To wipe app, Safari, and system data on iPhone, use Settings > General > iPhone Storage, offload apps, and clear cookies and cache in Safari.
Clutter creeps in fast. Photos, downloads, cached files, and old conversations pile up and slow things down. This guide gives you clear steps that work on modern iOS. You’ll get fast fixes up front, then deeper cleanups that free real space without losing what you care about.
Clearing Data On iPhone: Fast Start
Start here to grab back space in minutes. You can repeat these steps anytime space dips near full; they’re safe. If storage creeps back, run the same routine again. Enjoy. Always.
| Data Type | Where To Tap | What It Removes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari history & site data | Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data | History, cookies, cache for chosen range |
| App cache via offload | Settings > General > iPhone Storage > App > Offload App | App binary; documents and data stay |
| Big message attachments | Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages | Large videos, photos, and other attachments |
| Downloaded videos | TV/Music/Netflix/YouTube apps | Offline downloads you no longer need |
| Old iOS updates | Settings > General > iPhone Storage | Update files that are safe to delete |
| Mail cache | Mail app > accounts > re-add | Temporary mail files rebuilt on sync |
Understand What “Data” Means Here
On a phone, “data” covers web traces, app caches, downloads, and documents. System files take space too, and the storage graph rolls them into “System Data” or similar. You don’t need to hunt every byte. The wins come from a few high-yield spots: browsers, chat media, video downloads, and rarely used apps.
See What’s Eating Space First
Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Wait for the list to load. You’ll see a color bar and apps ranked by size. Tap any app to view “Documents & Data,” “App Size,” and tools to remove or offload it. This screen is your command center for quick gains.
Use iOS Suggestions
On that same screen, look near the top for suggestions. Common picks include “Offload Unused Apps,” “Review Large Attachments,” and “Review Downloaded Videos.” These cards jump you straight into the biggest wins with just a few taps.
Clear Web Traces In Safari
Web history, cookies, and cached files add up over time. To clear them, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, then choose a time range. You can remove data for one site from Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data if you want a lighter touch. After a wipe, sites may sign you out.
When The Button Is Grayed Out
If “Clear History and Website Data” is dimmed, make sure Screen Time restrictions aren’t blocking changes. Turn off any content filters that control web activity, then try again.
Offload Apps You Rarely Open
Offloading removes the app itself and keeps your files and settings. The icon stays with a small cloud badge. Tap it to redownload when you need it again. This suits bulky games and editors you use rarely.
Manual Offload
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap an app you seldom open.
- Tap Offload App. Confirm.
Automatic Offload
- Open Settings > App Store.
- Toggle Offload Unused Apps.
Delete Apps That Hoard Space
Some apps keep large offline files. If you don’t need them, remove the app fully to clear its documents and data. You can always install it again later. Use the actions below when an app’s “Documents & Data” dwarf the app size by gigabytes.
Three Ways To Remove An App
- From the Home Screen: touch and hold the icon > tap the minus badge > Delete App.
- From App Library: find the app > touch and hold > Delete App.
- From Settings: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > pick the app > Delete App.
Slim Down Messages Without Losing Threads
Heavy attachments in Messages are a common space hog. You can prune large items and keep the thread.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages.
- Enter sections like Photos, Videos, GIFs and Stickers, and Documents.
- Select items you don’t need, then delete.
To prevent build-up, set Messages history to 1 Year or 30 Days in Settings > Messages > Keep Messages.
Tidy Photos And Videos Safely
If iCloud Photos is on, turning on Optimize iPhone Storage keeps smaller copies on the device and shifts originals to iCloud. You still see your library; tapping a photo pulls the full-res version on demand. Inside Photos, check the Downloads album of third-party apps and remove old clips.
Clean Up Mail And Other App Caches
Many apps rebuild caches once you reopen them. For Mail, removing and re-adding an account refreshes temporary files. For media apps, delete offline downloads, then check size in iPhone Storage. If a single app keeps ballooning, a remove-and-reinstall cycle resets it.
