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How to clear cache on iPhone, Android, Chrome and more
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Clearing cache is an easy way to clean up your browser so that everything runs faster. Here’s our guide to clearing your cache on iPhone, Android, Chrome, Samsung and more
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 22 April 2025
What is cache?
Cache is a special type of memory that stores data temporarily so that it can be accessed more quickly later. This helps your computer, browser, or phone save time when you visit a website or webpage on the internet multiple times, since they don’t need to download the data over and over again.
Computers use cache in different places, like in the processor (CPU), in web browsers, and on websites. For example, when you visit a website for the first time, your browser might save images and other parts of the site in its cache. Then, the next time you visit that site, it loads faster because it already has some of the needed files stored.
This usually helps things run more smoothly and quickly by storing useful data nearby, instead of making the computer or app search for it all over again. But cache also takes up storage temporarily, which can lead to your browser or device running slower overall if you don’t have enough space to store it all.
What does clearing cache do?
Clearing cache means removing the temporary files that your device or app has saved to help things load faster. Over time, this stored data can take up space and sometimes cause problems - like websites not loading correctly or apps behaving strangely. When you clear the cache, you’re basically telling your device to forget those old, saved files and start fresh, freeing up the space where that data was stored.
For example, if a website has updated but your browser keeps loading the old version from the cache, it might not show the new content. Clearing the cache helps fix this by forcing the browser to download the latest version of the site. It doesn’t delete your personal information like passwords or saved settings - just the temporary stuff used to speed things up.
After clearing the cache, things might load a little slower the first time because the device or app has to fetch fresh data again. But it often helps solve glitches and makes sure you're seeing the most up-to-date content.
Why should I clear cache?
While cache is useful for speeding things up, it can sometimes cause problems if it gets too full or holds onto outdated data from the web. Clearing your cache every now and then can help your device work better, stay clean, and show the latest information.
Here are a few good reasons why you might want to clear your cache:
1. Fix website or app errors
Sometimes websites or apps don’t work properly because the cache is storing old or broken files. This can cause pages to load incorrectly, show outdated content, or even crash. Clearing the cache can fix these problems by forcing your device to download fresh, working files.
2. Free up storage space
Over time, cached files can take up a lot of space on your phone or computer. If you're running low on storage, clearing the cache can help free up some space without deleting your important data like photos or messages.
3. Improve performance
When the cache gets too large or cluttered, it can actually slow things down instead of speeding them up. Clearing it gives your device a clean slate, which can make apps and websites run better and give you a better experience when you're browsing the web.
4. Protect your privacy
Cached data can include things like parts of websites you've visited. While it’s not usually personal information, clearing the cache can help protect your privacy, especially if you’re using a shared or public device.
5. See the most up-to-date content
If a website changes its design or updates information, your browser might still show the old version from the cache. Clearing it ensures that you’re seeing the newest version of websites and not stuck with outdated content.
How to clear cache
Clearing cache is a simple way to refresh your device or browser and fix small issues, helping your apps and websites run better by removing temporary files that may be old or causing problems.
Here’s how you can clear cache, depending on the device or browser you’re using:
On iPhones and iPads, there’s no button to clear all app caches at once, but you can do it in different ways:
1. On Safari:
Go to Settings
Scroll down and tap Safari
Tap Clear History and Website Data
This will remove your browsing history and cached files from Safari.
2. On other apps:
You usually need to delete and reinstall the app to fully clear its cache from an app or check if there's a "Clear cache" option in the app settings. Most popular apps like Facebook, Instagram and X has settings to help you clear cache, so check your settings to see if it’s an option. If not, you can just uninstall the app and download it again.
Android phones, including Samsung devices, let you clear cache for individual apps:
Go to Settings
Tap Apps or Applications
Choose the app you want (like Chrome, Instagram, X etc.)
Tap Storage
Tap Clear Cache
On Samsung, the steps are very similar, but the settings may look slightly different.
1. On mobile:
Open Chrome
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
Tap History, then Clear browsing data
Choose Cached images and files, then tap Clear data
2. On Desktop or laptop:
Open Chrome
Click the three dots in the top-right
Hover over More tools and click Clear browsing data
Select Cached images and files, then click Clear data
Open Edge
Click the three dots in the top-right
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services
Under "Clear browsing data," click Choose what to clear
Select Cached images and files, then click Clear now
Go to the menu (three lines or dots)
Tap Settings or Options
Find Privacy & Security
Tap Clear cache or Clear data under the "Cookies and Site Data" section
Clearing the cache is safe and easy, and it can solve a lot of everyday problems with apps or websites. Just be aware that things might load a bit slower the first time afterward, as your device or browser downloads fresh data.
Can you stop your device or browser from storing cache?
You can stop your device or browser from storing cache, but it’s usually not recommended for everyday use. Cache is designed to help websites and apps load faster by saving temporary files. If you turn it off completely, things may run slower because your device will have to reload everything from scratch each time you open a site or app.
If you want to limit or stop caching, most browsers have a "private" or "incognito" mode. When you use this mode, your browser doesn’t save cache, history, or cookies once you close the window. This is a good way to browse without leaving any stored data behind.
Some advanced settings or browser extensions can block caching, and developers sometimes use these tools for testing websites. But for regular users, it’s better to just clear the cache every now and then instead of turning it off completely. That way, you still get the speed benefits of caching without it getting too full or outdated.
Does clearing cache make your internet faster?
Clearing cache doesn’t exactly make your internet connection itself faster, but it can help websites and apps work better, which might feel like your internet is faster. When your device stores a lot of old or broken cached files, it can cause slow loading, glitches, or websites that don’t show up properly. Clearing the cache removes those files, allowing the browser or app to get fresh data, which can lead to smoother performance.
For example, if a website isn’t loading right or takes a long time to open, it could be because your browser is trying to use outdated cached files. After clearing the cache, the site will load new files, which can make it work more quickly and correctly.
So, while clearing cache doesn’t speed up your WiFi connection, it can make your browsing experience faster and more reliable by getting rid of the junk that might be slowing things down.
Get a speed boost with Virgin Media broadband
While clearing cache can help websites load faster and apps work better, it won’t do much when your internet is slow. If websites are loading slowly when you click on them, your videos are buffering, or you’re having issues staying connected, it may be time for a speed boost.
At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of broadband and TV packages to suit every speed and budget with speeds ranging from 125Mbps with our M125 broadband to 1Gbps when you go gigabit.
Not sure what you can get? Check out all of our broadband deals and enter your postcode to see all of the deals available in your area.
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