How to Clear App Cache on iPhone

On Android, it's easy to clear an app cache. On iPhone, it's not so easy. You can instead just restart the iPhone to clear all apps' caches. If you don't want to restart, you can remove the App and then reinstall it. But it would also delete all the app's data, which isn't a great solution if the app doesn't also store a copy of the data online. App cache data and cookies can take up space on your iPhone and slow down your browser performance. Here's how to clear the app cache on your iPhone and make your device run faster.

What is app cache and why you should clear app cache?

Every time we use an App on our iPhone or iPad, it collects information and stores it in a space of memory called Cache. This is done to improve the user experience. This information can be quickly retrieved from the cache so that it can be used again. For example, Safari uses a cache to keep track of the sites you've been to and will use them later to speed up your browsing.

Even though this is important for making the site run faster, the cache files that are created every time you use your iPhone are taking up more and more space and making your device run slower and less efficiently. Not only do cached web pages take up space on your iPhone, but so do other files. Cache data could also be automatically generated scripts, images, and other media files. As the number of apps you have installed and how often you use them both grow, you may end up with more cache files that use up more storage space on your iPhone and make it run slower. No matter what kind of iPhone you have, deleting cookies, and hidden junk files, and clearing the cache on it regularly is a great way to keep it clean, free up space, and speed it up. Also, if you clear your iPhone's app cache, app cookies, junk files, and temporary files, you'll free up system resources. Sometimes, this will fix many battery problems and make your iPhone's battery last longer if it drains quickly.

How to Clear App Cache on iPhone

You must "offload" your app cache in order to get rid of it. This frees up space, but your user data stays the same. If you want to reinstall the app, all of your data will be restored without you having to start from scratch. Here's how to clear your app cache.

1. Go to Settings by tapping on the Gear icon.

2. Tap on General.

3. Tap on iPhone Storage.

4. Now you will see a list of apps on your iPhone. Tap on the one that you'd like to clear then select Offload App.

5. Tap Offload App to confirm your action.

Clear cache on iPhone using the Usage option

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap on General then select Storage & iCloud Usage.

3. Tap Manage Storage in the section called "Storage" at the top;

4. You should now see a list of all your apps and how much space each one uses. Choose the app that uses up a lot of room on your iPhone. It could take a long time to reinstall every app. So you can see how much space each app takes up and only reinstall the ones that take up the most space;

5. Tap on "Documents and Data." If an app takes up more than 500MB, you should delete it to make room on your device.

 5. Tap "Delete App," and then go to the App Store to get it again. This will be a fresh installation without any data or files.

Clear app Cache by reinstalling the app

One of the most common ways to clear app cache on an iPhone without deleting the app is to uninstall it and then reinstall it.

Almost all of the apps you install on your iOS device take up some space in addition to how much space they take up when you download them. On an iPhone or iPad, there is no way to clear the cache of an app other than Safari, and the only way to free up space in its memory is to uninstall the app. When you uninstall an app from your iPhone, everything you have in that app, including the cache and preferences, will be deleted.

To uninstall and reinstall an app:

1. Touch and hold the app's icon on your home screen until all the icons on the screen start to move.

2. Then tap Delete app or the little cross-over icon.

3. Once the app is uninstalled from your iPhone, go to the App Store and search for it then download it again.

How to clear app cache in Safari

1. Go to Settings by tapping on the Gear icon.

2. Scroll down and tap on Safari.

3. Tap on Clear History and Website Data.

4. Tap on Clear History and Data to confirm your action.

Related: How to use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone and Mac.

Clear App Cache by Restarting your Device

Like we said before, restarting the iPhone clears the cache for all running apps and services. It's the easiest and only way to clear the cache for apps on an iPhone.

iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR

Hold down the Power and Volume Down buttons until you see a slider on the screen that says "Slide to turn off."

Touch the slider and move it to the right, then let go. This will make your iPhone turn off. It might take a second or two.

Once your iPhone is off, press and hold the Power button again until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

iPhone 8 Plus and earlier devices

Hold down the Power button until you see a slider that says "Slide to turn off" on the screen.

To turn off your iPhone, touch and move the slider.

Once it's completely off, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.

If turning off and on the iPhone doesn't fix the problem with the app, you might have to reinstall the app.