How to Clear Cache on iPhone (Safari & Apps) in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

TL;DR: To clear cache on iPhone, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. For individual apps, offload or reinstall them. Regularly clearing cache improves speed, frees storage, and enhances privacy.

As an iPhone user myself, I know how frustrating it can be when Safari starts lagging or apps misbehave due to cached data piling up. Whether it’s Safari acting slow, apps crashing, or just wanting to free up some space, clearing cache is a handy trick. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to clear cache on iPhone for Safari and other apps, why it matters, and some pro tips to keep your device running smoothly.

Why Should You Clear Cache on iPhone?

Cache consists of temporary files stored by Safari and apps to load content faster next time. But over time, it can accumulate and cause issues:

• Slower performance and laggy browsing
• Reduced storage space
• Outdated or corrupted data leading to app crashes
• Privacy concerns if sensitive data is stored^1

Clearing cache regularly helps maintain your iPhone’s speed, frees up valuable storage, and ensures you’re not holding onto unnecessary data. It’s like a quick digital spring cleaning!

How to Clear Safari Cache on iPhone

Clearing Safari cache is straightforward and can be done in a few taps. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Settings and Select Safari

Go to your iPhone’s Settings app, scroll down, and tap on Safari.

Step 2: Clear History and Website Data

In the Safari settings, scroll to the bottom and tap “Clear History and Website Data.” Confirm when prompted. This action removes cache, cookies, and browsing history^2.

Step 3: Optional – Remove Cache but Keep History

If you want to clear cache and cookies but preserve your browsing history:

• Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data
• Tap “Remove All Website Data”^1

This method is great if you need to troubleshoot without losing your history.

Clearing Cache for Other Apps on iPhone

Unlike Android, iOS doesn’t allow direct cache clearing for most apps. But here are effective workarounds:

Offload the App

Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data. Reinstalling clears cache:

• Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
• Select the app, tap “Offload App,” then reinstall from App Store

Delete and Reinstall the App

For a fresh start, delete the app entirely and reinstall it. Note: This may erase app-specific data unless backed up.

Use In-App Clear Cache Options

Some apps, like social media or browsers (Chrome, Firefox), have built-in options to clear cache. Check the app’s settings under Privacy or Storage.

Step-by-Step: Clearing Safari Cache with Screenshots (Hypothetical Case Study)

Let’s walk through a real scenario. Imagine Priya, an iPhone 13 user, noticed Safari was slow and websites weren’t loading properly. Here’s what she did:

1. Opened Settings: Tapped the Settings app on her home screen.
2. Scrolled to Safari: Found Safari in the list and selected it.
3. Cleared Data: Tapped “Clear History and Website Data” and confirmed.
4. Result: Safari immediately felt faster, and webpage errors resolved.

This simple process took less than a minute and made a noticeable difference.

Pros and Cons of Clearing Cache on iPhone

Pros

• Frees Up Storage: Cache can take up GBs of space over time.
• Improves Performance: Reduces lag and speeds up browsing/apps.
• Enhances Privacy: Removes tracking cookies and temporary data.
• Fixes Errors: Resolves issues like pages not loading correctly.

Cons

• Loss of Saved Data: You may need to re-login to websites.
• Temporary Slowdown: Sites may load slightly slower initially as cache rebuilds.
• No Selective Clearing: iOS doesn’t allow clearing cache for individual sites easily.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Clearing Cache Too Frequently: Doing it daily is unnecessary and counterproductive. Aim for monthly or when issues arise.
2. Confusing Cache with Important Data: Don’t delete app data thinking it’s cache—you might lose saved progress.
3. Ignoring App-Specific Settings: For apps like Chrome, use their in-app clear cache feature instead of offloading.
4. Forgetting to Reboot: After clearing cache, restart your iPhone for best results.

Comparison: Clearing Cache vs. Other Maintenance Tasks

Task	What It Does	When to Do It
Clear Cache	Removes temp files from Safari/apps	When slow or storage full
Clear Cookies	Logs you out of sites; resets preferences	For privacy or login issues
Offload Apps	Frees space but keeps data	When low on storage
Factory Reset	Erases everything	Last resort for major issues

Clearing cache is a lightweight maintenance task compared to others. It’s quick, safe, and reversible in the sense that cache rebuilds naturally.

FAQ

How often should I clear cache on iPhone?

I recommend clearing Safari cache every few months or when you notice performance issues. For apps, do it as needed.

Will clearing cache delete my passwords or autofill data?

No, clearing cache doesn’t affect saved passwords, autofill, or bookmarks. It only removes temporary files^1.

Can I clear cache for one specific website?

Not directly in Safari. You’d need to clear all website data or use private browsing for that site.

Does clearing cache speed up iPhone?

Yes, especially if cache was large. It frees RAM and storage, leading to smoother operation.

Is it safe to clear cache?

Absolutely. It’s a built-in feature and won’t harm your device or data.

What’s the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images/files for faster loading, while cookies store site-specific data like logins. Clearing both improves privacy.

Checklist for Clearing Cache on iPhone

• Open Settings app
• Tap Safari (for browser cache)
• Select “Clear History and Website Data”
• Confirm action
• For apps, offload or reinstall as needed
• Restart iPhone after clearing

Glossary

• Cache: Temporary files stored to speed up loading.
• Cookies: Small data files that remember site preferences.
• Offload: Remove app but keep its data.
• Safari: Apple’s default web browser on iPhone.

Conclusion

Clearing cache on iPhone is a simple yet powerful way to keep your device running efficiently. Whether it’s Safari acting up or apps getting sluggish, following these steps can make a big difference. I do this every couple of months and it helps maintain that snappy feel.

