What clearing your cache does and why you might need to

Clearing your cache removes temporary files your browser or apps store on your device. These files speed up loading when you revisit websites or use apps again, but they can also take up storage space, cause pages to load incorrectly, or contain outdated information. Clearing cache is one of the first troubleshooting steps when a website looks broken, a page won't load, or you want to free up disk space.

Cache lives in different places depending on what you're using — your web browser stores one type, your operating system stores another, and individual apps store their own. Each one clears differently, and you don't have to clear all of them at once.

Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, saved addresses, or login information unless you specifically choose those options during the clearing process. Most browsers let you pick exactly what to delete.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache clears through Settings or Preferences in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — the steps differ slightly for each one.
  • On Windows, you can also clear temporary files through Disk Cleanup or Settings; on Mac, use Storage in System Settings.
  • Mobile devices (iPhone, Android) clear cache through their Settings app, usually under Storage or Apps.
  • Clearing cache removes temporary files but keeps your passwords and login information intact unless you uncheck those options.
  • If a website still looks broken after clearing cache, try opening it in a private or incognito window to rule out cache as the problem.

Clearing cache in Chrome

Open Chrome and press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac. This opens the Clear Browsing Data window directly. At the top, choose the time range — "All time" clears everything, or pick a specific range like "Last hour" or "Last 7 days".

Check the box next to "Cached images and files" and uncheck everything else unless you want to delete more. Then click "Clear data". The process takes a few seconds. If you want to clear cache automatically every time you close Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data, then toggle on "Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome".

Clearing cache in Firefox

Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac to open the Clear Recent History window. At the top, choose your time range. Make sure "Cache" is checked — it's usually checked by default — and uncheck anything else you don't want to delete.

Click "Clear Now". To clear cache automatically on exit, go to Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to "Cookies and Site Data", and check "Clear cookies and site data when Firefox closes".

Clearing cache in Safari and Edge

In Safari on Mac, go to History > Clear History, choose the time period from the dropdown, and click "Clear History". This clears cache along with browsing history. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

In Edge on Windows or Mac, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac). Choose your time range, check "Cached images and files", and click "Clear now". You can also set Edge to clear cache on exit through Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Clear browsing data.

Clearing cache on Windows without using a browser

If you want to clear temporary files stored by Windows itself, open Settings and go to System > Storage > Temporary files. Windows shows you how much space temporary files are using. Check the boxes next to the file types you want to delete — usually "Temporary files" and "Recycle Bin" — then click "Remove files".

You can also use Disk Cleanup, an older Windows tool that does the same thing. Press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup", and open it. Select your drive, check the boxes next to file types, and click "OK". Both methods are safe and won't affect how Windows runs.

Clearing cache on Mac

Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. Mac shows a breakdown of what's using space. Click "Empty Trash" if you want to permanently delete files in your trash. To clear browser cache on Mac, use the browser's own clearing tool (see the Chrome, Firefox, and Safari sections above) — Mac doesn't have a system-wide cache clearing tool like Windows does.

If you want to clear cache for a specific app, go to System Settings > General > Storage, find the app in the list, click it, and look for an option to clear its cache or data. Not all apps offer this option.

Clearing cache on iPhone and Android

On iPhone, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Choose whether to clear history from the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time. This clears Safari's cache. For other browsers like Chrome or Firefox on iPhone, open the app, go to its settings, and look for a "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache" option.

On Android, open Settings > Apps, find your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.), and tap "Storage & cache" > "Clear cache". You can also go directly into Chrome and press the three-dot menu > Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data, choose your time range, and tap "Clear browsing data".

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, unless you specifically check the box for "Passwords" or "Autofill data" during the clearing process. Most cache-clearing tools separate passwords from cached files, so you can clear one without touching the other. Check what boxes are selected before you click "Clear".

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, scripts, and other files to make websites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like login status and preferences. They're separate, and you can clear one without the other. Most browsers let you choose which to delete.

Should I clear cache regularly?

Only if you're running low on storage or a website isn't working correctly. Cache actually helps pages load faster, so clearing it frequently means websites will load slower the next time you visit them. Clear cache when you have a specific reason, not as routine maintenance.

Why does a website still look broken after I cleared cache?

Try opening the site in a private or incognito window, which doesn't use cache at all. If it looks normal there, cache was the problem and clearing it should fix it on your next regular visit. If it still looks broken in incognito mode, the problem is something else — contact the website's support.

Can I clear cache for just one website?

Most browsers don't offer a simple way to clear cache for a single site. The easiest workaround is to open the site in an incognito or private window, which bypasses cache entirely. Otherwise, you'll need to clear all cache and accept that other sites will load slower until their cache rebuilds.