safari to refresh

4 Ways to Refresh Webpages in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Ankita enjoys exploring and writing about technology. Starting as a script and copywriter, her keen interest in the digital world pulled her towards technology. With GT, she has found her calling in writing about and simplifying the world of tech for others. On any given day, you can catch her chained to her laptop, meeting deadlines, writing scripts, and watching shows (any language!).

Whenever you open a webpage on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, it loads the latest information. But once the page finishes loading, all the information displayed usually remains static, even if it has changed or refreshed in the backend. To access the latest information, you can refresh all those web pages in Safari.

4 Ways to Refresh Webpages in Safari on iPhone iPad and Mac

Refreshing webpages help update the current information on your screen. And while you can use the Cmd + Option + R shortcut to hard refresh (force reload) or clear all the cache in Safari separately, what if you want to reload the page? Is there an option or shortcut? Let’s find out.

How to Refresh Webpages in Safari on iPhone and iPad

When using Safari on your iPhone or iPad, use the Reload icon to reload a page. Or, if your device is updated, use the pull-to-refresh option. You can also use keyboard shortcuts, if available. Or, force the browser to close and restart. Thus, reloading the page in the process. Here’s a step-by-step look for clarity.

1. Using the Address Bar

Step 1: Depending on your device’s settings, go to the address bar at the top or bottom of the page in Safari.

Step 2: Here, tap on the Reload icon.

Wait for the page to finish reloading. If the address bar is not visible, use your finger to move the page up or down. Once you see it, tap on the Reload icon accordingly. This will reload the page in Safari.

2. Through the Pull-to-Refresh Feature

If your iPhone runs iOS 15 or higher, you can use the pull-to-refresh option. Using this, you can pull the webpage down and wait for it to refresh and reload.

Step 1: Go to the relevant tab in Safari.

Step 2: Now, hold and pull down from the top half of the page. Release the page once you see the reload icon appear.

Once you release the page, it should automatically refresh all the information. If this doesn’t work, check your device’s software version and try again.

3. Using a Keyboard Shortcut

As long as you have a compatible wireless keyboard , you can connect it to your iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth . This can not only aid in typing but also allow you to use keyboard shortcuts on your Apple device. Then, use the Cmd + R shortcut on the wireless keyboard and reload the page without touching the screen.

4. Force Close and Restart Safari

If you can’t use the abovementioned methods, force Safari to close altogether on your iPhone or iPad. This can help solve any glitches with the browser as well. Once the browser reopens, it should refresh the page as well. Here’s how.

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom of the page to open background apps. Or, if your device has a Home button, double-press it.

Step 2: Once the background apps are visible, hold and swipe up on Safari.

Step 3: Now, tap on the Safari app icon to reopen the browser.

Once Safari opens, the page should also reopen in the designated tab. If that doesn’t happen, use the address bar or search history to reopen the page in Safari.

How to Refresh Safari Webpages on Your Mac

Like refreshing Safari webpages on your iPhone or iPad, you can also reload a page on your Mac. To do this, use the refresh button in Safari, menu options, or the keyboard shortcut. Or, if this doesn’t work, force Safari to close and reload. This will not only restart all browser functions but also reload the page. Here’s how to do it.

1. Through the Reload Icon

Step 1: Go to the Safari address bar and click on the Reload icon.

Once the page reloads, any related issue should be resolved as your browser fetches a fresh copy of the page.

2. Using Menu Options

Step 1: Once Safari is open, go to the menu bar and click on View.

Step 2: Here, click on Reload Page. Wait for the page to refresh.

3. Using Keyboard Shortcut

While you must connect a keyboard to your iPad or iPhone, your Mac already has one. Taking advantage of this, use the Cmd + R keys to reload the currently open page in Safari quickly. Or, if you want to reload the page without cache, hold down the Shift key on the keyboard and click the Reload icon in Safari.

4. Closing and Reopening Safari

Step 1: Go to the menu options and click on the Apple icon. Then, click on Force Quit.

Step 2: From the list of apps, select Safari.

