What the cache is (and why clear it)

Your browser saves temporary files (“cached” images, scripts, etc.) to speed up websites. If those files become outdated or corrupted, pages can look broken, load old content, or behave oddly. Clearing the cache forces the browser to fetch fresh files and often fixes these issues.

Google Chrome

Desktop (Windows/Mac)

1. Open Chrome, click the ⋮ menu → Settings.
2. Go to Privacy and security → Clear browsing data.
3. Set Time range (e.g., All time).
4. Select Cached images and files (cookies optional—clearing cookies signs you out).
5. Click Clear data and restart Chrome.

Mobile (Android/iOS)

1. Open Chrome → ⋮ (menu) → Clear browsing data (Android) or Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data (iOS).
2. Choose Time range and select Cached images and files.
3. Tap Clear data / Clear browsing data.

 

Mozilla Firefox

Desktop (Windows/Mac)

1. Open Firefox → ☰ → Settings.
2. Click Privacy & Security.
3. Under History, click Clear Data… or Clear History….
4. Select Cache (and optionally other items), set your time range, then confirm.

Mobile (Android/iOS)

1. Firefox menu → Settings.
2. Android: Delete browsing data. iOS: Data Management.
3. Select Cache and tap Clear data / Delete.

 

Apple Safari

Mac (Safari)

1. Open Safari → Settings… (or Preferences…) → Advanced.
2. Enable “Show Develop menu in menu bar.”
3. From the menu bar, click Develop → Empty Caches.
4. (Optional) History → Clear History… to remove history & website data.

iPhone/iPad (Safari)

1. Open the Settings app → Safari.
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.

Microsoft Edge

Desktop (Windows/Mac)

1. Open Edge → … → Settings.
2. Click Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, choose Choose what to clear.
4. Set Time range, select Cached images and files, then click Clear now.

Mobile (Android/iOS)

1. Edge menu → Settings → Privacy and security.
2. Tap Clear browsing data, select Cached images and files, then tap Clear.

FAQ & tips

• Will this delete my passwords? Clearing cache won’t remove saved passwords. Clearing cookies may sign you out of sites.
• How often should I clear it? Only when pages act up, look outdated, or after major site updates.
• Try a hard refresh first: Windows: Ctrl+F5 / Ctrl+Shift+R. Mac: ⌘+Shift+R.
• Still stuck? Try a private/incognito window or disable extensions temporarily.

Last updated: November 21, 2025