Ready to give your iPhone a boost? Open Settings now and clear that cache! If you have questions, drop them in the comments below.

References

Step-by-Step: How to Clear Cache and Cookies While Keeping History

Sometimes, I want to clear the cache and cookies without losing my browsing history—especially when I need to reference past sites but want a fresh start. Here’s how I do it:

1. Open Settings on my iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Scroll to the bottom and select Advanced.
4. Tap Website Data.
5. Choose Remove All Website Data^1.

This method clears cached files and cookies but preserves my Safari history and AutoFill data. It’s a handy middle ground when I’m troubleshooting slow loading but don’t want to lose my trail.

Pros and Cons of Clearing Cache

Pros:

• Frees Up Storage: Temporary files can take up significant space over time. Clearing them reclaims storage for photos, apps, and more.
• Improves Performance: Reduces lag and speeds up page loading, especially on sites that rely heavily on cached content.
• Enhances Privacy: Removes traces of my browsing activity from the device, though it doesn’t affect server-side logs.
• Fixes Glitches: Resolves issues like broken images, formatting errors, or login problems caused by corrupted cache^2.

Cons:

• Temporary Slowdown: After clearing, sites may load slightly slower initially as they rebuild cache.
• Loss of Convenience: I’ll need to re-enter login details on some sites, as session cookies are removed.
• No Selective Clearing: I can’t target cache for just one site—it’s all or nothing for Safari.

Overall, I find the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, especially when done periodically.

Advanced: Managing Cache for Individual Apps

While Safari cache is straightforward, app cache varies. For example, social media apps like Instagram or Facebook store heavy cache. Here’s my approach:

• Offload App: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select the app, and tap “Offload App”. This removes the app but keeps its data. Reinstalling clears cache without losing personal settings.
• Reinstall: For a deeper clean, I delete and reinstall the app, though this erases all data unless backed up.

I prefer offloading for most apps since it’s reversible and less disruptive.

Personal Tip: Schedule Regular Cache Clearing

I’ve set a reminder to clear my Safari cache every three months. It prevents buildup and keeps my iPhone running smoothly without having to think about it. For apps, I do it as needed—usually when storage warnings pop up or an app starts acting quirky.

If you’re privacy-conscious, consider using Private Browsing in Safari for sessions where you don’t want any cache or history stored at all^1.

References

Step-by-Step: How I Clear Safari Cache Without Losing History

Sometimes I want to clear cache and cookies but keep my browsing history intact—especially when troubleshooting without losing my frequently visited sites. Here's my exact process:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data^1
2. Tap "Remove All Website Data" at the bottom of the screen
3. Confirm if prompted—this removes cached files and cookies but preserves my search history and AutoFill information^1

I use this method when I notice a specific site acting up but don't want to lose my entire browsing trail. The button may appear gray if there's no data to clear, which means my cache is already clean^1.

Pros and Cons of Selective Clearing

Pros:

• Preserves History: My frequently visited sites and search history remain untouched.
• Targeted Fix: Often resolves issues with specific websites without a full reset.
• Maintains Convenience: AutoFill data and saved preferences stay intact^1.

Cons:

• Partial Clean: Doesn't remove all temporary files—some cached elements might remain.
• Less Storage Freed: Typically recovers less space compared to full cache clearance.
• Multiple Steps: Requires navigating deeper into settings than the standard method.

I find this approach perfect for maintenance between my quarterly full cleanings, especially when dealing with stubborn site-specific issues.

Step-by-Step: How I Clear Safari History and Cache Together

When I want a full reset—clearing both history and cache in one go—I follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data[^1][^5]
2. Tap "Clear History and Data" to confirm the action
3. Wait for the process to complete—this logs me out of most websites and erases all browsing history, cookies, and cached files[^10]

I use this method when I want a completely fresh start or need to free up significant storage quickly. It’s also my go-to before selling or lending my iPhone to ensure no personal data remains[^6].

Pros and Cons of Full Clearance

Pros:

• Maximum Privacy: Removes all traces of my browsing activity[^1][^6]
• Storage Boost: Frees up the most space compared to selective methods[^10]
• Complete Reset: Fixes widespread browser issues by starting from scratch

Cons:

• Loss of Convenience: I lose all saved logins, browsing history, and AutoFill data^1
• Time-Consuming: I have to re-login to all my websites afterward
• No Selectivity: Can’t preserve specific data while removing others

I typically reserve this nuclear option for when I’m dealing with persistent Safari problems or want to ensure my privacy is completely protected after sensitive browsing sessions[^6][^8].

When I Use Private Browsing Instead

Sometimes I don’t want any cache or history stored at all—like when checking flight prices or researching sensitive topics. In those cases, I use Safari’s Private Browsing mode^1. Here’s how I activate it:

1. Open Safari and tap the tabs button (two overlapping squares)
2. Tap "[Number] Tabs" at the bottom center
3. Select "Private" and then tap the + button to open a new private tab

Private Browsing prevents Safari from remembering my visited pages, search history, or AutoFill information^1. It’s perfect for those moments when I want zero digital traces left behind. The gray interface makes it obvious when I’m in private mode, which helps me avoid accidentally browsing privately when I meant to save my history.

I find this especially useful for:

• Gift shopping to avoid spoiling surprises
• Financial or medical research I don’t want saved
• Using shared devices where I don’t want my activity visible to others

While it doesn’t clear existing cache, it prevents new cache from building up during those sensitive sessions—giving me peace of mind without any cleanup needed afterward^1.