How to Clear the Cache on Your iPhone

After months of constant use, your iPhone can become overloaded with data, which takes up all your memory and cache space. These files will clog up your device, and your phone will eventually run out of storage or begin running slower than usual. From time to time, you need to clean out your phone of the useless files and data that can slow it down and leave you frustrated.

Removing unnecessary data can improve overall performance and processing speed on your iPhone. If you're ready to clean up your device and free up some storage space, learn more about clearing your caches.

What Is a Cache?

A cache refers to a storage space on your phone that collects temporary data through apps and websites. After you open a website or app for the first time, the cache acts as a memory bank and stores images, files and other info. This makes it easier to load the page every time you open the website or app.

Your iPhone will automatically create these hidden files as you go about your day-to-day use. As you surf the web and open new tabs or download apps and never use them more than once, you're collecting piles of data and files in your device's cache. Your iPhone has two primary data caches in Safari — or Chrome — and your apps.

Clearing these caches is like deleting old photos on your phone. As time goes on, you likely collect many screenshots, pictures and videos of things you no longer need. Eventually, these photos eat up your storage space, and you have to go in and delete some to free up space for new media.

Why You Should Clear Your iPhone Cache

If your iPhone struggles to move across apps or open a new browser tab, clearing your cache will help speed up these processes. Every time you visit a web page or open an app, your phone will download certain information and store it in the cache so it's easier to retrieve.

Think about it like buying household necessities in bulk so you don't have to visit the grocery store every day to get the items you need. When the cache stores data in small doses, it's more convenient for you.

But it becomes less convenient when your browser or app cache becomes overloaded or outdated with data you no longer use. This usually causes the slower load speeds. Clearing your cache creates a fresh start for your apps and browsers and even frees up storage space on your phone.

Remember that clearing your cache will log you out of any websites you're currently logged into. Be sure to keep all your important usernames and passwords memorized or securely saved somewhere.

Clearing your cache will also help you save money on upgrading your phone before you need or want to. If your phone's been running slow, try clearing the cache before deciding to upgrade.

How to Clear Cache, Cookies and History on Safari

Clearing the cache on your iPhone is a very simple process that takes just a few steps.

Here's what to do to clear your iPhone cache, cookies and history and wipe the data from your recently visited websites and apps:

Using this method won't change any of your AutoFill information if you have that set up.

Clear Your Cookies

Alternatively, you can clear your cookies but keep your history by following these steps:

Use a Private Tab

You can also visit and browse sites without leaving a history or collecting a cache by turning on a Private Browser. To do this on iOS 15, you must:

You could also press and hold the Safari icon, then select New Private Tab. This setting will prevent your iPhone from keeping a record of data as you visit different websites. This setting also allows you to toggle between private and regular browsing to keep your cache data lower.

Clear Individual Site Date

You can also clear data from individual websites without clearing your entire Safari cache. Here's how to do it:

Remember that when you delete website data from your iPhone, it will also be removed from any other Apple® devices signed into your iCloud account if they are synced with Safari.

How to Clear App Cache on Your iPhone

Clearing your app cache on your iPhone involves offloading them to free up storage space but leaves your user data intact. Then, when you want to re-download the app, you will have your existing data without having to restore everything you cleared. Here are the steps to clear the cache on your iPhone apps:

If you want to clear a cache on a specific app but can't find it in the list, simply delete and reinstall the app. This will clear the cache and start a new one, but you may still have to log back in again if the app requires it. Deleting some apps altogether will free up even more storage if there are some you don't use.

How to Clear Your Cache in Chrome

Chrome is another common browser that you might use on your iPhone. Since iPhones primarily offer Safari, users have to download this app separately. Many people may enjoy the interface and usability of this browser and even prefer it. Clearing your iPhone cache on Chrome is pretty straightforward but involves more steps than on Safari.

To clear your cache on Chrome, follow these steps:

What Happens When You Clear the Cache on Your iPhone?

