What clearing cache and data does
Clearing cache and data removes temporary files your iPhone stores while using apps and Safari. Cache is the small pieces of information apps save to load faster next time — images, login details, browsing history. Data is the larger information apps keep: messages, photos, settings you've customized. Clearing both frees up storage space and can fix apps that freeze, crash, or load slowly.
You have two choices: clear cache and data for one app at a time, or clear Safari's cache across your whole phone. Most of the time you'll want to target a single misbehaving app rather than wipe everything. If your iPhone is running low on storage, clearing Safari's cache can give you back several gigabytes.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing an app's cache and data removes temporary files the app stored, which often fixes freezing or crashing without deleting your actual content like messages or photos.
- You can clear individual apps through Settings > General > iPhone Storage, or clear Safari's cache through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Clearing cache usually takes less than a minute and is safe to do — you won't lose passwords or important information unless you specifically choose to clear that data.
- If an app still misbehaves after clearing its cache, uninstalling and reinstalling it is the next step.
Clear cache and data for a single app
Go to Settings on your home screen, then tap General. Scroll down and tap iPhone Storage. You'll see a list of all your apps sorted by how much space they use. Find the app that's giving you trouble and tap its name.
On the app's information screen, you'll see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data — photos, messages, saved games, anything the app created. When you reinstall it from the App Store, your data comes back. This clears the cache without losing what matters.
If you want to delete the app completely and start fresh, tap Delete App instead, then Delete App again to confirm. You'll lose any data stored only in that app, but your photos and messages stay safe because they're stored separately on your phone.
Clear Safari's cache and browsing history
Open Settings and scroll down to Safari — it's usually near the bottom of the list. Tap Safari, then scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data. A menu will appear asking what time period to clear: the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time. Choose all time to clear everything, or pick a smaller window if you only want to remove recent history.
Tap Clear History and Data to confirm. This removes your browsing history, cookies, and cached website files. It does not remove saved passwords or credit card information unless you specifically choose those options in the same menu. If you want to keep your passwords but clear everything else, leave those boxes unchecked.
This action usually takes a few seconds. You'll notice Safari loads slightly slower the first time you visit a website afterward, because it's rebuilding the cache with fresh files.
Clear cache without losing app data
If you want to keep everything in an app — your messages, photos, game progress, login information — but just clear the temporary files slowing it down, use Offload App instead of Delete App. Offload removes the app and its cache but preserves your data in iCloud or on your phone.
After you offload, go back to the App Store, search for the app, and tap the download button to reinstall it. When it opens, your data will be there. This takes about two minutes total and fixes most apps that freeze or crash without losing anything you care about.
Some apps store data in iCloud automatically, so you don't lose it even if you delete the app completely. Check the app's settings before you delete to see whether it backs up to iCloud. Most social media and messaging apps do this.
When to clear cache versus when to restart your phone
Before you clear cache, try restarting your iPhone first. Many freezing and crashing problems go away after a restart because it clears temporary memory your phone is using. Hold the power button until you see the power-off slider, drag it to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then hold power again until the Apple logo appears.
If restarting doesn't fix the problem, then clear the app's cache. If clearing cache doesn't work, offload and reinstall the app. This three-step order saves you time because restarting is fastest and works most often.
Clear Safari's cache when you notice your phone is running low on storage or Safari is loading pages slowly. You can do this monthly as maintenance without waiting for a problem to appear.
What you won't lose when clearing cache
Clearing cache and data does not delete your photos, messages, contacts, or calendar events. Those are stored separately from app cache. Your iCloud backup, if you have one turned on, stays intact. Passwords you've saved in Safari remain unless you specifically check the box to clear them.
The only things you lose are temporary files the app created to speed itself up — thumbnails of images you've viewed, parts of web pages you've browsed, login sessions that let you stay signed in. The app will recreate these files the next time you use it, which is why it might load slightly slower on first use after clearing cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache make my iPhone faster?
Clearing cache can make a slow app faster, but it won't speed up your whole phone noticeably. If Safari or a specific app is sluggish, clearing its cache often helps. If your entire phone feels slow, the problem is usually low storage space or too many apps running at once, not cache.
Can I clear cache without losing my passwords?
Yes. When you clear Safari's cache through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, leave the "Passwords and autofill data" box unchecked. Your saved passwords stay on your phone. For individual apps, offloading the app preserves all your data including passwords.
How often should I clear my cache?
You don't need to clear cache on a schedule. Clear it when an app starts acting up, when your phone is running low on storage, or when Safari feels slow. Monthly clearing of Safari's cache is reasonable if you browse heavily, but it's not necessary for most people.
What's the difference between offloading and deleting an app?
Offloading removes the app and its cache but keeps your data — messages, photos, game progress. Deleting removes everything. Use offload if you want to keep your data; use delete if you want to start completely fresh or if the app is taking up too much space.
Will clearing cache fix an app that keeps crashing?
Clearing cache fixes crashing about half the time. If it doesn't work, offload and reinstall the app. If the app still crashes after reinstalling, the problem is usually with the app itself or your iPhone's storage is too full — try deleting other apps or photos to free up space.