What cache is and why clearing it helps

Cache is temporary data that apps and Safari store on your phone to load faster next time. When you visit a website, your phone saves images, text, and login information so the page doesn't have to read everything again. Apps do the same thing — they store pieces of data locally so they don't start from scratch every time you open them.

Over time, this cache builds up and can take up gigabytes of storage space. It can also cause problems: a website might show you outdated information, an app might freeze or crash, or your phone might slow down. Clearing cache is one of the first troubleshooting steps when something isn't working right, and it's also the easiest way to free up storage without deleting photos or messages.

The catch is that clearing cache will log you out of websites and apps, and the first time you use them afterward they'll load more slowly while your phone rebuilds the cache. That slowness is temporary — usually just a few seconds per app.

Key Takeaways

  • Cache is temporary data apps and websites store to load faster, and it builds up over time and can cause apps to freeze or slow your phone down.
  • Clearing Safari cache is done through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, and you can choose to clear only recent data or everything.
  • Individual apps store their own cache in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, where you can see how much space each app uses and offload or reinstall them.
  • Clearing cache will log you out of websites and apps, and the first time you use them they'll load more slowly while the cache rebuilds.
  • If an app keeps crashing or freezing, offloading it (which keeps your data) is safer than deleting it outright.

Clear Safari cache and browsing history

Open Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Safari. Scroll to the bottom of that screen and tap Clear History and Website Data.

A popup will appear asking what timeframe you want to clear. The default is "the last hour", but you can tap that dropdown and choose "the last day", "the last week", "the last month", or All time. Tap Clear History and Website Data again to confirm. Safari will log you out of websites and remove all saved passwords for sites you visited in that timeframe.

If you want to keep some saved passwords but still clear the cache, there is no middle ground in Safari — you have to clear everything or nothing for the timeframe you choose. The workaround is to clear all time, then log back into the sites you use most often.

Clear cache for individual apps

Most apps store their own cache separately from Safari. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You'll see a list of every app on your phone, sorted by how much space it uses. Tap any app to see a breakdown of how much space it takes up.

For most apps, you'll see two numbers: the app size itself, and "Documents & Data" underneath. The Documents & Data section includes cache. Unfortunately, iPhone doesn't let you clear just the cache for a single app — you have to offload or delete the whole app. Tap Offload App to remove the app but keep your data (logins, saved games, settings). Tap Delete App to remove everything.

After you offload an app, it stays on your home screen but appears grayed out. Tap it to reinstall it — your data comes back, and the cache rebuilds fresh. This is the safest option if an app is crashing or freezing, because you don't lose your account information.

Clear cache without losing your passwords

If you want to free up space but don't want to get logged out of everything, offloading apps is your best option. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap the app you want to clear, and tap Offload App. This removes the app and its cache but keeps your login information and settings.

For Safari, there is no way to clear cache without clearing history and saved passwords at the same time. If you only want to clear cache from the last few hours, choose "the last hour" or "the last day" instead of "all time" — that way you only lose recent logins, not everything.

When to clear cache and when not to

Clear cache if your phone is running low on storage, if a website or app is showing outdated information, or if an app is freezing or crashing. You should also clear cache if you're selling or giving away your phone, to remove any saved passwords or personal data.

Don't clear cache if you're about to use your phone on a slow internet connection — apps and websites will load much more slowly the first time you use them after clearing cache. Also don't clear cache right before a time-sensitive task like paying a bill online, because you'll have to log back in and re-enter information.

What to do if clearing cache doesn't fix the problem

If an app still crashes after you offload and reinstall it, the problem is usually not cache — it's either a bug in the app itself or a conflict with your phone's operating system. Check the App Store to see if there's an update available for that app. If there is, update it and try again.

If the app still doesn't work, try restarting your phone. Hold the power button and either volume button until the "slide to power off" screen appears, then slide to turn off your phone. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This clears temporary memory and often fixes freezing or crashing that cache clearing didn't solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?

No. Cache is only temporary data from apps and websites. Your photos, messages, contacts, and files are stored separately and won't be affected by clearing cache. Only saved passwords and login sessions for websites and apps will be removed.

How much storage space does cache usually take up?

It varies widely depending on which apps you use and how often. Social media apps like Instagram or TikTok can store several gigabytes of cached videos and images. Safari cache is usually smaller — typically a few hundred megabytes unless you browse heavily. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see exactly how much each app is using.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

Only if you're running low on storage or experiencing problems with apps. There's no harm in clearing cache occasionally, but you don't need to do it on a schedule. If your phone has plenty of free storage and apps are working normally, you can leave cache alone.

Why does my app still show old information after I cleared cache?

Cache is only one type of stored data. Apps also store information in their settings or database, which clearing cache doesn't touch. If an app is still showing outdated information, try offloading and reinstalling the app instead, which removes everything and forces it to read fresh data when you open it again.

Can I clear cache for all apps at once?

Not directly. You have to offload or delete each app individually through Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The fastest way is to tap each app and choose Offload App, then reinstall them one at a time or all at once from the App Store.