What Website Data Means on Your iPhone
Website data on an iPhone is the cookies, cache, and small files Safari saves for each website you visit. It helps sites load faster and remembers things like your logins and settings.
You can look at it or wipe it whenever you want, right inside Safari settings. Clearing it can free up space and speed up a sluggish browser.
What is website data on an iPhone?
Every site you open in Safari leaves a little data behind. That includes cookies, cached images and files, and site permissions like location or notifications.
Safari keeps this so the next visit is quicker and you stay signed in. Over time it adds up across dozens of sites.
Think of it as a browser scrapbook. It is handy, and it is also the stuff you clear when things act up.
How to see website data on your iPhone
You can view how much each site is storing. Confirmed on iOS 26.
- Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon).
- Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
- Tap Advanced, then tap Website Data.
- Scroll the list to see each site and how much space it uses.
Use the search bar at the top to find one site fast. To delete a single site, swipe left on it and tap Delete.
On iOS 17 and earlier the path skips the Apps layer. You go straight to Settings, then Safari, then Advanced, then Website Data.
Should you clear website data?
Clear it when Safari feels slow, a site keeps loading wrong, storage is tight, or you want more privacy.
Here is the part people worry about. Clearing website data does not delete your saved passwords, payment cards, or contact info, since those live in AutoFill, not in Safari’s site data.
It will sign you out of sites, though, because it removes the cookies that kept you logged in. If storage is your real concern, our guide on why your iPhone backup is so big tackles the bigger space hogs.
How to clear website data on your iPhone
You have three ways to do it, from gentle to full reset.
| Method | What it removes | What it keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Swipe to delete one site | That site’s cookies and cache | Everything else |
| Remove All Website Data | All cookies and cached files | Your history list |
| Clear History and Website Data | Cookies, cache, and history | Saved passwords and AutoFill |
For a full clear, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data.
To wipe stored site data but keep your history, use Remove All Website Data at the bottom of the Website Data screen.
Is website data a privacy risk?
Some cookies track you across sites to build an ad profile. Clearing website data resets that trail.
To limit it going forward, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Safari, and turn on Prevent Cross Site Tracking. It is on by default, so leave it that way.
If keeping your data private matters to you, our look at who can see your iCloud photos is worth a read too.
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing website data delete my passwords?
No. Saved passwords and AutoFill info are stored separately and stay put. Clearing only removes cookies, cache, and history.
Will clearing website data log me out of websites?
Yes. It removes the cookies that kept you signed in, so you will log back in the next time you visit.
Does website data take up a lot of storage?
Usually not much, but heavy sites and video can add up. Check the Website Data list to see your biggest sites, and compare it against your iPhone storage capacity.
How often should you clear website data?
There is no set schedule. Clear it when Safari acts up or storage runs low, not as a daily habit.
can you find the dates websites were stored on website data?
If you have several iPhones and users in your household, can website data from one phone be transposed to another iPhone?
Also, if there are hacked sites in your website data can it be traced back to a hacker?