What cache is and why clearing it helps

Cache is temporary data that apps and Safari store on your iPad to load faster next time. When you visit a website, Safari saves images, text, and login information. When you use an app, it stores settings and recent data. This speeds things up — but over time, cache can grow large enough to slow your iPad down or cause apps to behave oddly.

Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, photos, or documents. It removes only the temporary files that apps and Safari no longer need. Your iPad will rebuild cache as you use it, which is normal and expected.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari cache clears through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, where you choose what time period to clear.
  • Individual apps store their own cache in Settings > General > iPad Storage, and you can clear each app separately without deleting the app itself.
  • Clearing cache takes seconds and does not remove your saved passwords, photos, or documents.
  • If an app freezes or loads slowly, clearing its cache is often the fastest fix before restarting the app.

Clear Safari cache and browsing history

Open Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Safari. Tap the option that says "Clear History and Website Data." A popup will appear asking what time period you want to clear — choose "All time" to remove everything, or pick a specific range like "Last hour" or "Last day."

Tap "Clear History and Data" to confirm. Safari will remove cached images, website data, and browsing history from that time period. Your saved passwords and autofill information stay in place unless you specifically choose to clear them in that same menu.

Clear cache for individual apps

Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. You will see a list of all your apps with the amount of storage each one uses. Find the app you want to clear cache from and tap it. You will see two numbers: the app size itself, and "Documents & Data" underneath.

Tap "Offload App" if you want to temporarily remove the app but keep your data, or tap "Delete App" if you want to remove it completely. If you choose "Delete App," you can reinstall it free from the App Store afterward, and it will rebuild its cache fresh. The app's login information and settings usually stay saved, depending on how the app was designed.

If you want to keep the app installed but just clear its cache, you can also force-close the app and restart your iPad. This clears cache for many apps without needing to delete anything. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPads) to close the app completely, then restart your iPad by holding the power button and sliding to power off.

Clear cache without removing apps

If you want to free up storage space without deleting apps, you can clear Safari cache and then restart your iPad. This removes temporary files from Safari and many background processes without touching your installed apps or documents.

Another option is to let your iPad do it automatically. Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage and scroll to the bottom. You will see "Recommendations" — tap "Enable" next to "Offload Unused Apps" if you want your iPad to automatically remove apps you have not used in a while, then reinstall them if you open them again. This frees space while keeping your data intact.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear cache if Safari is loading slowly, if an app keeps freezing, or if your iPad feels sluggish overall. You might also clear it if you are running low on storage space — cache can add up to several gigabytes over months of use.

After clearing cache, apps may take a few seconds longer to load the first time you open them, because they are rebuilding their temporary files. This is normal and temporary. After that first load, they should run at normal speed again. If an app still runs slowly after clearing its cache, the problem is likely something else — try restarting the app or your iPad.

Clearing cache on older iPad models

The steps above work on all current iPad models running iPadOS 15 or newer. If you have an older iPad running an earlier version of iPadOS, the menu locations may be slightly different, but the process is the same: Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data for Safari, and Settings > General > iPad Storage for individual apps.

To check which version of iPadOS your iPad is running, go to Settings > General > About and look for "Software Version." If your iPad is several years old and running an older version, you can still clear cache the same way — the names and locations are just slightly different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Clearing cache removes only temporary files. Your saved passwords stay in Safari and in your apps unless you specifically choose to clear them separately in Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.

How much storage space does cache usually take up?

Cache varies widely depending on how much you browse and which apps you use. Safari cache alone can range from 100 megabytes to several gigabytes. Individual apps typically store 50 megabytes to 500 megabytes of cache each.

Can I clear cache automatically on a schedule?

iPad does not have a built-in automatic cache-clearing schedule. You can clear it manually whenever you notice your iPad slowing down, or you can enable "Offload Unused Apps" in Settings > General > iPad Storage to have your iPad automatically remove apps you have not used recently.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing history?

Browsing history is the list of websites you have visited. Cache is the temporary files those websites stored on your iPad. When you tap "Clear History and Website Data" in Safari, you clear both at once.

Do I need to restart my iPad after clearing cache?

You do not have to, but restarting your iPad after clearing cache can help it run faster because it clears temporary files from all apps and processes, not just Safari. A restart takes about a minute and is often the most effective way to speed up a sluggish iPad.