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How to clear Safari’s cache and cookies on Mac

There are a handful of situations when clearing Safari’s cookies or cache–one of the places where Safari stores website data to avoid having to download it afresh each time you access a site–can help improve your browsing experience.

The first is when websites simply stop working when you access them on Safari. Perhaps Facebook stops updating with new posts, for example, or the images on a site don’t appear as they should. If this happens, it’s likely the cache has become corrupted.

Alternatively, if you find that personal info automatically completed on sites isn’t correct, deleting cookies can help. These are small files that sites use to save data about you and what you do on the site.

Even if none of these problems affect you, periodically cleaning browser data can help protect your privacy from snoops who want to discover what you’ve been up to online. In this article, therefore, we explain how to clear Safari’s cache and cookies on Mac.

We also have an article that explains How to clear cache on a Mac.

How to clear Safari cookies and cache for websites

Cleaning cookies and the cache data for individual sites can be done via Safari’s Settings/Preferences.

• Open Safari
• Click on Safari in the menu at the top of the screen.
• Click on Settings or Preferences (depending on the version of macOS you are running).
• Go to the Privacy tab.
• Click on Manage Website Data…
• Choose Remove All or select websites individually to remove.

After the data is loaded you’ll probably see a long list of websites. You can choose to Remove All or just select individual websites you want to remove from this list. If you want to select a number of different sites you can click on one and then press and hold the Command key to select a second, third or fourth and so on. We recommend that you don’t select hundreds this way – it’s better to delete in batches just in case you have to start over.

If you would prefer to select all and then deselect the ones you want to keep you can do so. Use Command + A to select all, then press and hold Command while clicking on any website you are happy to keep in this list. Just click Remove afterwards, not Done, as that will just undo all your hard work.

There’s a search field you can use to track down individual sites.

Bear in mind that deleting cookies might remove autocompleted login usernames and passwords for sites, and will almost certainly log you out of that site if you’ve configured it to automatically log in each time you visit.

How to clear Safari cache

The hidden Safari Developer menu can be used to clear just the cache, leaving cookies and the browser history in place. This is a very useful diagnostic step to take before removing those two items if a website behaves badly.

If you just want to clear all your cache you can do so by following these steps:

• Open Safari.
• Click on Safari in menu bar at top of screen.
• Click on Settings/Preferences (depending on the version of macOS you are running).
• Click on the Advanced tab.
• Check the box beside Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar.
• Now there will be a new Develop tab in the menu at the top of your screen. Click on this.
• Click on Empty Caches.

Alternatively click on Option/Alt + Command + E.

Close any open Safari windows and select Empty Caches on the Develop menu. Then click File > New Window to start Safari with a clean cache.

How to remove autocomplete data from AutoFill

Safari’s AutoFill tool can fill in username and password details on websites as well as credit card details and other elements like your address and email details.

This can be really useful, but it can also be annoying if the data it fills in is incorrect or out of context. It’s also a problem when AutoFill helpfully enters old or incorrect passwords or emails and addresses.

You can change this data, or delete it by following these steps:

• Click on Safari.
• Click on Settings/Preferences.
• Choose the AutoFill tab.
• Here you can edit contact information, usernames and passwords, credit cards and other data. Click on Edit beside the category you want access to.
• You’ll need to enter your password or use Touch ID to gain access.

Delete incorrect data: If you are finding that Safari is autofilling incorrect data about you–your address, for example–click Edit beside Using information from my contacts. This will open up your Contacts app. Your card will be at the top or under My Card. You can add and amend data about you here.

Delete incorrect passwords and site logins: If you wanted to delete incorrect passwords, for example, you can just click on the Passwords tab. If you know which password you want to remove search for the website or service and then find the older password option (if there is more than one) and select it and then click on the – below the column to remove it. You can then select Delete Password. If that means there is no password saved for that website, you can then recreate the entry for the site by clicking the Add button. You’ll first need to provide the URL of the site (that is, something like https://facebook.com ), and then type the username and password alongside (hit the Tab key to move from field to field).

See: How to autofill passwords, bank cards, names and addresses for more.

Delete logins and passwords system-wide

Pruning site logins can also be done via the Keychain Access app, which you’ll find in the Utilities folder of the Applications list in Finder, although you should be very careful using this app because it pretty much controls the entire security operation of your Mac! However, by removing errant username and password entries here you’ll stop virtually all of your Mac apps using them, and not just Safari.

