How to Hard-Refresh Your Browser (2025 Edition)

Sometimes websites hold onto old files (like stylesheets or scripts) in your browser’s cache. When we (i.e. Wenmark Digital and/or @mwender) make updates to your site, your browser may still show you an older version. A hard refresh clears the cached version and forces your browser to download the latest files.

Here’s how to do it on today’s most common browsers:

Desktop Browsers

Google Chrome (Windows/Linux)

Keyboard Shortcut:
Ctrl + Shift + R
or
Shift + click the Reload button.

Mac Shortcut:
Command + Shift + R

Safari (Mac)

Keyboard Shortcut:
Command + Option + R

Or hold down Option and click Reload in the address bar.

(Tip: Safari’s cache is sticky. If this doesn’t work, go to Safari > Settings > Advanced, enable “Show Develop menu,” then choose Develop > Empty Caches.)

Mozilla Firefox

Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + R

Mac: Command + Shift + R

Microsoft Edge

Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + R

Mac: Command + Shift + R

Or Shift + click the Reload button.

Mobile Browsers

Safari on iPhone/iPad

Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

Chrome on iPhone/Android

Tap the ⋮ (menu) button.

Tap the ⟳ Reload button.

For a deeper clear: Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data → Cached Images and Files.

Edge on iPhone/Android

Tap the ⋯ menu.

Tap the Reload button.

To fully clear cache: Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear Browsing Data.

When to Hard Refresh

You’ve been told “the site has been updated” but don’t see changes.

A page looks broken or isn’t loading correctly.

Styles, images, or scripts seem “stuck” on an old version.

Pro tip: If a hard refresh doesn’t solve it, try clearing your browser’s cache entirely. This forces the browser to fetch fresh versions of all site files.