Step 3: Then, click on Force Quit. Wait for Safari to close.

Step 4: Now, click on the Safari app icon to open the browser again.

If the webpage isn’t open, type the website address in the menu bar or open it from the device history. The web page information should be refreshed.

Reload a Page in Safari

Refreshing the webpages in Safari not only helps deliver the latest information but also aids in resolving certain site glitches and errors like media not loading in Safari . So, we hope this article helped you refresh a Safari webpage on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 21 February, 2024

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

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iOS 15: How to Quickly Refresh a Webpage in Safari

In iOS 15, Apple has completely redesigned Safari with easier-to-reach controls in mind when you're browsing the internet. For example, the URL address bar can optionally sit at the bottom of the screen instead of up top, which makes it easier to access when you're using your iPhone with one hand.

A downward swipe on any webpage‌ is all it takes to refresh a webpage in Safari. This alternative to having to tap on the reload icon is especially useful if you like to keep the address bar at the top of the screen, where tapping the reload icon can be less convenient.

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How To Refresh Page On Safari

Software & Applications
Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Refreshing a web page is a common task that many of us perform daily while browsing the internet. Whether you're waiting for an updated news article to load or trying to see the latest changes on a website, knowing how to refresh a page efficiently can save you time and frustration. In this article, we'll explore various methods to refresh a page on Safari, Apple's popular web browser.

Safari, known for its sleek interface and seamless integration with Apple devices, offers several convenient ways to refresh web pages. Whether you prefer using a mouse, keyboard shortcuts, or context menus, Safari provides options to suit your browsing style. By mastering these methods, you can streamline your browsing experience and stay up to date with the latest content on your favorite websites.

In the following sections, we'll delve into three distinct methods for refreshing a page on Safari. From the classic approach of clicking the refresh button to utilizing keyboard shortcuts and context menus, each method offers its own set of advantages. By familiarizing yourself with these techniques, you can navigate Safari with ease and ensure that you're always viewing the most current content on the web.

Now, let's embark on this journey to discover the diverse ways of refreshing a web page on Safari. Whether you're a seasoned Safari user or just getting started with this innovative browser , these methods will empower you to navigate the web with confidence and efficiency. Let's dive into the first method: using the refresh button.

Method 1: Using the Refresh Button

Refreshing a web page using the refresh button is perhaps the most straightforward and commonly used method in web browsing. In Safari, the refresh button is conveniently located in the address bar, making it easily accessible for users. When you encounter a page that you want to refresh, simply click the circular arrow icon located to the left of the website address. This action prompts Safari to reload the page, fetching the most recent content from the web server.

The refresh button serves as a visual cue for users to initiate the page refresh process. It's a simple yet effective way to ensure that you're viewing the latest version of a web page. Whether you're checking for real-time updates on a news website or refreshing a social media feed, the refresh button provides a quick and intuitive solution.

One of the advantages of using the refresh button is its universal appeal. Users of all experience levels can easily grasp the concept of clicking a button to refresh a web page. This method is particularly useful for individuals who prefer a visual and tangible way to interact with their browser.

Moreover, the refresh button is designed to be responsive, providing immediate feedback to the user upon clicking. This responsiveness enhances the browsing experience, as users can quickly verify that the page is being refreshed without any delay.

In addition to its simplicity and responsiveness, the refresh button also serves as a reliable fallback option. In the event that keyboard shortcuts or context menus are unavailable or impractical, the refresh button remains a dependable method for refreshing web pages in Safari.

Overall, the refresh button in Safari offers a user-friendly and efficient way to update web content. Its intuitive placement in the address bar, universal appeal, responsiveness, and reliability make it a go-to option for users seeking a hassle-free method to refresh web pages. As we continue to explore other methods for refreshing pages on Safari, it's important to appreciate the convenience and accessibility that the refresh button provides.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Utilizing keyboard shortcuts to refresh web pages in Safari offers a convenient and efficient alternative to clicking the refresh button. For users who prefer a hands-on approach to browsing, keyboard shortcuts provide a seamless way to perform common tasks without relying on the mouse or trackpad .

