How to clear cache and cookies in your browser

Computer cookies can make our lives easier. They can save our digital shopping carts, speed up checkout times, and store login credentials and other personal information so we don’t have to.

Common concerns with cookies involve privacy (tracking) and performance (clutter). Clearing both cache and cookies not only helps protect your privacy by reducing tracking, but it can also improve your browser's performance by removing additional data.

What does it mean to clear cache and cookies?

Clearing cache and cookies means deleting temporary data stored on your device by browsers or apps, such as cached images and login details from websites and apps you’ve visited, and text file cookies storing your preferences and user configurations.

By removing saved web images, audio, login details, and preferences, you can free up storage space and remove some traces of your online activity. Clearing cache and cookies is beneficial, but you’ll need to re-enter login details when you visit certain websites.

Knowing how to clear cache and cookies from your browser is an essential step in protecting your personal data online. And that’s where this step-by-step guide comes in—to show you how to remove cookies to help keep third parties trackers and targeted ads off your trail.

We’ve included the main browsers below, so jump to the one you use most or look through them all to get an in-depth understanding.

How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome

As one of the most popular internet browsers, Google Chrome is available on many devices—and there’s a way to remove cookies from each one.

Chrome on a Windows or Mac computer

How to clear cache and cookies on Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner, then select Clear Browsing Data.
3. Choose the time range for which you want to clear cookies. Mark the checkbox next to Cookies and other site data and any other data you want to clear (like cache), then click Clear data.

Chrome will then start clearing the selected browsing data, including cookies.

Chrome on your Android device

Here’s how to clear cache and cookies on Chrome on your Samsung or other Android device:

1. Open Chrome and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
2. From the menu, select Clear browsing data.
3. Next, choose the time range and tap Clear data to confirm deletion.

Chrome on your iPhone or iPad (iOS)

Here’s how to clear cookies on Google Chrome on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Launch Chrome and tap the three dots in the bottom right.
2. Select Clear Browsing Data.
3. Choose the time range for which you want to clear cookies, select Cookies, Site Data, and any other data you want deleted, then tap Clear Browsing Data.

How to clear cache and cookies in Safari

It’s easy to clear cookies on Apple’s default browser, but the process is a bit different on desktop and mobile.

Safari on your macOS

Here’s how to clear cookies on Safari on a computer (macOS device):

1. Launch Safari, then click the Safari menu and Settings.
2. Choose the Privacy tab, then click Manage Website Data.
3. Click Remove All.
4. Confirm by clicking Remove Now.

Safari on your iPhone or iPad (iOS)

Clearing Safari cookies on an iPhone or iPad (iOS) is also simple. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Scroll down and tap Advanced.
4. Tap Website Data.
5. Tap Remove All Website Data.
6. Tap Remove Now to confirm deletion.

How to clear cache and cookies in Firefox

Follow these steps to clear cookies in Firefox across your desktop and mobile devices.

Firefox on your Windows or Mac computer

Here’s how to clear cache and cookies on your Firefox browser:

1. Open Firefox and click the settings icon in the top-right corner of the homepage.
2. Click Manage more settings.
3. Select Privacy & Security.
4. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data and then click Clear Data.
5. Choose whether to clear cookies and/or cache, then select Clear.
6. Click Clear Now to confirm cookie and site data deletion.

Firefox on your Android device

Here’s how to clear cache and cookies on Firefox on a Samsung or other Android device:

1. Launch Firefox.
2. Tap the three dots (menu) at the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap Delete browsing data.
5. Select Cookies and site data and Cached images and files, and any other data you want cleared, then tap Delete browsing data.
6. Select Delete in the pop-up window.

Firefox on your iPhone or iPad (iOS)

To clear cookies on Firefox on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

1. Launch Firefox, then tap the three horizontal lines.
2. Select Settings from the menu.
3. Scroll down to Privacy and select Data Management.
4. Toggle on Cookies and any other data you want deleted, then tap Clear Private Data.
5. Choose OK to confirm deletion.

How to clear cache and cookies on Microsoft Edge

How to clear cookies on Microsoft Edge on a computer:

1. Launch Microsoft Edge and click the three dots on the top right corner.
2. Select Settings from the menu.
3. Go to Privacy, search, and services, then next to Clear browsing data now select Choose what to clear.
4. Select a time range and click Clear Now to confirm.

The steps for clearing cookies on Microsoft Edge on Android or iOS are virtually identical to the process on a computer:

1. Tap the three lines (Android) / three dots (iOS) at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
3. Choose the time range and the data you want cleared, then tap Clear data (Android) / Clear now (iOS).

Why should you clear cache and cookies?

Cookies are small data files that websites store on your browser or device to keep track of your logins, preferences, and browsing history. They can make your online experience more convenient by enabling autofill and faster loading times.

But there are also good reasons why you should clear your cookies:

• Privacy: Clearing cookies helps safeguard your privacy by preventing websites from tracking your online behaviour. Without clearing cookies, websites can collect information about your browsing habits, which can be used for targeted advertising, or cybercriminals could hijack cookies and sell your personal information.
• Performance: Over time, accumulated cookies can slow down your browser's performance and lead to glitches or errors. Regularly clearing cookies helps your browser operate more smoothly and efficiently, with faster loading times and improved responsiveness.
• Control: Cookies are used by third parties to collect personal data and track online activity. Clearing cookies gives you greater control over your online activities and preferences. It allows you to start fresh and selectively choose which websites you want to remember your login information or browsing history. This control helps you manage your digital footprint.
• Security: By clearing cookies, you reduce the risk of cyberattacks and unauthorised access to your personal information. Cookies can sometimes contain sensitive data, such as login credentials or session tokens, which cybercriminals may exploit to gain unauthorised access to your accounts or compromise your online security.

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FAQs about how to clear cookies and cache

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to clear cookies.

Can cookies track you?

Cookies can track multiple types of data about you, from your browsing history to your personal IP addresses.

Should you clear cookies?

You should consider deleting cookies regularly from your personal devices—just remember that you may be logged out of websites you visit. If you use a public computer, you should delete cookies as soon as you’ve finished your session.

Will clearing cookies delete passwords?

If you clear cookies, it will wipe saved passwords from autofill settings stored on your web browser. But it won’t delete passwords saved in a third-party password manager.

What happens when you clear all cookies?

Deleting cookies wipes all your personal information from your browser, including usernames, passwords, search history, and website settings and preferences.

Does clearing cookies speed up computers?

Erasing cookies may help speed up your computer. However, deleting information can make it take longer to log in to websites you frequently visit.

Is it OK to accept cookies?

It can be safe to accept cookies, but you should be aware of what data is collected, the intended use, and difference between first-party cookies (which help you use the website you’re on more seamlessly) and third-party cookies (which are often used for tracking and ad targeting). Cookies can become risky if hackers can hijack them and view or expose personal information.

How do I disable cookies?

To disable cookies, open your browser’s settings and navigate to the privacy section. From there, you should see an option to block all cookies or all third-party cookies. Keep in mind, this will prevent sites from storing or tracking your information or preferences.