How To Clear Safari Browsing History and Cache

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If Safari is running slow or websites aren’t loading correctly, it might be time to learn how to clear your cache on Safari. Cached data helps speed up browsing, but over time, it can cause issues like sluggish performance or outdated content displaying on websites. Fortunately, clearing your cache is a simple and effective way to keep Safari running smoothly.

Working with websites, we at Mark Ellis Reviews clear our caches all the time in order to see the most up-to-date version of the website. That means we have all you need to know in order to clear your cache on Safari. Let’s begin!

What You’ll Learn in This Article

• Why clearing cache matters and how it improves Safari’s performance.
• What happens when you clear cache and what data is affected.
• How to clear Safari cache on iPhone and Mac with easy-to-follow steps.
• How to clear search history on Mac without affecting other data.
• The difference between cache and cookies and when to clear them.
• Troubleshooting tips if you can’t clear Safari’s cache.

Why Clearing Cache Matters

Cached data helps Safari load websites faster by storing frequently accessed content. However, an overloaded cache can cause:

• Slow browsing speeds
• Webpages displaying outdated content
• Conflicts with website functionality
• Storage space issues on your device

Regularly clearing your cache ensures that Safari loads fresh data and performs optimally.

What Happens When You Clear Safari Cache?

When you clear cache and cookies on Safari, you’ll notice:

• Faster page loading times
• More accurate and updated website content
• Temporary loss of saved site preferences (e.g. auto-login settings)

How to Clear Safari Cache on iPhone

Step-by-Step: How to Clear Safari Cache on iPhone

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps.
3. Find and tap Safari.
4. Scroll down and select Clear History and Website Data.

Does Clearing Safari Cache on iPhone Delete Saved Data?

Clearing cache removes website data but does not delete saved passwords or autofill information stored in your iCloud Keychain.

How to Clear Safari Cache on Mac

How to Clear Cache on Mac Safari Using Settings

1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Click Safari in the top menu and select Settings.

3. Navigate to the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data.

4. Click Remove All and confirm.

How to Clear Safari Cache on Mac Using Developer Mode

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the menu bar and select Settings.

3. Go to Advanced and check Show Develop menu in menu bar.

4. Click Develop in the menu bar.

5. Select Empty Caches.

How to Clear History and Search Data in Safari

How to Clear History on Mac Without Affecting Other Data

If you want to delete history but keep cookies and cache:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click History in the top menu.
3. Select Clear History.
4. Choose a time range (last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all history).
5. Click Clear History.

How to Clear Specific Search History on Mac

1. Open Safari and click the History menu.
2. Select Show All History.
3. Right-click individual entries and select Delete.

Safari Cache vs. Cookies: What’s the Difference?

Cache stores website files to speed up loading, while cookies save user preferences, login details, and tracking data.

Should You Clear Cache and Cookies Separately?

• Clear cache to fix website loading issues.
• Clear cookies if you’re having login problems or seeing too many targeted ads.

How to Manage Cookies in Safari

1. Open Safari Preferences.
2. Go to the Privacy tab.
3. Click Manage Website Data to remove cookies for specific sites or check the Block all cookies box.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Safari Cache Won’t Clear

Safari How to Clear Cache When the Option Is Greyed Out

If Clear History and Website Data is greyed out:

• Disable Screen Time restrictions under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Restart your device and try again.

How to Force Clear Cache on Safari

If regular clearing doesn’t work, reset Safari:

1. Close Safari.
2. Open Finder and navigate to ~/Library/Safari.
3. Delete the History.db file.
4. Restart your Mac and open Safari.

Final Thoughts: Keeping Safari Running Smoothly

Knowing how to clear cache on Safari is essential for maintaining a fast, secure browsing experience. Regularly clearing cache, cookies, and history helps keep Safari running efficiently while protecting your privacy. Now you know how, make it a habit every few months or so!