In Safari, the keyboard shortcut for refreshing a web page is simple and intuitive. By pressing "Command + R" on a Mac keyboard , users can instantly trigger the page refresh action. This key combination serves as a quick and direct method to update the content of the current web page, eliminating the need to navigate to the refresh button or context menus.

The use of keyboard shortcuts aligns with the principles of productivity and accessibility, catering to users who prioritize speed and efficiency in their browsing experience. By incorporating familiar key combinations, such as "Command + R," Safari empowers users to refresh web pages with minimal effort, allowing for a seamless transition between tasks.

Furthermore, keyboard shortcuts offer a level of control and precision that resonates with users who are accustomed to navigating applications using key commands. This method enables users to refresh web pages without disrupting their current keyboard-focused workflow, enhancing the overall browsing efficiency.

Another advantage of using keyboard shortcuts to refresh pages in Safari is the consistency it provides across different web pages and websites. Regardless of the content being viewed, the "Command + R" shortcut remains universally applicable, ensuring a standardized approach to page refresh functionality.

By embracing keyboard shortcuts as a method for refreshing web pages, Safari caters to users who value speed, precision, and consistency in their browsing habits. This approach aligns with the browser's commitment to providing diverse and user-centric options for interacting with web content, ultimately enhancing the overall browsing experience for its users.

Method 3: Using the Context Menu

Navigating the web with Safari involves exploring various methods to interact with web pages, and using the context menu to refresh a page offers a versatile and efficient approach. The context menu, accessed by right-clicking on a web page, provides a range of options for interacting with web content, including the ability to refresh the page seamlessly.

When users right-click on a web page in Safari, the context menu presents a set of actions and commands tailored to the specific elements and functionalities of the page. Among these options is the "Reload Page" command, which, when selected, triggers the page refresh process, ensuring that users have access to the most up-to-date content.

The context menu serves as a dynamic interface that adapts to the context of the user's interaction with the web page. By incorporating the "Reload Page" command within the context menu, Safari offers users a convenient and contextually relevant method to refresh web pages. This approach aligns with the browser's commitment to providing diverse and user-centric options for interacting with web content, ultimately enhancing the overall browsing experience for its users.

One of the notable advantages of using the context menu to refresh pages in Safari is the flexibility it offers. Unlike the refresh button and keyboard shortcuts, which are more direct in their functionality, the context menu provides users with a visual and contextual means of initiating the page refresh process. This visual representation can be particularly beneficial for users who prefer a more tactile and exploratory approach to interacting with web elements.

Furthermore, the context menu's inclusion of the "Reload Page" command underscores Safari's commitment to accessibility and user empowerment. By integrating this functionality into the context menu, Safari ensures that users have multiple pathways to refresh web pages, catering to diverse preferences and browsing styles.

In summary, leveraging the context menu to refresh web pages in Safari represents a user-centric and adaptable approach to interacting with web content. By integrating the "Reload Page" command within the context menu, Safari empowers users with a versatile and visually intuitive method to ensure that they are accessing the most current information on the web. Whether users prefer the directness of keyboard shortcuts, the familiarity of the refresh button, or the contextual nature of the context menu, Safari's diverse methods for refreshing web pages underscore its commitment to enhancing the browsing experience for all users.

In conclusion, mastering the art of refreshing web pages on Safari empowers users to navigate the web with efficiency and confidence. By exploring the diverse methods available, including the refresh button, keyboard shortcuts, and the context menu, Safari offers a comprehensive toolkit for users to ensure that they are accessing the most current and relevant content on the web.

The refresh button, with its intuitive placement in the address bar, serves as a visual cue for users to initiate the page refresh process. Its universal appeal, responsiveness, and reliability make it a go-to option for individuals seeking a hassle-free method to refresh web pages. Whether checking for real-time updates on news websites or refreshing social media feeds, the refresh button provides a quick and intuitive solution.

