What cache is and why you might clear it

Cache is temporary data that apps and Safari store on your iPhone to load faster next time. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, text, and code. When you use an app, it stores login information, settings, and pieces of content. This speeds things up — but over time, cache can take up storage space or cause an app to behave oddly.

You do not need to clear cache regularly. Most people clear it only when an app is glitchy, when they want to free up storage space, or when they are selling or giving away their phone. Clearing cache will not delete your passwords, photos, or messages — it only removes the temporary files apps use behind the scenes.

The process differs depending on whether you want to clear Safari cache, app cache, or both. Each method takes less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari cache clears through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, where you choose a time range and what types of data to remove.
  • Individual app cache clears through Settings > General > iPhone Storage, where you select an app and tap Offload App or Delete App.
  • Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, photos, messages, or login information — only temporary files.
  • You can also clear cache by signing out of iCloud or resetting network settings, though these affect more than just cache.

Clear Safari cache and browsing data

Open Settings and scroll down to find Safari. Tap it, then scroll to the bottom and tap Clear History and Website Data. A popup will appear with three options for what time period to clear: the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time. Choose the range you want.

Below that, you will see checkboxes for what data to remove. Cookies and Site Data is checked by default — this removes login information for websites you visit, so you may need to sign back in. Browsing History removes the list of sites you have visited. You can uncheck either one if you want to keep it. Tap Clear History and Data to finish.

Clear cache for individual apps

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You will see a list of apps sorted by how much space they use. Find the app you want to clear cache for and tap it. You will see two options: Offload App and Delete App.

Tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data — when you reinstall it, your settings and saved information return. This clears most cache without losing anything important. If you want to remove the app entirely, tap Delete App instead, then tap Delete App again to confirm.

After offloading, go to the App Store, search for the app, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it. It will download fresh, with cache cleared.

Clear cache through iCloud sign-out

If you want to clear cache across your entire phone at once, you can sign out of iCloud. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and choose whether to keep a copy of your iCloud data on your phone. Tap Sign Out again to confirm.

This clears cache system-wide but also removes access to iCloud features like Find My iPhone and iCloud Photos until you sign back in. Sign back in by tapping Sign in to your iPhone on the same screen and entering your Apple ID credentials.

Reset network settings to clear DNS cache

If websites are loading slowly or showing outdated versions, your phone's DNS cache might be the problem. This is separate from app and Safari cache. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your passcode and tap Reset Network Settings to confirm.

This clears DNS cache and forgets all saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth connections. You will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and pair Bluetooth devices again. This is a more drastic step and usually only necessary if websites are behaving strangely.

What happens after you clear cache

After clearing cache, apps and websites will take slightly longer to load the first time you use them, because your phone has to download fresh data. Subsequent visits will be fast again as new cache builds up. You will likely need to sign back into websites and apps if you cleared cookies.

If you cleared cache because an app was crashing or freezing, it should work normally now. If the problem persists after clearing cache and reinstalling, the issue is likely something else — try restarting your phone or checking for app updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?

No. Cache is only temporary data that apps use to load faster. Your photos, messages, contacts, and passwords stay on your phone. Only the temporary files that apps store behind the scenes are removed.

How much storage space does cache usually take up?

It varies widely. Safari cache might be a few hundred megabytes, while a single app like Instagram or TikTok can store several gigabytes. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much space each app is using.

Should I clear cache regularly?

Not unless you are running low on storage or an app is misbehaving. Cache helps apps run faster, so clearing it frequently can actually slow things down. Clear it only when you have a reason to.

What is the difference between clearing cache and offloading an app?

Clearing cache removes temporary files but keeps the app installed. Offloading removes the app entirely while keeping your data — when you reinstall it, your settings return but cache is gone. Offloading clears more but requires reinstalling.

Do I need to clear cache before selling my iPhone?

You should do a full factory reset instead, which clears everything including cache, apps, and personal data. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This is more thorough than clearing cache alone.