How to clear cache on iPhone

Short answer: iPhone has no single “clear cache” button. You clear cache app by app — Safari in Settings, Chrome and many other apps inside the app itself. For apps without such an option, offloading or reinstalling the app resets its stored data. Below is where to find each option.

What cache is and when clearing it helps

Cache is temporary data an app saves so it loads faster next time: images from websites, video previews, feed content, songs you have played. It is safe to delete — the app simply downloads what it needs again. Clearing cache makes sense when:

• an app or website behaves strangely — old content, a broken page, login loops;
• an app shows several gigabytes under Documents & Data in Settings → General → iPhone Storage;
• your iPhone is short on space and you have already dealt with photos and videos.

Do not expect miracles: in many apps the cache refills within days of normal use. For a lasting effect, combine it with limits (several apps let you cap cache size) and a look at what else is using space — see how to check iPhone storage.

How to clear Safari cache on iPhone

Safari is the only app whose cache you clear from the Settings app.

1. Open Settings → Apps → Safari (iOS 18 and later; the Apps list is at the very bottom of Settings). On iOS 17 and earlier it is Settings → Safari.
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
3. Choose the time range (All History is the most thorough), then confirm.

This removes history, cookies and cached files on all devices signed in to the same iCloud account with Safari sync on. You will be signed out of most websites.

Keep your history, clear only the data: go to Safari → Advanced → Website Data. It lists sites by size; swipe left on one to delete it, or tap Remove All Website Data.

How to clear Chrome cache on iPhone

1. Open Chrome and tap the … (More) button.
2. Choose Delete Browsing Data (called Clear Browsing Data in older versions; also found under Settings → Privacy and Security).
3. Pick a time range, tick Cached Images and Files, untick anything you want to keep (passwords, history), and confirm.

Other browsers work the same way: look for “Clear data” or “Privacy” in the browser’s own settings.

How to clear app cache on iPhone

Some apps have a built-in button. Menu names change with updates, so if you do not see the exact item, look in the app’s settings for “Storage”, “Cache” or “Free up space”.

TikTok

Profile → ☰ menu → Settings and privacy → Free up space, then tap Clear next to Cache. TikTok cache often grows to a few gigabytes.

Snapchat

Tap your profile, then the gear icon → Account Actions → Clear Cache. Your Memories and chats are not affected.

Spotify, YouTube Music and other streaming apps

Spotify: Settings → Storage → Clear cache. The bigger item is usually downloads — songs and podcasts saved for offline listening. Remove them in the same Storage section or per playlist. The same applies to Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube: check the Downloads section of each app and delete what you have already watched.

Telegram

Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Usage → Clear Cache. On the same screen, set Keep Media to a week or a month and a maximum cache size, so it does not grow back. Your chats and files stay in the Telegram cloud. Details: how to clear Telegram storage.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp on iPhone has no cache button. Its storage is mostly media in chats: Settings → Storage and Data → Manage Storage shows large files and chats sorted by size. See how to reduce WhatsApp storage.

Instagram, Facebook and apps without a button

Instagram and Facebook on iPhone do not offer a cache option. Here the only reliable method is the next one.

Offload or reinstall to reset Documents & Data

In Settings → General → iPhone Storage, tap an app. You will see two numbers: App Size (the app itself) and Documents & Data (cache, downloads, settings). Two buttons:

• Offload App — removes the app but keeps its documents and data. This frees only the App Size, so it does not clear cache.
• Delete App — removes the app and all its data. Reinstall it from the App Store and the cache is gone.

Before deleting, make sure you know your login and that the app keeps your content in the cloud (Instagram, TikTok, Spotify do; offline notes or game progress without an account may not). Downloads inside the app will need to be downloaded again.

Restart your iPhone

iOS also keeps its own temporary files. Part of them is cleared on restart, which is why a simple restart sometimes frees a few hundred megabytes and fixes glitches. Press and hold the side button and a volume button, slide to power off, then turn the phone back on. If the system category itself is huge, read what System Data is and how to reduce it.

What cache clearing will not fix

For most people the largest category is Photos, not cache. If your storage is still tight after clearing caches, the real space is in videos, screenshots and old shots. Going through them is faster one by one: Temfy shows your library one photo at a time — swipe left to mark for deletion, right to keep — and deletes everything you marked with one confirmation at the end.

FAQ

Is it safe to clear cache on iPhone?

Yes. Cache is temporary. Clearing website data in Safari signs you out of sites, and deleting an app removes anything it stored only locally — that is the only thing to watch for.

Does clearing cache delete photos?

No. Your photo library is not cache. Media saved inside an app (for example, Telegram files you never saved to Photos) may need to be downloaded again.

How often should I clear cache?

Only when an app misbehaves or you need space. Clearing it constantly gives little: apps rebuild it and may load slower in the meantime.