Keyboard shortcuts provide a seamless and efficient alternative to clicking the refresh button. By incorporating familiar key combinations, such as "Command + R," Safari empowers users to refresh web pages with minimal effort, catering to those who prioritize speed and efficiency in their browsing experience. This method offers a level of control and precision, enhancing the overall browsing efficiency and consistency across different web pages and websites.

The context menu, accessed by right-clicking on a web page, offers a versatile and efficient approach to refreshing a page. By integrating the "Reload Page" command within the context menu, Safari provides users with a convenient and contextually relevant method to refresh web pages. This approach caters to diverse preferences and browsing styles, ensuring that users have multiple pathways to access the most current information on the web.

In essence, Safari's commitment to providing diverse and user-centric options for interacting with web content underscores its dedication to enhancing the browsing experience for all users. Whether users prefer the directness of keyboard shortcuts, the familiarity of the refresh button, or the contextual nature of the context menu, Safari's diverse methods for refreshing web pages cater to a wide range of user preferences and browsing habits.

By familiarizing themselves with these methods, users can navigate Safari with ease and ensure that they are always viewing the most current content on their favorite websites. Whether you're a seasoned Safari user or just getting started with this innovative browser, these methods will empower you to navigate the web with confidence and efficiency.

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How can I force Safari to perform a full page reload, without using the mouse?

I'm using Safari to preview web pages as I develop them on my local server. I've got 'Disable Caches' checked in the Develop menu. And yet Safari is still working from a cached version of a stylesheet that's linked from the HTML file being displayed.

I can sometimes override this by Option-clicking the reload button in the location bar, but I want to refresh the page automatically when I save the CSS file. At the moment I'm doing it using an AppleScript that's bound to the Save action in my text editor. I could see using Keyboard Maestro instead. But I need some consistent way to force Safari to do a full reload from the keyboard.

browser-cache

Do you have any extensions installed. Had this problem once with Adblock... It messed up one page in particular, thought it was a stylesheet problem too, tried everything... but it was Adblock messing with it. – unom Commented Jan 8, 2014 at 22:08

9 Answers 9

Enable the Develop menu from Safari menu - Preferences - Advanced .

On Safari version 11.1 and above :

CMD + OPTION + R reloads the page ignoring cache.

On Safari version 9 and above :

CMD + SHIFT + R reloads the page ignoring cache.

Emptying caches seems not to reload the stylesheets everytimes…

On Safari below version 9 :

Empty cache and then reload so full "hot key" would be :

CMD + OPTION + E

CMD + R to refresh the page

Of course probably turning opening and closing a New Private Window from the File would also work but…

that didn't work for me on Safari 8 – Brian Tingle Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 5:49
3 Safari version 9.1.1 does not reload the page with Cmd-Shift-R. I have "Show Develop in menu bar" enabled. – Jason Commented Jun 21, 2016 at 13:46
cmd+shift+R didn't work for me in 9.1.3 either – sfletche Commented Oct 13, 2016 at 17:07
1 Cmd+Shift+R didn't work in Version 10.0.1 (11602.2.14.0.7). – Snowcrash Commented Feb 14, 2017 at 10:59
Checkout @sayan's answer below for a working shortcut – Vlad Commented May 17, 2018 at 14:35

The shortcut has now changed to OPTION + CMD + R . (Safari 11.1)

1 Works perfectly! – kerrin Commented Apr 25, 2018 at 4:23

There is an option in the menubar Develop->Disable Caches. This is true for Safari 5.1. I'm not sure for the rest.

2 Please read the second sentence of my question again. – Gabe Commented Jul 28, 2011 at 17:06
1 Oops, I'm sorry :) – mist Commented Jul 29, 2011 at 7:01
I think the keyboard maestro method be to activate the “disable caches” menu bar item, reload the page, then deactivate it. – BallpointBen Commented Aug 23, 2023 at 4:42

Turn on Private mode and refresh the page. It won't get it from the cache in private mode.

Hard refresh was removed as a keyboard shortcut in Safari 5. The old command for that was ⌘ + SHIFT + R

CTRL + F5 May work but I can't test here.

