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How to clear Safari cache, history and cookies on iPhone or iPad

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It’s easy to clear Safari cache, history and cookies on your iPhone and iPad. This comes in handy when you want to delete some sensitive browsing information, in case you did not use Private Mode. Moreover, it can also help free up some space to keep your browser running efficiently. If Safari is being slow or behaving erratically, you can get rid of data to clear out the load. So let’s see what’s involved.

Why should you clear Safari cache?

• Cookies can store a range of data, from your login details to your shopping preferences. If they become corrupted or get shared with perpetrators, they can put your information at risk.  
• Clearing the Safari cache will prevent anyone else from seeing the websites you’ve been visiting and the searches you’ve been performing. If you’re utilizing a shared device or a public Wi-Fi network, this is extremely crucial. 
• Overall, tips and tricks like this for Safari on your iPhone are simple but keep the data stored in your browser at a minimum and help free up space on your phone.

How to clear cache and history in Safari on iPhone or iPad

• Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Scroll down and select Safari . 

This procedure will remove all cookies, cache, and history from your iPhone completely. Furthermore, you can prevent the cache from piling up by surfing in the Private Browsing Mode .  

How to delete specific website data from Safari on iPhone or iPad

• Go to the Settings app → Safari .
• Scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced . 

• Once finalized, tap Done .

Clearing data from a particular website ensures the removal of all cookies. If you want, you can even customize Safari to your preference in a few simple steps.  

How to block cookies in Safari on iPhone

• Under Privacy & Security, toggle on Block All Cookies .

Yes. Clearing Safari cache, history, and cookies will log you out of the websites you are currently logged into.

No. Clearing your Safari cache, history, and cookies will not delete your bookmarks.

Yes. Clearing your Safari cache, history, and cookies will delete any saved passwords you have for websites.

Now, you’re safe…  

Clearing Safari cache, history, and cookies on iPhone can help you to secure your privacy and improve the performance of your device. It is a simple and easy process that only takes a few moments to complete.

Do let me know if you’d want me to cover more such articles. Until next time!

Read more: 

• How to clear Chrome history, cache, and cookies on iPhone and iPad  
• How to Fix A Problem Occurred with this Webpage so it was Reloaded on iPhone
• How to disable Safari on iPhone? Easy ways to do it!
• How to clear the DNS Cache on an iPhone or iPad

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How to Delete and Clear Cookies on an iPhone

Clearing cookies on an iPhone may help when a website won't load

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• Switching from Android

What to Know

• To clear Safari browsing history and cookies, open Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data .
• For cookies only, Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > select Delete or Remove All Website Data > Remove Now .
• In Chrome, Chrome > ( ... ) > Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data > Cookies, Site Data > Clear Browsing Data > Clear Browsing Data .

This article explains how to clear cookies on an iPhone. Instructions apply to Safari and Chrome web browsers.

How to Clear Safari Browsing History and Cookies

You have a few options for deleting cookies from the default Safari web browser on an iPhone. You can delete your web history and cookies at the same time, delete only the cookies, or delete the cookies for a specific website.

Follow these steps to delete all website data, including browser history, from Safari on the iPhone:

Open the iPhone Settings app, scroll down, and select Safari.

Select Clear History and Website Data .

When prompted to confirm your choice, choose Clear History and Data to delete the log of websites you visited and the cookies stored for the Safari browser.

Clearing history and data does not change your AutoFill information.

While you are in the Safari settings, you can turn on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking . You can also turn on Block All Cookies , but this may prevent some websites from working properly.

Close the Settings app when you're done.

How to Delete Cookies While Saving Safari Browser History

You don't have to delete the browser history to clear cookies from an iPhone. You can also delete only cookies or delete cookies for a specific website. When you delete all cookies, you'll need to log in to websites again. If you have problems with a specific website, delete the data for that website.

Open the iPhone Settings app and choose Safari .

Select Advanced .

Select Website Data . A list of every website that stored cookies in the Safari browser app displays. You can clear all cookies from this screen or select specific cookies to delete.

To clear individual cookies from the Website Data menu, swipe left on any website in the list and select Delete .

To delete all the websites in the list, select Remove All Website Data and confirm by tapping Remove Now .

There may be hundreds (or thousands) of websites listed in the Website Data screen. If you are looking for a specific website, use the search field to find it.

How to Clear Cookies in the Chrome App

The Google Chrome browser app is an alternative to the default Safari browser for the iPhone.

Here's how to delete cookies stored by Chrome:

In the Chrome app, tap the ... menu icon (the three horizontal dots located in the lower-right corner of the screen).

Select Settings > Privacy .

Select Clear Browsing Data .

Select Cookies, Site Data , then select Clear Browsing Data .

To confirm that you want to clear the Chrome app browsing data, select Clear Browsing Data .

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Clear cache & cookies

When you use a browser, like Chrome, it saves some information from websites in its cache and cookies. Clearing them fixes certain problems, like loading or formatting issues on sites.

Before clearing cache & cookies

When you clear your cache and cookies, your browser might sign you out of your Google Account. To make sure you can sign back in, update your recovery phone number and email address .

In the Chrome app

• Choose the types of information you want to remove.
• Tap Delete Browsing Data .
• In the popup window, tap Clear Browsing Data .
• At the top right, tap Done .
• To sign out of your Google Account on all websites, sign out of Chrome.

In the address bar, ​to quickly reach the Delete browsing data dialog, type “Delete browsing data” and then, tap the Action chip . Learn Chrome Actions to quickly complete tasks .

Learn how to change more cookie settings in Chrome .

In other browser apps

If you use Safari, Firefox, or another browser, check its support site for instructions.

What happens after you clear this info

After you clear cache and cookies:

• Some settings on sites get deleted. For example, if you were signed in, you’ll need to sign in again.
• Some sites can seem slower because content, like images, needs to load again.

How cache & cookies work

• Cookies are files created by sites you visit. They make your online experience easier by saving browsing data.
• The cache remembers parts of pages, like images, to help them open faster during your next visit.

Need more help?

Try these next steps:.

We see you have a new Google Account! Learn how to improve your experience with your Google Account checklist.

iPhone & iPad: How to clear cache, history, and cookies

It doesn’t take long for caches to fill up on iOS. From the default Safari browser, to third-party apps, follow along for how to clear the cache, history, and cookies on iPhone and iPad.

While clearing the cache in Safari is quick and easy with one fell swoop, the process can be different with third-party apps. We’ll first look at how to clear the cache in Safari on iPhone and iPad and then tackle other apps.

We’ve also got a walkthrough on clearing the cache, history, and cookies on Mac, check that out here .

How to clear cache on iPhone & iPad in Safari and other apps

• Open  Settings
• Swipe down and tap Safari
• Swipe down again and tap Clear History and Website Data , tap it once again to confirm
• If you’d like to clear data from individual websites without clearing the entire Safari cache, at the very bottom of Safari settings choose Advanced > Website Data > Edit (or swipe from right to left to delete individual items).

