What is the browser cache, and why clear it?
When you load a web page, your browser quietly stores copies of images, CSS, JavaScript, and other assets in a cache so the page opens faster the next time. That’s great—until a site is being updated (for example, while we’re tweaking CSS or settings). Your computer may keep showing the old, cached files instead of the new ones. Clearing the cache forces the browser to download the fresh version.
Shortcut if you’re in a hurry:
On every major desktop browser you can press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + Shift + Delete (Mac) to open the Delete Browsing Data dialog instantly. Pick “Cached images and files,” choose a time-range (usually All time), and confirm.
Need just a one-off refresh? Hit Ctrl + Shift + R (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + Shift + R (Mac) to reload the current page ignoring cached content.
Chrome (desktop)
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Open Chrome.
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In the menu bar click Chrome ▸ Delete Browsing Data… (or press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Delete).
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Time range → All time.
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Check Cached images and files (leave unchecked anything you want to keep, like Cookies or Passwords).
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Click Delete data.
Chrome-based cousins (Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Edge on macOS/Windows) use the exact same shortcut and dialog.
Chrome app
| Platform | Steps |
|---|---|
| Android | Chrome ▸ ⋮ ▸ Settings ▸ Privacy & security ▸ Clear browsing data ▸ pick Time range, tick Cached images and files, tap Clear data. |
| iPhone / iPad | Chrome ▸ ⋯ ▸ Delete Browsing Data ▸ choose Time Range, tick Cached images and files, tap Delete Browsing Data. |
Safari
| Platform | Steps |
|---|---|
| Mac | Safari ▸ History ▸ Clear History… ▸ choose a time period ▸ Clear History (this also removes cache & cookies). |
| iPhone / iPad | Settings ▸ Safari ▸ Clear History and Website Data ▸ Clear History. |
Firefox (desktop)
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Firefox ▸ Settings ▸ Privacy & Security.
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In Cookies and Site Data click Clear Data….
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Tick Cached Web Content, choose Everything in Time range if prompted, and press Clear.
Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Delete opens Clear Recent History directly.
Microsoft Edge (desktop)
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Settings and more (⋯) ▸ Settings ▸ Privacy, search & services.
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Under Delete browsing data click Clear browsing data now ▸ Choose what to clear.
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Select a Time range, tick Cached images and files, then Clear now.
Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Delete.
A couple of quick reminders
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You may be signed out of websites that rely on cached cookies for login. Keep passwords handy or use a password manager.
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On mobile, if you have limited data, consider clearing only “Cached images and files” (not cookies) so you stay logged in.
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For stubborn issues, try an incognito/private window first—if the new design shows there, caching is the culprit.
That’s it! With these steps (or the keyboard shortcut) you’ll always be sure you’re looking at the latest version of any site.
