Why you might want to clear cache and cookies
Cache is temporary data that apps and websites store on your iPad to load faster next time. Cookies are small files that remember your login information, preferences, and browsing history. Over time, both accumulate and can slow down your device, use storage space, or cause websites to load incorrectly.
Clearing them is safe — your iPad will straightforward reload that data the next time you visit a site or open an app. You might do this if a website isn't working properly, if you want to free up storage space, or if you're selling or giving away your iPad and want to remove your personal information.
Key Takeaways
- Safari cache and cookies clear together through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, and you can choose how far back to clear.
- Apps like Chrome, Gmail, and Facebook have their own cache and cookies that don't clear with Safari — you must clear each one separately in its own settings.
- Clearing cache removes temporary files but keeps you logged in to most sites; clearing cookies will log you out of accounts.
- If a website stops working properly, clearing its cache and cookies is often the fastest fix before contacting support.
Clearing Safari cache and cookies in three steps
Open the Settings app on your home screen. 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 how far back you want to clear. Choose all time if you want to remove everything, or pick a specific timeframe like "the last hour" or "today" if you only want to clear recent data. Tap the blue Clear History and Website Data button to confirm.
Your Safari cache and cookies are now cleared. You may notice websites take slightly longer to load the first time you visit them after this, because Safari no longer has the cached files. This is normal and temporary.
Clearing cache and cookies in other apps
If you use Chrome, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, or other apps, they store their own cache and cookies separately from Safari. Clearing Safari does not touch these. You must clear each app individually.
Open the app you want to clear. Look for a menu icon — usually three horizontal lines or three dots in the corner — and tap it. Find a settings or preferences option, then look for "Clear cache," "Clear browsing data," or "Storage." The exact wording and location varies by app, but the option is usually in the settings section.
If you cannot find the option in the app itself, you can also clear an app's cache through iPad Settings. Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage, find the app in the list, tap it, and tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your account information. Then reinstall it from the App Store. This clears all cached data but is more drastic than clearing cache alone.
The difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies
Cache is temporary files — images, scripts, and other data that websites store so they load faster. Clearing cache frees up storage and can fix loading problems, but it does not log you out of websites.
Cookies are small files that remember who you are — your login information, your preferences, items in your shopping cart. When you clear cookies, you will be logged out of most websites and apps. The next time you visit, you will need to log in again. Some sites may also forget your preferences, like your language choice or font size.
Most people clear both at the same time through the "Clear History and Website Data" option in Safari, which removes both. If you only want to clear cache and stay logged in, that option is not available in Safari's standard settings — you would need to use a different browser like Chrome, which offers more granular control.
What to do if clearing cache doesn't fix the problem
If a website still isn't working after you clear cache and cookies, try closing Safari completely and reopening it. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Safari, and swipe it up to close it. Then tap Safari on your home screen to reopen it.
If the problem persists, try a different browser. read Chrome or Firefox from the App Store and visit the same website. If it works in the other browser, the problem is specific to Safari, and you may want to restart your iPad or check for a Safari update in Settings > General > Software Update.
If the website still doesn't work in other browsers, the problem is likely on the website's end, not your iPad. Contact the website's support team or try again later.
Clearing cache before selling or giving away your iPad
If you are selling or giving your iPad to someone else, clearing cache and cookies is a good first step, but it is not enough to remove all your personal information. Cache and cookies are temporary files that get deleted, but your accounts, photos, messages, and other data remain on the device.
To fully erase your iPad before handing it over, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes everything and returns the iPad to factory condition. Do this only when you are ready to give the device away, because you cannot undo it.
Before you erase, make sure you have backed up any data you want to keep. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now, or connect to a computer and use Finder to create a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache and cookies log me out of everything?
Clearing cache alone will not log you out. Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites and apps, because cookies store your login information. When you use "Clear History and Website Data" in Safari, you clear both, so yes, you will be logged out. You can log back in when ready.
How often should I clear cache and cookies?
There is no set schedule. Clear them when a website stops working properly, when your iPad is running slowly, or when you want to free up storage space. Many people clear them monthly or a few times a year. If you are concerned about privacy, you can clear them weekly.
Does clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cache and cookies. Clearing cache and cookies will not delete your saved passwords. If you want to remove saved passwords, go to Settings > Passwords and find the password you want to delete, then swipe left and tap Delete.
Why does a website ask me to clear cache when something isn't working?
Websites sometimes store outdated or corrupted files in your cache. When you clear the cache, your iPad downloads fresh copies of those files the next time you visit. This fixes loading errors, broken buttons, or pages that display incorrectly.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of all of them?
Safari does not offer a way to clear cache for a single website. You can only clear all cache at once, or clear cache for all websites from a specific time period. If you use Chrome instead, it has an option to clear data for specific websites.