a guaranteed solution for a nearly full iPhone.
To see what’s using your storage, go to:
Settings → General → iPhone Storage
You’ll see a breakdown of the apps and data taking up space.
Should You Clear Your iPhone Cache Regularly?
Usually, you don’t need to clear your cache on a fixed schedule.
Caches exist partly to make websites and apps load faster. Clearing them can be useful when:
- A website won’t load correctly.
- A website displays outdated information.
- Safari is behaving unexpectedly.
- An app is using unusually large amounts of storage.
- You need to troubleshoot a website or app.
- You want to remove stored website data.
If everything is working normally, there is generally no need to repeatedly clear cached data just for the sake of doing so.
What Happens After You Clear Safari Cache?
The next time you visit a website, Safari may need to download some files again. As a result, a website can initially load slightly differently or more slowly.
You may also need to sign in again to some websites if their cookies or website data were removed.
This is normal and doesn’t mean that something is wrong with your iPhone.
Cache vs. Cookies: What’s the Difference?
Cache stores temporary files, such as website resources, so pages can load more efficiently.
Cookies store information associated with websites, including login sessions and preferences.
When you use Safari’s Clear History and Website Data option, multiple types of browsing data can be removed together. Apple also provides separate controls for managing website data.
What Is the Fastest Way to Clear Cache on an iPhone?
For Safari, the fastest route is:
Settings → Apps → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
If you are trying to fix only one website, use Safari’s Advanced → Website Data controls instead of deleting all browsing data.
If an individual app is causing the problem, check Settings → General → iPhone Storage, then consider offloading or deleting and reinstalling the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear the cache on my iPhone?
For Safari, go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Clear History and Website Data, select the desired timeframe, and confirm.
Does iPhone have a clear-cache button?
Not for the entire iPhone. Safari has controls for clearing browsing and website data, while individual apps may provide their own cache controls or require offloading/reinstallation.
Does clearing Safari cache delete passwords?
Clearing Safari’s history and website data does not change your AutoFill information, according to Apple.
How do I clear cache for one website?
Go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Advanced → Website Data, find the website, and remove its stored data.
Why is my iPhone still full after clearing cache?
Cached data may represent only a small portion of your storage. Check Settings → General → iPhone Storage to identify the apps, photos, videos, and other data using the most space.
Is clearing cache good for an iPhone?
It can help troubleshoot websites and remove stored website data, but you don’t need to clear cache regularly if your iPhone and apps are working normally.
Bottom Line
If you want to clear Safari’s cache on an iPhone, go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Clear History and Website Data. If you want to keep your browsing history or remove data from only one website, use Safari’s more specific website-data controls instead.
For apps, check iPhone Storage and use an app’s own cache controls when available, or consider offloading and reinstalling the app when necessary.
Source: Apple Support’s current instructions for deleting Safari history, cache, cookies, and website data.