What to Know

• Clearing cache can fix browsing problems,free up space, and remove saved versions of visited pages.
• Clearcache quickly viaCtrl+Shift+Del(Windows) orCommand+Shift+Delete(Mac).
• Otherwise, try your browser'sSettings, Privacy, orAdvancedoptions.

This article teaches you how to purge the internet browser cache in popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge, and Vivaldi, plus their respective mobile browser apps.

Clear Cache in Chrome

Assuming you use a keyboard, the quickest way to theClear browsing datawindow in Google Chrome is by using the Windows keyboard shortcutCtrl+Shift+Del.If you're wiping the Chrome cache on a Mac, the shortcut isCommand+Shift+Delete.

If you aren't into keyboard shortcuts, here's how to clear the Chrome browser cache on your computer using the on-screen menus:

1. Select thethree-dotted menubutton in the upper-right corner of Chrome, then chooseClear browsing datafrom thelist of options.

   

2. Check the box next toCached images and files. SelectCookies and other site datato also wipe the cookies.

   Also chooseAll timefrom the Time range option at the top to make sure you get everything.

3. ChooseClear data.

   

Clear Cache in the Chrome Mobile App

Here's how it works in Chrome's mobile app:

1. On Android, open the Chromeapp and tapthethree-dotted menuicon at the top of the screen.iOS users can find this button at the bottom.

2. TapClear browsing data(Android) orDelete Browsing Data(iOS).

3. Select a time range.PickAll timeto purge the whole cache.

4. Ensure thatCached images and filesis chosen.You'll need to tapMore optionsfirst if you're on Android.

5. TapClear data>Clear on Android, orDelete Browsing Data>Delete Browsing Dataon iOS.

   

   Chrome on Android will suggest keeping data from sites you visit often.Thechoice is yours but to deleteallof Chrome's cache, you'll need to keep those items selected.

Clear the Firefox Cache

In Mozilla's Firefox browser, you clear the cache from theClear All HistoryorClear Dataarea.

The Ctrl+Shift+Del(Windows) orCommand+Shift+Delete(Mac) keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to open the Clear All History screen, which looks like this:

Don't forget to chooseEverythingfrom theTime range to clearsection, assuming that's your intent.

Follow these steps to get to that screen through the Firefox settings menu:

1. In Firefox's menu button (the three-lined hamburger icon), selectSettings.

   

2. ChoosePrivacy & Securityfrom the left, then scroll toCookies and Site Dataon the right.

3. SelectClear Data.

   

4. In the Clear Data screen that opens, selectCached Web Content.The other option, if selected, will delete the cookies in Firefox.

   

5. ChooseClear.

   

Clear Cache in the Firefox Mobile App

Open the Settings page to delete the Firefox cache in the mobile app:

1. Tap thethree-doticon at the top of your Android,orthethree-lineicon at the bottom of iOS, then chooseSettingsfrom the menu.

2. SelectDelete browsing dataon Android, orData Managementon iOS.

   The Firefox app for Android lets you clear the web browser cache every time you close the app.TapDelete browsing data on quitto set it up.

3. Enable theCached images and files(Android) orCache(iOS) option.

4. On Android, tapDelete browsing data>DELETE.On iOS, chooseClear Private Data>OK.

   

Clear Safari's Browsing Cache

In Apple's Safari browser on a Mac, clearing the cache is done directly from the menu bar.Go toDevelop>Empty Caches.You can also clear the cache in Safari on a Mac using theOption+Command+Ekeyboard shortcut.

If you don't seeDevelopon your Safari menu bar, go toSafari>Preferences>Advanced, and then selectShow Develop menu in menu bar.

Clear Cache in the Safari Mobile App

Use the Settings app to clear the browser cache for Safari on your iPhone or iPad.

1. Open theSettings app and tap Safari.

2. Scroll down and tapClear History and Website Data.

3. Pick a timeframe to delete, such asAll history, then tapClear History.

   

Purge Cache in Opera

In Opera, clearing the cache is done via theClear browsing datasection that's part ofSettings.

The fastest way to bring up that window is via theCtrl+Shift+Del(Windows) orCommand+Shift+Delete(Mac) keyboard shortcut.

Otherwise, here's how to clear the browser cache from the menu:

1. From the Opera menu (theOat the top left of the browser), chooseSettings.

   

2. SelectPrivacy & securityon the left, thenClear browsing dataon the right.

   

3. ChooseAll timeat the top to delete the entire cache.

4. Opera automatically selects all items you can delete, includingCached images and files.Confirm that you want to erase the chosen items.

5. SelectClear data.

   

Clear Cache in the Opera Mobile Browser

You can also clear Opera's cache in the mobile app, but it's a bit different between iOS and Android.

