What cache is and why you might clear it

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 pieces of data it downloaded before. This makes everything quicker — but over time, cached files pile up and can use several gigabytes of storage.

You clear cache for three practical reasons: to free up storage space when your iPad is running low, to fix an app or website that is behaving strangely, or to remove browsing history and saved passwords before handing the device to someone else. Clearing cache does not delete your photos, documents, or settings — it only removes the temporary files apps created while running.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari cache clears through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, and you can choose to clear only the last hour or all time.
  • Individual apps store their own cache in Settings > General > iPad Storage, where you can see how much space each app uses and offload it without deleting the app itself.
  • Clearing cache fixes many common problems like a website not loading correctly or an app crashing repeatedly.
  • Offloading an app removes it temporarily but keeps your data, while deleting it removes both the app and its data permanently.

Clearing Safari cache and browsing history

Open Settings on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Safari. Scroll to the bottom of the Safari settings page and tap Clear History and Website Data. A popup will appear asking what timeframe you want to clear. Tap the dropdown that says "all time" if you want to remove everything, or choose "the last hour," "today," or "today and yesterday" if you only want to clear recent activity.

After you choose the timeframe, tap Clear History and Website Data again to confirm. Safari will remove cached images, cookies, and browsing history from that period. Your saved passwords and usernames will remain unless you specifically tap Advanced before clearing and uncheck the "Cookies and Site Data" option.

Clearing cache for individual apps

Most apps store cache separately from Safari. Go to Settings, then tap General, then iPad Storage. You will see a list of all apps on your device, sorted by how much space they use. Find the app you want to clear cache for and tap it.

On the app's detail page, you will see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App to remove the app temporarily while keeping your data — this clears the cache and frees up space, but the app's documents and settings stay on your iPad. When you reinstall it from the App Store, your data returns. If you tap Delete App instead, both the app and all its data are removed permanently.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear cache when your iPad is running slowly, when an app keeps crashing, or when a website displays incorrectly. It is also worth clearing before selling or giving away your device, since cached data can include login information and browsing history. You do not need to clear cache regularly — once every few months is typical unless you are running low on storage.

After clearing cache, apps may take slightly longer to load the first time you open them, since they have to read their data again. Websites may also load a bit slower on your first visit after clearing. This slowdown lasts only a few seconds and is normal. If clearing cache fixes a problem — like Safari crashing or an app freezing — the improvement will be when ready.

Checking how much space cache is using

Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage to see a breakdown of what is taking up space on your device. The list shows each app and how much storage it uses. The number shown includes the app itself plus its cache and data combined, so you cannot see exactly how much is cache versus saved documents. Offloading an app will show you roughly how much space you recover, since most of that space is cache and temporary files.

If your iPad is consistently running low on storage, clearing cache from your largest apps is a quick way to free up a few gigabytes without deleting anything permanent. Safari, Maps, Photos, and video streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube typically have the largest caches.

Clearing cache without losing your passwords

By default, clearing Safari history and website data removes cookies but keeps your saved passwords. If you want to clear everything including passwords, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, then before you tap the final confirm button, scroll down and look for Cookies and Site Data. Make sure it is checked. Your passwords are stored separately in Settings > Passwords, so clearing Safari cache will not touch them unless you go into that menu and delete them manually.

If you want to remove a single saved password instead of clearing everything, go to Settings > Passwords, find the website or app, tap it, then tap Delete. This is useful if you changed a password and want to force Safari to ask for the new one next time.

Troubleshooting cache-related problems

If an app continues to crash after you clear its cache, try restarting your iPad. Hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn off. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears. This forces all apps to close and reload fresh.

If a website still does not load correctly after clearing Safari cache, try opening it in a private browsing window instead. Swipe up from the bottom of Safari, tap the tabs icon in the lower right, then tap Private and open a new tab. Private browsing does not use cached data, so if the site works there, the problem was cache-related. If it still does not work, the problem is with the website itself or your internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my photos or documents?

No. Cache is only temporary data that apps and websites create while running. Your photos, documents, email, and messages are stored separately and will not be affected by clearing cache.

What is the difference between offloading and deleting an app?

Offloading removes the app and its cache but keeps your data, so when you reinstall it, your settings and documents return. Deleting removes both the app and everything associated with it permanently. Use offload to free up space temporarily; use delete if you no longer want the app.

How often should I clear my iPad cache?

There is no set schedule. Clear cache when your iPad is slow, when an app misbehaves, or when you are running low on storage. Most people clear cache a few times a year unless they use video streaming apps heavily.

Does clearing cache remove my saved passwords?

No, not by default. When you clear Safari history and website data, cookies are removed but passwords stay. Passwords are stored in a separate location and only delete if you manually remove them from Settings > Passwords.

Why is my app still slow after I cleared its cache?

Slowness can come from other causes — too many apps running at once, low storage space, or an outdated app version. Try restarting your iPad by holding the top button and a volume button until the power slider appears, then turning it back on. If the app is still slow, check the App Store for an update.