Clearing cache on your iPhone can free up storage, fix app glitches, and improve overall performance. Below is a complete, step-by-step guide to clearing different kinds of cache on iOS, including browser cache, app cache, and system clutter.

# 1. How iPhone Cache Works (Quick Overview)

On iPhone, “cache” is stored in several places:

  • Browser cache – Safari and other browsers store website data.
  • App cache & data – Apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and games store images, videos, and temporary files.
  • System data – iOS keeps logs, updates, and other temporary files under “System Data” or “Other”.

Unlike some Android phones, iOS does not have a single “clear all cache” button. You need to clear cache app by app or via built-in options like offloading apps and deleting website data.

For Apple’s official storage guidance, see:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211209

# 2. Clear Safari Cache and Website Data

If you use Safari, clearing its cache often frees a noticeable amount of space and can fix website issues.

# Steps to clear Safari cache:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
  4. Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.

This will:

  • Remove browsing history.
  • Clear cookies and cached images/files.
  • Log you out of most websites in Safari.

If you want to remove only specific website data:

  1. Go to Settings > Safari.
  2. Tap Advanced at the bottom.
  3. Tap Website Data.
  4. Tap Edit (top-right) and delete individual sites, or tap Remove All Website Data.

More on Safari settings from Apple:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204098

# 3. Clear Cache in Other Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

# Clear cache in Google Chrome on iPhone

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Tap the three dots in the bottom-right (or top-right depending on version).
  3. Tap History.
  4. Tap Clear Browsing Data….
  5. Choose Time Range (e.g., Last hour, Last 7 days, All time).
  6. Select:
    • Cached Images and Files
    • Optionally Cookies, Site Data and Browsing History
  7. Tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm.

Official Chrome help:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2392709

# Clear cache in Mozilla Firefox on iPhone

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Tap the menu icon (three lines).
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Scroll to Data Management.
  5. Toggle Cache (and other items if desired).
  6. Tap Clear Private Data and confirm.

More from Mozilla:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox-ios

# Clear cache in Microsoft Edge on iPhone

  1. Open Edge.
  2. Tap the three dots.
  3. Go to Settings > Privacy and security.
  4. Tap Clear browsing data.
  5. Select Cached images and files (and others if needed).
  6. Tap Clear now.

# 4. Clear App Cache on iPhone (Without Jailbreak)

Most iOS apps don’t have a visible “clear cache” button, but you can still reduce their storage usage.

# 4.1 Check which apps use the most storage

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap iPhone Storage.
  4. Wait a few seconds for it to load.
  5. You’ll see a list of apps sorted by storage use. Tap any app to see details.

Here, you’ll often see:

  • App Size – the size of the app itself.
  • Documents & Data – cache, downloads, files, and other stored data.

# 4.2 Use “Offload App” to clear data safely

Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and settings. It can fix issues without deleting your user data in many cases.

To offload a single app:

  1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
  2. Tap the app.
  3. Tap Offload App.
  4. Confirm.
  5. Tap the app’s icon on the Home Screen to reinstall it.

To automatically offload unused apps:

  1. Go to Settings > App Store.
  2. Enable Offload Unused Apps.

More from Apple:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201656

Note: Offloading does not always clear all cached data, but it often reduces storage use and fixes performance issues for bloated apps.

# 4.3 Delete and reinstall apps to fully clear cache

If an app like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook is using a huge amount of storage (especially “Documents & Data”), the most effective method is deleting and reinstalling.

Steps:

  1. Back up anything important inside the app (e.g., export files, save drafts).
  2. Touch and hold the app icon on the Home Screen.
  3. Tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete.
  4. Open the App Store, search for the app, and reinstall it.

This completely clears its local cache and temporary files.

# 5. Clear Cache Using In-App Settings (When Available)

Some apps provide their own cache-clearing options.

Common examples:

  • TikTok

    1. Open TikTok.
    2. Go to your Profile.
    3. Tap the three lines (menu).
    4. Tap Settings and privacy.
    5. Look for Free up space or Cache and clear it.

  • Instagram
    Instagram doesn’t provide a direct “clear cache” button on iOS. For large cache sizes, you must delete and reinstall the app (see section 4.3).

  • Streaming apps (Netflix, Spotify, YouTube)
    Many have options to remove downloads or clear temporary files under Settings, Downloads, or Storage within the app.

Always check each app’s own settings menu for:

  • Storage
  • Data and Storage
  • Downloads
  • Clear cache
  • Free up space

# 6. Reduce “System Data” / “Other” Storage

“System Data” (formerly “Other”) can grow large over time. You can’t directly press a button to clear it, but these actions help:

# 6.1 Restart your iPhone

  1. Press and hold the power button + volume up/down (Face ID models) or just the power button (Touch ID).
  2. Slide to power off.
  3. Wait 20–30 seconds, then power it back on.

A reboot can clear temporary system files and shrink “System Data” slightly.

# 6.2 Update iOS

  1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Install any available updates.

Updates may clean up logs and temporary data.
Official iOS update instructions:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204

# 6.3 Delete old messages and attachments

Large message history and media can inflate storage.

  • Go to Settings > Messages.
  • Under Message History, set Keep Messages to 1 Year or 30 Days.
  • Under Messages > Photos (from Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages), remove large attachments.

More:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201656#recommendations

# 7. Free Up Space Without Manually Clearing Everything

Besides clearing cache, you can quickly reclaim storage with a few built-in options.

# 7.1 Use iPhone Storage recommendations

  1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
  2. At the top, you’ll see Recommendations, such as:
    • Offload Unused Apps
    • Review Large Attachments
    • Review Personal Videos
    • iCloud Photos

Tap into each recommendation and follow the suggestions to free up space.

# 7.2 Optimize Photos and Videos

  1. Go to Settings > Photos.
  2. Turn on iCloud Photos (if you use iCloud).
  3. Enable Optimize iPhone Storage.

This keeps smaller versions of photos locally and stores originals in iCloud, which can dramatically reduce storage usage (and indirectly reduce some cached content).

More from Apple:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204264

# 8. When Should You Clear Cache on iPhone?

Clearing cache is helpful when:

  • Your iPhone storage is almost full.
  • Apps like Safari, Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram feel slow or glitchy.
  • Websites don’t load correctly or show outdated content.
  • The device feels laggy after long-term use without a restart.

You don’t need to clear cache daily. Do it when:

  • You notice performance issues,
  • A specific app is taking up excessive storage,
  • Or you’re running out of space for new photos, videos, and apps.

# 9. Quick Summary: Fast Ways to Clear Cache on iPhone

  • Safari cache:
    Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data

  • Other browser cache (Chrome/Firefox/Edge):
    Use the in-app option to clear browsing data or cache.

  • App cache (general):

    • Settings > General > iPhone Storage > [App] > Offload App
    • Or delete and reinstall the app.

  • System clutter:

    • Restart iPhone.
    • Update iOS.
    • Delete large messages and attachments.
    • Follow iPhone Storage recommendations.

For official Apple guidance on managing iPhone storage and performance, see:

By following these steps, you can effectively clear cache on your iPhone, reclaim storage, and keep your device running smoothly over time.