Keep in mind website data deleted from iPhone or iPad will be removed from your other Apple devices signed in to the same iCloud account if they sync with Safari.

Clear cache on iPhone for third-party apps

• Clearing the cache of third-party apps varies from developer to developer. Some like Slack offer an option in the app preferences in iOS Settings, while others like Facebook don’t. Check out the settings of your apps to see your options (Settings app > app name).
• For apps that don’t provide a clear cache button, deleting the app and reinstalling it is another option.

You can always take a look at Settings   > General > iPhone Storage to prioritize which third-party apps you may want to tackle first.

Thanks for reading our guide on how to clear cache on iPhone and iPad!

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How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

How many tabs are open on your mobile browser right now? Go ahead, check -- you might be surprised by what you find.

Americans spend over five hours a day on their smartphones. That's over five hours of your phone accessing, retrieving, and saving cache and cookies, which can negatively impact your iPhone's storage space .

What is cache?

Cache -- aka browser cache -- refers to the temporary storage of certain data, including images, files, and scripts from websites you've visited. Such website content is stored -- or cached -- on your phone to help your browser execute faster the next time you visit that site.

Also: I decluttered my iPhone and freed up gigs of space. Here's how

Cache data can slow down your phone's overall browsing performance because it takes up storage space on your device. Therefore, it's a good idea to clear out your cache regularly. In this article, we focus primarily on clearing the web browser cache on an iPhone, but other types of cache include mobile app cache and CPU cache.

How to clear the cache on your iPhone

What you'll need: Everything you need to clear your browser cache is in the iPhone's Settings app or the Safari app, so grab your iPhone to get started.

Also:  How to clear the cache on your Android phone or tablet (and why you should)

Remember that clearing the cache can clear private data, which can close all open tabs in Safari. This action is also likely to log you out of all your websites. You will be prompted to sign in the next time you open these sites. 

1. Go to your iPhone's Settings app

To delete Safari's cached data, open the Settings app on your iPhone. You can also perform this task directly in the Safari app. We'll show the process of getting an empty browser cache through iPhone Settings because this approach gives you more options.

Tap Settings to begin clearing the iPhone cache.

2. Find Safari on the list

Within Settings, scroll down through the list of options and apps until you see Safari. Then tap on Safari to access its settings.

Find Safari on the list.

3. Find the Clear History and Website Data option

To clear the app cache, scroll down through the Safari options until you find an option for Clear History and Website Data. Tap on this option to start clearing Safari's cache.

Tap on the option highlighted above.

4. Confirm you want to clear the browser cache

A popup will appear. Select your preferred "Clear timeframe." If you want to delete all your browsing history, choose "All history."

Tap Clear History to confirm you want to delete Safari's browsing history and cache.

After confirming, the browser cache and cookies in Safari will be deleted from your iPhone, but your autofill information should still be on your device. Cached images and browser history will also be deleted, and you'll be logged out of any websites you were previously logged in to. 

Also: How to use the Passwords app on your iPhone with iOS 18

Your iPhone presents the option to close all your open tabs or keep them open for when you reopen Safari, a feature that wasn't available until recently. 

Tap on this option again to confirm.

How do I clear the cache from Chrome on an iPhone?

If Google Chrome is your preferred browser, a substantial amount of data could be stored on your device, which could slow down performance. 

To clear browsing data and cache in Chrome, open the Google Chrome app and follow these steps:

• Click the three-dot menu button in the lower-right corner.
• Select Clear Browsing Data.
• Select the time from which you want to delete the data. (If you want to delete all your browsing history, choose All Time.)
• Go through the items you'd like to delete, like your Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, Cached Images and Files, Saved Passwords, and Autofill Data.
• Tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of the screen to confirm.
• Tap Done when you've deleted the Chrome cache.

Also: I improved my iPhone's battery life by changing these 10 settings

Clearing the browsing and cache data in Google Chrome doesn't close all open tabs, but the action will refresh each tab and log you out of websites. Once you tap on one of the tabs you want to access, you must log back in.

How can I browse on Safari without history?

If you're learning how to clear the cache on an iPhone, you might wonder if there's a way to use Safari without saving any browsing history. Yes! You can turn on Private Browsing by following these steps:

• Open Safari.
• Tap on Tabs.
• Choose Private.

Also: The iOS 18 public beta is available for iPhone right now. How to download it (and which models support it)

You can also enable Private Browsing by going to your iPhone Settings, finding Safari, and toggling on the private option. 

How do I clear my app cache on my iPhone?

To clear the app cache from your iPhone Settings app, you can either delete and reinstall it, offload it, or try to clear the cache from within the app. Unfortunately, iOS apps don't have consistent settings across the board that would allow you to clear the cache of every app.

Also: How to better organize text messages on your iPhone

Apps like TikTok and CapCut have options to Clear Cache within their respective settings. Amazon lets users delete their browsing history, while the Reddit app can clear local history. The results depend on what the app's settings enable you to do.

Is 'clear cache' the same as offloading?

Not exactly, although app offloading can help boost phone performance if it's slowed down by low storage. To offload an app  means uninstalling it  without deleting any associated documents or data. 

To offload an app, go to Settings, then General, choose iPhone Storage, select the app to offload, and tap Offload App. 

Also: The best VPN services for iPhone and iPad: Expert tested and reviewed

If you ever download the app again, you'll pick up where you left off. When you tap Offload App, you will delete the app cache. 

Are cookies and cache the same thing?

Cookies and cache are not the same. Cookies are data files that websites send to your phone, including saved passwords to keep you logged in to an account or website preferences from the previous time you visited. 

Can I block cookies on my iPhone?

While you can block cookies on Safari, the experts are divided on whether you should. Blocking cookies entirely means that websites won't be able to get information from you, but it also means that some websites may not even work correctly on your browser. Many users enjoy a more personalized browsing experience so cookies can be useful for some people.

Also: Keep your iPhone super secure. This app shows you how

If you'd like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings and select Safari.
• Tap on the toggle next to Block All Cookies.

There are also third-party extensions -- such as  Ghostery and  Disconnect -- that help you block cookies and trackers in Google Chrome.

How do I check my iPhone storage?

The iPhone's Settings can show you what's taking up most of your media storage, such as photos, videos, and music. You can also see each app's storage consumption, including temporary data. To view the details of your iPhone's storage space, follow these steps:

• Go to the iPhone's Settings.
• Tap on General.
• Select iPhone Storage.
• Scroll through to find the app you're looking for.
• Tap on the app to view storage status and options.

Unfortunately, you can't clear your iPhone cache for third-party apps by going into your Settings app, but this approach does give you a visual of your iPhone's storage and the option to delete or offload apps.

Also: Apple expanding iPhone's NFC to third-party apps - and here are all the ways it will benefit you

When you look at your device's storage space, you'll probably see recommended steps to optimize your iPhone's storage, like offloading unused apps.

