What cache is and why it builds up
Cache is temporary data your device stores to make programs and websites load faster the next time you use them. When you open a website, your browser saves images, text, and code on your hard drive so it doesn't have to read the same files again. When you use an app, it stores settings and recent data the same way. This speeds things up — but over time, cache takes up storage space and can cause programs to run slowly or behave oddly.
Cache is not the same as cookies, which store login information and preferences. Cache is purely about making things faster. It is also not the same as your browsing history, which is a list of sites you visited. You can clear cache without losing either of those.
Most people never need to think about cache. But if a website looks broken, an app crashes repeatedly, or your device is running out of storage space, clearing cache is often the first thing to try. It is safe to clear — the worst that happens is websites take a few seconds longer to load the first time you visit them after clearing.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary files your device stores to make websites and apps load faster, and it builds up over time.
- Clearing cache is safe and will not delete your passwords, browsing history, or saved files.
- The steps to clear cache differ depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or a phone, so find your device type first.
- If a website looks broken or an app keeps crashing, clearing cache is often the fastest fix.
- You can set your browser to clear cache automatically when you close it, so you do not have to do it manually.
How to clear cache in Chrome on a computer
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). A dropdown list will appear. Click "Settings" near the bottom of that list.
On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security". Then click "Clear browsing data". A box will pop up. At the top of that box, you will see a dropdown that says "All time" — leave it there. Make sure the box next to "Cached images and files" is checked (it usually is by default). You can uncheck the other boxes if you want to keep your passwords and history. Click the blue "Clear data" button.
Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You will not see a confirmation message — the box will just close. The next time you visit a website, it may load slightly slower than usual because Chrome is downloading fresh copies of the files.
How to clear cache in Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines (menu button) in the top right. Click "Settings". On the left, click "Privacy & Security". Under "Cookies and Site Data", click "Clear Data". Make sure "Cached Web Content" is checked. Click "Clear".
Safari: Click "Safari" in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Click "Settings". Click the "Privacy" tab. Click "Manage Website Data". Select all the websites listed (or just click one and press Ctrl+A on Windows, or Command+A on Mac). Click "Remove". Then close the window.
Edge: Click the three dots in the top right. Click "Settings". Click "Privacy, search, and services" on the left. Under "Clear browsing data", click "Choose what to clear". Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked. Click "Clear now".
How to clear cache on an iPhone or iPad
If you use Safari on iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap "Safari". Scroll down to "Clear History and Website Data". Tap it. A popup will ask you to confirm — tap "Clear History and Data". This clears cache, history, and cookies all at once. There is no way to clear only cache on iPhone without clearing the others.
If you use Chrome on iPhone, open Chrome and tap the three dots in the bottom right. Tap "Settings". Tap "Privacy". Tap "Clear Browsing Data". Make sure "Cached Images and Files" is checked. Tap "Clear Browsing Data" at the bottom.
How to clear cache on Android phones
Open Chrome and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Tap "Settings". Tap "Privacy and security". Tap "Clear browsing data". At the top, make sure the dropdown says "All time". Check the box next to "Cached images and files". Tap "Clear data".
If you use a different browser on Android, the steps are similar but the menu names may differ slightly. Look for a "Settings" or "Privacy" option in the menu, then search for "Clear cache" or "Clear browsing data".
Set your browser to clear cache automatically
If you clear cache often, you can tell your browser to do it automatically every time you close it. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. At the top of the popup, turn on the toggle that says "Clear cookies and other site data when you quit Chrome". Now cache will clear every time you close the browser completely.
In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Under "Cookies and Site Data", check the box that says "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed". In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and uncheck "Allow privacy-preserving ad measurement" if you want stricter clearing, though Safari does not have a straightforward toggle for automatic cache clearing the way Chrome and Firefox do.
What clearing cache will and will not do
Clearing cache will make websites load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing, because your browser has to read fresh copies of images and files. It will not delete your saved passwords, unless you specifically check that box when clearing. It will not delete your browsing history, unless you specifically check that box. It will not sign you out of websites, though some sites may ask you to log in again the first time you visit.
Clearing cache will free up storage space on your device, though usually not a huge amount unless you have not cleared it in years. If your device is running out of storage, clearing cache is worth doing, but you will probably need to delete larger things like old photos or videos to make real space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No, unless you specifically check the box for "Cookies" or "Passwords" when you clear cache. Cache and cookies are different things. If you only check "Cached images and files", your passwords stay.
Why does a website look broken after I clear cache?
It usually is not actually broken — the website is just loading fresh copies of images and code. Refresh the page (press F5 or Ctrl+R on Windows, Command+R on Mac). If it still looks wrong after refreshing, the website itself may have a problem, not your cache.
How much storage space will I free up by clearing cache?
It depends on how long it has been since you last cleared it and how much you browse. Usually between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes. If your device is almost full, clearing cache helps, but deleting old photos or videos will free up much more space.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of all of them?
In Chrome and Firefox, yes. When you clear browsing data, look for an option that says "All time" or "Time range" — change it to a specific date range, or look for a "Manage Site Data" button that lets you pick individual websites. In Safari and Edge, you have to clear all cache at once.
What if clearing cache does not fix the problem?
If a website still looks broken or an app still crashes after clearing cache, try restarting your device. If that does not work, the problem is probably not cache — it may be a problem with the website or app itself, or with your internet connection.