How to Clear Your Browser Cache (Windows & macOS)

Edited

If you’re troubleshooting issues with site updates not showing or layouts appearing broken, clearing your browser cache is a good first step. Below are instructions for clearing the cache on all major browsers for both Windows and macOS.


Google Chrome

Windows / macOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac).

  2. In the Clear browsing data window:

    • Set the Time range to “All time”.

    • Check only Cached images and files.

  3. Click Clear data.

Alternative Method Using Chrome DevTools (Site-specific Clear Cache)

Chrome has introduced a quicker way to clear cache for a specific site:

  1. Press F12 to open DevTools.

  2. Right-click or click and hold the refresh button next to the address bar.

  3. Select Clear cache and hard reload.

  4. Press F12 again to close DevTools.


Mozilla Firefox

Windows / macOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac).

  2. In the Clear Recent History popup:

    • Set Time range to clear to “Everything”.

    • Expand Details and check only Cache.

  3. Click OK.


Microsoft Edge (Chromium)

Windows

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.

  2. In the Clear browsing data panel:

    • Choose All time as the time range.

    • Check Cached images and files.

  3. Click Clear now.


Brave

Windows / macOS

  1. Open Brave.

  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac).

  3. In the pop-up, select the Basic tab (or Advanced if you want more options like history/cookies).

  4. Check the box next to Cached images and files.

  5. Set the Time range to "All time" for a full clear.

  6. Click the Clear data button.


Safari

macOS

  1. Open Safari.

  2. Click Safari > Preferences > Advanced.

  3. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.

  4. In the top menu, go to Develop > Empty Caches.

Alternatively:

  • Press Option + Command + E to clear the cache directly.


Mobile Browsers

Chrome on Android

  1. Tap the three dots menu > History > Clear browsing data.

  2. Select “All time” for the time range.

  3. Check only Cached images and files.

  4. Tap Clear data.

Chrome on iPhone

  1. Open the Chrome app.

  2. Tap the three dots menu in the bottom right.

  3. Tap History > Clear Browsing Data.

  4. Make sure Cached Images and Files is selected.

  5. Tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm.

Safari on iPhone

  1. Go to Settings > Safari.

  2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Brave on Android

  1. Open the Brave browser.

  2. Tap the three dots (⋮) menu.

  3. Tap Settings.

  4. Go to Privacy and security.

  5. Tap Clear browsing data.

  6. Select Cached images and files.

  7. Choose the Time range.

  8. Tap Clear data.

Brave on iPhone

  1. Open the Brave browser.

  2. Tap the three dots (···) menu at the bottom.

  3. Tap Settings.

  4. Go to Privacy or Brave Shields & Privacy.

  5. Tap Clear Private Data.

  6. Enable Cache.

  7. Tap Clear Private Data to confirm.


Notes

  1. Clearing the cache does not log you out or delete saved passwords (unless you select those options).

  2. If you’re testing changes on your site and not seeing the updates, try using an incognito window or private browsing mode to bypass the cache temporarily.