Yes, that's how to refresh the page, but it doesn't bypass the cache. – Gabe Commented Sep 9, 2010 at 16:02
2 Control-F5 just selects the location bar, like Command-L. – Gabe Commented Sep 9, 2010 at 16:45
Then it's been disabled completely. I found a number of threads complaining about it. There is an extension that I have NOT tested here: twitter.com/siracusa/status/15683201068 that may do what you want. – JNK Commented Sep 9, 2010 at 16:47
No, that extension just creates a button in the toolbar (which I guess some people prefer to the icon in the location bar). I also found a lot of threads complaining about it—i was wondering if someone on here had any special knowledge. – Gabe Commented Sep 9, 2010 at 19:37
Sorry! :( <15chars> – JNK Commented Sep 9, 2010 at 19:47

Workaround: in the develop menu, select "start debugging javascript" and it must reload the code properly. You can then stop debugging... I know it's not a clean solution and I'm not sure if it works always or in all versions, but it's working for me now.

I stumble upon this question and apparently the current answers do not work.

Issue is currently CMD + ALT + R opens the Responsive design.

However if the inspector is open via CMD + ALT + I , then the same shortcut does a clean refresh.

Current Safari Version: 12.1.2

CMD + L focus on the address bar SHIFT + ALT + ENTER full reload for the current address

It seems to work on Safari 9

And how does one click without a mouse? – qasdfdsaq Commented Oct 23, 2015 at 12:51
1 @qasdfdsaq My bad, edited the question. – rraallvv Commented Oct 23, 2015 at 13:00

Go to Safari's preferences and tick "Show develop menu". In the develop menu, click disable Caches.

1 Please read the second sentence of my question. – Gabe Commented Feb 21, 2013 at 11:55

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How to refresh a webpage in Safari

Learn how to quickly refresh a webpage in Apple’s Safari browser, especially when using your iPhone with one hand and with the URL address bar displayed at the bottom.

How to quickly refresh a webpage in Safari for iPhone and iPad

To refresh a webpage in Safari on iPhone and iPad, hit a reload icon in the address bar, press a dedicated shortcut on the keyboard or perform a downward swipe on a webpage.

Address bar

Whether you’re using Safari with the address bar at the top or bottom, there’s a dedicated reload icon available at the right edge of the address bar. Conveniently, this shortcut is instantly reachable with the bottom address bar in one-handed mode.

Keyboard shortcut

If you use a wireless Bluetooth keyboard with your iPhone or iPad, you can press the dedicated Command (⌘) + R shortcut on the keyboard to reload the currently-viewed webpage. Extra tip: To display a cheat sheet of all the keyboard shortcuts an app supports, simply press and hold the Command (⌘) key. In fact, you can choose the Reload Page command (or any other shortcut for that matter) right from this cheat sheet.

iPad device screenshot set against a light blue gradient background, illustrating the keyboard cheat sheet in Safari with the Reload Page option highlighted

Pull-to-refresh

And last but certainly not least, you can refresh any webpage by pulling it down from the top. If you’ve already scrolled, simply touch the iOS status bar to jump to the top of the page, then pull down to refresh.

iPhone device screenshot set against a light blue gradient background, illustrating pulling down to refresh a webpage in Safari

This pull-to-refresh gesture is especially convenient when using your iPhone in one-handed mode, with one notable exception: large-screened devices. If your iPhone is too big for you to comfortably use with one hand, you won’t even be able to reach the status bar with your thumb. Read: How to switch between the old and new Safari design

In that case, you should switch to the address bar at the bottom by hitting the “aA” menu, then select the option labeled “Show Bottom Tab Bar.” And just like that, you can now hit a reload icon in the address bar to refresh the currently-viewed webpage.

iPhone screenshot showing bottom address bar in Safari on iOS 15

How to quickly refresh a webpage in Safari for Mac

To refresh a webpage in Safari for Mac, click the reload icon within the address bar, press a keyboard shortcut, or choose an appropriate command from Safari’s menu.

