How to Clear Cache on iPhone: Complete Guide (2026)

In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to clear cache on iPhone, including Safari cache, app cache, and system data. Whether you have an iPhone 11, 13, 15, or the latest iPhone 17 running iOS 26, these methods work for all models from iOS 15 onwards.

Before you start clearing data, it’s wise to How to Back Up Your iPhone Before Clearing Data to ensure your important information stays safe.

What is Cache and Why Does It Matter?

Cache is temporary data that apps and websites store on your iPhone to load faster next time you use them. While this sounds helpful, cache files pile up over time and can consume gigabytes of storage space.

Benefits of clearing cache:

• Free up storage space – Often recovers 1-5GB instantly
• Improve performance – Makes your iPhone run faster
• Fix app glitches – Resolves freezing or crashing issues
• Protect privacy – Removes browsing history and website data
• Refresh content – Ensures you see the latest versions of websites

When your iPhone storage full warning appears, clearing cache should be your first solution before deleting photos or apps.

How to Check Your iPhone Storage

Before you start clearing cache on iphone, check what’s taking up space:

• 1-Open Settings

• 2-Tap General

• 3-Select iPhone Storage

• 4-Wait for the storage analysis to load

You’ll see a colorful bar showing how your storage is divided. Below that, apps are listed by size. Pay attention to Safari history and website data and Documents and Data iPhone sections these often contain hidden cache.

How to Clear Safari Cache on iPhone

Safari is usually the biggest cache culprit. Here’s how to clear cache on iPhone safari in two ways:

Method 1: Clear History and Website Data (Fastest)

This method is perfect for iOS cache management and removes everything at once:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Scroll down and tap Safari
3. Scroll to the bottom
4. Tap Clear History and Website Data
5. Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data

⚠️ Warning: This logs you out of all websites and removes your browsing history.

Method 2: Clear Cache Without Deleting History

If you want to keep your browsing history but clear cache and cookies on iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > Safari
2. Scroll down to Advanced
3. Tap Website Data
4. Tap Remove All Website Data
5. Confirm your choice

This method preserves your Safari history while clearing cached website files. For more detailed guidance, visit Apple Official Support – Clear Cache and Cookies.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Safari for Specific Sites

Want to clear cache on iphone for just one website? Here’s how:

1. Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data
2. Use the search bar to find the specific website
3. Swipe left on the site name
4. Tap Delete

This selective approach is perfect when only one site is causing issues.

How to Clear App Cache on iPhone

Unlike Android, iOS doesn’t have a built-in “clear app cache iphone” button for most apps. You have three options:

Option 1: Offload Unused Apps (Recommended)

The offload unused apps feature removes the app but keeps its data:

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
2. Scroll to find the app with large cache
3. Tap the app name
4. Select Offload App
5. Tap Offload App again to confirm

To get the app back with your data intact, tap Reinstall App.

Option 2: Delete and Reinstall Apps

For a complete clear cache iphone solution:

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
2. Select the problematic app
3. Tap Delete App
4. Go to the App Store
5. Download the app again

⚠️ Note: This erases all app data and settings. You’ll need to log in again.

Option 3: Use Built-in App Settings

Some apps have their own cache-clearing options:

Instagram:

1. Open Instagram
2. Go to Profile > Menu (three lines) > Settings and Privacy
3. Tap Clear cache

TikTok:

1. Profile > Menu > Settings and Privacy
2. Tap Free up space
3. Select Clear next to Cache

Snapchat:

1. Profile icon > Settings gear
2. Tap Clear Cache
3. Confirm Clear All

This is the safest way to clear app cache without losing your login or settings.

How to Clear Cache on iPhone 11, 13, 15, and 16

The process for how to clear cache on iPhone 15 is identical to iPhone 11, 13, or 16. All models running iOS 15 through iOS 26 follow the same steps outlined above.

iOS 26 Update (2026): Apple has improved iOS cache management with automatic cleanup features. Your iPhone now suggests apps to offload when storage runs low, making it easier to free up space on iphone.

iPhone Model	iOS Version	Cache Clearing Method
iPhone 11	iOS 15-17	Safari + Offload Apps
iPhone 13	iOS 15-19	Safari + Offload Apps
iPhone 15	iOS 17-26	Safari + Offload Apps + Auto Cleanup
iPhone 16	iOS 18-26	Safari + Offload Apps + Auto Cleanup

How to Clear Chrome Cache on iPhone

If you use Chrome instead of Safari, here’s how to clear cache on my phone for Chrome:

1. Open the Chrome app
2. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the bottom right
3. Select Settings
4. Tap Privacy and Security
5. Select Clear Browsing Data
6. Choose Cached Images and Files
7. Select time range (Last hour to All time)
8. Tap Clear Browsing Data

For how to clear browsing history completely, also check “Browsing History” and “Cookies, Site Data.”

