A cluttered iPhone cache can slow down your device and impact performance. Clearing the cache helps free up storage space, speeds up apps, fixes software issues and improves overall functionality. This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple methods to clear different types of iPhone cache for a smoother and more optimal experience.
Why You Should Clear Your iPhone Cache
Over time, your iPhone’s performance slows down as the cache builds up from app data, browsing history, device software issues and more. Here are some key reasons to clear your iPhone cache regularly:
Frees Up Storage Space
Cache files take up a considerable amount of internal storage space on your iPhone. Deleting the cache removes temporary files, frees up memory and gives you more available storage capacity. This lets you download more apps, store more photos and videos, and improves overall device performance.
Speeds Up Apps
Large cached app data causes apps to lag and freeze frequently. Clearing the cache deletes this unwanted data, helps apps run smoother and launch faster without constant crashing or long load times.
Fixes Minor Software Issues
iPhone software can sometimes have minor glitches that lead to problems like repeated freezing, slow performance, high battery drain and apps not functioning properly. Deleting the cache refreshes your device’s software and effectively solves many of these small issues.
Improves Overall Performance
An overloaded cache strains your iPhone’s CPU and RAM usage, which translates to laggy response times, frequent app crashes and other performance problems. Freeing up space by removing cache files allows your device to run much smoother and optimally.
How Often Should You Clear Your iPhone Cache?
Most iPhone experts recommend clearing your cache every one or two weeks for optimal performance. However, how often you should delete your cache also depends on how heavily you use your device.
If you regularly download new apps, browse the web frequently, stream a lot of media or use many different features daily, aim to clear the accumulated cache at least once a week. For moderate usage, a biweekly cache refresh should suffice. This prevents your cache from becoming overloaded while freeing up space regularly.
Different Ways to Clear Your iPhone Cache
You can delete your iPhone’s cache in several ways depending on your specific needs:
Clear Browser Cache
Delete Individual App Caches
Erase Content and Settings
Force Restart Device
Use Third-Party Cleaner Apps
The following sections will cover these cache-clearing methods in more detail.
Clear Browser Cache
Web browser caches take up considerable device storage as they collect browsing history, cookies, temporary internet files and other data. Here are the steps to clear your iPhone browser cache:
Safari Cache:
Open the Settings app
Tap on Safari
Select Clear History and Website Data
Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data again
This deletes all Safari browser history, cookies, cache and other temporary internet files.
Chrome Cache:
Open the Chrome app
Tap on the three dots in the bottom right for settings
Choose History > Clear Browsing Data
Select the desired time range and data types
Tap on Clear Browsing Data
This allows you to customize exactly what cache data should be deleted.
Delete Individual App Caches
You can delete cache files and temporary data on a per-app basis as follows:
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
Wait for your apps to load
Select the app whose cache you want to clear
Tap on Offload App or Delete App (this keeps or deletes the actual app respectively)
Reinstall the app from the App Store
This forces the app to start fresh by erasing all old cache and data associated with it for smoother functioning.
Erase Content and Settings
The nuclear option to wipe your entire iPhone cache along with all content and settings is as follows:
Open Settings and tap General > Reset
Choose Erase All Content and Settings
Enter your passcode if prompted
Confirm again by tapping Erase Now
Set up your iPhone again once it restarts
This completely factory resets your device, erasing all cache, apps, photos, messages and personal content for a clean slate.
Force Restart Device
Force restarting your iPhone essentially clears out memory leaks, refreshes running processes and clears some temporary files:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button
Immediately press and release the Volume Down button
Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo
Make sure to only press and release the volume buttons once before holding the side button.
Use Third-Party Cleaner Apps
Specialized cleaner apps like PhoneClean or iMyFone iCleaner can erase junk files, delete app caches, uninstall unneeded apps and free up significant storage space on your iPhone. However, be wary of apps that make unrealistic claims of drastically boosting device speed or performance.
Tips to Maintain iPhone Performance
Along with regularly clearing cache, here are some useful tips to keep your iPhone running fast and smooth:
Close apps not in use to free up RAM
Disable Background App Refresh for some apps
Turn off unnecessary notifications
Use Low Power Mode to reduce strain on your CPU and battery
Update to the latest iOS software version
Replace battery if capacity drops below 80%
The Bottom Line
Allowing iPhone cache to build up decreases available storage, slows down apps, drains battery faster and hurts overall performance. Clearing your cache as often as once a week provides the best results. The easiest ways are to clear your browser history, delete caches of specific problematic apps or erase all content and settings for a factory reset. Using these cache cleaning methods alongside some iPhone maintenance tips will keep your device running as fast and smooth as possible.
