What Does Website Data Mean On An iPhone? A Quick Answer!
One of the most used functions on an iPhone is Safari and surfing the internet, but were you aware that all website data gets stored every time you use it? We may have a solution for you if you struggle with Safari performance, low internet speeds, a lack of data, or reduced privacy. The website data is an unknown setting to many iPhone users, but it can be helpful too.
Table of Contents
- What is website data on an iPhone?
- What Is Website Data On iPhone?
- What Does Website Data Show On iPhone?
- How Do You Access Website Data On iPhone?
- Should You Clear Website Data On iPhone?
- What Happens When You Clear Website Data On iPhone?
- Can You Block Website Data On iPhone?
- Are Their Safety Concerns With Website Data?
What is website data on an iPhone?
Website data on iPhones is the array of different images, files, videos, cookies, and cache stored in the websites of your Safari browser. You can access it to see how much storage is being used and what website it contains. Clearing it will give you better speed and more storage.
iPhone users can look at the website data on their phone by entering the settings and locating the list of websites. Safari will track the websites you visit, any files you download, images you save, and more. Clearing this data will remove your passwords, history, and files, and we will explain why this matters and precisely what website data on an iPhone is.
The exact information and steps below have been personally checked using an iPhone. Apple also explains why website data is essential and used in their forums and tech sheets.
What Is Website Data On iPhone?
Website data is the collection of files, images, cookies, cache, etc., that your iPhone stores from websites you visit in Safari. The IOS system collects and stores this data whenever you browse the web through the Safari browser app.
These websites use cookies to collect information such as the user’s IP address, browser type, and other similar data. The collected data can target ads or other content to the user based on their browsing habits.
This website data is also tracked in a few ways. First, your Safari app will track your browsing history. Besides just history, it also collects data, and you can adjust settings to prevent things like cross-site tracking and cookies.
Storing website data may seem unethical or harmful, but it’s helpful in ways you don’t realize. For example, frequently visiting sites will remember your information, so load times are faster, and things like login information are auto-filled.
If you are looking for a way to check your website data or delete it entirely, we will show you exactly how to access it and whether you should delete it or below.
What Does Website Data Show On iPhone?
Website data shows you a detailed list of all the different websites you have visited using Safari on your iPhone. Next to each website listed is a number indicating the total amount of data being stored.
There is also a search bar where this website data is kept, so you can filter through the list by searching for specific sites. The stored data includes photos, images, and other files that may have been downloaded.
To check your website data or clear it, you need to learn how to access it.
How Do You Access Website Data On iPhone?
In the settings, you will have access to both website data and system data with the chance to modify them for better storage. First, you can open up the settings application.
Once you open the settings, click on the General tab. Inside the General area, there is an iPhone Storage option. Click this to view a complete breakdown of your iPhone storage.
Now, you’ll need to scroll through the list of applications to find Safari. Once you find it, it will tell you the total amount of data being used. Click the Safari button to open up a new list of settings.
You’ll now see the Website Data tab with a number indicating the data used. At the top of the page is a search bar with an edit button. Below is a list of websites with the option to show all sites.
At the bottom of the page is a Remove All Website Data Button in red. You can click this button to delete all website data or use the edit button to remove individual sites.
Should You Clear Website Data On iPhone?
The data on your iPhone can be a valuable asset. It contains all the information you need for fast and easy access to websites you visit frequently.
However, this data could also be a liability if you overuse it and download excessive photos, files, and videos. The only downside to clearing website data is the loss of automated logins for websites, search history, and any downloaded files you need.
Otherwise, it can help create iPhone storage space, increase your Safari speeds, and improve your privacy protection.
Privacy protection is the most common reason to clear website data, and new IOS updates continue improving iPhone users’ privacy.
Another reason to try clearing website data is if you have issues with Safari. Clearing cookies and cache this way can reset the browser and improve performance and speed again.
What Happens When You Clear Website Data On iPhone?
First, you should consider whether clearing your website data on your iPhone is a good idea. This removes all cache, cookies, data, and browsing history from your searches in the past.
When you clear website data on your iPhone, it means that all the browsing history, saved passwords, and other data are deleted from the device. The one benefit is any AutoFill data won’t be removed, but you’ll need to log into sites again.
This can be useful if you want to start fresh with your phone or if you want to keep your phone clean from any kind of malware or virus that might be lurking in it.
The other thing that happens when clearing website data is storage creation. If you run out of storage, this is the fastest way to free up a bit of space. You should notice increased internet speeds too.
Can You Block Website Data On iPhone?
There are two ways to block website data on iPhones. Parents often use the website blocker tool so kids can’t get on explicit sites, but this can also be used to block website data.
If you prefer to keep access to sites but without a data tracker, there is also a method that allows you just to block cookies while browsing. We’ll show you how to do both below.
Block Cookies
Blocking cookies is the better option to limit website data tracking to improve privacy protection. Open Settings and scroll down until you see the Safari tab.
Click this to open up the Safari settings. There will be a tab with a button toggle option labeled Block All Cookies. Turn this on, so the button is bright green.
Be aware that some websites won’t work with this setting on.
Block Websites
To block websites, you can open Settings and look for the Screen Time option. Click this and scroll down to the bottom where it says Content & Privacy Restrictions.
This option allows you to set restrictions. Toggle the setting button on and click on the Content Restrictions tab. Inside this area, you’ll see the Web Content button.
Here you can turn on restricted access and add limits or restricted websites. While this will work, it won’t block website data on all websites. It’ll only eliminate access from the blocked websites.
Are Their Safety Concerns With Website Data?
Although useful, the fact that website data tracks every movement of the user while they browse has long been a source of controversy. Indeed, its importance in our online activity and privacy cannot be denied, and so website data must be handled with utmost caution.
As this data is mainly used to track user activity across multiple websites, it can be used to reveal a lot of personal information. Meaning that any data collected can be used to target users with advertising or other forms of marketing, which has led many to argue against its collection and use.
Furthermore, website data may also be vulnerable to security breaches and hacks, putting user privacy at risk. This is why it is essential for companies and websites that collect this information to take adequate steps to protect the data they collect. Despite these risks, there are still organizations out there that continue to exploit website data without considering their users’ safety.