What gets deleted when you clear documents and data
When you delete documents and data on an iPhone, you are removing files that apps have stored on your device — not the apps themselves. This includes cached files (temporary copies apps keep to load faster), login information, search history, and any documents you created inside an app. The app icon stays on your home screen, but the next time you open it, you start fresh.
The distinction matters for privacy. Clearing documents and data removes traces of what you did in that app, but it does not delete messages, photos, or files stored in your main photo library or iCloud. Those live in different storage locations and require separate deletion steps.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing documents and data for an app removes cached files and login information, but leaves the app itself installed and ready to use.
- You can delete data for individual apps through Settings, or clear everything at once by resetting your iPhone entirely.
- Clearing data does not remove photos, messages, or files from your main library — only app-specific stored information.
- If you want to delete an app and its data together, uninstalling the app removes both, though some cached files may remain until you restart.
Clearing data for a single app through Settings
Open Settings, then tap General. Scroll down and tap iPhone Storage. You will see a list of apps ranked by how much space they use. Find the app you want to clear, tap it, and you will see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data. Then reinstall it from the App Store — the app returns, but the cached files and temporary data are gone.
If you want to delete both the app and its data at once, tap Delete App instead, then Delete App again to confirm. This removes everything associated with that app from your device. Reinstalling it later will give you a fresh start with no stored data.
Some apps also have their own settings for clearing data. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences (usually a gear icon), and search for options like "Clear Cache," "Clear History," or "Delete Data." This method clears data without removing the app itself, so you keep your login information and preferences if you want them.
Clearing all documents and data at once
If you want to wipe your entire iPhone and start over, go to Settings, tap General, scroll to the bottom, and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Your iPhone will ask you to confirm — this step cannot be undone. The device will restart and return to factory settings, removing all apps, documents, data, photos, messages, and settings you have added.
Before you do this, back up your iPhone through iCloud or a computer. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Or connect your iPhone to a computer, open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows), select your device, and click Back Up Now. A backup preserves everything so you can restore it later if you change your mind.
What stays on your iPhone after clearing data
Photos and videos in your Photos app remain unless you specifically delete them. Messages stay in the Messages app. Files in the Files app stay put. Clearing documents and data only removes what apps have stored internally — the temporary files, caches, and login sessions that apps create while you use them.
If you have synced data to iCloud (contacts, calendars, reminders, notes), that data stays in iCloud even after you clear your iPhone. When you sign back into your Apple ID on the device, iCloud will sync that information back down automatically. This is useful if you want a fresh device but do not want to lose your calendar or contacts.
Why clearing data matters for privacy
Apps store more than you might realize. A social media app caches images and videos you viewed, stores your search history, and keeps login tokens so you stay signed in. A news app remembers which articles you read. A maps app stores your recent searches. Clearing documents and data removes all of this from your device, so if someone gains access to your iPhone, they cannot see what you did in that app.
This is different from deleting your account with the app company. Clearing data on your device does not tell the company to delete what they have stored on their servers. If you want the company to forget your activity, you usually need to visit their privacy settings or contact them directly. Clearing local data is about what stays on your phone.
When to clear data versus when to uninstall
Clear data if you want to keep using the app but remove your activity history and login information. This is useful if you share your iPhone with someone else, or if an app is misbehaving and you want to reset it without losing the app itself. Uninstall if you no longer use the app and want to free up space, or if you want to remove the app and all its data in one step.
If you are concerned about an app collecting too much information, uninstalling removes it entirely. But remember that uninstalling does not delete what the app company already has on their servers — it only removes the app from your device. For more control over what companies can see, check the app's privacy settings before you uninstall, or visit the company's website to request data deletion.
Clearing data on apps that sync across devices
Some apps sync data across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac through iCloud. If you clear data on your iPhone, the app may re-read that data from iCloud the next time you open it. To fully remove synced data, you need to delete it from iCloud as well. Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, tap Manage Storage, find the app, and delete it from there. Or sign into the app's website or settings and delete your account or data directly.
This matters if you are trying to remove sensitive information — like a password manager or health app data — from all your devices. Clearing it from one iPhone is not enough if iCloud is syncing it back. Check whether the app uses iCloud sync before you clear data, and delete from iCloud first if you want a complete removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing documents and data delete my passwords?
Clearing data removes login tokens that keep you signed in, so you will need to log in again next time you open the app. However, if you use iCloud Keychain to store passwords, those passwords stay in iCloud and will not be deleted. If the app stores passwords locally, clearing data removes those too.
Can I recover documents and data after I clear them?
If you have a backup from before you cleared the data, you can restore from that backup to get the data back. Otherwise, cleared data is gone. This is why backing up before a full reset is important — you can restore if you change your mind.
Does clearing data free up storage space on my iPhone?
Yes. Cached files and app data take up storage, sometimes a lot. Clearing documents and data for a large app can free up several gigabytes. You can see how much space each app uses in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
What is the difference between offloading an app and deleting it?
Offloading removes the app but keeps your data, so reinstalling it restores your login and settings. Deleting removes both the app and its data. Offload if you want to free space temporarily; delete if you want a complete removal.
If I clear data, will the app company still have my information?
Yes. Clearing data on your device only removes what the app stored locally. The company still has whatever data they collected on their servers. To have them delete your information, you usually need to request it through the app's privacy settings or contact the company directly.