How to Clear DNS Cache on iPhone and Android Devices

DNS (Domain Name System) cache is a temporary storage on your device that saves the IP addresses of websites you have visited. When this cache becomes outdated or corrupted, websites may fail to load, show the wrong version, or display “DNS server not responding” errors.

Clearing (flushing) the DNS cache forces your device to fetch fresh DNS information. This guide shows the correct and working methods for both iPhone and Android.

Note: Mobile operating systems do not provide a single “Flush DNS” button like Windows or macOS. The methods below are the officially recommended and widely tested ways to clear the DNS cache.

Why Clear DNS Cache?

• Websites not loading or showing old content
• “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” or similar errors
• After changing DNS servers or moving a website to a new host
• After connecting to a VPN or public Wi-Fi
• General network troubleshooting

How to Clear DNS Cache on iPhone (iOS / iPadOS)

iPhones do not have a direct “Flush DNS” option. Use one of these proven methods:

Method 1: Toggle Airplane Mode (Fastest & Recommended)

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it On.
3. Wait 10–15 seconds.
4. Tap the Airplane Mode icon again to turn it Off.

This disconnects all wireless radios and forces iOS to rebuild network connections, clearing the DNS cache.

Method 2: Restart Your iPhone

1. Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to power off.
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

A full restart clears temporary system caches, including DNS entries.

Method 3: Reset Network Settings

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset.
3. Tap Reset Network Settings.
4. Enter your passcode and confirm.

Warning: This will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configurations, and Bluetooth pairings. You will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks afterward.

Method 4: Forget Wi-Fi Network and Reconnect

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the (i) icon next to your current network.
3. Tap Forget This Network → Confirm.
4. Select the network again and enter the password.

This forces a completely new DNS lookup for that network.

How to Clear DNS Cache on Android

Android methods vary slightly by manufacturer and version, but the following work on most devices (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.).

Method 1: Clear Chrome DNS Cache (Most Effective for Browser Issues)

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Type the following exactly in the address bar and press Go: chrome://net-internals/#dns
3. Tap Clear host cache.
4. (Recommended) Go to chrome://net-internals/#sockets and tap Flush socket pools.

This clears Chrome’s internal DNS cache — the most common cause of websites not loading in the browser.

Method 2: Toggle Airplane Mode

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap Airplane mode to turn it on.
3. Wait 10–15 seconds.
4. Tap Airplane mode again to turn it off.

Method 3: Restart Your Android Device

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. Tap Restart (or Power off → turn back on).

A restart clears the system-level DNS cache on most Android versions.

Method 4: Reset Network Settings

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset options (path may vary: Search for “Reset” in Settings).
2. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth or Reset network settings.
3. Confirm the action.

Warning: This removes all saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, and mobile data settings.

Method 5: Private DNS Toggle (Android 9 and later)

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS.
2. Change the setting to Off.
3. Wait a few seconds, then change it back to Automatic (or set a provider such as dns.google or 1.1.1.1).
4. Toggle Airplane Mode once after making the change.

Additional Tips

• Restart your router — Sometimes the problem is on the router’s DNS cache, not the phone.
• Try a different network — Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to isolate the issue.
• Use public DNS servers — Consider Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
• VPN users — Disconnect and reconnect your VPN after clearing the cache.
• Browser-specific issues — Clearing the browser DNS cache (Method 1 on Android) is often enough if only one browser is affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does restarting the phone clear DNS cache?
   Yes. On both iPhone and Android, a full restart is one of the most reliable ways to clear the system DNS cache.
2. Is there a command to flush DNS on iPhone?
   No. Apple does not provide a user-accessible command for this. Airplane Mode, restart, or Reset Network Settings are the correct methods.
3. Will clearing DNS cache delete my data?
   No. It only removes temporary DNS records. Your photos, apps, and personal data remain untouched. (Reset Network Settings does remove saved Wi-Fi passwords.)
4. How often should I clear the DNS cache?
   Only when you experience network problems. There is no need to clear it regularly.
5. What is the difference between system DNS cache and browser DNS cache?
   • System DNS cache affects all apps.
   • Browser DNS cache (especially Chrome) only affects that browser. Clearing both is sometimes necessary.

Conclusion

Clearing the DNS cache on iPhone and Android is straightforward once you know the correct methods. Start with the simplest options (Airplane Mode or Restart). If the problem persists, try Reset Network Settings or the Chrome-specific flush on Android.

These steps resolve the majority of DNS-related browsing issues without requiring any third-party apps or advanced technical knowledge.

Also, you can find more tutorials about how to clear the DNS Server Cache on Windows.