**Summary: Clearing Cache on Your iPhone — Why It Matters and How to Do It**
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**Why Your iPhone Gets Sluggish Over Time**
Most iPhones today are home to a multitude of apps and browsers, with many users keeping dozens of tabs open at any given time. This heavy usage leads to the accumulation of cached data—temporary files stored by apps and browsers to make future use faster and more seamless. For example, Safari saves images, scripts, and login information for quicker loading, while other apps do the same with various types of content.
Initially, cache is helpful, much like a well-organized drawer that lets you access tools quickly. Over time, though, excessive caching can have the opposite effect. The “junk drawer” overflows, slowing down performance, causing apps or browsers to glitch, and even making simple tasks feel sluggish. Regularly clearing your cache is akin to tidying up that drawer—restoring your device to its optimal speed and responsiveness.
**How to Clear Cache on Your iPhone (iOS 26)**
*What You’ll Need:* An iPhone running iOS 26 and your Apple ID password or device passcode in case you’re prompted for it.
**Clearing Safari Cache**
If Safari is your primary browser, it’s especially prone to accumulating cache as every website you visit stores temporary files on your device. Over time, this can bog down your browsing experience. Fortunately, clearing Safari’s cache is straightforward:
- You can do this directly in the Safari app, but more comprehensive options are available in the Settings app under Safari. Regularly clearing cache can resolve glitches and speed up your browser without deleting bookmarks or saved passwords. - For more granular control, navigate to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, and tap “Remove All Website Data.” This specifically clears cookies and tracking data, though you’ll need to log in again to your favorite sites.
**Clearing Chrome Cache**
For users who prefer Chrome,