iPhone X: How to Clear Cache (Safari & Apps)

To clear the cache on an iPhone X, you clear Safari’s website data and each app’s own cache from within the app or by offloading the app. There is no single “Clear Cache” button for the entire system, but the steps below cover every practical method.

What “Cache” Means on an iPhone X

Your iPhone X stores temporary files—images, scripts, and login tokens—to speed up loading times. Safari keeps a website cache, and most apps (like Instagram, Chrome, or Spotify) keep their own. Clearing it frees storage and can fix glitches, but you’ll need to log in again on some sites and apps.

Clear Safari Cache (the Standard Method)

Safari is the default browser on iPhone X, and its cache is the most common target. Here’s how to clear it:

Open Settings → Safari.
Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data.

This removes browsing history, cookies, and cache files. It does not delete your saved passwords (those are in iCloud Keychain) or bookmarks. If you only want to clear one site’s data, go to Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data, swipe left on a site, and tap Delete.

Clear Cache in Chrome and Other Browsers

If you use Chrome on your iPhone X, the steps are different:

Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu (⋯) at the bottom right.
Tap History → Clear Browsing Data.
Choose a time range (e.g., “All time”) and check Cache and Cookies.
Tap Clear Browsing Data.

Firefox and Edge have similar options in their settings menus. The general rule: look for “Clear Browsing Data” or “Privacy” in the browser’s settings.

Clear App Caches (Without Deleting the App)

Most apps on iOS don’t expose a “clear cache” button. Instead, you have two options:

In-app settings: Many apps have a “Clear Cache” or “Storage” option. For example, in the YouTube app: Settings → Storage → Clear cache. In Spotify: Settings → Storage → Clear cache.
Offload the app: This removes the app’s documents and cache but keeps your data. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage, tap the app, then tap Offload App. The app icon stays, and tapping it re-downloads the app from the App Store. Your logins and saved data (like game progress) usually remain because they’re in the app’s container, but the cache is gone.

If you need to clear cache for an app that has no in-app option, offloading is the safest method. It’s like a “soft reset” for the app.

What About “Other” Storage?

If you check Settings → General → iPhone Storage, you’ll see a category called “Other.” This includes caches, logs, and temporary files. There’s no direct way to clear it, but you can reduce it by:

Restarting your iPhone X (hold the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off).
Deleting old messages with attachments (Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Messages → Review Large Attachments).
Clearing Safari’s cache as above.

If “Other” is huge (several GB), a full backup and restore via iTunes or Finder is the most effective fix, but that’s a last resort.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that clearing Safari’s cache will speed up your iPhone X. It may speed up Safari, but it won’t boost overall performance. Another is that you need a third-party “cache cleaner” app—Apple’s iOS doesn’t allow apps to clear other apps’ caches, so most of those apps are useless or even harmful.

If you clear Safari’s cache and still see old data, try restarting your phone. If an app is misbehaving, offloading it is more effective than clearing its cache because it also resets the app’s internal state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Clearing Safari’s cache and history does not delete saved passwords. Passwords are stored in iCloud Keychain or on-device, and they remain intact. However, clearing cookies will log you out of websites.

How do I clear cache on iPhone X without deleting everything?

Use the offload method: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → tap the app → Offload App. This removes the cache but keeps your documents and data. You can also use in-app cache clearing if available.

Why is my iPhone X storage full even after clearing cache?

Cache is usually a small part of storage. The biggest consumers are photos, videos, and apps. Check iPhone Storage to see what’s taking up space. You may need to delete old photos or offload unused apps.

Will clearing cache fix a slow iPhone X?

It can fix a slow Safari or a specific app, but it won’t fix general system slowness. For that, try restarting, updating iOS, or freeing up storage by deleting large apps and media.

Is it safe to clear cache on iPhone X?

Yes, it’s completely safe. You won’t lose personal data like photos or contacts. The only downside is you’ll have to log in to some websites and apps again, and pages may load slower the first time.

How often should I clear cache?

Only when you need to. If you’re low on storage or an app is acting up, clear it. Otherwise, the cache is doing its job by speeding things up.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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