How to Clear Edge Cache on iPhone

Microsoft Edge users need to clear cache edge this way:

1. Open Edge app
2. Tap your profile icon
3. Select Settings
4. Tap Privacy and Security
5. Choose Clear browsing data
6. Select Cached images and files
7. Tap Clear now

Want to delete bing history too? Check the “Browsing history” box before clearing.

How to Delete Cookies on iPhone

Cookies track your browsing activity. Here’s how to delete cookies on iPhone:

For Safari:

1. Settings > Safari
2. Scroll to Block All Cookies and toggle ON
3. Or use Clear History and Website Data (removes existing cookies)

For Chrome:

1. Chrome app > Settings > Privacy and Security
2. Clear Browsing Data > Cookies, Site Data

For Edge:

1. Edge app > Settings > Privacy and Security
2. Clear browsing data > Cookies and site data

Blocking cookies improves privacy but may cause some websites to malfunction.

How to Clear System Cache on iPhone

Clearing app cache data doesn’t remove system cache. For that, you need these advanced methods:

Method 1: Restart Your iPhone

The simplest way to clear cache and cookies on iphone system files:

iPhone 8 and newer:

1. Press and release Volume Up
2. Press and release Volume Down
3. Hold Side button until Apple logo appears

iPhone 7:

1. Hold Volume Down + Side button together
2. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo

This clears RAM and temporary system files.

Method 2: Clear RAM Without Restarting

This trick works on all iOS versions:

1. Go to Settings > General > Shut Down
2. When “slide to power off” appears, press and hold the Home button (or the screen on Face ID models) for 5 seconds
3. The screen will flash and return to home

Your iPhone just cleared its RAM cache.

How to Free Up Space on iPhone (Beyond Cache)

Sometimes clearing cache isn’t enough. Here are additional ways to free up space on iphone:

1. Enable iCloud Photos

• Settings > Photos > iCloud Photos (ON)
• Choose “Optimize iPhone Storage”

2. Delete Large Attachments

• Settings > General > iPhone Storage
• Tap Review Large Attachments
• Swipe and delete unnecessary files

3. Manage Messages

• Settings > Messages > Keep Messages
• Change from “Forever” to “1 Year”

4. Delete Downloaded Content

• Remove offline music, Netflix downloads, and podcast episodes

For more iPhone tips, check out how to schedule a text on iphone and how to screen record on iphone.

Learn more storage management techniques at Apple Support – Manage Storage on iPhone.

How Often Should You Clear Cache?

Recommended schedule:

• Safari cache: Every 2-4 weeks
• App cache: Every 1-3 months (or when apps misbehave)
• System cache: Weekly restart
• Cookies: Monthly (if you value privacy)

Heavy users should clear iphone cache more frequently. If you stream videos, use social media heavily, or browse intensively, weekly cache clearing helps maintain performance.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: “Documents and Data” Won’t Decrease

Solution: This is separate from cache. Delete and reinstall the app completely to remove documents and data.

Problem 2: Storage Still Full After Clearing Cache

Solution: Check for:

• Large video files in Photos
• Downloaded music/podcasts
• WhatsApp media files
• “Other” storage (requires iOS update or factory reset)

Visit Apple Support – Check Storage on iPhone and iPad for detailed storage analysis.

Problem 3: Apps Keep Crashing After Clearing Cache

Solution:

• Update apps to latest version
• Update to latest iOS
• Reset all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings)

FAQ: How to Clear Cache on iPhone

Conclusion

Learning how to clear cache on iphone is essential for maintaining peak performance and managing storage effectively. Whether you need to clear cache and cookies on iphone, clear app cache, or remove Safari history and website data, the methods in this guide work for all iPhone models from iPhone 11 through iPhone 16 running iOS 15 to iOS 26.

Key takeaways:

✅ Clear Safari cache every 2-4 weeks through Settings
✅ Offload unused apps instead of deleting them to preserve data
✅ Restart your iPhone weekly to clear system cache
✅ Use built-in app settings when available
✅ Monitor iPhone Storage regularly to catch cache buildup early

Start with Safari cache—it’s usually the biggest space-eater. Then tackle problem apps one by one. Your iPhone will thank you with faster speeds and more available storage.

Found this guide helpful? Bookmark it for future reference and share it with fellow iPhone users struggling with storage issues. Have questions about clearing cache on iphone? Drop a comment below!

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