Like with Safari for iOS, Safari for macOS also includes a reload icon within the address bar, at the rightmost side. Click it to reload the current page.

MacBook Pro device screenshot showing Safari on macOS Monterey with the callout on the Reload button within the address bar

Alternatively, you can press the Command (⌘) + R shortcut on your Mac’s keyboard in Safari to reload the webpage that you’re currently viewing.

An image showing two keys from a Mac keyboard: a Command modifier key and an "R" key

Menu command

You can also find the Reload Page command in Safari’s View menu.

MacBook Pro device screenshot showing Safari on macOS Monterey with the Reload Page option highlighted in the View menu

How to hard refresh a webpage in Safari for Mac

When you reload a webpage, Safari may fetch some of the assets like cookies from its temporary cache. If the webpage has since changed, you may not get an up-to-date version. Thankfully, you can tell Safari to perform a hard refresh which causes it also clear cache and cookies for a given webpage. To hard-refresh a Safari webpage, press the Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + R combination on your keyboard.

Alternatively, press and hold the Option (⌥) key while clicking Safari’s View menu, then choose “Reload Page From Origin.” Lastly, you can also hold the Shift (⇧) key whilst clicking a reload icon within the address bar. All those methods will prompt Safari to loads the webpage along with any same-domain resources requested by the webpage without using the browser cache, presenting you with a newly downloaded view.

For further resources on Safari, check out Apple’s website .

Wrap up: Thank God for pull-to-refresh

When I sit at my computer and browse the web in Safari, I never bother clicking the reload icon within the address bar or reaching for the menu option. Instead, I hit the Command (⌘) + R shortcut on my keyboard, it’s much faster this way. So go ahead and memorize this super handy shortcut if you haven’t already.

When I switch over to my mobile device, however, things are a bit different. I usually work without a keyboard connected to my iPad so the Command (⌘) + R keystroke is out of the question. Of course, I can hit that reload icon within the address bar.

The problem is, I can’t always find the address bar as I switch between the top and bottom address bar every so often. Meaning, the pull-to-refresh method wins out hands down as the most intuitive gesture to refresh a webpage in Safari—at least on iPhone.

Thomas' Miniblog

Technology, digital insights and more, safari on mac: how to refresh a page (keyboard shortcut).

Recently, I made the move from a Windows 10 computer to a MacBook Pro running MacOS . What a shift it has been! While the move has been relatively easy, I had to learn quite a few new things here and there.

One of the main recurrent keyboard shortcuts I used on Windows was the F5 function-key to refresh a webpage in the browser. However, on MacOS, there is no such key. For me, I then simply hit the refresh button manually in the browser window. But, this takes time and becomes annoying quite fast. What is the keyboard shortcut on Mac to refresh a Safari page? What is the equivalent F5 keyboard shortcut that I used to use on Windows?

The answer is luckily relatively simple, although on Mac you have to press a key combination instead of 1 single key.

Refresh Safari webpage on MacOS

Use the key combination Command and the R key to refresh a Safari page on MacOS.

Hard refresh a Safari webpage on MacOS (clear cache)

Sometimes, a simple refresh of a page is not enough – you may want to also clear cache and cookies for a given webpage in the Safari browser on your Apple computer. You will combine 3 keys on your keyboard as a shortcut to do a hard refresh, Option , Command and R :

Alternative way to do a refresh

You may also perform a refresh of a page by clicking the refresh button next to the address/URL. Or, hold the Shift key and click on the refresh button to do a hard refresh of a page (i.e. removes cookies and cache).

How-To Geek

How to hard refresh your web browser (to bypass your cache).

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8 important online safety tips for non-techies to know, today's nyt connections hints and answer for july 26 (#411), quick links, what is a browser cache, how to perform a hard refresh in your browser.

Sometimes, a website does not behave as expected or seems stuck showing outdated information. To fix this, it's easy to force your browser to completely reload its local copy of the page (cache) using a simple keyboard shortcut. Here's how to do it.

To speed up browsing, web browsers save copies of website data to your computer as a set of files called a cache. When you load a website, you are often viewing a local copy of elements from the site (such as images) pulled from your cache.

