How to Clear Cache: Chrome, Safari, iPhone, and Android

Tap your device or browser to see how.

Chrome (Windows/Mac)

Open the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Settings β†’ Privacy and security β†’ Clear browsing data, check "Cached images and files," and clear it.

Safari (Mac)

From the Safari menu, go to Settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Manage Website Data, then select specific sites to remove or clear everything at once.

iPhone app cache

Many apps have a cache-clearing option built into their own settings; if not, deleting the app and reinstalling it resets its cache.

Android app cache

In Settings, go to Apps β†’ select the app β†’ Storage β†’ Clear Cache to remove just the cache while keeping the app's data intact.

Windows temporary files

In Settings, go to System β†’ Storage β†’ Temporary files to clean up unnecessary cache and temp files all at once.

Why does clearing cache help?

Cache is temporary data stored to help websites and apps load faster. Left to build up over time, it can end up eating unnecessary storage space or causing display glitches from outdated leftover data, so clearing it periodically is worth doing.

If your computer has gotten slow

Clearing cache is one piece of the puzzle β€” a broader guide to speeding up a slow computer covers other steps worth trying too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache log me out of everything?

If you also clear cookies and other site data in your browser along with the cache, you may get logged out, but clearing just the cache on its own usually keeps you logged in.

How often should I clear cache?

It's enough to clear it when your device slows down or storage runs low β€” there's no need to clear it daily if nothing seems wrong.