When you clear the cache on your iPhone, you remove locally stored website and app data. This helps your device avoid downloading all new data every time you visit the site.

Essentially, it will help fix any loading errors you might experience on your phone and speed up your browser so you can get onto different websites faster. If you've ever noticed an issue making a Google search or navigating your favorite apps, clearing your cache can make them easier to use again.

While you will have to sign back into most accounts that need logins, this minor inconvenience is worth helping your phone process faster.

What Does Clearing Your Cache Delete?

Clearing your cache only deletes temporary files or data. This data is pulled from your frequent visits to apps and websites. Clearing your cache won't delete any of your pictures, apps, contacts or any other data on your phone other than what's stored in the cache itself. It also won't delete any downloaded files or custom settings you already have on your phone.

You might have to log in again to certain websites or accounts after clearing your cache, but your information and data will stay the same.

Clearing your cache is like permanently deleting photos and videos in your Recently Deleted file on your Photos app. When you delete your media, it goes to this folder to prevent any accidental deletion of important photos. If you don't clear out this file every time you go through your photos, it can still take up storage on your device.

This storage, like cache storage, makes your iPhone work harder every time you try to open a new tab or refresh an app. When you use websites and apps daily, they will collect information and data and store it in case you need it when you return. After a while, this info eats up your storage and makes your iPhone work harder to open and close apps or toggle between website tabs.

How Often Should You Clear Your iPhone Cache?

While clearing or deleting cache on your iPhone can be helpful, you don't need to do it every time you use your browser or toggle between apps. Most people likely only need to clear their caches about once a month, depending on how often you use your device and what you use it for.

For instance, if you use your device for school or work, you might need to clear your cache every two to three weeks. Downloading large files or doing research online can lead to an overflowing cache.

If you use your phone for calling, texting and social media, you can likely wait longer. Generally, after about a month of use, your browser and apps will build up a cache that's large enough to slow your processes down. If you use a large number of apps and websites daily, clear your cache more often.

Clear Your Cache Before Selling or Recycling Your Phone

Clearing your cache is an excellent trick to freeing up storage and improving your iPhone's speed. But there are other reasons why you might want to wipe your phone as clean as possible.

If you already got a new phone and are still hanging onto your old one, you might want to clear the cache before recycling it. Unless your carrier has already cleared all the data on your phone, clearing the cache makes it easier to resell or recycle. Recycling your phone is a great way to keep electronics out of the landfill.

If you haven't bought a new phone yet but will soon, clearing your cache is still essential. With so many new smartphones and impressive devices on the market, you may be thinking about upgrading your current iPhone for a newer one or even switching to another brand, such as a Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy phone.

Instead of paying the market price for the latest phone, you can sell your device for cash to put toward the new one. The best part is, you don't need to wait in long lines to recycle or sell your used phone. At ecoATM, we strive to be environmentally aware, and we care about responsibly reselling and recycling used phones.

Take your used phone to one of our 5,000 conveniently located kiosks around the nation and get cash almost immediately or recycle your device. We will look over your device to see how much it's worth or recycle your old devices that are no longer usable. With ecoATM, you can get the quick cash you need to put toward that new smartphone on the market or get rid of your old phone that might be collecting dust.

Bring Your Used Phone to an ecoATM Kiosk Today

It's essential to know how to clear your cache on your iPhone to keep your device running up to speed.

Bring Your Used Phone to an ecoATM Kiosk Today

It's essential to know how to clear your cache on your iPhone to keep your device running up to speed. If you go too long without emptying the stored data and files, it can be frustrating when trying to open a new app or tab. And wiping your phone clean is the best way to get it ready to recycle or resell.

Giving your iPhone a second life can get you the cash you need and make your next smartphone more affordable. Simply bring in your used smartphone to an ecoATM kiosk. If you're interested in learning more, find an ecoATM kiosk near you today or price your device online!