Normally, if the browser loads a website and detects a change, it will fetch a new version of the site from the remote web server and replace the cache. But the process is not perfect, and sometimes your browser may end up with a local copy of the website data in your browser cache that doesn't match the latest version on the server. As a result, a web page may look incorrect or not function properly.

To fix this, we need to force the web browser to discard what it already has in the cache and to download the latest version of the site. Many people call this a "hard refresh."

In most browsers on PC and Mac, you can perform a simple action to force a hard refresh. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the reload icon on your browser's toolbar.

There are also keyboard shortcuts to perform the equivalent hard refresh. Because there are multiple ways to do the same action, they will be listed below:

Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for Windows: Press Ctrl+F5 (If that doesn't work, try Shift+F5 or Ctrl+Shift+R).
Chrome or Firefox for Mac: Press Shift+Command+R.
Safari for Mac: There is no simple keyboard shortcut to force a hard refresh. Instead, press Command+Option+E to empty the cache, then hold down Shift and click Reload in the toolbar.
Safari for iPhone and iPad: There is no shortcut to force a cache refresh. You'll have to dig into settings to erase your browser's cache.

After you perform the hard refresh, you should see the web page go blank, and the reloading process will take longer than usual. That's because the browser is redownloading all of the data and images on the site.

If forcing a refresh didn't fix the issue, you can try to do a hard refresh again. If that doesn't help, the issue may be with the website itself---or your browser may need an update . Good luck!

Web Browsers
Google Chrome

Safari User Guide

Get started
Go to a website
Bookmark webpages to revisit
See your favorite websites
Use tabs for webpages
Import bookmarks and passwords
Pay with Apple Pay
Autofill credit card info
View links from friends
Keep a Reading List
Hide ads when reading
Translate a webpage
Download items from the web
Add passes to Wallet
Save part or all of a webpage
Print or create a PDF of a webpage
Interact with text in a picture
Change your homepage
Customize a start page
Create a profile
Block pop-ups
Make Safari your default web browser
Hide your email address
Manage cookies
Clear your browsing history
Browse privately
Prevent cross-site tracking
See who tried to track you
Change Safari settings
Keyboard and other shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts and gestures in Safari on Mac

Note: Keyboard shortcuts in apps may vary depending on the language and keyboard layout you’re using on your Mac. If the shortcuts below don’t work as you expect, look in the app menus in the menu bar to see the correct shortcuts. You can also use the Keyboard Viewer to see your current keyboard layout, known as an input source .

Open Safari for me

Current webpage

Reading list, bookmarks sidebar and bookmarks view.

Clear Safari cache on Mac
Clear Safari cache on iPhone or iPad
How to save passwords when clearing your cache

How to clear your Safari browser cache on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad

You can clear your cache on Safari in just a few steps on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
Clearing your cache, as well as history and cookies, can help resolve your device's performance issues.
Clearing your cookies will clear your passwords as well, unless you save them with keychain.

A cache is a store of data. When you visit a website on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the Safari browser keeps a snapshot of the pages you view.

If you go back to that website, Safari loads the cached page in an instant, instead of taking the time to retrieve the page from the internet again.

But an overloaded cache can take up storage space and cause your device to run inefficiently — and it could use a periodic clearing.

Here's what you need to know to clear your cache on Safari, as well as your cookies and browsing history.

How to clear Safari cache on Mac

You can either clear just your cache or your cache, history, and cookies.

Clear your cache

1. Click on the Safari tab at the top left of your screen and choose Preferences from the dropdown menu.

2. Click the Advanced tab of the menu that pops up.

3. At the end of the tab, select the Show Develop menu in menu bar box and close the Preferences menu.

4. Click the Develop tab from the Safari menu at the top of the page.

5. Click Empty Caches from the dropdown menu.

Clear your cache, history, and cookies

You may also want to clear your browsing history and cookies in addition to emptying your cache. Here's how to do that.

