How do I clear app cache on my iPhone?

My iPhone is running slower lately, and I think it might be because the app cache is full. I’ve tried restarting my phone, but it didn’t help. How can I clear the app cache to improve performance?

You’ve hit that annoying spot where your iPhone decides to play turtle. Clearing the app cache can definitely help, but Apple doesn’t make it super straightforward. There’s no built-in feature like on Android. But hey, there are a couple of workarounds you can try to nudge your phone back to life.

Here’s how to clear app cache on your iPhone:

  1. Offload Unused Apps: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You’ll see a list of apps. Tap on one of the apps you rarely use and select Offload App. This will free up space but keep your documents and data. When you reinstall the app, it’s like a mini-reset.

  2. Reinstall Apps: If there’s a specific app that’s being a memory hog, delete it and then reinstall. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select the app, and tap Delete App. Then, go back to the App Store and reinstall it. This clears its data and cache completely.

  3. Clear Safari Cache: If you use Safari a lot, clearing its cache might give a performance boost. Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This will clear your browsing history, cookies, and other browsing data.

  4. Use Third-Party Apps: Apps like Cleaner Pro or PhoneClean can help clear cache for specific apps but use them cautiously. Read some reviews first to find a reliable one.

  5. Restart Your iPhone (again but properly): Hold down the power button with the volume down button until you see the slider to power off. Turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Sometimes a full reboot helps more than a simple restart.

These steps should help speed up your iPhone. It’s a pain that Apple makes us jump through so many hoops, but a cleaner phone is worth it, right?


Check out this handy guide on how to clear cache on your iPhone in 2025 here: clear cache on iPhone.

1 Like

Ever felt like your iPhone is channeling its inner tortoise? Yeah, clearing the app cache might help. While @reveurdenuit mentioned some solid methods, I’d throw in a couple more ideas. Apple sure knows how to make simple things tricky, but let’s make your iPhone speedy without those gymnastics.

Clear Data from Within Apps

Some third-party apps let you clear cache directly in their settings. Check if any of your apps have this option. For example, the YouTube app lets you clear offline content which helps free up space. Just pop into the app’s settings and look for storage or cache settings.

Background App Refresh

Disabling background app refresh can sometimes help with performance. Head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for apps you don’t need constantly updating themselves. This doesn’t directly clear cache but can save some precious memory.

Low Data Mode

Enabling Low Data Mode in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options can reduce the frequency with which apps refresh their data. This might not clear cache per se, but it can prevent apps from hogging too much cache space with constant updates.

Optimize Photos

In Settings > Photos, ensure 'Optimize iPhone Storage” is selected. This keeps smaller, device-sized versions of your photos and videos on your device while storing the original large versions in iCloud, freeing up space.

Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If all else fails, a factory reset will clear everything, including those hidden caches. But beware! This wipes all data. Backup your stuff first! Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Memory Management Apps

Though Apple’s sandboxing limits their capability, some apps claim to free up space by managing memory. Smart Cleaner and Clean Doctor are worth a look. Be skeptical and check reviews to ensure they’re legit.

Give those a whirl. They might just make your iPhone feel less like it’s moving through molasses. Apple might not give us a one-click cache clear but with these steps, you can get pretty close!


Check out this guide on how to clear cache on your iPhone in 2025 for a detailed look: Tutorial on Clearing Cache on iPhone.