What resetting an app means and when you need to do it
Resetting an app on your iPhone means clearing out all the data that app has stored — your login information, settings, saved files, cached images, and anything else the app remembers about how you use it. After a reset, the app behaves as if you just downloaded it for the first time.
You might reset an app because it's crashing repeatedly, freezing when you open it, or behaving strangely. You might also reset it if you're selling the phone and want to remove your personal data from a particular app, or if you're troubleshooting a login problem. Resetting is different from uninstalling — you keep the app itself, but you wipe its memory clean.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to reset most apps is to offload them through Settings, which removes the app but keeps your data, then reinstall it from the App Store.
- You can also clear an app's cache and data by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, finding the app, and tapping "Offload App."
- Some apps let you reset directly within the app itself — look in the app's settings or preferences menu for a "Clear Data" or "Reset" option.
- Resetting an app will sign you out of any accounts you were logged into within that app, so have your passwords ready before you start.
Offloading and reinstalling an app — the most reliable method
The most straightforward way to reset an app is to offload it, which removes the app from your phone but keeps your data safe in iCloud, then reinstall it fresh. Open Settings on your home screen. Tap General, then tap iPhone Storage. Scroll down and find the app you want to reset.
Tap the app name. You'll see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App. Your phone will ask you to confirm — tap Offload again. The app icon will disappear from your home screen, but the app data stays in iCloud.
Now go to the App Store and search for the app by name. Tap the download cloud icon (or the plus sign, depending on your iOS version) to reinstall it. Once it finishes installing, open the app. It will start fresh with no saved data, no login information, and no cached files. You'll need to log back in and set up your preferences again.
Clearing cache and data without removing the app
If you want to keep the app installed but clear out just the cached files and temporary data it's storing, you can do this through iPhone Storage without offloading. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and find your app in the list.
Tap the app. You'll see how much space it's using, broken down into the app size and the data size. Unfortunately, iOS doesn't give you a button to clear only the cache — offloading is the only built-in way to wipe everything. However, some apps have their own internal reset options. Open the app itself and look in its settings or preferences menu for options like Clear Cache, Clear Data, Reset, or Start Over. These vary widely by app.
Resetting specific apps with built-in options
Many apps include their own reset or clear-data button inside the app. Open the app and look for a settings icon (usually a gear symbol) or a menu button (three horizontal lines). Tap it and search for options labeled Clear Cache, Clear Data, Reset App, Start Fresh, or Manage Storage.
For example, some messaging apps let you clear your chat history and cached media from within the app's settings. Email apps often have an option to clear downloaded messages. Social media apps may have a "Clear Cache" button that removes stored images and videos without signing you out. The exact wording and location differ by app, so you may need to explore the settings menu or check the app's help section.
What happens to your data when you reset
When you offload an app, your app data is saved to iCloud if you have iCloud backup turned on. If you reinstall the app and sign back in with the same account, some apps will restore your data automatically — for example, many email and note-taking apps will sync your content back down. Other apps, especially games and social media, may not restore your saved progress or settings.
If you clear cache only (through the app's internal settings), you're removing temporary files and images the app downloaded, but your account login and main data usually stay intact. You'll still be signed in when you reopen the app. However, you may need to re-download images, reload pages, or wait for content to load again since the cached copies are gone.
Troubleshooting if an app won't reset or keeps crashing
If offloading doesn't work — for example, if the app is stuck or won't download from the App Store — try a force restart of your iPhone. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Side button (or Top button on older models) until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.
After the restart, try offloading the app again. If the app still won't reinstall, check that you have enough free storage space. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and look at the available space at the top. If you're low on storage, delete photos, videos, or other apps you don't need, then try reinstalling.
If the app crashes immediately after you reinstall it, the problem may be with your iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Outdated iOS can cause app crashes. After updating, try opening the app again.
When to reset versus when to uninstall completely
Reset an app when you want to keep using it but need to clear out old data, fix a glitch, or start fresh with your settings. Uninstall an app (by tapping Delete App instead of Offload App) when you no longer want it on your phone and don't plan to use it again soon. Uninstalling frees up more storage space than offloading because it removes both the app and its data.
If you uninstall an app and later reinstall it, you'll lose any data that wasn't backed up to iCloud or to the app's own servers. For apps like email or cloud storage, your data is usually safe because it's stored online. For games, notes, or other apps that store data locally on your phone, uninstalling means losing that data permanently unless you've backed it up elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting an app delete my account or my data on the app's servers?
No. Resetting only removes the app from your phone and clears what it stored locally. Your account and any data saved to the app's servers (like photos in a cloud service or messages on a messaging platform) stay intact. When you reinstall and log back in, that data is still there.
Do I need to know my password before I reset an app?
Yes. Resetting an app signs you out, so you'll need to log back in. If you don't remember your password, use the app's "Forgot Password" option to reset it before you offload the app. That way you won't be locked out after reinstalling.
How much storage space does resetting an app free up?
It depends on the app. Offloading removes both the app and its cached data, which can free up anywhere from a few megabytes to several gigabytes. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much space each app is using before you offload it.
Can I reset just one app, or do I have to reset all of them?
You can reset individual apps one at a time. Go through iPhone Storage and offload only the apps that are giving you trouble or that you want to clear out. Other apps stay untouched with all their data and settings intact.
What if I reset an app by accident?
If you offloaded an app by accident but haven't reinstalled it yet, your data is still safe in iCloud. Reinstall the app from the App Store and log back in — your data should sync back down. If you already reinstalled it and lost data, check whether the app has a web version or a backup option where your data might be stored online.