Just type the name of the site into the Search field, and look in the list of results for entries of the kind Web Form Password. Right-click the entry and select Delete.

If you want to delete your Chrome or Firefox cache, cookies or browsing history read: How to delete your Mac browsing history . For alternative web browsers take a look at: Best web browser for Mac.

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How to Delete Cookies Using the Safari Web Browser

Last Updated: August 2, 2023 Tested

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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 581,451 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to delete cookies in your Safari browser on a Mac or an iPhone. Cookies are bits of website data that help Safari remember your preferences, passwords, usernames, and more. Since cookies are downloaded onto your computer each time you open a new web page, you may wish to block cookies entirely to prevent them from being downloaded in the future.

• If you don't see this option, make sure that Safari is the front window by clicking it.

• You may be prompted to confirm this action.
• Keep in mind that some websites require cookies in order to load some features. Blocking all cookies will prevent some websites from working correctly.

• Unfortunately, you can't delete only cookies in Safari on an iPhone.

Community Q&A

• Cookies help websites remember who you are and what your preferences are. If you delete all of your cookies, you will need to log back in to any websites which previously had stored passwords or other account information. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

• Blocking cookies will result in some websites not functioning properly, while a few websites may cease to load or work altogether. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.imore.com/how-enable-cookies-safari-macos-high-sierra

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How-To Geek

How to clear safari's browsing history and cookies on macos.

To clear your history on Safari, click the "History" button at the top, then select "Clear History.

Quick Links

How to delete your browsing history in safari, how to automatically delete your browsing history on safari, how to clear your cookies on safari, key takeaways.

To clear your history on Safari, click the "History" button at the top, then select "Clear History." You can also set Safari to clear your browsing history automatically by going to Preferences > General, then set "Remove History Items" to the time frame you want.

You may not have anything to hide when we surf the Internet, but you still may want to clear your history every now and then. Here's how you can clear your browsing history in Safari on MacOS.

On Safari, all you do is click the "History" button at the top of the screen then select "Clear History" at the bottom of the list.

Once you do this, you will be given a choice: you can select "the last hour," "today," "today and yesterday," and "all history" from a drop-down menu. Once you've decided, click the "Clear History" button and the history will be clear per your preference.

If you simply want to clear part of your history, you can click "Show History" ("Command + Y").

Click on the site or use the "Command" key to select several sites, then press the "Delete" key. You can also click "Clear History" in the upper right corner to remove everything all at once.

You can also right-click a history entry to delete it.

Related: How to Clear History, Cache, and Cookies in Safari on iPhone or iPad

You can also set Safari to automatically clear your history every so often. When you open up the Safari preference ("Command + ,"), click the "General" tab, and select the "Remove History items" option.

You can decide when or if your history is automatically deleted after one day, one week, two weeks, one month, one year, or you can keep your history indefinitely by selecting the manual option.

To clear cookies in Safari, while you're in Safari's preferences, click on the "Privacy" tab and click "Manage Website Data."

On this page, you will see all the cookies stored on your Mac. You can right-click a specific cookie and select "Delete" to remove it, or you can hold the "Command" button and select several at once.

If you want to remove all of your cookies, click "Remove All" at the bottom of the window.

You will be asked to confirm you want to "remove all data stored by websites on your computer."

Keep in mind that, if you do this, any websites you might have personalized will be removed, and you will be logged out of all websites (though it should be easy to log back in if you've saved your username and password).

Related: How to Block Third-Party Cookies in Every Web Browser

Clearing your history and cookies isn't necessarily sneaky. It's good to be privacy-conscious because there are often times when someone will ask to use your computer for a minute. You may not be looking at anything untoward or scandalous, but then again, you don't necessarily want just anyone knowing what you've been looking at or reading.

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How to Clear Safari Browsing History and Cache

Whenever you browse the web in Safari, the browser stores website data so that it doesn't have to download it again each time you revisit a site. In theory this should speed up your browsing experience, but there are some scenarios where you might want to clear the cache and start anew. Keep reading to learn how it's done on Mac, iPhone , and iPad .

If a site you regularly frequent has elements that have stopped working, or if a site has stopped loading completely, there may be a conflict between an older version of it that Safari has cached and a newer one.

Or perhaps you simply want to protect your privacy by wiping the slate clean and removing all the data associated with websites you've visited. Either way, here's how it's done on macOS and iOS.

