Your iPhone has been feeling a bit sluggish, a website keeps showing an old version of a page, or storage is nearly full and you cannot work out where it all went. In all three cases, clearing the cache is a sensible thing to try. The catch is that iPhones do not have one big “clear cache” button like some Android phones do. You have to do it browser by browser and app by app.
This guide walks through how to clear cache on iPhone in Safari, in Chrome, and inside third-party apps, and explains the one trick (offloading) that works for apps with no cache option at all.
What cache is, and what you lose by clearing it
Cache is a store of temporary files that apps and browsers save so things load faster next time: images, scripts, thumbnails, bits of video. Most of the time it helps. But it can grow large, and a corrupted cached file can cause pages to look broken or apps to misbehave.
Clearing cache does not delete your photos, messages or documents. What you may lose depends on where you clear it:
- In browsers, clearing website data usually signs you out of websites.
- In apps, clearing cache usually keeps you signed in, but the first load afterwards will be slower.
- Offloading an app keeps your data but removes the app itself until you reinstall it.
How to clear cache on iPhone in Safari
Safari is where most people want to start, since it is the default browser.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Safari. (On older iOS versions, Safari is listed directly in Settings.)
- Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Choose a time range. All history gives the cleanest result.
- Tap Clear History to confirm.
This removes browsing history, cookies and cached files from Safari on this iPhone, and on any other Apple device signed in to the same iCloud account with Safari sync turned on. Keep that in mind if you share an iPad with the family.
Clear data for just one website
If only one site is acting up, you do not need to wipe everything. In the same Safari settings screen, scroll to the bottom and tap Advanced > Website Data. Wait for the list to load, search for the site, and swipe left on it to delete its data. Everything else stays untouched.
How to clear cache in Chrome on iPhone
If Chrome is your main browser, Safari’s setting will not touch it. You have to clear it from inside the app.
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right.
- Tap Delete Browsing Data.
- Set the time range to All Time.
- Make sure Cached Images and Files is ticked. Untick Cookies, Site Data if you want to stay signed in to websites.
- Tap Delete Browsing Data and confirm.
Firefox, Edge and other browsers have a similar option under their own settings, usually labelled something like Data Management or Clear Private Data.
How to clear app cache on iPhone
Unlike Android, iOS does not let you clear the cache for every app from one place. Some apps have their own built-in option, and it is worth checking those first because they are the safest way to do it.
A few common examples:
- TikTok: Profile > menu > Settings and privacy > Free up space > Clear cache.
- Snapchat: Profile > Settings > Clear Cache (under Account Actions).
- Spotify: Home > Settings > Storage > Clear cache.
- Google Maps and Google apps: some include a cache or offline data option under Settings.
Menu names change between app updates, so if you do not see the exact wording, look for Storage, Data or Free up space in the app’s settings.
Offload an app to clear its cache (when there is no button)
For apps that have no cache option, offloading is the next best thing. It deletes the app itself, including the cache it built up, but keeps your documents and settings. When you reinstall, you pick up where you left off.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Wait for the list to load. Apps are sorted by size, so the biggest are at the top.
- Tap an app, then tap Offload App and confirm.
- Tap Reinstall App on the same screen, or tap its icon on the Home Screen to download it again.
Look at the Documents & Data number for each app. A messaging or social app showing several gigabytes there is a strong candidate. Be careful with Delete App on this screen though. That one removes your data too.
Restart your iPhone afterwards
A simple restart clears some temporary system files and memory that clearing app caches does not reach. Turn the phone off from Settings > General > Shut Down, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. It is a small step, but it often makes the phone feel snappier straight away.
How often should you clear cache?
There is no need to make it a weekly habit. Cache exists to make things faster, so wiping it constantly just means your phone keeps re-downloading the same files. Clear it when you notice a real problem: a website that will not load properly, an app that keeps freezing, or storage that is running low.
If storage is your main headache, have a look at our guide on iPhone storage full and how to reduce System Data, which goes well beyond cache. Apple also keeps an up-to-date reference on managing storage on its official support site.
Quick recap
To clear cache on iPhone, use Clear History and Website Data for Safari, Delete Browsing Data inside Chrome, the built-in cache option in apps that offer one, and Offload App for the rest. Finish with a restart. It takes about ten minutes, and it is one of the easiest ways to free up space and fix odd glitches without losing anything important.
