How to clear cache of service worker?

Clearing the cache for a Service Worker typically involves the following steps:

1. Unregister the Service Worker:

   • Open the browser's developer tools.
   • Navigate to the 'Application' tab.
   • In the left sidebar, locate 'Service Workers'.
   • Click 'Unregister' to remove the Service Worker associated with the current domain.

2. Clear the Cache:

   • In the same 'Application' tab, find 'Cache Storage'.
   • Expand the 'Cache Storage' section to display all caches.
   • Right-click the cache you wish to delete and select 'Delete' to clear it.

3. Clear Cache Using Code: You can implement code within the Service Worker script to clear the cache. For example:

   javascript
   self.addEventListener('activate', event => {
     event.waitUntil(
       caches.keys().then(cacheNames => {
         return Promise.all(
           cacheNames.map(cacheName => {
             // Assume 'v1' is the version of the cache you want to retain
             if (cacheName !== 'v1') {
               console.log('Service Worker: Clearing outdated cache', cacheName);
               return caches.delete(cacheName);
             }
           })
         );
       })
     );
   });
   ``
   
   This code executes when the Service Worker is activated. It iterates through all caches and deletes those with versions other than 'v1'.

Additionally, after updating the Service Worker script, ensure the user's browser fetches the latest version. This is typically achieved by modifying the Service Worker file's content, as the browser checks for changes to trigger a new installation.

For instance, if I recently completed a project requiring an update to the Service Worker and its cache, I would modify the Service Worker script—such as adjusting internal caching strategies or version tags—and deploy the updated script to the server. This ensures that upon subsequent user visits, the browser detects the content change, installs the new Service Worker, and clears old caches during the activate event.

In summary, clearing Service Worker cache effectively combines developer tools usage with custom code implementation. This approach is essential for maintaining optimal application performance and delivering the latest content to users.