TL;DR Here is how to clear cache on Chrome: open the ⋮ menu, choose Delete browsing data, pick a time range, tick Cached images and files, then select Delete data. Android and iPhone use the same option behind the ⋮ button. Bookmarks and saved passwords are never touched.
A stale cache explains plenty of odd behaviour: a page in the wrong layout, a stuttering video, a shop still showing yesterday’s prices. The cache is a local copy of images, scripts, and fonts that makes repeat visits feel instant. Google’s help pages put it plainly: it remembers parts of pages, like images, to help them open faster next visit. Here is how to clear cache on Chrome without losing anything you meant to keep.
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How to clear cache on Chrome in six clicks
Identical on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.
- Open Chrome.
- Select More (the ⋮ button, top right), then Delete browsing data. The shortcut
Ctrl + Shift + Delete(Cmd + Shift + Deleteon Mac) opens the same dialog. - Choose a time range: All time clears everything, Last hour suits one bad page.
- Tick Cached images and files, and nothing else.
- Select Delete data.
- Reload the page.
💡 Info Some Chrome versions still call this menu Clear browsing data. Same dialog, same result.
To clear one site rather than everything, skip the dialog: Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies → See all site data and permissions, search the site, then select Delete twice.
Clear the cache on Android, iPhone, and iPad
Android
- Open Chrome and tap More (⋮) beside the address bar.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Raise the duration from the 15-minute default to All time.
- Tap More options to tick Cached images and files, then Delete data.
iPhone and iPad
- Open Chrome and tap More (⋮).
- Tap Delete Browsing Data.
- Next to Time Range, pick a duration; the default is again 15 minutes.
- Tap Browsing Data, tick Cached images and files, tap Confirm, then Delete Browsing Data.
If you are signed in to Chrome, the deletion also reaches your other devices and your Google Account.
⚠️ Warning Ticking Cookies and other site data signs you out of most sites and wipes saved preferences. Tick it only when you mean to.
Cache vs cookies vs history: what each clear deletes
| Data type | What it holds | What breaks if you delete it |
|---|---|---|
| Cookies and other site data | Logins, carts, preferences | You get signed out; settings reset |
| Browsing history | Sites and searches you visited | Autocomplete suggestions vanish |
| Download history | The list of past downloads | The list clears; the files stay |
Tick the first row only for a plain cache clear. Clearing all four suits a device handover or a stubborn login loop.
When clearing the cache doesn’t fix it
- Hard reload.
Ctrl + Shift + R(Cmd + Shift + R) skips the cache for a single page load. - Try incognito. If the page works there, an extension is interfering; disable them one at a time.
- Clear site data for that domain only, then sign in again.
- Check free storage. A phone with no space left cannot write a fresh cache, so pages crawl — see why your phone storage is always full for the cleanup order.
If Chrome is slow on every site, the browser is not the culprit: work through how to speed up a slow laptop. If only the connection drags, start with why your Wi-Fi is so slow. The Tech Troubleshooting Guide covers the full diagnostic order.
Frequently asked questions
Does clearing the cache delete passwords?
No. Passwords and passkeys live in Google Password Manager, not the cache, so a clear leaves them alone.
How often should I clear the Chrome cache?
Rarely. Chrome manages cache size itself, and every clear costs one slow load. Do it when a page misbehaves; monthly is plenty.
Will clearing the cache free up disk space?
Briefly. Chrome refills the cache as you browse, so the space returns within days. Delete large downloads instead.
Why is my cache cleared but pages still look wrong?
A service worker or your network is serving an old copy. Close every tab for that site, clear site data for the domain, then hard reload. If it persists, the fault is server-side.
- Google Account Help — Clear cache & cookies
- Google Chrome Help — Delete browsing data in Chrome (Android)
- Google Chrome Help — Delete browsing data in Chrome (iPhone & iPad)
- Google Chrome Help — Delete, allow, and manage cookies in Chrome
Tags: #chrome #browser-cache #browsing-data #troubleshooting #google-chrome
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