I decluttered my iPhone and freed up gigs of space. Here's how

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• Clear Safari cache on Mac
• Clear Safari cache on iPhone or iPad
• How to save passwords when clearing your cache

How to clear your Safari browser cache on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad

• You can clear your cache on Safari in just a few steps on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
• Clearing your cache, as well as history and cookies, can help resolve your device's performance issues.
• Clearing your cookies will clear your passwords as well, unless you save them with keychain.

A cache is a store of data. When you visit a website on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the Safari browser keeps a snapshot of the pages you view.

If you go back to that website, Safari loads the cached page in an instant, instead of taking the time to retrieve the page from the internet again.

But an overloaded cache can take up storage space and cause your device to run inefficiently — and it could use a periodic clearing.

Here's what you need to know to clear your cache on Safari, as well as your cookies and browsing history.

How to clear Safari cache on Mac

You can either clear just your cache or your cache, history, and cookies. 

Clear your cache

1. Click on the Safari tab at the top left of your screen and choose Preferences from the dropdown menu.

2.  Click the Advanced tab of the menu that pops up.

3.  At the end of the tab, select the Show Develop menu in menu bar box and close the Preferences menu.

4. Click the Develop tab from the Safari menu at the top of the page.

5. Click Empty Caches from the dropdown menu.

Clear your cache, history, and cookies

You may also want to clear your browsing history and cookies in addition to emptying your cache. Here's how to do that.

1. Choose the History tab at the top of your screen.

2. At the very bottom of the dropdown menu, choose Clear History.

3.  A box pops up with a choice to clear the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all history. Choose your time frame and click the Clear History button.  

Once you clear the history, it will also clear the cache and cookies associated with that time period.

How to clear Safari cache on iPhone or iPad

To clear your cache and browsing history:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Safari .

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data .

4. On the screen that pops up, choose Clear History and Data .

To clear your cache but not your browsing history:

3. Tap Advanced .

4. Tap Website Data .

5. Choose Remove All Website Data .

What happens to saved passwords when you clear your cache

When you clear your cache, history, and cookies, you may discover that Safari has logged you out of your favorite websites.

While clearing Safari's cache alone will not delete your passwords, clearing your history and cookies can. That's because when you empty your cookies, you will lose their password data saved in Safari as well. And keep in mind that clearing your history also clears its associated cookies.

Luckily, Apple has a solution to this problem. If you use iCloud, check your iCloud settings on your phone or computer.

Make sure that you've checked the box for Safari. As long as this box is checked, any passwords you save through your browser will stay safe in your keychain .

• Main content

How to Delete Cookies from Safari on Your iPhone & iPad

When you delete cookies from Safari on your iPhone or iPad, you free up storage space and improve your device's performance speeds. Clearing the cache and deleting cookies can also help safeguard your online privacy! We'll show you how to clear your cache and cookies, plus how to disable cookies for future browsing if you choose to do so.

What Are Cookies on the iPhone or iPad?

• How to Delete Cookies from Safari on iPhone or iPad

How to Clear Cookies & History on iPhone or iPad

How to disable cookies on iphone or ipad.

Cookies are pieces of data placed on your iPhone or iPad (or any other device on which you browse the internet) by the websites you visit in order to enhance your browsing experience and collect your data. From helping you retain login information to tracking what sites you typically visit or what items you are interested in on Amazon, cookies and their associated data can make your web experience quicker, smoother, and more intuitive. They can also be used to track you in ways you don't want, though, and after a while, cookies and their saved data can take up valuable storage space on your iPhone or iPad and diminish overall performance. To learn other ways to improve your Apple devices' performance, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

Keep in mind, though, that clearing cookies on your iPhone will delete saved logins and other website information.

How to Delete Cookies from Safari on iPhone or iPad

If you're ready to clear cookies from Safari, here's what to do:

When you clear cookies along with your Safari browsing history, you'll be able to save additional storage space. Also, if you ever have issues with Safari, clearing the cookies and history is beneficial in helping you troubleshoot. If you're ready to free up storage space on your iPhone by deleting cookies and clearing your Safari browsing history, here's how to go about it:

And that's it! Remember that after you delete cookies on your iPhone or iPad, you will be logged out of any accounts you were signed into.

You can also permanently disable cookies on iPhone or iPad if you wish. Keep in mind that permanently disabling cookies may prevent websites from working properly. For example, you will likely be unable to log in to a website when entering your correct username and password. You might receive messages that will tell you to enable cookies or that cookies are turned off. Plus, some features may not work on a website. A good alternative to permanently disabling cookies on iPhone or iPad, if you want to prevent cookies from accumulating, is to  turn on Private Browsing from within your Safari browser. But if you'd like to try disabling all cookie collection, here's how:

Now that you know why cookies matter and how to clear storage space by deleting saved cookies and your Safari browsing history, you might also like to learn  how to hide apps on your iPhone .

Author Details

As Senior Gear Editor at iPhone Life, Dig reports on the latest and greatest accessories built for the iOS ecosystem. From rugged gear and Bluetooth speakers, to headphones, unique iDevice cases, and iOS remote controlled vehicles, Dig's articles cover a wide range of great gear for the iPhone and iPad. A core gamer for over three decades, Dig also writes iPhone Life's Game Centered column, which focuses on the best iOS games and game related news. Additionally, Dig's company, iDoc Tech Support, offers web design and administration services as well as iPhone and iPad repairs. When not at his work desk, Dig loves spending time with family and enjoying the wonders of nature. You can follow him on Twitter @idoctech

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How to Clear Cache on iPhone 12: A Step-by-Step Guide

Clearing the cache on your iPhone 12 can help free up valuable storage space and improve the overall performance of your device. It’s a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Let’s dive right in and get your iPhone running smoothly again.

Step by Step Tutorial: Clear Cache on iPhone 12

Before we begin, clearing your cache will remove temporary files stored by apps, but it won’t delete any important data or settings. Ready to clean up your iPhone? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings

Tap the Settings icon on your iPhone’s home screen.

The Settings app is where you can tweak just about every aspect of your iPhone, including clearing the cache. Once you open Settings, you’re on your way to a cleaner, faster device.

Step 2: Go to Safari settings

Scroll down and tap on ‘Safari’.

Safari, Apple’s web browser, tends to collect the most cache over time. This step will take you to where you can manage Safari’s stored data.

Step 3: Clear Safari cache

Scroll down and tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’.

This option will remove all browsing history, cookies, and other data stored by Safari. It’s a one-tap solution to clear the cache and give Safari a fresh start.

Step 4: Confirm the action

Tap ‘Clear History and Data’ to confirm.

A pop-up will appear to make sure you want to clear this data. Once you confirm, your Safari cache will be cleared, and you should notice a difference in browsing speed.

After completing these steps, your iPhone 12 will have more available storage, and Safari should run more smoothly. It’s like giving your phone a mini makeover!