How to Clear Safari's Cache on Mac

There are two ways to clear Safari's cache on a Mac. The first method outlined below deletes everything relating to a website you've visited, including not only the cached versions of the site, but also cookies and any other related data. The second method described offers a more targeted approach and clears only Safari's cache, but it does involve enabling a hidden menu.

• Launch Safari browser on your Mac.

How to Clear Safari's Cache on iPhone and iPad

Note that the following steps clear all history, cookies and website data on your device, regardless of when the sites were accessed.

• Launch the Settings app on your iOS device.
• Scroll down and select Safari .
• Scroll down and select Clear History and Website Data .
• Choose the timeframe to clear ( Last hour , Today , Today and yesterday , or All history ), choose the profile or select All Profiles , then tap Clear History .

For another way to protect your privacy while browsing the web, be sure to check out our guide on how to use Safari's Private Browsing Mode .

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How to clear cookies on your Mac in Safari and other web browsers

• To clear cookies on a Mac, you need to delete cookies in all web browsers you use.
• You can clear all cookies, or choose to remove specific cookies.
• When you delete cookies, you erase information saved in your browser, including passwords and other settings.

HTTP cookies , also known as web cookies or browser cookies, serve an important role on the internet.

Cookies remember website configurations, login details, search history, products added to your shopping cart, and other browsing data — all with the practical purpose of storing your preferences so you can have a personalized browsing experience.

But cookies can also be used to track and identify you. They're the reason why some online ads seem eerily specific to you and only you, based on your past web history. These cookies are known as third-party cookies.

When you clear cookies on a Mac, you erase all that saved information from your browser. There are a few reasons why you should regularly clear your cookies:

• They can slow your browser down: Deleting your cookies frees up space on your device, so it can improve its overall performance, including browsing speed.
• They store your personal information: If privacy is a concern, you should regularly clear your cookies. This is especially important if you share your device with others. 
• They are susceptible to hackers: The fact that cookies store personal information makes them a prime target for hackers to steal your data. 

The good news is that clearing cookies is a straightforward process in Safari on a Mac, and other third-party browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Below, we'll show you how to clear cookies on all of them.

What happens when you clear cookies?

After you clear cookies, sites will take longer to load the next time you visit them, because content needs to load again. For some sites, you may also need to sign in again or re-enter your login information. If you were about to purchase an item, your shopping cart may be empty. Likewise, the ads you see online may no longer be catered to your interests.

Watch: A diehard Mac user switches to PC

• Main content

Clear Cache, Cookies and History on Safari

Updated at: Feb 26, 2022

Here are instructions to help you clear your browsing history, cookies & cache in Safari on macOS.

There's a few guides here, what would you like to do:

• Clear the entire Cache, Cookies, and History in Safari on macOS
• Clear the Cache, Cookies, and Local Storage Data (but not the history) in Safari on macOS
• Clear saved Form Data and Passwords

Clear the entire Cache, Cookies, and History in Safari

Click the "safari" menu.

Make sure you have a Safari window open and active; you will see the "Safari" menu in the top left of your screen. Click it and it will expand to show Safari specific options.

Click the "Clear History..." item

Now that you have expanded the Safari menu, you will see the Clear History... item - click on it.

Choose the time range to delete and then "Clear History"

Safari now gives you a very simple interface for clearing your browsing cache, history, and cookies. When you click Clear History your cache, browser history, and cookies will be deleted for the specified time range.

If you choose the default option of " all history " then the entire historical record of your browsing on this computer will be deleted. At the top of the prompt, you'll see "Clear: all history" - you can click on this Select field and choose a time range to clear instead.

So instead of deleting all your history, you can choose to just delete Today's browsing history, or just the past hour's history.

Once you have decided how much you want to delete, click the Clear History button.

Congratulations, you have now cleared your selected browsing data from your computer. You can simply close this window and continue to use Safari.

Clear the Cache, Cookies, and Local Storage Data in Safari

These steps will remove Safari's automatic cache of temporary data it has stored while you browse the internet; these steps won't delete your browsing history .

Click the "Preferences" menu item

Now that you have expanded the Safari menu, you will see the Preferences item - click on it.

The Safari Preferences screen will now appear.

Click the "Privacy" tab

The Safari Preferences screen has a number of sections, indicated by the various options along the top of the screen (General/Tabs/AutoFill etc). Click the Privacy item to see privacy related options.

Click "Manage Website Data...

On the privacy tab, click the Manage Website Data button to show a list of all the sites Safari has collected data for.

Select the site/s you want to delete data from, and click "Remove"

On this screen you will see a list of all the domains Safari has collected data for. Find the ones you want to remove (you can search for a domain in the Search field in the top right of the window.

