What cache is and why you might want to clear it

Cache is temporary data that programs and websites store on your device to load faster next time. Your browser saves images, scripts, and login information. Apps do the same. Over time, this cache builds up and can slow your device down, use storage space, or cause a website to show you outdated information.

Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or saved files — it only removes the temporary copies. After you clear it, websites and apps will take a few extra seconds to load the first time you visit, then cache new data again.

You might clear cache if a website looks broken, if you are running low on storage space, or if you want to remove browsing history that cache might have kept. The steps differ depending on whether you use a computer or phone, and which browser or app you are clearing.

Key Takeaways

  • Cache is temporary data stored by your browser and apps to make them load faster, and clearing it frees up storage without deleting passwords or bookmarks.
  • On Windows, open your browser settings, find the "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache" option, select the time range, and click the button to delete.
  • On Mac, the steps are similar but located in different menu paths depending on whether you use Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
  • On phones, cache clearing is usually found in Settings under Apps or Storage, or within the browser or app itself.
  • Clearing cache regularly can help your device run faster and recover storage space, especially if you have not cleared it in months.

Clearing cache on Windows in Chrome

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner for three vertical dots (the menu button). Click it, then select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.

A window will pop up. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says "All time", "Last hour", "Last 24 hours", or other options. Choose how far back you want to clear. Below that, make sure the box next to Cached images and files is checked. You can also check Cookies and other site data if you want to clear login information, but that will log you out of websites. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.

Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You may see a brief loading message. When it finishes, close the window and you are done.

Clearing cache on Windows in Firefox and Edge

In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right, then select Settings. Click Privacy & Security on the left. Under "Cookies and Site Data", click the Clear Data button. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked, then click Clear.

In Microsoft Edge, click the three dots in the top right, then select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Under "Clear browsing data", click Choose what to clear. Check Cached images and files, then click Clear now.

Both browsers will clear the cache within seconds. The exact wording and button locations may shift slightly between versions, but the general path is the same: menu, settings, privacy section, then clear cache.

Clearing cache on Mac in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox

On Safari, click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Clear History. A dropdown will appear asking how far back to clear — choose your time range. Click Clear History again to confirm. Safari clears both history and cache together.

On Chrome for Mac, click the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then click Privacy and security. Click Clear browsing data, make sure Cached images and files is checked, and click Clear data.

On Firefox for Mac, click Firefox in the top menu bar, select Settings, then click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" and click Clear Data. Check Cached Web Content and click Clear.

Clearing cache on iPhone and iPad

On Safari, open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose whether to clear from the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time. Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.

On Chrome for iPhone, tap the three dots in the bottom right, select Settings, tap Privacy, then tap Clear Browsing Data. Check Cached Images and Files, choose your time range at the top, and tap Clear Browsing Data.

On Firefox for iPhone, tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right, tap Settings, tap Privacy, then tap Clear Private Data. Make sure Cache is checked and tap Clear Private Data.

Clearing cache on Android phones

On Chrome for Android, tap the three dots in the top right, select Settings, tap Privacy and security, then tap Clear browsing data. Check Cached images and files, choose your time range, and tap Clear data.

On Firefox for Android, tap the three lines at the bottom right, select Settings, tap Delete browsing data, check Cache, and tap Delete browsing data.

If you want to clear cache for all apps on your phone at once, open Settings, go to Apps or Application Manager, find the app you want to clear, tap it, then tap Storage or Storage and cache. Tap Clear cache. This removes cache without deleting the app itself or your login information.

What to do if clearing cache does not fix your problem

If a website still looks broken after clearing cache, try closing the browser completely and opening it again. Sometimes a full restart helps more than cache clearing alone. If the problem continues, try a different browser to see if the issue is specific to one program.

If your device is still slow after clearing cache, the problem may be something else — too many apps running, low storage space, or an outdated operating system. Check how much free storage you have left by going to Settings and looking for Storage or About. If you are below 10% free space, you may need to delete large files or apps you no longer use.

If you cleared cache and now websites are asking you to log in again, that is normal — cache included login cookies. You can log back in, and the browser will cache your login again for next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Cache only stores temporary files like images and scripts. Passwords are saved separately in your browser's password manager. If you want to keep passwords but clear cache, make sure the "Cookies and site data" or "Cookies" box is unchecked when you clear.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no set schedule. Clear cache when your device feels slow, when you are running low on storage, or when a website is not loading correctly. Many people clear it once a month or once every few months. You can also set your browser to clear cache automatically every time you close it.

Can I clear cache for just one website instead of all of them?

Most browsers do not have a built-in way to clear cache for a single site. Your best option is to clear all cache, or to open the website in an incognito or private window, which does not save cache at all.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?

Cache stores images, scripts, and other files to make pages load faster. Cookies store login information, preferences, and tracking data. Clearing cache frees space; clearing cookies logs you out of websites. You can clear one without the other.

Does clearing cache make my device faster?

It can, especially if cache has built up over months. A smaller cache means your device has less data to manage. The speed boost is usually noticeable only if your storage was nearly full or if cache had grown very large.