Clear Browser Cache

What is the browser cache?

A browser cache is a temporary storage area where your browser keeps copies of files (images, scripts, stylesheets, and pages). Caching helps pages load faster on repeat visits because the browser can reuse previously downloaded resources instead of fetching them again from the internet.

Important: cache speeds up browsing but can also hold outdated files. If a website looks broken, doesn't show recent updates, or behaves oddly, clearing the cache often fixes the problem.

Why and when to clear your cache

Website appears out-of-date — you see an older version of page content.
Layout or styling problems — old CSS or scripts are being used.
Privacy reasons — cached data can include some information about what you've visited.
Troubleshooting — support teams often ask you to clear cache to rule out local problems.

How to clear the cache — step-by-step for major browsers

For each browser below you'll find a short explanation and easy steps for desktop and mobile. Shortcut keys and exact menu names are included where possible.

Google Chrome (Desktop)

Chrome stores cached files to speed up browsing. Clearing the cache removes temporary files but won't delete bookmarks or saved passwords unless you choose those options.

Quick shortcut	Ctrl + Shift + Del (Windows) — Command + Shift + Delete (Mac)
Steps	Open Chrome. Press the shortcut above or click the three-dot menu (⋮) ▸ More tools ▸ Clear browsing data… In the dialog choose the Time range (usually Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, or All time). Check Cached images and files. Optionally check Cookies and other site data if you want to sign out of sites. Click Clear data.
Chrome (Android)	Open Chrome app ▸ tap menu (⋮) ▸ History ▸ Clear browsing data… Select Time range and check Cached images and files ▸ tap Clear data.
Chrome (iPhone/iPad)	Open the Chrome app ▸ tap menu (⋯) ▸ Settings ▸ Privacy ▸ Clear Browsing Data. Check Cached Images and Files and tap Clear Browsing Data.

Microsoft Edge

Quick shortcut	Ctrl + Shift + Del
Steps (Desktop)	Open Edge ▸ click the three-dot menu (⋯) ▸ Settings ▸ Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data click Choose what to clear. Select the time range, check Cached images and files, and click Clear now.
Edge (Android & iOS)	Open Edge app ▸ tap menu (⋯) ▸ Settings ▸ Privacy ▸ Clear browsing data. Choose cached data and clear it.

Mozilla Firefox

Quick shortcut	Ctrl + Shift + Del (Windows) — Command + Shift + Delete (Mac)
Steps (Desktop)	Open Firefox ▸ click the three-line menu ☰ ▸ History ▸ Clear Recent History… Set Time range to clear and click the arrow to expand details. Check Cache (and Cookies if desired) ▸ click OK.
Firefox (Android)	Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Delete browsing data. Choose Cached images and files and tap Delete browsing data.
Firefox (iOS)	Open app ▸ tap menu ▸ Settings ▸ Data Management ▸ tap Clear Private Data. Select Cache and confirm.

Safari (macOS and iOS)

Safari handles cache a bit differently. On macOS you can clear website data or use the Develop menu for a full empty cache. On iOS you clear website data from Settings.

Safari on Mac (simple)	Safari ▸ Safari menu ▸ Clear History…. Choose the time range and click Clear History. This will remove history and some cached files.
Safari on Mac (full cache)	If you don't see the Develop menu: Safari ▸ Preferences… ▸ Advanced ▸ check Show Develop menu in menu bar. From the new Develop menu ▸ choose Empty Caches (this clears only the cache, leaving history and cookies intact).
Safari on iPhone / iPad	Open the Settings app ▸ scroll to Safari ▸ tap Clear History and Website Data. Confirm. (Note: this will remove history, cookies, and other browsing data.)

Other browsers: Opera, Brave, and Chromium-based

Most Chromium-based browsers (Opera, Brave, Vivaldi) follow the same steps as Google Chrome — open menu ▸ History or Clear browsing data, choose time range, check Cached images and files, then clear.

Opera: Menu ▸ History ▸ Clear browsing data.
Brave: Menu ▸ History ▸ Clear browsing data (same dialog as Chrome).

Practical tips & safety

Try a hard refresh first: sometimes you don't need to clear the whole cache. Press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Command + Shift + R (Mac) to reload ignoring cache.
Be careful with cookies: if you also clear cookies you may be signed out of websites and lose site preferences.
Selective clearing: you can often remove cached data for a single site from browser settings (useful if only one site is misbehaving).
Regular housekeeping: clearing cache occasionally helps keep your browser responsive but frequent clearing will slow down repeated page loads.

Printable summary

Copy or print this section for a quick reference card.

Chrome (Win/Mac): Ctrl/Command + Shift + Del → Clear browsing data → Cached images and files
Edge (Win): Ctrl + Shift + Del → Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
Firefox: Ctrl/Command + Shift + Del → Clear Recent History → Cache
Safari (Mac): Develop → Empty Caches (or Safari → Clear History)
Safari (iOS): Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
Mobile Chrome: Menu → History → Clear browsing data → Cached images and files

About this page

This web page was created by artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) from a single prompt (input to the chat), with only slight editing required. The Center for Lifelong Learning at USCA offers courses in the general aspects of artificial intelligence. See our list of courses here.