iPhones don’t have a single “delete junk files” button, but you can clear most of the clutter in a few minutes. On an iPhone 7, the biggest sources of junk are Safari’s cache (Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data), app caches (fix by offloading and reinstalling large apps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage), old message attachments, the Recently Deleted album in Photos, and downloaded music or videos you’ve already watched. A restart also clears temporary files.
Skip “cleaner” apps from the App Store. iOS doesn’t let them access other apps’ data, so they can’t clean much and some push subscriptions. Here’s what actually works.
1. Clear Safari’s cache
- Open Settings > Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.
This signs you out of websites. To clear data for specific sites only, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
2. Clear app caches by offloading or reinstalling
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap a large app and check Documents & Data. If it’s much larger than the app itself, it’s mostly cache.
- Tap Delete App, then reinstall it from the App Store. (Offloading keeps the cache, so delete to clear it.)
Some apps, like Instagram, Snapchat, or Spotify, also have a “Clear cache” option in their own settings. Make sure your data is backed up or synced before deleting an app.
3. Remove old message attachments
- In iPhone Storage > Messages, tap Review Large Attachments, swipe left on old videos and photos, and delete them.
- Set Settings > Messages > Keep Messages to 30 Days or 1 Year.
4. Empty Recently Deleted
In Photos, go to Albums > Recently Deleted > Select > Delete All. Also check Files > Browse > Recently Deleted and the Notes Recently Deleted folder.
5. Remove downloads you don’t need
- Music: Settings > Music > Downloaded Music.
- Podcasts, TV, and streaming apps: Delete watched downloads.
- Files app: Check the Downloads folder for old PDFs and attachments.
6. Restart your iPhone
Press and hold the side button, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears some temporary system files and can shrink “System Data.”
Frequently asked questions
Are iPhone cleaner apps safe?
Many are harmless but ineffective, and some use aggressive subscriptions. The built-in steps above do more.
What’s taking up “System Data” or “Other”?
Caches, logs, and temporary files. It usually shrinks after a restart or iOS update. If it’s huge, backing up and restoring the iPhone can reset it.
Will clearing Safari data delete my passwords?
No. Saved passwords in Keychain stay. You’ll just need to sign in to websites again.
For more storage fixes, see 5 ways to free up storage on an iPhone 7.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.