Skip to main content

How to clear the cache on your iPad

The cache on an iPad is essentially a portion of temporary storage that helps to speed up system tasks. When you visit websites and use apps, your iPad saves data from them to load faster and perform better when you come back. That data could range from design elements to snippets of video or music.

Over time, as you visit more webpages and download your favorite iPad apps, all that stored cache can actually start to slow down the tablet. No matter which iPad you own, clearing the cache could do well to boost your tablet’s performance. We’ll show you some ways to clean this up and how you can manage it better over time.

Recommended Videos

Clear the cache on your iPad

Apple doesn’t provide an explicit way to target and clear the system-wide cache. The good news is that an iPad already works to remove unneeded cached files. When the system needs more temporary storage, it automatically decides where to create space. Still, if you want to maximize the available cache to your iPad, there are a few methods.

Clear the cache on your internet browser

There’s a good chance your internet browser is generating a significant number of its own cache files. It makes sense when you consider the sheer number of unique webpages and images you encounter every day. Luckily, browser apps give you decent control over temporary files. We’ll go through the steps to delete them on two of the most popular iPad browsers, Safari and Chrome.

Clear Safari’s cache

Step 1: Go to Settings > Safari.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Clear History and Website Data. Tap Clear to confirm.

If you use third-party browsers like Google’s Chrome, you’ll need to navigate through their settings menus to manage the cache from within the apps themselves. These are the instructions for Chrome.

Clear Chrome’s cache

Step 1: Open Chrome. In the upper-right corner tap the three dots.

Step 2: Scroll through the dropdown menu and select Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and go to Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.

Step 4: Select the time range for which you want to clear data and make sure Cached Images and Files is selected.

Step 5: Tap Clear Browsing Data. Tap Clear Browsing Data again to confirm.

The Chrome app gives you a solid amount of control in choosing exactly what you delete. You can choose to remove other temporary files like cookies and browsing history as well.

Clear the cache from third-party apps

A screenshot of Spotify's storage settings on iPad.
Managing the cache within Spotify’s app. Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the most part, you’ll have to locate the app you want to clear data from and find a way to delete its individual cache files. One way to analyze apps for their usage is under Settings > General > iPad Storage. Unfortunately, this isn’t a surefire way to hone in on the biggest culprits. In fact, if you scroll all the way to the bottom of your app list, the actual system cache data is mostly grouped into the vague Other category.

As an example, we noticed that a streaming service like Spotify stores over 1GB of cached files. That’s a big difference from the total size of 179MB listed under Settings > General > iPad Storage. Offloading an app, one of the options available in this section, does not appear to immediately clear its cache files from the iPad. Again, iOS will likely delete those files automatically once it realizes the system doesn’t need them.

We recommend going into an app’s settings or profile area to locate its storage preferences. Many apps that tend to take up a lot of cache will have an option to clear it. Some may even provide an option to reset the cache from the iOS settings menu under Settings > [App Name]. Your last choice is to delete the app altogether and download it again for a fresh start. There are two methods to accomplish this.

Delete an app: Method 1

Step 1: From the home screen, long-press an app icon.

Step 2: Tap Delete App on the popup menu that appears. Tap Delete to confirm.

Delete an app: Method 2

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. Scroll down through the list of apps and tap on one that you want to delete.

Step 2: Tap Delete App. Tap Delete App again to confirm.

Download your apps from the App Store to get a fresh installation. You may notice that loading them up for the first time may take a bit longer than usual. You will also need to reconfigure any preferences you had before.

Bill Utaegbulam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Bill is a freelance writer for the Mobile team at Digital Trends, covering the latest and greatest devices and accessories on…
This music app is doing something different in the Apple App Store
The Practice Pro app.

The iOS App Store is awash with apps using subscriptions and in-app payments, but our attention has been drawn to a brand new release that goes back to the old way of doing things — charging a one-off payment. It’s such a rare approach, the company has even drawn attention to it in the app’s top features list.

The app is Practice Pro, a release from developers Dynamic App Design, and it is made to help musicians practice and improve with use. The studio claims it’s suitable for professional and amateur musicians due to its clever modular design. Using different widgets, the app can be set up to only include the practice tools relevant to you, a better option than either using multiple apps, or having a cluttered, unfocused menu.

Read more
iPhone 7 owners are getting $200 in class action lawsuit, and here’s how you can track yours
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Settlement payout from the iPhone 7 class action lawsuit against Apple are starting to roll out. Those who participated in the class action lawsuit have started to receive payments, with amounts varying based on whether you spent any money on repairing the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 7 Plus.

Some of the co-applicants in the lawsuit have started to receive around $200 as part payment from the $35 million settlement, 9to5Mac reported. While the payout is less than the maximum of $350 initially approved by the court, it should still feel satisfactory to the appellants.

Read more
Microsoft is making a major change to using your iPhone in Windows
The Dell XPS 13 on a table with the Start Menu open.

In a recent Windows Insider Blog post, Microsoft announced it's adding the option for iPhone users to access their phones from the Start menu. Thanks to a special widget next to the Start menu, when you connect your phone, you can see data such as notifications, battery indicators, recent contacts, connection status, and more.

To enjoy this feature, you must use the recent Windows 11 preview build from the Dev and Beta channels, and you must be a Windows Insider. You must also update the Phone Link app to version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, have a Microsoft account, and have a PC that supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft said it does not support PCs running Pro Education or Education SKUs. Even if this doesn't affect you, the update is rolling out in phases, so reaching your PC might take some time if you don't already have it.

Read more