iPhone Running Slow? Learn How to Clear Cache and Improve Speed

Is your iPhone starting to feel sluggish? Apps taking longer to load, transitions stuttering, or general responsiveness feeling a bit off?

Just like any computer, your iPhone collects temporary files and data, known as “cache,” which can sometimes get bloated or corrupted. While cache is designed to speed things up, an excessive build-up can paradoxically slow down your device and consume valuable storage space.

In 2025, keeping your iPhone running smoothly is crucial. The good news is that you can significantly improve your phone’s speed and reclaim storage by effectively clearing its cache. While iOS doesn’t have a magical “Clear All Cache” button like some Android devices, there are several proven methods to get the job done.

Why Clearing Cache Helps Your iPhone’s Speed

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” When your iPhone seems slow, it’s often because:

  • Storage is Full: Too much cache data can hog your iPhone’s internal storage, leaving less room for the operating system to function optimally.
  • Corrupted Files: Over time, cached files can become corrupted, leading to app crashes or performance glitches.
  • Outdated Data: Old cached content might be forcing apps to load outdated information, leading to errors or slower refreshing.
  • Reduced RAM: Clearing cache can also free up active memory (RAM), allowing your iPhone to run more efficiently.

By regularly clearing out this digital clutter, you give your iPhone a fresh start, allowing it to load content faster and run more smoothly.

How to Clear Cache on iPhone and Boost Speed

Here’s a complete step-by-step guide to clearing various types of cache on your iPhone, applicable to all modern iOS versions:

1. Clear Safari Cache and Website Data

Safari is your iPhone’s default web browser, and it’s a major accumulator of cache, cookies, and website data. This is often the biggest culprit for slowdowns related to web Browse.

  1. Open the Settings App: Tap the grey gear icon on your Home screen.
  2. Scroll Down and Tap “Safari”: This will open Safari’s specific settings.
  3. Scroll Down and Tap “Clear History and Website Data”:
    • Important Note: This option will delete your Browse history, cookies, and cached data. It will also log you out of most websites you were signed into.
  4. Confirm the Action: A pop-up will appear. Tap “Clear History and Data.”

Alternatively (to clear cache & cookies WITHOUT clearing history):

If you want to keep your Browse history but still clear the cached files and cookies:

  1. Go to Settings > Safari.
  2. Scroll down and tap “Advanced.”
  3. Tap “Website Data.”
  4. Tap “Remove All Website Data” at the bottom. Confirm by tapping “Remove Now.”

2. Clear Cache for Individual Third-Party Apps (In-App Settings)

Many apps, especially those that deal with a lot of media (like social media, streaming, or messaging apps), offer an option to clear their internal cache directly within their settings. This is the cleanest way to clear an app’s specific cache without deleting the app itself.

How to Check and Do It:

  • Open the specific app (e.g., TikTok, Spotify, Telegram, X/Twitter, Snapchat).
  • Navigate to the app’s internal settings: Look for icons like a gear, three dots, or a profile picture that leads to settings.
  • Look for options related to “Data,” “Storage,” “Cache,” or “Free up space.”
  • Tap to clear: If available, tap the option to clear the app’s cache.

Common Examples:

  • TikTok: Profile > three horizontal lines (menu) > Settings and privacy > Free up space > Clear cache.
  • Spotify: Settings > Storage > Clear cache.
  • Telegram: Settings > Data and Storage > Storage Usage > Clear Entire Cache.
  • X (formerly Twitter): Settings and Privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage > Storage > Clear media storage / Clear web storage.

3. “Offload App” or “Delete App” (When No In-App Option Exists)

For apps that don’t provide an in-app cache clearing option, iOS gives you two choices via your iPhone’s storage settings.

  1. Open the Settings App > General > iPhone Storage.
  2. Wait for the list of apps and their storage usage to load. This might take a moment.
  3. Identify the App: Scroll through the list and tap on the app whose cache you want to clear.
    • Option A: “Offload App” (Recommended for most cases)
      • Tap “Offload App.” Confirm when prompted.
      • This removes the app itself from your iPhone but keeps its documents and user data (like saved settings, login info, game progress). This effectively clears the app’s main cache.
      • To reinstall the app, simply tap its icon on your Home screen. Your data will be restored. This is a great way to free up space without losing your personalized data.
    • Option B: “Delete App” (The most thorough cleanse)
      • Tap “Delete App.” Confirm when prompted.
      • This option removes the app and all its associated data (including cache, documents, and settings) permanently from your iPhone. When you reinstall the app from the App Store, it will be like a brand new installation.
      • Use this only if you don’t mind losing the app’s data or if that data is safely backed up elsewhere (e.g., cloud-synced messaging history, online game saves).

4. Restart Your iPhone Regularly

This simple step is often overlooked but can be surprisingly effective. A quick restart clears your iPhone’s temporary system files and refreshes its memory (RAM). This can resolve minor software glitches and improve overall responsiveness, making your phone feel faster.

  1. For iPhones with Face ID: Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
  2. For iPhones with a Home button: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
  3. To turn it back on: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until you see the Apple logo.

Other Tips to Improve iPhone Speed (Beyond Cache Clearing)

While clearing cache is powerful, combining it with these general optimization tips will give your iPhone the best speed boost:

  • Free Up General Storage: Beyond cache, check Settings > General > iPhone Storage for large files like videos, photos, and messages attachments. Delete what you don’t need or offload them to cloud services (iCloud, Google Photos).
  • Disable Background App Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for apps that don’t need to be constantly updated in the background.
  • Reduce Motion Effects: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion. This simplifies visual effects, which can save CPU cycles.
  • Keep iOS and Apps Updated: Apple frequently releases iOS updates that include performance optimizations and bug fixes. App developers also push updates to improve efficiency.
  • Check Battery Health: A chemically aged battery can sometimes cause performance throttling. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to check your “Maximum Capacity.” If it’s significantly below 80%, a battery replacement might improve speed.

By combining these cache-clearing techniques with overall system optimization, you can significantly improve your iPhone’s speed and responsiveness, making it feel snappier and extending its useful life.

Scroll to Top