Trim System Data The Smart Way
“System Data” bundles logs, caches, and other temporary items. It shrinks when you free space elsewhere and after a restart.
- Restart the phone.
- Update to the latest iOS build.
- Remove old VPN profiles you don’t use.
- Delete maps you saved for offline use in navigation apps.
Make Space Without Losing Anything
Here are safe changes that keep your content intact while shrinking local footprints.
| Action | Typical Gain | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Enable Optimize iPhone Storage | Hundreds of MB to many GB | Full-res media loads on demand |
| Turn on Offload Unused Apps | Varies by seldom-used apps | Tap to redownload before use |
| Clear Safari history and data | Hundreds of MB on heavy use | Websites may sign you out |
| Review large iMessage videos | Gigabytes on long threads | Deletes copies inside Messages |
| Remove offline videos in apps | Gigabytes in streaming apps | Redownload if you need them later |
Step-By-Step: A Full Cleanup Routine
1) Map The Storage
Open the storage screen and note the top five apps by size. Tap each to see whether the bloat sits in the app binary or its documents and data. This tells you whether offloading is enough or a full removal is better.
2) Clear The Browser Cache
Run a wipe in Safari with the steps above. If you use Chrome or Firefox, clear their browsing data inside each app’s settings as well.
3) Sweep Messages Media
Use the Messages storage pane to delete bulky attachments quickly. Start with long group threads and video-heavy chats.
4) Offload Or Delete Big Apps
Games, video editors, and social apps often eat space. Offload the ones you rarely open. Delete and reinstall any app that rebuilds huge caches over time.
5) Prune Downloads
Open streaming and podcast apps and remove offline items. Check the Files app’s Downloads folder as well.
6) Reboot And Recheck
Restart the phone and return to the storage screen. You’ll see “System Data” settle down and the color bar reflect your gains.
Fix Common Roadblocks
Storage Bar Doesn’t Refresh
Give it a minute after big changes. If it looks off, restart the device. The chart updates after the system re-indexes.
Messages Still Shows Huge Size
After deleting attachments, open the Messages app and visit a few threads. iOS reclaims space shortly after you browse around.
Apps Reappear After Deleting
If you sync with a computer, an old backup may be restoring them. Remove the app from the phone, then sync again and deselect it on the computer side.
Privacy Resets That Clear Learned Data
If typing suggestions feel off or you want a clean slate, you can reset learned words and network settings. These resets don’t erase your photos or documents.
- Reset Keyboard Dictionary: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary.
- Reset Location & Privacy: Same path > Reset Location & Privacy. Apps will ask again for permissions next time.
When To Remove And Re-Add Accounts
Mail, calendar, and cloud storage apps cache plenty of data. Removing an account and adding it back forces a fresh sync and clears stale files. Before you do it, make sure the account actually stores its content in the cloud, not only on the device.
Pro Tips That Make The Gains Stick
- Turn on automatic iOS updates so cleanup improvements arrive without delay.
- Set Messages to shorter retention on devices with small storage.
- Keep a few GB free for smooth installs and 4K video.
- Review downloads monthly: TV app, Music, Podcasts, YouTube, Netflix, and Files.
Quick Checklist You Can Reuse
- Settings > Safari > Clear web data.
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Offload big, rare apps.
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages > delete large items.
- Photos > turn on Optimize iPhone Storage if you use iCloud Photos.
- Streaming apps > delete offline videos and songs.
- Restart, then recheck the storage bar.
What Not To Delete
Don’t remove authenticator apps or secure vaults unless you’ve backed up their keys. Be careful with camera RAW files if you shoot with third-party tools. If you edit on the phone, keep project folders until exports are safely in cloud or on a drive.
FAQs Are Not Needed—Here’s Your Finish Line
You now have a repeatable routine: map the hogs, clear web traces, offload big apps, prune messages and downloads, and reboot. Run this monthly and your phone stays quick, leaving room for photos and updates.
Helpful references: Apple’s pages on Clear Safari history, Manage storage on iPhone, and Remove or delete apps walk through the built-in tools in the same order you used above.