My iPad has been running really slow lately and apps keep freezing. I think the cache might be the problem but I’m not sure how to clear it completely. Can anyone explain the steps or suggest the best way to do it? Any help would be appreciated.
Honestly, Apple makes it way harder than it needs to be to just clear cache on an iPad. Unlike Android, you can’t just press one shiny button and make all the junk go poof. But here’s what you can actually do—might help, might just make you feel slightly better:
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Safari: Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This gets rid of caches, cookies, etc. for Safari—but NOT for other apps. You’ll get logged out everywhere, so brace yourself for password amnesia.
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App Cache (sort of): For most apps, you have to either:
- Offload the app (Settings > General > iPad Storage > select the app > Offload App). This keeps your documents and data, but dumps the core app cache.
- Or, if that doesn’t help, just straight up delete the app and reinstall it. Yup, the nuclear option. Thank Apple for zero user control.
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Reboot: Sometimes just holding the power button and restarting works minor miracles. It’s not really clearing cache, but iPads get cranky and need a nap too.
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Software updates: Old iOS versions can slow you down. Settings > General > Software Update. Probably won’t help specifically with cache, but might smooth some bugs.
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Background App Refresh: Disable this for apps you don’t really use (Settings > General > Background App Refresh). Cuts down on sneaky background processes hogging memory.
Honestly, cache isn’t always the main culprit—could be that your storage is almost full, or the device is just aging out. Check your storage space in Settings > General > iPad Storage. If you’re nearly full, either delete a bunch of stuff or mentally prepare yourself for that spinning wheel of doom.
That’s as comprehensive as it gets without jailbreaking, which is a whole other can of worms. If you figure out a magical one-step cache clearing tool for iPads, let me know, so I can stop deleting Candy Crush every month.
Not saying @espritlibre isn’t on point (cause most of those steps are just how iOS rolls), but honestly, the whole ‘clearing cache’ thing on iOS feels like fighting a losing battle with a pool noodle. Apple barely lets us touch anything behind the curtain. Safari’s history clear-out nukes web stuff, sure, but for app cache, deleting/reinstalling is so 2012—I know everyone says this, but it’s honestly a last resort. You lose all your settings, have to re-log in everywhere, and sometimes that doesn’t even fix lag.
Before you go full nuclear, have you checked if your iPad is choked by too many apps running at once? Double-click the home button or swipe up and close stuff you aren’t using. I swear my iPad behaves for at least a week after cleaning up overloaded memory this way, and all my TikTok drafts live to see another day.
Plus, do NOT underestimate the effect of free space. iOS likes to have 1–2GB free or it starts getting crabby. Dump unused podcasts, mega-old photos, or those downloads piling up ‘just in case.’
Last thing, you might wanna look into ‘Reset All Settings’ (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings). DISCLAIMER: This doesn’t delete your data or apps, but it will nuke things like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and some personalizations. Kind of like a caffeine cleanse for iPad. Not as aggressive as full-on erasing the iPad, but sometimes it sorts out weird slowdowns.
TBH, if your iPad is ancient (think: home button, thick bezels, runs iOS updates with sweat) the cache isn’t the enemy, time is. Sometimes, it’s just built-in obsolescence flexing on us mere mortals. All that said, if you find some secret Apple hack, I’m all ears—these company ‘just works’ claims crack me up every time my iPad acts like it’s running Windows 98.
Let’s just say—if you’re blaming “cache” for iPad sluggishness, you’re not alone, but you’re definitely fighting the Apple Way: Designed Obfuscation™. Those walkthroughs basically covered the big levers (Safari nuke, offload/delete apps, reboot, prayer). But real talk: full cache clearing option isn’t coming unless Tim Cook wakes up cranky one day.
Let’s look at it another way. A few alternative tactics:
- RAM Reset Trick: Not a cache clear, but you CAN force a quick RAM flush. Works on iPads with a Home button—hold the power button until “slide to power off” appears, then hold the Home button until the screen flashes and returns to your home screen. For newer models, not so easy, but closing ALL apps and then doing a forced reboot (volume up, down, then hold power) is the closest thing.
- Clear Message Attachments: Messages hoard junk! Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage > Messages and surgically delete “Photos,” “Videos,” and “Other Attachments” from ancient convos stealing your gigabytes.
- Review Downloads: Files app, old PDFs, random lesson plans from 2017? Nuke from orbit. You’d be shocked how much is lurking in Downloads.
- App Alternatives: If certain apps are chronic hoarders (looking at you, Facebook, Instagram), consider using browser versions or “lite” apps to minimize cache buildup in the future.
- Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery. If it’s draining mad fast, sometimes slowdowns are more about dying batteries throttling everything back. Not directly “cache,” but worth checking before full-on despair.
Now, weighing up this tactical assault:
Pros: Won’t lose (most) personalizations, keeps you out of total app reinstallation territory, and avoids the soul-numbing “Reset All Settings” nuclear strike.
Cons: No single tap, no beautiful “Cache Cleared!” popup, and most of these moves are marginal improvements—like sweeping crumbs under a rug.
While the previous posts from @reveurdenuit and @espritlibre nailed the reality of iOS’s limited cleaning options, they overstate how much deleting and reinstalling is necessary. I’d save that pain for only truly glitched apps that stay frozen after reboots and RAM flushes.
Competitors like CleanMyMac and other “cleaner” apps used to work on Mac—sadly, no iPad equivalent exists, so don’t get suckered by shady App Store “cleaners.” Until Apple gives us more, it’s about targeted spring cleaning and lowering expectations—think more Marie Kondo than Mr. Clean.
Bottom line: The best way to “clear cache” on iPad is a patchwork quilt of steps—RAM flush, storage spring clean, and cold-hearted deletion of old files. Set a reminder to do this quarterly, and try not to rage when Candy Crush makes you start from Level 1 again.