1. Tap theprofile icon(Android) or thethree horizontal lines(iOS) at the bottom of the app.

2. Select thesettingsicon.

3. On Android, go toPrivacy & security>Clear data>Advanced. On iOS, you're looking for theClear Browser Dataoption.

   

4. Tap the items you want to clear. To erase just the cache, chooseCached images and files.

5. SelectClear dataon Android, orClearon iOS.

   

Clear Browsing Datafor Edge

Clearing the cache in Microsoft Edge is done via theDelete browsing datamenu.

The fastest way to theDelete browsing dataarea of Edge is via theCtrl+Shift+Delkeyboard shortcut.

Here's another option:

1. Select thethree-dotted menuat the top right of the program, then selectSettings.

   

2. SelectPrivacy, search, and serviceson the left followed byChoose what to clearon the right.

   

3. To purge the browsing cache in Edge, make sureCached images and filesis selected, then clickClear now. You can also clear the cookies, browsing history, and more.

   

Clear Cache in the Edge Mobile Browser

Here's how to delete cache files from the Edge mobile app:

1. Tap thethree linesat the bottom right, then chooseSettingsfrom the menu that pops up.

2. SelectPrivacy and security.

   

3. TapClear browsing data.

4. Make sureCached images and filesis selected. This screen is also how you can delete other items like cookies and autofill data.

   Change the time range toAll timeif you want to clear the whole cache.

5. TapClear dataon Android. For iOS, chooseClear nowand then confirm by tapping the same button.

   

Delete Vivaldi's Browser Cache

Clear the cache in Vivaldi from theDelete Browsing Data area. As with most browsers, theCtrl+Shift+Del(Windows) orCommand+Shift+Delete(Mac) shortcut is the quickest way there, but the menu works, too:

1. From the menu bar (select the V logo at the top left if you don't see it), go toTools>Delete Browsing Data.

   

2. Pick a timeframe, such asAll Time, then chooseCachefrom the list. As you can see, you can also erase cookies, downloads, site settings, and more, if you select those items.

   

3. ChooseDelete.

Clear Cache in the Vivaldi Mobile Browser

The Vivaldi app lets you clear the cache, cookies, and other items as well.

1. Tap the V icon at the top right of the app and then tapSettings.

2. Scroll down and selectPrivacy and security.

   

3. TapClear browsing data.

4. Make sureCached images and filesis selected, and optionally adjust theTime rangesetting to clear more or less of the cache.

5. TapClear data(Android) orClear Browsing Data (iOS) to erase the cache.

   

What Exactly Is Cache?

Your browser's cache, pronounced cash, is a collection of web pages stored on your hard drive or in your phone/tablet storage. The cache includes the text, images, and most other media contained on web pages that you've visited.

Having a local copy of a web page makes for quick loading on your next visit because your computer or mobile device doesn't have to download it from the internet again. Over time, however, the cache may take up a big chunk of your computer's storage.

Why Do You Have to Clear Cache?

You don't have to clear the cache as a regular part of computer or smartphone maintenance. However, there are some good reasons to clear cache:

• Clearing your cache forces your browser to retrieve the newest copy available from the website, something that should happen automatically but sometimes does not.
• You're experiencing issues such as 404 errors or 502 errors (among others) that may indicate your browser's cache is corrupted.
• Malware is another reason to delete the browser cache. It can be dropped in the cache without you knowing or alongside program installations, so clearing the entire cache can delete malicious files. (It also helps to have antivirus software.)
• Another reason to delete browser cache data is to free up space on your hard drive. Over time, the cache can grow to a huge size; clearing it can recover some of that previously used space.

Regardless of why you want to do it, clearing your browser's cache is easy to do in all the popular browsers in use today.

As mentioned above, the quickest way to pull up the "cache clearing" or "browsing data" section in your browser is viaCtrl+Shift+Del(Windows) orCommand+Shift+Delete(Mac) but see one of the sections above for the exact steps involved in clearing your specific browser's cache.

More About Clearing Caches in Web Browsers

Most browsers have at least basic cache management settings where, at a minimum, you can choose how much space you'd like the browser to use for its cache.

Some browsers let you choose to automatically clear the cache and other data that might contain private information every time you close the browser window.

In most browsers, you can overwrite a web page's stored cache without deleting all the cache collected by the browser. In essence, this erases and replenishes the cache for that specific page only. In most browsers and operating systems, you can bypass the cache by holding down theShift or Ctrlkey as you refresh.

• How do I delete my web browser cookies?

  How you clear web cookies depends on your browser, but you can usually delete cookies from the same screen where you clear the cache.

• How long does the browser cache last?

  By default, most browsers will maintain cached files indefinitely until the user deletes them. Some browsers give you the option to adjust how long the cache is stored.

• Does clearing the cache delete your browser history?

  Not necessarily. When deleting your browser data, only check the box for the cache, and uncheck the boxes for the history, cookies, or anything else you want to keep.