Safari Clearing Cache and Hard Reloading (macOS & iOS) The Complete Guide

For Apple users, Safari offers a seamless browsing experience. But when websites misbehave, you'll need to know how to clear its cache. The process is slightly different from other browsers, especially on macOS. This guide provides clear instructions for both your Mac and your iPhone/iPad.

How to Clear Cache in Safari on Desktop (macOS)

Clearing the cache in Safari on a Mac requires enabling a hidden "Develop" menu first.

Step 1: Enable the Develop Menu

1. With Safari open, click Safari in the top menu bar (next to the Apple logo).
2. Select Preferences... (or Settings... in newer macOS versions).
3. Go to the Advanced tab.
4. At the very bottom, check the box that says Show Develop menu in menu bar. You can now close the settings window.

Step 2: Empty the Caches

1. Click the new Develop option that has appeared in your top menu bar.
2. In the dropdown menu, simply click Empty Caches. The cache is now cleared instantly.

How to Perform a Hard Reload in Safari on Desktop

After emptying the caches, visit the webpage and perform a hard reload:

• Hold down the Shift key and click the reload icon in the Safari toolbar.
• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Cmd + Shift + R.

How to Clear Cache in Safari on Mobile (iPhone & iPad)

The cache for Safari on iOS is cleared through the device's main Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down the list and tap on Safari.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Safari settings and tap Advanced.
4. Tap Website Data.
5. Wait for the data to load, then tap Remove All Website Data and confirm. This clears the cache and cookies but preserves your browsing history.