How to Clean Your Service Workers

Service workers make websites and web apps faster and enable offline use — but old ones can hog space or cause glitches. Learn what service workers do, how to remove them safely in major browsers, and how to automate browser cleanup with our Cache & Data Cleaner Extension.

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How to Remove Service Workers Manually

Service workers don’t live in a visible folder, but you can clear them through your browser’s settings or developer tools:

  • Chrome / Edge: Open DevTools (F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I). Go to Application → Service Workers. Click Unregister next to each worker you no longer need. You can also check chrome://serviceworker-internals for a full list.
  • Firefox: Open DevTools, go to the Storage or Application tab, select Service Workers, then right-click and remove. Or open about:serviceworkers to unregister them.
  • Safari (Mac): Go to Develop → Service Workers from the menu bar. Select an entry and choose Unregister.

What Are Service Workers?

Service workers are small background scripts that let web apps work offline, send push notifications, and load faster. They act as a bridge between a website and your browser. While essential for modern web experiences, old or unused service workers can stick around, consuming space or causing outdated content to load.

ScheduleThey cache files to speed up repeat visits.
ScheduleThey enable offline features for progressive web apps (PWAs).
ScheduleThey may continue running or storing data long after you stop using a site.
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When Should You Clean Service Workers?

Most users don’t need to unregister service workers every day. Clear them if a site keeps showing old data, if a PWA misbehaves, or if you’re running low on disk space. Cleaning also helps after you uninstall an app-like website or stop using a particular online tool.

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Automate Browser Hygiene

Service workers, caches, cookies, and IndexedDB can all grow quietly in the background. Instead of hunting through DevTools, use our Cache & Data Cleaner Extension. It lets you schedule cleanups or instantly remove stored data and background scripts with one click — perfect for keeping browsers fast and private without technical hassle.

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Best Practices for Service Worker Management

Keep your browser light and trouble-free by following these habits:

  1. Unregister service workers from apps you’ve stopped using.
  2. Pair service worker cleanup with clearing cache and IndexedDB for complete maintenance.
  3. If you install many PWAs, check their service workers every few months.
  4. Use our extension’s automated sweeps to remove old background scripts while preserving active ones.

Common Myths About Service Workers

There’s some confusion about what happens when you delete service workers. Let’s clear it up:

Service Worker Myths Debunked

A few quick clarifications:

  • Myth: Removing service workers breaks your browser.
    Fact: It only affects the site’s background script — the browser itself is untouched.
  • Myth: Service workers store your passwords.
    Fact: They cache files and handle sync, but credentials are stored elsewhere.
  • Myth: They clean themselves up automatically.
    Fact: Some do, but many linger until you unregister or clear browser data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Cached scripts and data linked to old service workers can occupy hundreds of MB if you use many web apps.
Only that site’s background script is removed. If you revisit, the site can reinstall a fresh service worker automatically.
A quarterly cleanup is enough for most people, or sooner if you troubleshoot app issues or clear other site data.
Not exactly. Cache stores static files, while service workers are scripts that manage caching and background tasks.
Yes. Our extension lets you wipe service workers along with cache, cookies, and other storage on a schedule or with one click.
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