Tips: Clear Cache on iPhone 12

• Clearing cache won’t remove any personal data or passwords saved in Safari.
• You can also manage website data individually by going to Safari settings and tapping ‘Advanced’ > ‘Website Data’.
• For app-specific cache, you often need to check within the app’s settings as there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in iOS.
• Regularly clearing your cache can improve your iPhone’s performance.
• If your iPhone is still running slowly after clearing the cache, consider closing background apps or restarting the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing the cache delete my photos or contacts.

No, clearing the cache will not affect your photos, contacts, or other personal data.

How often should I clear my cache?

It depends on your usage, but doing it once a month is a good practice to keep your iPhone running smoothly.

Can I clear cache for other apps besides Safari?

Yes, but you’ll need to do it from within the app’s settings, as iOS doesn’t offer a system-wide cache clearing option.

Is clearing cache the same as deleting cookies?

Clearing cache does remove cookies in Safari, but for other apps, cookies might be managed separately.

Can clearing the cache fix app crashes?

Sometimes, clearing the cache can resolve issues with apps that are crashing or not functioning properly.

• Open Settings
• Go to Safari settings
• Clear Safari cache
• Confirm the action

Clearing the cache on your iPhone 12 is a swift and efficient way to optimize your device’s performance. Not only does it free up storage space, but it can also resolve annoying glitches and lags, particularly in Safari. It’s a housekeeping task that’s often overlooked but can make a significant difference in your iPhone experience. Remember, this won’t delete any personal data, so there’s no need to worry about losing important information. Keep your iPhone running like new by routinely clearing the cache, and you’ll be set for a smoother, faster, and more reliable device. So, go ahead and give your iPhone 12 the refresh it deserves.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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• How to Clear Cache on iPhone: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on iPhone from Browsers and Other Apps

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What does it mean to clear iPhone cache and should you do it? Many users aren’t familiar with caches and cookies, but managing them correctly can dramatically improve an iPhone’s performance. In fact, knowing how to clear cache on your iPhone might be the key to getting a rogue app working again or loading a familiar website faster.

However, there are a couple of things you should know before you clear the iOS cache or erase cookies on your iPhone… And it’s all here. Read on!

Table of Contents

What are Caches and Cookies on the iPhone?

Your iPhone’s cache is responsible for storing temporary data from apps and websites. This allows said apps and websites to launch faster or run more smoothly because they don’t have to load everything from scratch.

Cookies , on the other hand, are records of your browsing history and preferences, login credentials, settings, and more. This allows users to keep their settings after closing the browser and/or stay logged into certain websites, but it gives advertisers more information about you.

Should I Clear Cache Data?

There are multiple reasons to clear cache data that affect everything from storage space to user privacy. Let’s break them down:

So if you’re experiencing issues with storage, website loading and functionality, malfunctioning apps, or you’re concerned about your privacy, clearing the cache on your iPhone might be a good move.

How to Clear Browser Cache on iPhone

As we mentioned in the last section, clearing your browser cache is helpful not only for performance, but it could actually fix “broken” websites on your iPhone. Browser caches also tend to take up more storage space because many of those files may consist of high-resolution images.

This is great because you won’t have to load those high-resolution images every time you open the website (as it simply loads the cache data), but that data quickly adds up. It may also be storing large files from websites that you don’t (and don’t plan to) visit anymore.

The process of clearing browser caches on your iPhone differs slightly depending on which browser you use. Here are step-by-step instructions to clear your browser cache on iPhone for Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox:

To clear Safari cache on your iPhone:

Google Chrome

To clear cache data on your iPhone’s Google Chrome browser:

Step 5. Click Clear Browsing Data again to confirm the deletion.

Mozilla Firefox

To clear the browser cache for Mozilla Firefox on your iPhone:

How to Clear Browser Cookies on iPhone

As we previously mentioned, browser cookies don’t take up a lot of space but they do store sensitive data like login credentials and personal information. They even help advertisers understand your browsing habits.

It’s a good idea to clean up your cookies regularly to ensure that websites you no longer visit don’t have access to your data. It can also resolve certain issues (such as account conflicts) that cause errors or lag when loading websites.

We’ll show you how to clear your browser cookies for Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

To clear browser cookies in Safari on iPhone:

To clear browser cookies in Google Chrome on iPhone:

To clear browser cookies in Mozilla Firefox on iPhone:

Step 1. Open Firefox on your iPhone and tap the menu button (3 lines) in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Then, tap Settings .

How to Block Collecting of Cookies on iPhone

Individual cookie files typically take up less space than browser cache files, as they only store information like login credentials or online shopping cart items. However, left alone, these files add up over time and may even get corrupted. This affects not only the performance of a website, but it may cause broken links and/or login errors.

Just like clearing browser cache on your iPhone, blocking cookie collection depends on your browser. Below are step-by-step instructions to block cookies on Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

To prevent Firefox on iPhone from collecting cookies:

How to Clear Cache of Other iPhone Apps

Clearing an app’s cache can help you troubleshoot app errors on your iPhone. There is no way to collectively clear the caches of all your installed apps, so you’ll have to go through them one by one.

To clear the cache of an iPhone app, open Settings and tap on the app you want to clear (you might have to scroll down to find it). Then, toggle ON Clear app cache on next launch . This method will clear the app cache without deleting the app.

However, this option is only available until iOS 12 – for newer iOS versions, your iPhone should automatically clear cache data when it needs space. If you want to manually reclaim more storage space, you will have to delete and reinstall the app (which will clear its cache). We’ll show you how to do this using the popular app, Instagram.

To manually clear an app’s (in this case Instagram) cache by deleting and reinstalling it:

In summary, you can clear the cookies and delete cache on your iPhone to boost your device’s performance and even troubleshoot certain errors. It’s also a good habit to develop to maintain your iPhone’s daily performance. However, make sure that you know your credentials or have them saved elsewhere!

Where do I find the cache on my iPhone?

• B rowser cache – Safari browser caches can be found in the Settings app > Safari . Google Chrome’s caches can be found in the History section of the settings menu (3 dots) within the app itself.
• Browser cookies – Just like browser caches, it depends on the browser. For Safari, it’s found in the Settings app > Safari . For Google Chrome, it’s found in the Settings app > Chrome (this only disables third-party cookies, but not Goole Chrome’s own cookies).
• App cache – You can find app caches by opening each individual app in the first Settings menu.

How do I clear my YouTube cache on iPhone 13?

Is it ok to clear cached data on iphone 11, does clearing an iphone cache delete everything, how to clear the system cache on an iphone.

• Close all apps.
• Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button.
• Once you see the power slider on-screen, release the Sleep/Wake button and press and hold the Home button until you return to the home screen. This will have reset the cache on your iPhone.

How to clear the message cache on an iPhone 12?

• Open the Settings app > General .
• Tap iPhone Storage > Messages.
• Tap either Offload App or Delete app, which will clear out the message cache.

