What "clearing" your iPhone actually means
Clearing your iPhone can mean different things depending on what you want to remove. You might want to free up storage space by deleting old photos and apps, erase everything before selling it, or just clean out cached data that's slowing things down. Each approach uses different steps, so it helps to know which one solves your actual problem before you start.
The three most common scenarios are: removing individual apps and files to make room, wiping your entire phone to factory settings, and clearing temporary files that apps store without your realizing it. This guide covers all three, so you can pick the one that matches what you're trying to do.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting apps and old photos is the fastest way to free up storage if you just need a few gigabytes back.
- A factory reset erases everything on your phone and cannot be undone, so back up your data first if you want to keep anything.
- Clearing app cache and temporary files removes data apps store without asking, but does not delete your photos, messages, or documents.
- Before any major deletion, connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your phone, because the process can take 30 minutes or longer.
Freeing up storage by deleting apps and photos
If your iPhone is running low on space, the fastest fix is usually to delete apps you no longer use and old photos you have already backed up. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see a list of what is taking up the most room. Apps are usually the biggest culprits, followed by photos and videos.
To delete an app, find it in the iPhone Storage list, tap it, and select Offload App or Delete App. Offload removes the app but keeps your data in case you reinstall it later. Delete removes both the app and its data. For photos, open the Photos app, select the ones you want to remove, tap the trash icon, and confirm. Deleted photos go to your Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before they disappear permanently, so you have time to change your mind.
If you have a lot of old photos, you can also delete entire albums at once. Go to the Albums tab in Photos, scroll down to find albums you created, tap Edit, and delete the ones you no longer need. This is much faster than deleting individual photos one by one.
Clearing cached data and temporary files
Apps store temporary files called cache to load faster the next time you use them. Over time, this cache can add up and slow your phone down. Clearing it does not delete your actual data — your messages, photos, and documents stay — but it does remove the temporary copies apps have stored.
The easiest way is to go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find an app you use often, and tap it. You will see two numbers: the app size and the documents and data size. The documents and data is mostly cache. Tap Offload App, wait for it to finish, then tap the app again and select Reinstall App. This clears the cache without deleting your login information or settings.
For Safari specifically, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Choose how far back you want to clear — last hour, last day, last week, or all time — and tap Clear. This removes browsing history, cookies, and cached web pages, but does not affect your saved passwords unless you specifically choose that option.
Performing a factory reset to erase everything
A factory reset wipes your entire iPhone and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is what you want to do before selling or giving away your phone, or if your phone is so cluttered or slow that you want to start fresh. This cannot be undone, so only do this if you have backed up everything you want to keep.
Before you start, back up your phone to iCloud or your computer. To back up to iCloud, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. To back up to a Mac, connect your phone with a cable, open Finder, click your phone's name in the sidebar, and click Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish completely — this can take 20 minutes or more depending on how much data you have.
Once your backup is done, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID password and confirm. The phone will then erase everything and restart. This process takes 10 to 30 minutes. Do not unplug your phone or turn it off during this time.
When the reset is finished, your phone will show the setup screen as if it were brand new. You can then sign back in with your Apple ID and restore from your backup, or set it up as a new phone.
Removing data before selling or giving away your phone
If you are selling your iPhone or giving it to someone else, a factory reset is the right choice, but there are a few extra steps to make sure your data stays private. First, remove your phone from your Apple ID account before you erase it. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Password, enter your Apple ID password, and scroll down to find your phone in the list of devices. Tap it and select Remove from Account.
Then perform the factory reset as described above. This removes Activation Lock, which is a security feature that prevents someone else from using your phone without your Apple ID password. If you skip this step, the new owner will get stuck on the setup screen and will not be able to use the phone.
After the reset is complete, do not sign back in. Leave the phone on the setup screen so the new owner can set it up with their own Apple ID. If you are mailing the phone, include a note that it has been erased and is ready to set up.
What to do if your phone is frozen or not responding
If your iPhone is frozen and will not respond to taps or swipes, you can force it to restart without erasing anything. The steps depend on which iPhone model you have. On iPhone X and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the power-off slider. Drag the slider to turn off the phone, wait 30 seconds, then press the Side button again to turn it back on.
On iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the power-off slider appears, drag it to turn off the phone, wait 30 seconds, then press the button again to turn it back on. This is a force restart, not a factory reset — it does not erase anything, it just forces the phone to shut down and start again. Try this first if your phone is frozen, because it usually fixes the problem without any data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover photos after I delete them from my iPhone?
Yes, for 30 days. Deleted photos go to the Recently Deleted album in your Photos app. Open Photos, tap Albums, scroll down to Recently Deleted, select the photos you want back, and tap Recover. After 30 days, they are permanently gone and cannot be recovered.
Will clearing cache delete my passwords or login information?
No. Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Your saved passwords, login information, and settings stay on your phone. If you want to remove passwords, you have to do that separately in Settings > Passwords.
How much storage space will I free up by clearing cache?
It depends on how long you have used your apps. Clearing cache usually frees up between 500 megabytes and 2 gigabytes, but heavy users of apps like Instagram, YouTube, or Safari might see more. Check your iPhone Storage list before and after to see the difference.
What happens if I turn off my phone during a factory reset?
Do not do this. If you interrupt a factory reset by turning off the phone or unplugging it, your phone may not restart properly and you may need to restore it using a computer. If this happens, connect your phone to a Mac or Windows computer, open Finder or iTunes, and follow the restore steps.
Do I need to remove my SIM card before selling my iPhone?
Yes. Your SIM card contains your phone number and carrier information. Remove it before you hand over the phone. On most iPhones, there is a small hole on the side of the phone — use a SIM ejector tool (or a straightened paperclip) to push the tray out, then pull out the SIM card.