Where your iPad stores browsing history and what clearing it does
Your iPad keeps three separate records: Safari browsing history (the websites you visited), cookies and site data (login information and preferences saved by websites), and app cache (temporary files apps read to load faster). Clearing history removes the list of websites you visited, but does not delete your saved passwords unless you specifically clear those too. Clearing cookies and site data signs you out of most websites and removes their stored preferences. Clearing app cache frees up storage space but may slow down apps slightly the next time you use them.
The steps differ depending on whether you want to clear Safari, individual apps, or everything at once. Most people clear Safari history and cookies together, which takes about 30 seconds. If you are selling or giving away your iPad, you will want to do a full factory reset instead, which is covered in the last section of this guide.
Key Takeaways
- Safari history, cookies, and site data are cleared together through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, and you choose the time range (last hour, day, week, or all time).
- Clearing history removes the list of websites you visited but keeps your saved passwords unless you also clear "Autofill" data in the same menu.
- Individual apps store their own cache and data separately; clearing one app's data does not affect Safari or other apps.
- If you are selling or giving away your iPad, use Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings instead of just clearing history.
Clearing Safari history, cookies, and site data in three steps
Open Settings on your home screen, then tap Safari (you will find it in the list alphabetically). Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data. A popup will ask you to choose a time range: Last Hour, Last Day, Last Week, or All Time. Select the range you want, then tap Clear History and Website Data again to confirm.
This single action clears three things at once: your browsing history (the list of websites), cookies (login sessions and preferences), and cached website data (images and files websites stored on your device). The process takes a few seconds. After you confirm, Safari will no longer show those websites in your history or search suggestions.
If you want to keep your browsing history but remove only cookies and site data (which signs you out of websites), you can do that separately. Go back to Settings > Safari and scroll down to find Advanced > Website Data. Tap Edit in the top right, select the websites you want to remove, and tap Delete. This approach is useful if you want to stay logged into some sites but log out of others.
Removing saved passwords and autofill information
Clearing Safari history does not remove your saved passwords or autofill data (addresses, credit card information, names). If you want to delete those, go to Settings > Passwords and Autofill. You will see sections for Saved Passwords, Credit Cards, and other autofill categories. Tap each section to see what is saved, then swipe left on any item and tap Delete to remove it individually.
If you want to delete all autofill data at once without going through each item, you can do that through Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This clears autofill information but does not erase your apps, photos, or other content. You will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password after this reset.
Clearing cache and data from individual apps
Apps like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Mail store their own cache and temporary files separately from Safari. To clear an app's data, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. Scroll down and tap the app you want to clear. You will see two options: Offload App (removes the app but keeps its data) and Delete App (removes everything). Tap Delete App, then reinstall it from the App Store if you want to use it again.
Deleting and reinstalling an app clears all its cached data and temporary files, which can free up several gigabytes of storage if the app has been storing videos or images. You will lose any data the app stored locally (like drafts or offline files), but your account and settings usually sync back when you log in again. This approach is more thorough than clearing cache alone, which is not a separate option on iPad the way it is on Android devices.
If an app is using a lot of storage but you do not want to delete it completely, check the app's own settings first. Many apps like Photos, Mail, and Messages have built-in options to delete old data. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences, and look for options like "Delete Old Messages" or "Clear Cache".
Clearing history from other browsers on your iPad
If you use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge instead of Safari, each browser stores its own history separately. Open the browser you want to clear, then look for the menu (usually three dots or lines in the corner). Tap Settings or Preferences, then find the option for History or Browsing Data. The exact steps vary by browser, but all of them let you choose a time range and select what to clear.
Chrome on iPad: Tap the three dots in the bottom right > Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data. Choose your time range and what to clear, then tap Clear Browsing Data.
Firefox on iPad: Tap the menu button (three lines) > Settings > Data Management > Clear Private Data. Select what you want to clear and tap Clear Private Data.
Factory reset if you are selling or giving away your iPad
If you are selling, trading in, or giving away your iPad, clearing history alone is not enough. Someone with access to your device could potentially recover deleted data or access your accounts. Instead, do a full factory reset: go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked to confirm and enter your Apple ID password. The process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your device.
A factory reset removes everything: all apps, photos, messages, browsing history, passwords, and autofill data. Your iPad will restart and show the setup screen as if it were brand new. Before you do this, make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep (photos, documents, notes) to iCloud or another service. After the reset is complete, you can hand over the device knowing your personal information is not accessible.
If you are trading in your iPad to Apple or another retailer, ask them whether they want you to do the reset yourself or whether they will do it. Some retailers prefer to handle it, and some require you to do it before drop-off. Check their instructions before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing my history delete my saved passwords?
No. Clearing Safari history and website data removes the list of websites you visited and cookies, but keeps your saved passwords. To delete passwords, go to Settings > Passwords and Autofill, find the password you want to remove, and swipe left to delete it. You can also delete all autofill data (addresses, credit cards, names) separately from history.
Can I clear history from only certain websites instead of all of them?
Yes. Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data. You will see a list of all websites that have stored data on your device. Tap Edit in the top right, select the websites you want to remove, and tap Delete. This removes only those sites' cookies and data without touching your full browsing history.
Does clearing my iPad's history affect my other Apple devices?
No. Clearing history on your iPad only affects that device. If you use iCloud to sync Safari across your devices, clearing history on your iPad will sync that deletion to your iPhone and Mac, but only if iCloud Keychain is turned on. You can turn off syncing in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Safari if you want to keep history separate.
How much storage space will I free up by clearing cache and app data?
It depends on which apps you clear. Clearing Safari cache usually frees up 100 MB to 500 MB. Apps like YouTube, Instagram, or Mail can store several gigabytes of cached videos and images. Check Settings > General > iPad Storage to see how much space each app is using, then delete the ones taking up the most room.
What is the difference between clearing history and doing a factory reset?
Clearing history removes your browsing data and cookies but keeps your apps, photos, messages, and accounts. A factory reset removes everything and returns your iPad to its original state, as if you just bought it. Use factory reset only if you are selling the device or want to completely start over.