Expect some temporary performance issues until the Messages app rebuilds the cache.

Clear Cache on iPhone & iPad (Safari)

Updated at: May 23, 2024

Safari on iOS has a very straight-forward interface to Reset Safari. The controls to clear your Cookies, Browsing history, cache and other things in Safari are all stored in the same screen. To get to these controls and choose what you want to clear, follow these instructions.

Clear Cache, Cookies and History in Safari on iPhone & iPad

Open the "settings" app.

The controls to reset Safari aren't actually inside Safari! They're in the Settings app.

Go to your iPhone's Home Screen and tap the Settings app.

Scroll down to the "Safari" menu item and tap it

Scroll the screen down until you see Safari , and then tap on it.

Tapping on the Safari menu item will open up the settings screen for Safari.

Scroll down to the "Clear History and Website Data" item

This item is towards the bottom of the screen so you'll need to scroll down a bit.

When you see it, simply tap on it. You will be prompted to confirm deleting your history , cookies and other browsing data .

Confirm your decision to clear your browsing data

Now you are prompted to clear your browsing data. You can tap Cancel (or just press the Home button) to abort clearing your browsing data from Safari if you've decided not to proceed.

Once you've cleared your data you can simply press the Home button to return to the Home Screen of your device.

Clear your cache and cookies in other web browsers

Here are some guides for other web browsers like Chrome or Firefox.

Update my web browser

Do i need to update my browser.

Find out if your browser is out of date Is my browser out of date?

Why should I update my browser?

There are very good reasons to, find out here! Why update your browser?

Is it free to update Chrome?

Find out about the cost of updating Chrome... Does Chrome cost anything?

Get help with our guides

How to enable javascript.

Change your JavaScript settings Guide to enabling Javascript

How to enable Cookies

Configure your cookie settings for privacy Guide to enabling cookies

Related articles

Web browsers without ai.

Some web browsers manufacturers have started adding AI features to their browsers, others have decided not to. Which web browsers don't have AI in them?

I can't log in to a website.

We've got a detailed guide to help you solve login problems How to fix website log in problems

Why do websites use cookies?

Why are cookies useful? Do you need them? What's the deal with cookies?

Clear Cache, Cookies and History

How to reset your browsing history How to reset your browser

Try a different web browser

Different web browsers have different features - try a different one to see if you prefer it. Experiment a bit!

Use a VPN to hide your IP address

We recommend NordVPN to hide your IP address or to unblock websites. Hide your IP Address

Clearing your cache, cookies, and browsing history - Frequently asked questions

How to clear your cache.

Clear instructions to clear your cache, cookies, and history. follow the guides.

Learn how to clear your cache, cookies, and history

What is a cache?

Before you consider clearing your browser cache, you should know what it is.

Learn a little bit about browser caches

What does "Clear your Cache" mean?

Have you heard the phrase "clear your cache" but aren't sure what it means?

What "clear cache" means

Why should I clear my cache?

Not sure why you've been asked to clear your cache?

Why you (might) need to clear your cache

Clear the cache for just one page

Need to completely reload a page but don't want to clear your entire cache?

How to clear the cache for just one page

Should I clear my cookies?

Can clearing cookies help with problems or privacy? Here's some info.

Why you (might) need to clear your cookies

Is it safe to clear my cache?

Are there any risks to clearing your cache?

Find out if it's ok to clear your cache

What happens when I clear my cache?

When I decide to clear my cache or cookies, what actually happens?

See what happens

Clear Cache in Chrome Shortcut

Don't bother clicking the menus, use the handy keyboard shortcut.

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Chrome

Clear Cache in Firefox Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Firefox

Clear Cache in Edge Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Edge

Clear Cache in Brave Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Brave

Clear Cache in Safari Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Safari

Does clearing cache in one browser affect the other browsers on my computer?

Are the different caches on my computer related to each other?

How big is Chrome's Cache?

Find out how much temporary space Chrome is using for your Cache

The size of Chrome's cache

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4 Quick Ways to Clear Your Browser's Cache on an iPhone

Last Updated: June 23, 2024 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 842,396 times. Learn more...

Clearing the cache on your iPhone can help improve any loading or connection issues. When you clear your cache, temporary files will be deleted. This can free up space and even maintain your online privacy. Here's how to clear your browser's cache on an iPhone.

Quick Steps

• Open Settings .
• Tap Safari .
• Tap Clear History and Website Data
• Tap All history .
• Tap Clear History .

• This method will clear Safari's cache, cookies, and history . To keep your history, skip to the last step.

• A pop-up menu will open.

• If you continue, this will also clear the browsing history anywhere else you're signed in with the same Apple ID. This won't affect your saved passwords, addresses, or credit card info.

• Tap Advanced .
• Tap Website Data .
• Tap Remove All Website Data . [1] X Research source

• If you sign in to Chrome using the same Google account you use on your iPhone, the browsing data you delete will be removed from there as well.

• If you only want to delete the cache, tap each other item that has a blue checkmark to remove its checkmark.
• Avoid selecting "Saved Passwords" or "Autofill Data," as that will delete the passwords, addresses, and credit cards you've saved to Chrome .

• To delete the cache only, tap all of the other activated sliders to turn them off.

• If you're signed in to Firefox with your Mozilla account, clearing your cache and other data will also delete that data everywhere you're signed in to Firefox.

• To delete only the cache, tap each other item that has a blue checkmark to remove its checkmark.
• Avoid selecting "Passwords" or "Autofill form data," as that will delete the passwords, addresses, and credit cards you've saved to Edge.

• If you're signed in to Edge with your Microsoft account, clearing your cache and other data will also delete that data everywhere you're signed in to Edge.

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I use these iphone shortcuts to rescue my unproductive days, how your iphone can make your driving experience better, quick links, clear cookies / cache for a specific website.

Clearing the cache on your iPhone or iPad is really easy, but that will log you out of every single website that you were previously logged into, and wipe any other cookie-based preferences. So what if you want to just wipe cookies or cache for a single site?

Luckily that's also pretty easy... though not quite as simple since you'll have to dig through a list of all the sites you've ever visited or that have put cookies on your device.

You might be asking yourself why you'd bother doing this, and the answer is simple: if a particular site is misbehaving you can wipe the cache and cookies just for that site, login again, and sometimes the problem will be resolved.

First you'll want to open up the Settings app, and then find Safari on the left-hand side, and then scroll down until you see the Advanced on the right-hand side. If you're using an iPhone it won't display like this, but you'll be able to easily figure it out.

Now press the Website Data button.

And now push the Edit text button on the upper right-hand corner.

Now you'll see a list of the sites that have put cookies on your device. You'll probably need to expand to show all of the sites, and then browse down through the list. Once you've found the one you want to wipe, just hit the red minus icon and then press Delete, just like you would in most iOS apps.

There isn't a whole lot more to it.

• iPhone & iPad

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When Was the Last Time You Cleared Your iPhone Cache?

