What clearing cache actually does
Cache is a storage folder where Safari keeps copies of images, scripts, and other pieces of websites you visit. When you return to a site, Safari loads these stored pieces instead of downloading them again, which makes pages load faster. Clearing cache deletes these stored copies and forces Safari to read fresh versions the next time you visit.
You might clear cache if a website looks broken or loads incorrectly — the stored version may be outdated or corrupted. You might also clear it for privacy, since cache files can reveal which sites you've visited. On older devices with limited storage, clearing cache frees up space.
Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose those options too. It only removes the temporary files Safari uses to speed up loading.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is a folder of website pieces Safari stores to make pages load faster, and clearing it forces Safari to read fresh versions next time.
- On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data and choose what time period to clear.
- On Mac, open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, select Clear History, and choose how far back to go.
- Clearing cache alone does not remove your passwords or bookmarks — only the temporary files that speed up loading.
- If a website looks broken or loads incorrectly, clearing cache is often the first troubleshooting step to try.
How to clear cache on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app and tap Safari. Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data. A menu appears with three choices: the time period (Last hour, Today, Today and yesterday, or All time), and checkboxes for what to delete.
By default, both History and Website Data are checked. Website Data is the cache — the stored pieces of websites. You can uncheck History if you want to keep your browsing history and only delete cache. Tap Clear History and Website Data at the bottom to confirm.
This setting clears cache for all websites at once. If you want to clear cache for only one site, go back to Safari, tap the Bookmarks icon (the open book), tap History, then tap Edit. Find the site you want to remove and swipe left, then tap Delete.
How to clear cache on Mac
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Clear History. A window appears asking how far back you want to clear — choose Last hour, Today, Today and yesterday, or All time.
By default, Safari clears history and cache together. If you want to clear only cache and keep your history, there is no direct option in this menu. Instead, go to Safari > Preferences, click Privacy, then click Manage Website Data. You can select individual sites and click Remove, or click Remove All to clear all cache at once.
After you clear cache on Mac, Safari may ask if you want to keep offline website data. This is separate from cache — it is data websites store for use when you are offline. You can choose to keep it or delete it depending on whether you use any websites offline.
When clearing cache actually solves problems
If a website shows outdated information, broken images, or buttons that do not work, the cached version may be the problem. Clearing cache and reloading the page forces Safari to read a fresh copy. This fixes most display problems within seconds.
Clearing cache is also the first step if Safari itself is running slowly or crashing on certain sites. A corrupted cache file can cause Safari to freeze or quit unexpectedly. After clearing cache, restart Safari and try the site again.
If clearing cache does not fix the problem, the issue is likely on the website's end or with your internet connection, not with Safari's storage. At that point, try a different browser or contact the website's support.
What clearing cache does not do
Clearing cache does not sign you out of websites. Your login information is stored separately from cache, usually in a cookie or in Safari's password manager. You will stay logged in to most sites even after clearing cache.
Clearing cache does not delete your bookmarks, reading list, or iCloud tabs. These are stored in your Safari account, not in cache. They remain on all your devices.
Clearing cache does not remove your browsing history unless you specifically check that box. History and cache are separate — you can clear one without touching the other. Similarly, clearing cache does not delete passwords you have saved in Safari's password manager.
How often you should clear cache
There is no single right answer. If you browse normally and your device has plenty of storage, clearing cache once a month is reasonable. If you visit the same sites regularly, you might clear cache less often since Safari will re-read and re-cache those pieces anyway.
If you are troubleshooting a broken website, clear cache when ready. If you are concerned about privacy and do not want Safari storing copies of sites you visit, clear cache weekly or after each browsing session.
You can also set Safari to clear cache automatically when you quit the app. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari and turn on Close Tabs. On Mac, go to Safari > Preferences > General and check Remove history items and select how often (daily, weekly, or monthly).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache make Safari faster?
Clearing cache may make Safari slightly slower at first because it has to read website pieces again. But if cache files are corrupted or outdated, clearing them can actually improve speed and fix freezing. The benefit is usually noticeable only if cache was causing problems.
Can I clear cache for just one website?
On iPhone and iPad, you can remove individual sites from history, which also clears their cache. On Mac, go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy, click Manage Website Data, find the site, and click Remove. This deletes only that site's cached files.
Does clearing cache delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored in Safari's password manager, which is separate from cache. Clearing cache does not affect passwords. If you want to delete a saved password, go to Settings > Passwords (iPhone/iPad) or Safari > Preferences > Passwords (Mac) and remove it manually.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing history?
History is the list of websites you visited. Cache is the stored pieces of those websites that make them load faster. You can clear one without the other. Clearing history removes the list but keeps cache; clearing cache removes the stored files but keeps the history list.
Should I clear cache before selling my iPad or Mac?
Yes. Clearing cache removes temporary files that could reveal which sites you visited. For a more complete privacy wipe before selling, also clear history, cookies, and passwords. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data and choose All time. On Mac, do the same in Safari > Clear History.