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- You can clear your cache on Safari in just a few steps on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
- When you clear cache on Safari, it can free up storage space and help your system run faster.
- In addition to cache, you may also want to clear cookies and browsing history on Safari.
- Visit Insider’s Tech Reference library for more stories.
A cache is a store of data. When you visit a website on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the Safari browser keeps a snapshot of the pages you view.
If you go back to that website, Safari loads the cached page in an instant, instead of taking the time to retrieve the page from the internet again.
But an overloaded cache can take up storage space and cause your device to run inefficiently – and it could use a periodic clearing.
Here's what you need to know to clear your cache on Safari, as well as your cookies and browsing history.
What happens to saved passwords when you clear your cache
You may have had the experience of clearing your browsing history and cache and then discovering that your browser logged you out of your favorite websites.
If you saved passwords in your browser so you could automatically log in to certain sites, clearing your cache can clear your passwords as well.
Happily, Apple has a solution to this problem. If you use iCloud, check your iCloud settings on your phone or computer.
Make sure that you've checked the box for Safari. As long as this box is checked, any passwords you save through your browser will stay safe in your keychain.
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