How to Clear Cache in Safari

Your Safari browser stores certain items in a cache to improve loading speeds and reduce data usage. This includes photos, temporary files, and previously visited pages. With regular use, this cache can build up and may need to be cleared to free up space or improve performance.

Therefore, it’s important to clear cache in Safari to maintain browser performance and ensure a smooth browsing experience. By removing this temporary data, you can free up storage and refresh website content.

In this blog, let’s look at how to clear cache in Safari browser.

Steps to Clear Cache in Safari on macOS

There are two primary methods to clear cache in Safari on a macOS. The first method removes all stored data related to websites you have visited. The second method is more targeted and focuses only on the cache files.

Clearing All Website Data

This method removes all stored website data, including cached files, cookies, and other related information:

1. Open the Safari browser on your macOS.
2. From the top menu, click on Safari, then Settings.



3. Go to the Privacy tab and click on Manage Website Data.



4. In the new window, you can either:
• Select a specific website and click on Remove to clear data for that site only.
• Click on Remove All to clear data for all listed websites.

Note

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Clearing Only the Cache

This method focuses on clearing the cache and preserving other data. It requires you to activate a hidden menu:

1. Open the Safari browser on your macOS.
2. Click on Safari and then Settings.



3. Go to the Advanced tab and tick the Show features for web developers checkbox.



4. Close the Settings window.
5. In the Develop menu, click Empty Caches. This will clear the cache in your Safari browser.

Steps to Clear Cache in Safari on iPhone or iPad

The process for iOS devices is more simple but less selective. These steps will remove all browsing history, cache, and cookies from your iPhone or iPad:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad device.
2. Scroll down and select Safari.
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
4. A prompt will appear asking you to confirm. Tap Clear History and Data to proceed.

Alternative Method for iOS

To delete specific website data and clear history based on a timeframe, follow these steps:

1. Open the Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad device.
2. Select the bookmarks icon in the bottom panel.
3. Go to the History section by tapping the clock icon.
4. You’ll find a list of all the websites you’ve visited before. To delete a certain webpage’s data, swipe left on the desired website and tap Delete.
5. To clear history from a specific time period, tap Clear in the bottom panel.
6. In the pop-up menu, choose the timeframe for clearing: All time, Today and yesterday, Today, or The last hour.

Clearing Cache in Safari With Keyboard Shortcuts

To clear the cache in Safari using keyboard shortcuts, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari.
2. Enable the Develop Menu by going to Safari > Settings (or Preferences) > Advanced.
3. Check the box that says Show Develop menu in menu bar.
4. Press Command + Option + E. This shortcut clears Safari’s cache instantly.
5. To clear all browsing data, press Command + Shift + Delete and follow the prompts.

Using the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + E is a quick way to refresh the cache without affecting cookies and browsing history.

Conclusion

Storing temporary files in your Safari cache helps websites load faster on repeat visits. But sometimes clearing this cache is necessary. It can fix loading errors that happen when cached data doesn’t match the latest website updates.

Clearing cookies and history also helps free up storage space and keeps your browsing faster. Plus, it protects your privacy by removing login details and browsing history that others might see. While every browser handles cache clearing a bit differently, Safari makes it simple whether you’re on macOS or iOS.

Tahneet Kanwal

Tahneet Kanwal is a software engineer with a passion for frontend development and a keen eye for user experience. With a strong foundation in web technologies, she brings a practical perspective to her writing. As a technical content writer at LambdaTest, Tahneet combines her engineering expertise with her communication skills to craft engaging, SEO-friendly articles. Her work spans various topics in web development, software testing, and emerging tech trends, keeping readers informed and inspired.

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