If it's been more than a month since you cleared out your browser, do yourself a favor and clean it out.

• Adam has been covering streaming services since 2013 and wants to help people navigate the subscription creep in their lives.

• Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

A clear cache keeps your browsing snappy.

You're browsing the web on your  iPhone , reading about the latest iPhone 16 rumors when you notice that things look a little off. Images are misshapen, some information is missing. You might be wondering what's going on.

Instead, you should be asking: When was the last time you cleared your cache?

Your browser cache stores website data for faster retrieval, which can keep things a little snappier when everything matches up. But over time page elements might change -- new images, different layouts, etc. -- and that's when problems can pop up.

Whether you use  Chrome , Safari or other browsers on your iPhone, your cache builds up that digital clutter over time. Clearing your cache gives the browser a new start, which can speed up your web surfing, even on  iOS 17 . (If you're trying to get your phone to run faster, try  managing your iPhone's storage .)

Website cookies are similar, except they store information about user data, rather than data on the website itself. Clearing your cookies gives you a chance to reset those preferences, which could improve your browsing experience. Note that clearing your cache and cookies will log you out of sites, which means you'll have to log into them again and reset any preferences. The upfront investment of that time can lead to a smoother experience down the road, and it can be a useful fix if you've recently changed settings that aren't being applied properly.

Here are step-by-step guides on how to clear your cache on your iPhone based on  the browser you use .

How to clear your iPhone cache in Safari

Safari is the default browser on iPhones, and you can clear your Safari cache in a few short steps. Starting with iOS 11, following this process will affect all devices signed in to your iCloud account . As a result, all your devices' caches will be cleared, and you'll need to sign in to everything the next time you use them. Here's what to do.

1 . Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2 . Select Safari from the list of apps.

3 . Go to Clear History and Website Data.

4 . Choose Clear History and Data in the pop-up box.

Then you're set!

Read more : Best iPhone in 2024: Which Apple Phone Should You Buy?

How to clear your iPhone cache in Chrome

It's easy to clear your iPhone cache in Chrome.

Chrome is another popular browser for iPhone users. Thankfully, Google has simplified the process for clearing your Chrome cache, making it much faster to clear your data.

1 . Open the Chrome app.

2 . Select the three dots in the bottom right to open more options.

3 . Swipe over to Settings in the top menu bar. 

4 . Scroll down and tap Privacy and security .

5 . Tap Clear Browsing Data  to open up another menu. Select the intended time range at the top of the menu (anywhere from Last Hour to All Time). Make sure that Cookies, Site Data is checked, along with Cached Images and Files . Finally, hit Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of the screen.

Read more : This iPhone Setting Stops Ads From Following You Across the Web

How to clear your iPhone cache in Firefox

If you're a Firefox devotee, don't worry. Clearing the cache on your iPhone is pretty straightforward. Just follow these steps. 

1 . Click the hamburger menu in the bottom right corner to open up options.

2 . Choose Settings at the bottom of the menu.

3 . Select  Data Management  in the Privacy section.

4 . You can select Website Data to clear data for individual sites, or select Clear Private Data at the bottom of the screen to clear data from all selected fields.

Read more : Experiencing Slow Wi-Fi? It Could Be Caused by Internet Throttling. Here's How to Tell

What happens when you clear the cache? 

Clearing your cache removes the website data your phone stored locally to prevent having to download that data upon each new visit. The data in your cache builds over time and can end up slowing things down if it becomes too bulky or out of date. (My phone had about 150MB of data stored in Chrome when I checked.) Clearing that data gives sites a fresh start, which may fix some loading errors and speed up your browser. Clearing your cache also signs you out of pages, so be prepared to sign in to everything again. 

How often do I need to clear my cache?

Most people only need to clear their caches once every month or two. That's generally the point when your browser will build up a cache large enough to start slowing things down. If you frequent a large number of sites, you should err on the side of clearing your cache more often.

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How to Set up iPhone Safari for Enhanced Browsing

By  Achilles Hill  | Last Updated August 20, 2024

Safari, the default web browser on iPhones, is designed to offer a smooth and efficient browsing experience. However, many users are unaware of the various settings and features that can be customized to enhance both performance and privacy. Whether you're a casual user or a power browser, optimizing Safari can significantly improve your online experience. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up iPhone Safari for enhanced browsing, ensuring that your browsing is faster, safer, and more efficient.

Why Customize Safari on Your iPhone?

Part 1--how to initial setup for safari, part 2--how to customize safari’s appearance, part 3--how to optimize safari for privacy, part 4--how to enhance safari’s performance, part 5--how to improve safari’s usability, part 6--advanced safari settings, part 7--faqs about safari settings.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies for personalizing content and ads and providing social media features. Your usage information on our website will be used for social media, advertising, and traffic analytics, or shared with our partners.Clicking "Accept Cookies" means you agree with our Privacy Policy .

Customizing Safari goes beyond just altering its appearance—it’s about tailoring your browsing experience to be more secure, efficient, and suited to your needs.

Benefits of Enhanced Browsing

Optimizing Safari can lead to a variety of benefits, including:

Faster loading times: By minimizing unnecessary data and resources.

Better organization: Through personalized start pages and tabs.

Improved accessibility: With reader modes and customizable interfaces, making it easier to read and navigate websites.

Improve Privacy and Security

With online privacy becoming increasingly important, Safari offers several settings to help protect your data. Features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention, Fraudulent Website Warnings, and Private Browsing Mode are essential for keeping your personal information safe from tracking and data collection.

Boost Performance and Efficiency

Clearing your cache regularly, managing extensions, and using content blockers can significantly boost Safari’s speed and efficiency, making your daily browsing experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Before diving into the customization of Safari, it’s important to ensure that your browser is up to date and properly synced across all your Apple devices.

Update to the Latest iOS Version

To ensure that you have access to the latest Safari features and security updates, your iPhone should be updated to the latest iOS version . You can check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update . Keeping your iPhone updated ensures that Safari performs optimally and stays secure.

Enable iCloud Sync

iCloud sync allows you to access your Safari bookmarks, reading lists, and open tabs across all your Apple devices. This is particularly useful if you switch between an iPhone, iPad, and Mac. To enable iCloud sync: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud , then ensure that the Safari toggle is turned on.

Access Tabs on Multiple Apple Devices

To view the tabs you have open on other Apple devices: Open Safari on your iPhone, tap the Tabs button at the bottom right, scroll down to see tabs open on your other devices under the “ From other devices ” section.

Set Safari as Your Default Browser

If you’ve ever used another browser on your iPhone, you might need to set Safari back as your default browser. This ensures that all links you click on in emails, messages, or apps open in Safari: Open Settings > Safari , tap Default Browser App and select Safari .

Safari’s appearance can be personalized to make your browsing experience more enjoyable and functional.

Change the Start Page Layout

The start page in Safari is the first thing you see when you open the browser. Customizing this page allows you to quickly access your favorite sites and tools.

