Quick Answer
To clear Safari cache on iPhone, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, then confirm. This removes browsing history, cookies, and cached files, which can fix page-loading issues and free storage. If you only want to clear a single site’s data, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, find the site, and delete it. If you use iCloud for Safari, clearing history will also sync across your other Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
Why clearing Safari cache can help
Safari saves temporary files and cookies to speed up browsing and keep you signed in. Over time, that data can grow or become outdated, causing slow pages, layout glitches, login loops, or errors after a site changes. Clearing cache and site data forces Safari to fetch fresh files and reissue cookies, often fixing these problems and recovering storage space. It does not delete bookmarks, favorites, AutoFill entries, or passwords stored with iCloud Keychain.
The fastest way: Clear History and Website Data (everything)
This option clears your entire Safari history, cookies, and cached files in one step.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Confirm. If prompted to close tabs, choose Keep Tabs to leave them open.
What happens next:
- History entries are removed from Safari on this iPhone and any other devices where Safari is synced with iCloud.
- Cookies and cached files are deleted, which signs you out of most websites and forces them to reload resources.
- Bookmarks, Reading List items, AutoFill info, and iCloud Keychain passwords remain intact.
Clear recent history only (choose a time range in Safari)
To delete just your recent browsing history without wiping all website data, use the History view in Safari.
- Open Safari.
- Tap the Bookmarks button (open book icon), then the History tab (clock icon).
- Tap Clear.
- Choose a time range: The last hour, Today, Today and yesterday, or All time.
This removes history (and related recent cookies for sites visited in that range) while leaving most other site data in place. It does not fully purge all cached files like the Settings method.
Delete cache and cookies for one site only
When one website misbehaves, remove its data without affecting others.
- Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
- Use the search bar to find the site.
- Swipe left on the site and tap Delete, or tap Edit and remove it.
- Optional: Tap Remove All Website Data to purge all sites if needed.
This deletes that site’s cookies, cache, local storage, and databases. Your browsing history entries for that site remain unless you also clear history separately (in Safari > History).
Clear Safari data from iPhone Storage
You can clear website data from iPhone Storage when you’re focused on freeing space.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Scroll and tap Safari.
- Tap Website Data to see sizes by site (it may take a moment to load).
- Tap Remove All Website Data, or delete specific sites from the list.
This view mirrors the Website Data controls in Safari settings, but makes it easier to judge which sites are using the most storage.
What each option clears (at a glance)
| Method | What it clears | Time range | Logs you out? | Affects other devices? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data | All history, cookies, cached files | All time | Yes, for most sites | History syncs via iCloud; website data removal is local |
| Safari app > History > Clear | History (and related recent cookies) | Choose: last hour, today, etc. | Possibly, for sites in the chosen range | History changes sync via iCloud |
| Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data | Site-specific cookies, cache, local storage | Per site | Yes, for that site | Local to this device; history unaffected |
| Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Safari | Same as Website Data list (per site or all) | N/A | Yes, if removed | Local to this device |
| Private Browsing (close private tabs) | No history is saved; temporary cookies/cache vanish when closed | Session-based | Session cookies removed on close | Not synced |
Extra cleanup that frees Safari space
Remove file downloads
Safari saves downloads to Files > Downloads (or a folder you chose). Delete old files there to free storage immediately. If you use iCloud Drive for Downloads, removing large files may also free iCloud storage.
Manage Reading List offline storage
Reading List items can be stored offline and take up space.
- To stop auto-downloading: Settings > Safari > turn off Automatically Save Offline.
- To delete items: Open Safari > Bookmarks > Reading List, swipe left on entries to remove.
Trim heavy site data
In Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, review the largest entries and remove offenders. Streaming sites, web apps, and social platforms often accumulate the most data.
Privacy and iCloud considerations
If iCloud is enabled for Safari, clearing history on one device removes it on all devices signed in with the same Apple ID. Website data (cookies, caches, local storage) is primarily device‑local, so signing out typically happens only on the device where you cleared data. Clearing cache does not erase iCloud Keychain passwords, AutoFill credit cards, bookmarks, favorites, or your Reading List. For sessions you don’t want recorded, use Private Browsing; session data persists only until you close all private tabs.
Troubleshooting: If the button is grayed out or data won’t clear
Screen Time restrictions
If Clear History and Website Data is grayed out, Screen Time is often the cause.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content.
- Set to Unrestricted Access, or temporarily turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Return to Settings > Safari and try again.
Managed or school devices
If your iPhone is managed by an organization (MDM), a profile may block clearing history. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If a management profile is installed, contact your IT administrator to change the policy.
Sync or caching hiccups
- Force-quit Safari, then retry clearing.
- Restart your iPhone.
- If iCloud Safari sync seems stuck, briefly toggle it off and back on (Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Safari), choosing to merge when re-enabling. Note: changing sync settings can alter data across devices.
Best practices
There’s no need to clear Safari cache on a schedule. Do it when you notice slowdowns, site errors, or after a major site update. For privacy, clear recent history after sensitive sessions or use Private Browsing. When storage is tight, review Website Data and Downloads and remove the largest items first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing Safari cache delete my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Clearing cache and website data does not remove bookmarks, favorites, Reading List, AutoFill entries, or passwords stored in iCloud Keychain. You will be signed out of most websites and may need to log in again.
What’s the difference between clearing history and clearing website data?
History is the list of pages you visited and powers suggestions and the History view. Website data includes cookies, caches, local storage, and databases used by sites. Clearing history doesn’t remove all cached files, while clearing website data logs you out and forces sites to reload fresh resources. The Settings option “Clear History and Website Data” removes both at once.
Can I clear Safari cache without deleting my browsing history?
Yes. Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data and remove specific sites or tap Remove All Website Data. Your history remains unless you clear it separately.
Will clearing Safari on my iPhone affect my iPad or Mac?
Clearing history affects all devices signed in with the same Apple ID if Safari is enabled in iCloud. Clearing website data (cookies/cache) is local to the device and won’t sign you out on your other devices.
Why is the Clear History and Website Data option grayed out?
Screen Time restrictions are the most common reason. Set Web Content to Unrestricted Access under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Managed profiles from work or school can also disable it; in that case, contact your IT admin.
How much storage can I free by clearing Safari data?
It varies by usage. To see the exact amount, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Safari > Website Data. Removing large site entries and old downloads can free hundreds of megabytes on heavy-use devices.
Does Private Browsing keep cache and cookies?
Private tabs don’t store browsing history and isolate cookies/cache to the private session. Those temporary files are discarded when you close all private tabs, but they persist during the session itself.