1. Choose the History tab at the top of your screen.

2. At the very bottom of the dropdown menu, choose Clear History.

3. A box pops up with a choice to clear the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all history. Choose your time frame and click the Clear History button.

Once you clear the history, it will also clear the cache and cookies associated with that time period.

How to clear Safari cache on iPhone or iPad

To clear your cache and browsing history:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Safari .

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data .

4. On the screen that pops up, choose Clear History and Data .

To clear your cache but not your browsing history:

3. Tap Advanced .

4. Tap Website Data .

5. Choose Remove All Website Data .

What happens to saved passwords when you clear your cache

When you clear your cache, history, and cookies, you may discover that Safari has logged you out of your favorite websites.

While clearing Safari's cache alone will not delete your passwords, clearing your history and cookies can. That's because when you empty your cookies, you will lose their password data saved in Safari as well. And keep in mind that clearing your history also clears its associated cookies.

Luckily, Apple has a solution to this problem. If you use iCloud, check your iCloud settings on your phone or computer.

Make sure that you've checked the box for Safari. As long as this box is checked, any passwords you save through your browser will stay safe in your keychain .

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How to Force Refresh in Your Internet Browser

Last Updated: October 27, 2023

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls . Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. This article has been viewed 1,252,056 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to force a webpage to refresh so it displays the most up-to-date information. Forcing a refresh clears the page's data cache and reloads it from the website. You can do this in Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and Safari desktop browsers. To force refresh a web page on mobile devices, you need to clear your browser data for all web pages.

Things You Should Know

In any computer browser, press and hold Ctrl (Windows) or ⇧ Shift (Mac). While holding, press refresh ⟳ .
Using Chrome on mobile, go to ⋮ (Android) or … (iOS) > Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data > Clear Browsing Data (iOS) or Clear Data (Android).

Go to the URL of the page you want to force refresh. After clearing your data, the latest version of the page will load.

Using Windows or macOS

Step 1 Open a web browser of your choice.

Alternatively, you can press "Ctrl" and "F5" on PC, or "Shift" and "R" on Mac to force refresh your browser. [1] X Research source [2] X Research source

Using Google Chrome on Android, iPhone, or iPad

You can tap the checkmark icons next to any data items you want to keep.

Step 6 Tap Clear Browsing Data (iPhone/iPad) or Clear Data (Android).

Using Safari on iPhone and iPad

Using Firefox on Mobile

You can tap the checkboxes next to the data items you do and do not want to delete.

Step 6 Tap Clear Data (Android) or Ok (iPhone/iPad).

Using Samsung Internet Browser for Android

Step 1 Open the Samsung internet browser.

You can also tap the radio buttons next to the items you do and do not want to delete.

Step 7 Visit the web page you want to refresh.

Community Q&A

Force-refreshing some pages, such as account creation pages, will cause them to forget information you've already entered. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://www.getfilecloud.com/blog/2015/03/tech-tip-how-to-do-hard-refresh-in-browsers/#.XdXPlVdKiUn
↑ https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/how-to-do-hard-refresh-in-browser/
↑ http://hypercube.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/4000096487-how-to-do-a-force-refresh-of-your-browser

About This Article

1. Open your browser. 2. Go to the page you want to refresh. 3. Press and hold Ctrl (PC) or Shift (Mac). 4. Click the curved arrow on the address bar. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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auto refresh on safari

Auto Refresh used to work, but it suddenly stopped working on my iPhone and iPad. Why? Was it because of a recent update? How do I re-enable it?

Posted on Dec 22, 2019 10:15 AM

Posted on Dec 24, 2019 2:27 PM

Hello TheGooMan and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

It appears you may be having an issue with a third-party app called Browser Auto Refresh.

‎Browser Auto Refresh on the App Store

If that is the case, first ensure that the app itself is updated.

Update apps or use automatic downloads - Apple Support

If you update and still have issues, consider deleting the app and reinstalling it from the App Store. The process for deleting apps has changed a little under iOS 13.

How to delete apps on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

If you still have issues after these steps, reach out to the app developers.

How to contact an app developer - Apple Support