Have you ever noticed that your iPhone seems to run more slowly now than it did in the past? The chances are high that it has, indeed. Whether you’re trying to fix a slow-loading app, free up storage, or just give your iPhone a performance boost, clearing the cache can help more than you’d expect. But what exactly is cache, and why does it matter?
In this guide, we’re going to walk through how to clear iPhone cache step-by-step. Along the way, we’ll break down what cache is, what clearing it does, and how to handle cache for both Safari and individual apps. Let’s get into it.
What Is Cache on My Phone?
Before we dive into the removal of the cache, we need to look at the basics first.
The cache is a repository of temporary data that is stored in your phone, in order to be able to load apps and websites faster. It is just like your phone has its memory for the cookie bits left as you scroll, click or stream. It is useful but at the same time, after a while, these data can become a burden and slow down the operation of the phone.
Cache Examples | Why It’s Stored |
Safari browsing history | So websites load quicker next time |
App data & images | To avoid re-downloading frequently used files |
Login tokens | So you stay signed in |
So while cache isn’t bad in itself, too much of it can be.
How to Clear the Cache on My Phone (iPhone)

On the iPhone, there’s no big red button called “Clear All Cache” (like on some Android phones). Still, you have the option of either clearing it step by step using individual apps or through Safari, your main browser.
1. Clean Safari Cache
Safari, the default browser on almost all iPhones, has the tendency to collect a whole lot of cache data, which gets quite large with time.
The process to clean Safari cache is as follows:
- Click on Settings.
- Scroll the menu down, locate Safari, and click on it.
- Scroll back up and select Clear History and Website Data.
- Then, confirm it by clicking Clear History and Data.
What it does: Deletes cookies, history, and all the data from websites you have visited. However, not only will your usernames and saved passwords be gone, but accessing the 911 contacts is no longer possible.
Pro Tip: If you regularly execute this, you will likely also resolve not only the issue with website interfaces, but also the awkward loading of web pages and the non-functioning buttons.
2. How to Clear Cache on iPhone Apps
Now we can move forward to the apps. Unfortunately, as opposed to Android which allows you to easily clean the cache, Apple doesn’t provide such a simple way to do it. Nevertheless, we suggest two different methods.
Option A: Offload App (Data Remains)
The user performs the downloading of his documents and data while the app and related data are being cleared off the system.
- Access Settings→General→iPhone Storage.
- Find the app to offload and tap on it.
- Tap Offload App there to short-circuit the cache, together with the app.
In the following period, you can locate and download the app from the App Store.
Option B: Remove & Reinstall the App
If you want the app to not only upgrade the cache but to come back with a totally clean store, then the best option you have is this:
- Navigate to Settings>General>iPhone Storage
- Select the particular app
- Within the app, press Delete App. Then, from the App Store, reinstall it via the same route.
Method | What It Does | Good For |
Offloading | Clears cache but keeps user data | Apps with saved content like games |
Delete & Reinstall | Wipes app completely, including cache | Apps behaving weird or crashing |
Real-Life Tip: My Experience with App Cache Clearing

The first sign of trouble with my Instagram app was delayed video loading and constant freezes a few days ago. When I checked its storage on my iPhone, its value was more than even 1.2GB!
As for the way I handled it, I offloaded the app initially. It seemed to have a little effect. But the point was deleting and reinstalling it later on? It was faster than ever. Sometimes a reboot and update are necessary for smooth running.
Extra Tips to Reduce Cache Without Deleting Apps
- Restart your iPhone weekly: It helps clear temporary memory and junk cache.
- Update apps regularly: Developers often include performance fixes.
- Use Lite versions of apps where possible: They use less storage.
What Does Clearing Cache Do?
What is meant by the clearing of the cache?
- Frees up space (especially on 64GB or lower iPhones)
- Speeds up your device
- Fixes glitches in apps or web pages
- Resolves login or update errors
Do remember that however, it can also erase saved passwords and show many services as logged out.
Is a Third-Party App Necessary to Clear Cache?

Some apps claim to clean an iPhone from clutter, yet Apple pays much attention to its security. Therefore, don’t expect much of those apps since they might end up just making you perform all we’ve said.
If the issue with your iPhone is that it has become slow or it has no space left, it would be a good idea to do the clearing of the cache manually or upgrade the cloud service plan and even think about getting a new device.
How to Clear iPhone Cache Fast
Action | Steps |
Clear Safari Cache | Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data |
Offload Individual App | Settings > General > iPhone Storage > App > Offload |
Delete & Reinstall App | Settings > General > iPhone Storage > App > Delete > Reinstall from App Store |
Restart Phone (soft refresh) | Hold Power + Volume button > Slide to power off > Turn on again |
FAQs:
1. How regularly should the iPhone cache be cleared?
Monthly cache cleanup is a regular practice that is especially good for the Safari and apps that you frequently use. If at some point, you notice your iPhone getting slow, that is the time.
2. Is cache cleaning capable of erasing photos or messages?
No, it will not. Cache is something that doesn’t concern itself with personal files such as images, conversations, and contact information. However, it may lead to your being logged out of websites or applications.
3. Can I keep the cache always without getting rid of it?
The word “bad” isn’t the one to associate with it, but yes, it can cause things to slow down and merge with the rest. Particularly it’s true for those gadgets that have less capacity.
4. If I clear the app cache, will my battery last longer?
It definitely will, but indirectly through the enhanced performance of the apps, which will not require frequent reloads, and thus, battery consumption will decrease and battery life will be substantially longer.
5. Will the iPhone’s system allow you to set the cache clearing process to be performed automatically?
No. Apple has not included automatic cache cleaning in the iPhone’s system as it is in the Android system. It is best to always carry it out by your hand.
Conclusion:
Having gone through the simple procedures of cache clearing on iPhone, you are now well aware of one of the easiest and most useful tricks to make your phone fast and easy to use, and with very little data. It only takes a couple of taps, whether it’s a Safari data delete or application-specific storage removal.
By the way, the cache clearance is like a cleanup action for your digital living quarters. If you do it now and then, you’ll feel that your environment becomes more ordered.
So, please go in that direction and give your iPhone a full reset, as it is well-deserved. You will be grateful for that later.