What cache is and why you might want to delete it
Cache is a folder where your browser or apps store copies of websites and files you've visited or used recently. When you visit a website again, your device loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet — which makes pages load faster. The trade-off is that cache takes up storage space on your device, and sometimes old cached files cause problems like broken images, outdated information, or login issues.
You don't need to delete cache often. But if a website looks wrong, a page won't load properly, you're running low on storage space, or you want to clear out old login information before selling a device, clearing cache is usually the first thing to try.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is stored copies of websites and files that help pages load faster, but old cache can cause display problems or take up storage space.
- Clearing cache in most browsers takes two or three clicks and removes temporary files without deleting passwords or bookmarks.
- On phones and tablets, you clear cache through Settings rather than through the browser itself.
- If you want to keep cache but remove login information, look for the option to clear "cookies" or "site data" separately from cache.
How to clear cache in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
The steps are nearly identical across all major browsers. Open your browser and look for the menu button — usually three horizontal lines or three dots in the top right corner. Click it, then look for "Settings" or "Preferences". Once you're in Settings, find the section called "Privacy" or "History".
Click on "Clear browsing data" or "Clear history". A window will pop up asking what time range you want to clear — choose "All time" if you want to remove everything, or pick a specific range like "Last 24 hours" or "Last week". Make sure the box next to "Cached images and files" is checked. You can leave other boxes unchecked if you want to keep passwords and bookmarks. Click the "Clear data" or "Clear" button, and you're done.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your browser will feel slightly slower the next time you visit frequently-used websites because it has to read fresh copies, but this slowdown lasts only a few seconds per site.
Clearing cache on Android phones and tablets
On Android, cache is cleared through Settings, not through your browser app. Open Settings and scroll down to find "Apps" or "process Manager" — the exact name varies by phone maker. Tap it, then find the app you want to clear cache for (usually Chrome, Firefox, or your default browser).
Tap the app name, then look for "Storage" or "Storage and cache". You'll see two buttons: "Clear cache" and "Clear storage" or "Clear data". Tap "Clear cache" only — this removes temporary files without deleting your passwords or settings. If you want to remove login information too, tap "Clear storage" or "Clear data" instead, but know that this will also delete saved passwords for that app.
If you want to clear cache for all apps at once, go back to Settings and look for "Storage" at the top level. Some Android phones have a "Clear cache" button here that clears cache for everything at once.
Clearing cache on iPhones and iPads
iPhones and iPads handle cache differently than Android. Open Settings and scroll down to find "Safari" (if you use Safari) or the name of whichever browser you use. Tap it, then scroll down and tap "Clear History and Website Data". A menu will appear asking what time range — choose "All time" to clear everything.
Tap "Clear History and Data" to confirm. This removes cached files, cookies, and browsing history all at once. Unlike Android, you can't separate cache from cookies on iPhone — they clear together.
If you use a different browser like Chrome or Firefox on iPhone, the steps are similar but the menu names vary slightly. Open the app, tap the menu button (usually three lines or dots), find Settings, and look for "Clear browsing data" or "Privacy".
What gets deleted and what stays
When you clear cache, you remove temporary copies of images, videos, and files from websites you've visited. You do not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically check those boxes too. If you only check "Cached images and files", your login information stays intact and you'll still be signed into most websites.
Cookies are different from cache — they're small files that websites use to remember you. If you clear cookies, you'll be logged out of most sites and they won't remember your preferences. Some people want to clear cache but keep cookies; others want to do the opposite. Most browsers let you choose which one to clear, though on iPhone they clear together.
When clearing cache doesn't fix the problem
If a website still looks broken after you clear cache, try these steps: first, close the browser completely and reopen it. Second, try the website in a different browser to see if the problem is specific to one browser or happens everywhere. Third, restart your device — this clears temporary files from memory and sometimes fixes display issues that cache clearing alone won't solve.
If the problem persists, it's usually a problem with the website itself, not your device. Contact the website's support team or try again in a few hours.
How much storage space cache actually uses
Cache typically uses between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes of storage, depending on how much you browse and how long you've been using the device. On phones with limited storage, clearing cache can free up noticeable space. On computers with hundreds of gigabytes available, cache rarely matters unless you're trying to squeeze out every last megabyte.
If storage is tight, clearing cache is worth doing, but it's usually not the biggest space-taker. Photos, videos, and apps use far more. If you need more space, look at deleting old photos or unused apps first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No, not unless you specifically check the box for "Passwords" or "Autofill data" when clearing. Cache and passwords are stored separately. If you only clear "Cached images and files", your saved passwords stay intact and you'll remain logged into most sites.
Why does my browser feel slow after I clear cache?
Because your browser now has to read fresh copies of websites instead of loading stored versions. This slowdown is temporary — it lasts only a few seconds per website. After you visit your usual sites once or twice, they'll load at normal speed again as new cache builds up.
Should I clear cache regularly or only when there's a problem?
Only when there's a problem or when you're running low on storage. Clearing cache too often actually makes your browsing slower because you lose the speed benefit of stored files. Most people never need to clear cache unless a website breaks or they're selling a device.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of everything?
Most browsers don't offer this option in the main settings. However, you can usually right-click a website and find "Clear cookies for this site" or similar. For a full cache clear of just one site, you'd need to use your browser's developer tools, which is more complicated than most people need.
What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache stores copies of images and files to make pages load faster. Cookies are small text files that websites use to remember you — your login, your preferences, items in your cart. Clearing cache doesn't log you out; clearing cookies does. Some browsers let you clear them separately, others clear both together.