If you’re an iPad user, it’s worth clearing your cache, cookies and browsing history regularly. If you haven’t done it in a while, now could be the time for a quick bit of good iPad housekeeping - here’s all you need to know…
Why should I clear my cache, cookies or browsing history?
Clearing the cache and cookies on your iPad can make it run better by freeing up space. It also helps with your security and privacy by getting rid of old saved logins. Plus, it makes sure all the websites you look at are showing the latest info.
Deleting your browsing history is another way of cleaning up your system and boosting your privacy, by removing records of all the websites you've visited. So we’ll start with that, then hit your cache and cookies later on…
Clearing the browsing history on your iPad
To clear the browsing history on your iPad Safari browser, follow these simple steps:
Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPad.
Scroll down and tap on ‘Safari’ in the left-hand menu.
Scroll and tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’. Confirm the action.
Easy as that. Your browsing history on Safari should now be cleared.
Clearing cache and cookies on your iPad
The exact method for clearing cache and cookies on an iPad varies slightly, depending on the type of browser you use as default. Here are the different steps to follow from Safari, Chrome and Firefox.
How to clear cache and cookies in Safari
Here are the steps to clear cache and cookies on Safari on your iPad:
Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPad.
Scroll down and tap on ‘Safari’ in the left-hand menu.
Scroll and tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’. Confirm the action.
You’re all clear!
How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome
Here’s how to clear cache and cookies on Chrome for iPad:
Open Chrome on your iPad.
Tap the three dots in the bottom-right corner to open the menu.
Select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
Scroll down and tap ‘Privacy’.
Choose ‘Clear Browsing Data’.
Select ‘Cookies, Site Data’ and ‘Cached Images and Files’.
Tap ‘Clear Browsing Data’ to confirm.
Congrats! Your cache and cookies are now clear.
How to clear cache and cookies in Firefox
Here’s are the steps for clearing cache and cookies in Firefox on an iPad:
Open Firefox on your iPad.
Tap the three dots in the bottom-right corner to open the menu.
Select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
Scroll down and tap ‘Privacy & Security’.
Under the ‘History’ section, tap ‘Clear Private Data’.
Select ‘Cookies’ and ‘Cache’.
Tap ‘Clear Private data’ at the bottom.
This will clear the cache and cookies from Firefox on your iPad.
FAQs
How often should I clear the cache on the iPad?
When should you clear the cache on your iPad? It really depends on how much you use it. As a general rule, you should think about doing it every few months to free up storage space and make everything run smoothly. In the meantime, if you have issues withparticular apps that are playing up, you can clear their caches individually.
What happens when you clear cache and cookies?
Like we said at the start, clearing cache and cookies on an iPad is a good tip for making your iPad run smoother and faster. It removes all the temporary data stored by websites, which helps resolve issues like slow loading or login problems. This is why you might need to re-enter login details on websites after clearing your cache – so it’s a good idea to make a note of any logins or passwords you can’t remember off the top of your head!
Where is the cache on an iPad?
You can find the standard cache on your iPad in the browser settings. If you're looking for an app-specific cache, you’ll need to check the individual app settings.
How do I clean my iPad?
Cleaning up your iPad can help make it run faster. In addition to clearing your cache, here are a few more things you can try – but remember to back up important data before making any major changes:
Delete unused apps. Remove apps you no longer use by holding down on the app icon until it wiggles, then tap ‘X’ to delete.
Manage your storage. Check your storage usage in Settings > General > [iPad] Storage. Delete unnecessary files or apps.
Delete old messages. Clear out old messages by going to Settings > Messages and adjusting your message history settings.
Delete old photos and videos. Review and delete any unnecessary photos and videos, or move them to cloud storage.
Restart or reset. Sometimes, a simple restart can help. You can also reset settings in Settings > General > Reset.
How can I make my iPad faster?
To make your iPad faster, try the methods mentioned in the ‘How do I clean my iPad’ FAQ above. You can also:
Close unused apps. Double-click the home button (or swipe up from the bottom on iPads without a home button) and swipe away apps running in the background.
Update the iOS. Ensure your iPad is running the latest iOS version. Updates often include performance improvements.
Disable background app refreshes. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for apps that don't need to update in the background.
Looking for more advice for your iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air or iPad Pro? Check out our best iPad tips for beginners. iPad not charging? Here’s how to fix it.
If you’d like to get the most out of your tablet, check out our range of accessories including tablet cases and keyboards. Or if you’re looking for a brand new iPad, find out which iPad is right for you.
It pays to trade-in. Ker-ching!
We offer trade-in for most types and makes of devices, even if they’re damaged and non-working.
If you’re interested, head to our trade-in page and check that your old tech is eligible for trade-in. You’ll also see a handy calculator that will give you an instant valuation.
Then bring your device to one of our stores and we’ll confirm its value, take it off your hands, and give you a gift card to spend on the tech you really want. Easy.
