Chrome cache stores local copies of images, scripts, and layout files so pages load faster. When a site looks outdated, refuses to show a new layout, or behaves strangely after an update, clearing cached files forces Chrome to download a fresh copy.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, or iPad when you want to clear cached files without deleting saved passwords. If you leave cookies unchecked, most login sessions stay intact.
Clear cache on Windows or Mac
The shortcut is the fastest way to open the right screen.
- Open Chrome.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac.
- Open the Advanced tab.
- Set the time range to All time.
- Check only Cached images and files if you want to clear cache without clearing cookies, history, or passwords.
- Click Clear data.
Clear cache on Android
Chrome for Android uses the mobile browsing-data menu.
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three-dot menu.
- Tap History.
- Tap Clear browsing data.
- Open the Advanced tab and set the time range to All time.
- Check only Cached images and files.
- Tap Clear data.
Clear cache on iPhone or iPad
Chrome on iOS follows the same idea with iPhone-style menus.
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three-dot menu, usually at the bottom-right on iPhone.
- Tap History, then Clear Browsing Data.
- Set the time range to All Time.
- Check only Cached Images and Files.
- Tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm.
More control
Try a hard refresh first
On desktop, press Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R, or hold Shift while clicking reload. This refreshes one page without clearing the whole cache.
Clear one site only
If only one site is broken, open Chrome site settings, search for that site, and clear its data. This avoids disturbing other websites.
If the page is still outdated
After clearing cache, revisit the site and hard refresh. If another device or browser shows the same stale content, the website may be serving old files from its own server or CDN.
Chrome does not fully auto-clear cache
Chrome can clear cookies and site data on close, but it does not include a simple built-in timer for wiping the entire cache automatically. Manual clearing is still the practical option.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Clear cache and cookies (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Fix a webpage that is not loading (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Delete your Chrome browsing history (2025)