Add Favorites and Frequently Visited Sites

You can add your most visited websites to Safari’s start page for easy access: Open a new tab in Safari; scroll down and tap Edit ; toggle on Favorites and Frequently Visited , tap the + button to add a website to your Favorites.

Enable Privacy Reports on the Start Page

Safari offers Privacy Reports that give insights into how websites are tracking you. To enable this feature on your start page: Open a new tab in Safari ; scroll down to Edit the start page, toggle on Privacy Report to display it on your start page.

Customize Toolbar and Tabs

Safari’s interface can be adjusted to fit your browsing style, allowing you to choose how tabs and tools are displayed.

With the introduction of iOS 15, Safari now features a new tab bar design that integrates the address bar with your tabs. You can switch between the new layout and the classic single tab layout: Access Settings > Safari , under Tabs , choose between Tab Bar and Single Tab .

Safari allows you to customize which items appear on the toolbar for quick access: Open Safari, tap the AA icon in the address bar; choose Customize Toolbar to add or rearrange items like bookmarks, reading list, and privacy report.

Privacy is a top concern for many users, and Safari offers several settings to help protect your data while browsing.

Enable Intelligent Tracking Prevention

Safari’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention uses machine learning to identify and block trackers from collecting your data. This feature is enabled by default, but you can manage it in Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Prevent Cross-site Tracking.

Enable Fraudulent Website Warnings

Safari can warn you when you’re about to visit a potentially harmful website: Access Settings > Safari ; toggle on Fraudulent Website Warning under the Privacy & Security section. This setting helps protect you from phishing sites and other online scams.

Control Location Access

To manage which websites can access your location: Go to Settings > Safari > Location ; choose between Allow, Ask, or Deny.

Manage Camera and Microphone Access

To manage permissions for your camera and microphone: Go to Settings > Safari > Camera & Microphone ; Select your preferred settings for each website.

Stop Pop-ups in Safari on iPhone

Pop-ups can be intrusive and annoying, but Safari allows you to block them easily: tap Settings > Safari ; toggle on Block Pop-ups to prevent pop-ups from appearing while you browse.

Over time, Safari can accumulate data that may slow it down. Here’s how to keep it running smoothly.

Clear Cache and Cookies

Clearing Safari’s cache and cookies regularly can help improve the browser’s performance. You can check details in this article .

Delete Safari’s Offline Reading List Cache

Safari’s Reading List can store articles for offline reading, but over time this can take up significant storage space. To clear this cache:

• Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage .
• Scroll down and tap Safari.
• Tap Offline Reading List and then Delete to clear the cache.

Manage Safari Extensions

Extensions can add extra functionality to Safari, but too many can slow down the browser. Here’s how to manage them effectively.

To install extensions that enhance your browsing experience: Open the App Store and search for Safari extensions; Download and install the ones that meet your needs.

To manage or remove unnecessary extensions you no longer need: Tap Settings > Safari > Extension ; Toggle off or delete the extensions you don’t use.

Safari includes several features designed to make your browsing experience more user-friendly, especially when it comes to reading and managing tabs.

Use Safari Reader Mode

Reader Mode simplifies web pages by removing ads and other distractions, making it easier to focus on the content.

Activate Reader Mode Automatically

You can set Reader Mode to activate automatically on supported sites: Tap the AA icon in Safari’s address bar; Select Use Reader Automatically to enable this feature.

Customize Reader Mode’s Appearance

Customize the look of Reader Mode to suit your preferences: Tap the AA icon while in Reader Mode; Choose your preferred text size, background color, and font to enhance readability.

Utilize Safari’s Reading List

Safari’s Reading List allows you to save articles for later reading, even when you’re offline.

To add links to your Reading List: Tap and hold a link in Safari; Choose Add to Reading List from the context menu. This allows you to save articles for later reading, even offline.

If you no longer need an article in your Reading List: Open your Reading List by tapping the Bookmarks icon, then the Glasses icon. Swipe left on the item you want to remove and tap Delete .

If you want to enable the offline reading with Safari’s reading list, you can access Settings > Safari and then toggle on Automatically Save Offline under the Reading List section.

Open Links in Background or New Page

You can choose how links open in Safari, either in the background or in a new page: Go to Settings > Safari > Open Links ; Select In Background if you prefer to open links without switching from the current page, or In New Page to switch to the link immediately.

For those looking to take their browsing to the next level, Safari offers a range of advanced settings and tools.

Enable Content Blockers

Content blockers can help improve your browsing speed and security by blocking ads, trackers, and other unwanted content.

To find a content blocker that suits your needs: Search the App Store for content blockers; Download and enable them in Settings > Safari > Content Blockers .

Use AutoFill for Forms

AutoFill can save time by automatically filling in forms with your saved information, such as addresses, credit cards, and passwords.

To set up AutoFill for credit cards: Go to Settings > Safari > AutoFill ; Toggle on Credit Cards and tap Saved Credit Cards to add your card details.

Manage Passwords with Safari

Safari can securely store and auto-fill your passwords: Go to Settings > Passwords and use the built-in password manager to add, view, or manage saved passwords.

View Full URL of Links in Safari on iPhone

By default, Safari shows a simplified version of the URL in the address bar, but you can choose to see the full URL: Tap and hold the URL in the address bar; Choose Show Full Address from the options to see the complete URL.

1. How do I clear Safari history on my iPhone?

Go to Settings > Safari , then tap Clear History and Website Data . This will remove your browsing history, cookies, and other data.

2. Can I use extensions on iPhone Safari?

Yes, you can install and manage Safari extensions through the App Store and Settings > Safari > Extensions .

3. How do I turn on private browsing in Safari?

Open Safari, tap the Tabs button, then select Private and tap Done to activate Private Browsing Mode.

4. What should I do if Safari is not responding?

Try force quitting Safari and reopening it. If the problem persists, clear your cache, restart your iPhone, or check for iOS updates.

5. How do I sync Safari data across all my Apple devices?

Enable iCloud sync for Safari by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggling on Safari. This will sync your bookmarks, reading list, and open tabs across all your Apple devices.

Setting up Safari for enhanced browsing on your iPhone can make a significant difference in how you experience the web. By customizing its appearance, optimizing privacy settings, improving performance, and utilizing advanced features, you can transform Safari into a powerful and efficient tool that meets your specific needs. Regularly updating your settings and exploring new features will ensure that you continue to enjoy the best browsing experience possible.

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Can’t Clear My Safari Web Browser History: Troubleshooting Steps

Michael Kay

August 16, 2024

If you’re using Safari on an Apple device, you may encounter difficulties clearing your browsing history. This could be due to device restrictions or a temporary software issue. It’s crucial to clear your history, cookies, and cache to safeguard your privacy and maintain your browsing habits private. To address this problem, start by attempting to clear your history through Safari’s settings.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to delve deeper into the system settings. Understanding how Safari stores data and the available privacy options is important. If clearing your history directly in Safari is unsuccessful, you can try resetting network settings or clearing data from your iPhone or iPad settings.

