Key takeaways:
- Clearing cache frees up storage space and can improve app performance
- You can clear cache for Chrome and other apps individually in the iPhone Storage settings
- Restarting your iPhone can clear some temporary cache files
- Offloading apps removes the app but keeps its documents and data
As you use your iPhone X, data gets stored in the device’s cache to help apps and websites load faster. Over time, this cached data can build up and start taking up a significant amount of storage space. It can also cause apps to misbehave if the data gets corrupted. Periodically clearing the cache on your iPhone X can free up storage and help keep your apps running smoothly.
This guide will show you how to clear the cache for the Chrome browser app and other third-party apps on your iPhone X. We’ll also cover some alternative methods that can help clear cache and free up space.
Table of Contents
How to Clear Cache for Chrome on iPhone X
If you use the Chrome browser on your iPhone X, it likely has a large amount of cached website data, images, and cookies taking up space. Here’s how to clear the cache for Chrome:
- Open the Chrome app
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the bottom-right corner
- Go to Settings > Privacy
- Tap Clear Browsing Data
- Select the data types you want to remove (browsing history, cookies, cached images and files)
- Tap Clear Browsing Data, then confirm by tapping Clear Browsing Data again
After clearing the data, you’ll be signed out of most websites and will need to sign in again. Some site settings may also be reset. But this will free up storage space and can help Chrome run better on your iPhone X.
How to Clear App Cache on iPhone X
Unlike Android devices, iPhones don’t let you clear the cache for all apps at once. Instead, you need to go into each app’s settings in the iPhone Storage menu:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to General > iPhone Storage
- Wait for the list of apps to load, then select the app you want to clear
- Tap Offload App, then confirm by tapping Offload App again
Offloading an app will uninstall the app but keep its documents and data. This removes the cache but allows you to reinstall the app later without losing its data. If you tap Delete App instead, it will remove the app and all its data.
Some apps like Spotify include a clear cache option within the app’s settings. But for most apps, you’ll need to offload or delete them to remove their cache.
Alternative Methods to Clear Cache on iPhone X
In addition to clearing cache directly, there are a few other methods you can use to clear temporary files and free up space on your iPhone X:
Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone will clear some temporary caches that apps are using. This will not remove all app caches, but it’s a quick and easy first step if your phone is running slowly:
- Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears
- Drag the slider to power off your iPhone
- After your iPhone shuts down, press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears
Clear Safari Cache and Website Data
Even if you mainly use Chrome, you may have some cached website data in Safari. You can remove this by clearing Safari’s history and website data:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and select Safari
- Tap Clear History and Website Data, then tap it again to confirm
This will remove your browsing history, cookies, and other cached data in Safari. Your AutoFill information will remain intact.
Delete Large Messages Attachments
Your iPhone X’s Messages app may be storing lots of photos, videos, and other large attachments that can eat up storage space. To clear these out:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to General > iPhone Storage
- Select Messages
- Tap Review Large Attachments
- Tap Edit, select the attachments you want to remove, then tap the Trash icon
You can also set Messages to automatically delete older attachments by enabling the auto-delete feature in Settings > Messages > Message History.
FAQ
What is cached data on iPhone?
Cached data is temporary data that apps and websites store on your iPhone to help them load faster in the future. This can include images, scripts, login info, and other data.
Is it safe to clear cache on iPhone?
Yes, clearing cached data is generally safe and will not cause you to lose important data. However, you may be logged out of some websites and need to sign in again after clearing your browser cache.
How often should I clear my iPhone cache?
It’s a good idea to clear your cache every month or two to free up space and keep your apps running smoothly. You may want to clear it more often if you use resource-intensive apps or browse a lot of websites.
Will clearing cache delete my photos?
No, clearing cache will not delete your Camera Roll photos or images saved in the Photos app. It only removes temporary cached files that apps and websites have stored.
What’s the difference between clearing cache and data?
Clearing cache removes temporary files, while clearing data removes all app data including logins, preferences, and locally stored files. Clearing data will not delete the app itself, but will reset it to its default state.
