How to clear cache on iPhone
Boost speed, free up space, and stay untraceable
What is a cache?
Devices and apps, including your iPhone, store data about what you do online in what’s called a “cache.” The word comes from the French term meaning a “hiding place for storing goods” like dried food. In a lot of cases, this is highly useful for people: every time you load the same website, for example, things like user name or preferences will be remembered. This can speed up the loading time of sites and make for an easier experience online.
Over time, however, your caches build up, slowing down performance and consuming valuable storage space. Clearing the cache of outdated data can help boost speed and improve responsiveness on your iPhone. But like regularly clearing your browsing history, it can also enhance privacy.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to clear cache on iPhone in Safari, Chrome, apps, and system storage. Be sure to read on for both the downsides and privacy benefits of doing so.
Clearing browser cache on iPhone
Web browsers store cached data to load pages faster, but this can lead to slow performance and outdated content. Here’s how to clear your Safari or Chrome cache.
On Safari
On Safari
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and select Apps
- Scroll down and select Safari
- Tap Apps
- Tap Clear History and Website Data
- Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data
On Google Chrome
On Google Chrome
- Open the Chrome app
- Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right corner and select History
- Tap Clear Browsing Data
- Choose a time range and select Cached Images and Files
- Tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm
Offloading unused apps
Offloading unused apps
Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Find and tap the app you want to offload
- Tap Offload App to free up storage
Deleting and reinstalling apps
Deleting and reinstalling apps
Some apps accumulate cache without an option to clear it manually. In these cases, deleting and reinstalling the app might be the best solution.
- Press and hold the app icon on the home screen
- Tap the "X" or "-" icon to delete it
- Go to the App Store, search for the app, and reinstall it
Reviewing large attachments in messages
Reviewing large attachments in messages
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Scroll down and select Messages
- Review and delete large attachments to free up space
Clearing cache in specific apps (if available)
Clearing cache in specific apps (if available)
Some apps provide a built-in option to clear cache:
- Open the app’s settings
- Look for options like "Clear Cache" or "Reset Storage"
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