Resolving Issues Clearing Safari History

Having trouble clearing your Safari web browser history? Don’t worry, there are a few things you can try to fix this issue.

Check for Content & Privacy Restrictions

If you’re unable to clear your Safari history, content & privacy restrictions might be the culprit. This feature, often used for parental controls, can prevent history clearing. To check:

• Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
• Tap on “Screen Time” and then “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
• If enabled, enter your Screen Time passcode.
• Disable “Content & Privacy Restrictions” or adjust settings to allow history clearing.

Clear History and Website Data

• Go to “Settings” > “Safari” > “Clear History and Website Data”.
• Tap “Clear History and Data” to confirm.

Restart Safari

• Double-press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen if you have a newer iPad without a Home button) to view the app switcher.
• Swipe up on the Safari app preview to close it.
• Reopen Safari and try clearing the history again.

Restart Your Device

• Press and hold the power button until the “slide to power off” slider appears.
• Slide the slider to power off your device.
• Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.

Check iCloud Settings

• Go to “Settings” > [Your Name] > “iCloud”.
• Make sure “Safari” is turned on. If it’s off, turn it on and wait for your data to sync.
• If “Safari” is already on, try turning it off and then back on again.

Reset Network Settings

• Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings”.
• Enter your passcode if prompted.
• This will reset your Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN and APN settings.

Reset All Settings

( Caution: This will reset all your settings, including Wi-Fi passwords and display settings. Back up your device before proceeding. )

• Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Reset All Settings”.

Turn Off Screen Time

If the above method fails, try turning off Screen Time completely:

• Go to “Settings.”
• Tap on “Screen Time.”
• Scroll down and tap “Turn Off Screen Time.”
• Enter your Screen Time passcode.

After turning it off, try clearing your Safari history. Remember to turn Screen Time back on if you need its features.

Other Troubleshooting Tips

• Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can sometimes resolve glitches causing the issue.
• Check for updates: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version, as updates often fix bugs.
• Clear website data: In Safari settings, try clearing website data instead of history. This might remove any data preventing history clearing.

If the Problem Persists

If you’ve tried the above steps and still can’t clear your Safari history, here are additional options:

• Reset Settings: Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone” > “Reset.” Choose “Reset All Settings” and follow the instructions. This won’t erase your data, but you’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and other preferences.
• Contact Apple Support: If none of the solutions work, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. They can help diagnose and resolve the issue.

If None of the Above Works:

• Contact Apple Support: If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and you’re still unable to clear your Safari history, it’s time to contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Additional Tips:

• Private Browsing: If you don’t want to save your browsing history, you can use Private Browsing mode in Safari.
• Regularly Clear Your History: It’s a good practice to clear your browsing history regularly to protect your privacy and free up storage space on your device.

Remember: Clearing your history will also delete cookies and other website data, so you may need to log in to websites again after clearing your history.

Key Takeaways

• Users sometimes cannot clear Safari history due to restrictions or glitches.
• Maintaining privacy involves clearing history, cookies, and cache from Safari.
• Troubleshooting may require system settings adjustments beyond Safari’s options.

Understanding Safari History and Privacy

This section provides insights into how Safari handles your browsing history and the impact on your privacy. It also explains what happens when you clear this data from your browser.

The Role of Browsing History in Safari

Safari keeps a record of the websites you visit. This browsing history helps the browser quickly access sites you’ve been to before. Apple aims to make your web experience fast and convenient with this function.

Privacy Implications of Website Data

Website data includes cookies and caches that store information about your web activity. This data can affect your privacy because it can reveal your browsing habits.

Consequences of Clearing Safari Browsing History

When you choose to clear your browsing history in Safari, you also remove saved data like cookies. This improves privacy but can reset some settings on websites. You might need to log in again on some sites after you clear history and website data.

Steps to Clear History on Apple Devices

Clearing browsing history on Apple devices can help protect privacy and free up storage. This section provides specific steps to delete history on different devices and explores Safari’s private browsing feature, which affects how history is stored.

Clearing History on iPhone Using Settings App

To clear Safari history on an iPhone, open the Settings app . Scroll down and tap Safari . Inside, there is an option to Clear History and Website Data . Tapping this will remove history, cookies, and other browsing data. Note that this does not delete AutoFill information.

Managing Safari History on Mac

On a Mac, the process differs slightly. Open the Safari app and click Safari in the menu bar. Choose Clear History from the dropdown menu. Select a timeframe to delete history from. This action also clears cookies and the back and forward list.

Safari’s Private Browsing Mode and Its Impact

Using Private Browsing Mode in Safari prevents the browser from saving the history. To enable it, open Safari on an iPhone or Mac and tap the tabs icon . Choose Private , then tap Done . No history is saved during these browsing sessions, ensuring privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When using Safari on an iPhone or iPad, you might sometimes face issues with deleting your browsing history. This section will help you understand why that happens and how to fix it.

Why am I unable to delete my Safari browsing history on my iPhone?

If you can’t delete your Safari history, it might be due to restrictions set on your iPhone. Check if you have any content restrictions enabled that prevent history deletion.

What steps are involved in removing Safari history on an iPhone with Restrictions enabled?

To remove Safari history with Restrictions, go to ‘Settings’, then ‘Screen Time’, and tap ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’. Enter your Screen Time passcode if required, and adjust the settings that control website data.

How can I erase my Safari search history if it’s not working on my iPad?

If your iPad is not allowing you to erase Safari history, try rebooting your device. If that doesn’t work, check for restrictions as you would on an iPhone.

In what situations is Safari browsing history unable to be cleared?

Safari browsing history may not clear if there is a software glitch, if your device has restrictions enabled, or if your iCloud settings are syncing history across devices.

How do you remove the browser cache in Safari on an iOS device?

To remove the browser cache in Safari on an iOS device, go to ‘Settings’, scroll down and tap ‘Safari’, then select ‘Clear History and Website Data’.

What could prevent the deletion of browsing history in Safari on an iPhone?

Prevention of deletion may be due to iCloud sync issues, content restrictions, low storage, or an unresponsive Safari app. Check these areas to determine the cause.

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Safari User Guide

• Get started
• Go to a website
• Bookmark webpages to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Import bookmarks and passwords
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• View links from friends
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Interact with text in a picture
• Change your homepage
• Customize a start page
• Create a profile
• Block pop-ups
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Hide your email address
• Manage cookies
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• See who tried to track you
• Change Safari settings
• Keyboard and other shortcuts

Clear cookies in Safari on Mac

You can see all the websites that have stored cookies and website data on your Mac, and you can remove some or all of it.

Open Safari for me

Click Manage Website Data.

Select one or more websites, then click Remove or Remove All.

Removing the data may reduce tracking, but may also log you out of websites or change website behavior.

Note: Removing cookies and website data in Safari may change or remove them in other apps.