How to Clear the Cache in Safari
Clear Safari’s cache and website data on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Choose whether to keep browsing history, and learn what to try if a page still will not load.
To clear Safari’s cache, remove its stored website data. The steps depend on your device and whether you also want to erase browsing history. On iPhone, use Settings > Apps > Safari. On Mac, use Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Removing website data can sign you out of sites or change how they work.
Choose what to clear
Safari’s cache is part of website data: information sites store on your device to load or remember things. Cookies and other website data can also support sign-ins and preferences. Before clearing anything, choose the scope that matches your goal:
- Clear history and website data together: Use the combined history and data control on iPhone, or Safari’s history controls on iPad and Mac.
- Clear website data but keep history: On iPhone, use Advanced > Website Data. On Mac, remove data for selected sites or all sites in Manage Website Data.
- Fix one problem site: If you use a Mac, remove data for that site only first. On iPhone, the documented website-data control removes all website data, so be prepared to sign back in elsewhere.
Clearing site data may remove saved login sessions and affect site behavior. Clearing history on a Mac may also remove it from other Apple devices if Safari is set up with iCloud.
Clear Safari cache and history on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Choose the timeframe you want to clear.
- Tap Clear History to confirm.
This clears Safari history and website data for the selected timeframe. Apple says it does not change AutoFill information. If the button is gray, there may be no data to clear, or Screen Time web-content restrictions may be involved. See Apple’s [iPhone instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105082).
Clear website data on iPhone but keep history
- Open Settings > Apps > Safari.
- Tap Advanced, then Website Data.
- Tap Remove All Website Data.
- Tap Remove Now to confirm.
This route removes website data while retaining your browsing history. Sites may no longer remember that you are signed in, and stored site preferences may be removed. Apple notes that website data can be used for tracking and to save login information for faster browsing. See [Apple’s website-data instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105082).
Clear Safari cache and history on iPad
On iPad, use Safari’s History controls to clear a chosen timeframe:
- Open Safari and show the sidebar if it is hidden.
- Tap History.
- Tap More, then Clear.
- Choose a timeframe and tap Clear History.
Apple says this removes visited-site history and recent searches, cookies, and website permissions previously granted. It does not erase histories kept independently by websites or other apps. Follow [Apple’s iPad guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/clear-your-cache-and-cookies-ipad0bb843d8/ipados) if the labels differ on your version.
Clear Safari cache on Mac
Remove data for selected sites or all sites
- Open Safari.
- Choose Safari > Settings from the menu bar.
- Open the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data.
- Select one or more sites and click Remove, or click Remove All to clear all listed website data.
- Confirm if prompted, then click Done.
Removing only the affected site’s data limits the impact on other sites. Removing data may reduce tracking, sign you out, or change how sites behave; Apple notes that effects can extend to other apps. See [Apple’s Mac cache and cookie instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac).
Clear Mac browsing history too
- In Safari, choose History > Clear History.
- Choose how far back to clear from the timeframe menu.
- Click Clear History.
Safari history clearing removes visited pages and recent searches. It clears the download list but does not delete downloaded files. If Safari is set up with iCloud on this Mac and your other Apple devices, history is removed from those devices too. It does not clear browsing histories that websites keep independently. See [Apple’s history instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/safari/clear-your-browsing-history-sfri47acf5d6/mac).
What clearing Safari data changes
| Action | History | Website data | Other effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone: Clear History and Website Data | Cleared for chosen timeframe | Cleared according to the control | AutoFill information is unchanged; synced Safari history may be affected |
| iPhone: Advanced > Website Data | Kept | All website data removed | Sites may forget sign-ins and preferences |
| iPad: clear from History | Cleared for chosen timeframe | Cookies and related data removed | Website permissions are removed; independent site records remain |
| Mac: Manage Website Data | Kept | Selected sites or all listed sites removed | May sign you out or change site and app behavior |
| Mac: History > Clear History | Cleared for chosen timeframe | History-related website data is cleared | May sync to other Apple devices; downloaded files remain |
Exact labels can vary by operating-system version. Use the closest matching Safari setting on your device.
If Safari still will not load a page
Clearing website data is one possible troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed fix. Apple also recommends checking the network, restarting the device, reviewing VPN settings, and checking that JavaScript is enabled. For a persistent problem on one site, check Private Relay settings or contact the site developer. See [Apple’s loading-page troubleshooting steps](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102456).
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| “Clear History and Website Data” is gray on iPhone | There may be no data in the selected scope, or Screen Time web-content restrictions may apply. | Check Screen Time restrictions and try again. If there is no data to clear, the control may remain unavailable. |
| A site asks you to sign in again | Its login cookie or website data was removed. | Sign in again. If the problem affects one site on Mac, remove only that site’s data next time. |
| The page still does not load after clearing | The cause may be the network, VPN, site availability, JavaScript, or another browser setting. | Try another network, restart the device, review VPN and JavaScript settings, and contact the site if the issue persists. |
| History disappeared from another Apple device | Safari history may be syncing through iCloud. | Check Safari’s iCloud setup and understand that clearing history on one synced device can remove it on the others. |
| A website still remembers a visit | The website or another app may keep its own independent history. | Safari can remove local Safari data; it cannot clear records maintained separately by a website or app. |
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Frequently asked questions
Can I clear Safari cache without deleting passwords?
Apple says clearing history and website data on iPhone does not change AutoFill information. Website data is separate and can include information that keeps you signed in, so removing it may require signing in again.
Does clearing Safari history erase a website’s own records?
No. Safari’s controls remove local Safari data. They do not clear histories that websites or other apps maintain independently.
Will clearing cache make Safari faster?
It can resolve some site-data problems, but it is not a guaranteed performance fix. A page that still fails to load may have a network, VPN, JavaScript, or site-side problem.
Do I need a third-party cleaner to clear Safari cache?
No. Apple provides built-in controls for clearing website data and history on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