Delete one page from Safari's Cache

If you just want to delete the cache and cookies from one website, you can select the domain name here and press the Remove button. This will keep all the other data intact and just remove the one site's cookies and cache.

You can remove sites one at a time, you can hold down the ⌘ Command button and keep clicking to select more than one domain at a time.

When you have selected the domains you want to clear the data from, simply press the Remove button and Safari will clear the data for those sites.

If you remove data for any sites you are logged in to, you will probably have to re-log in to them again, but your browsing history will still be intact.

Clearing Form Data and Passwords in Safari

Follow these instructions to clear the form data and passwords that have been saved in Safari.

Click the "AutoFill" tab

The Safari Preferences screen has a number of sections, indicated by the various options along the top of the screen (General/Tabs/AutoFill etc). Click the AutoFill item to see AutoFill related options.

Choose what to AutoFill, and edit/clear existing data

On the AutoFill screen, you will see a listing of types of data Safari can be configured to "remember" for you - that way, when you need to fill out some forms online, Safari will try to automatically put the correct data in for you. You can turn this feature on or off for different types of data, including contact information, credit cards, usernames & passwords, and so on.

To review, edit, and delete the items that Safari has saved, click the corresponding Edit... button. Some of these items require you to enter the password for your computer - that is, the user you are currently logged in as on your Mac.

You can use these interfaces to review and optionally delete any information you've previously entered from your computer. Because some of it is sensitive (Passwords, Credit Card numbers etc) you will have to unlock various sections by entering your computer's password.

When you are finished, simply close Safari's Preferences by clicking the Red "close" button.

More guides and help for Safari

Need more help with Safari? Read our other Safari guides .

Clear cache & history

Do i need to clear my cache.

Not sure why you've been asked to clear your cache? We can explain. Why you need to clear your cache

What is a cache?

Before you consider clearing your browser cache, you should know what it is! Learn a little bit about browser caches

Is it safe to clear my cache?

Are there any risks to clearing your cache? Find out if it's ok to clear your cache

Update my web browser

Do i need to update my browser.

Find out if your browser is out of date Is my browser out of date?

Why should I update my browser?

There are very good reasons to, find out here! Why update your browser?

Is it free to update Chrome?

Find out about the cost of updating Chrome... Does Chrome cost anything?

What does "Update browser" mean?

What does it actually mean? What does it mean to update your browser

Get help with our guides

How to enable javascript.

Change your JavaScript settings Guide to enabling Javascript

How to enable Cookies

Configure your cookie settings for privacy Guide to enabling cookies

Related articles

I can't log in to a website..

We've got a detailed guide to help you solve login problems How to fix website log in problems

Why do websites use cookies?

Why are cookies useful? Do you need them? What's the deal with cookies?

How to update your browser

Old software puts you at risk. Keep your browser fresh and up to date

Clear Cache, Cookies and History

How to reset your browsing history How to reset your browser

Try a different web browser

Different web browsers have different features - try a different one to see if you prefer it. Experiment a bit!

Use a VPN to hide your IP address

We recommend NordVPN to hide your IP address or to unblock websites. Hide your IP Address

Clearing your cache, cookies, and browsing history - Frequently asked questions

How to clear cache.

Clear instructions to clear your cache, cookies, and history. follow the guides.

Learn how to clear your cache, cookies, and history

Before you consider clearing your browser cache, you should know what it is!

Learn a little bit about browser caches

What does "Clear your Cache" mean?

Have you heard the phrase "clear your cache" but aren't sure what it means?

What "clear cache" means

Not sure why you've been asked to clear your cache?

Why you (might) need to clear your cache

Clear the cache for just one page

Need to completely reload a page but don't want to clear your entire cache?

How to clear the cache for just one page

Should I clear my cookies?

Can clearing cookies help with problems or privacy? Here's some info.

Why you (might) need to clear your cookies

Are there any risks to clearing your cache?

Find out if it's ok to clear your cache

What happens when I clear my cache?

When I decide to clear my cache or cookies, what actually happens?

See what happens

Clear Cache in Chrome Shortcut

Don't bother clicking the menus, use the handy keyboard shortcut!

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Chrome

Clear Cache in Firefox Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Firefox

Clear Cache in Edge Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Edge

Clear Cache in Brave Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Brave

Clear Cache in Safari Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut to clear cache in Safari

Does clearing cache in one browser affect the other browsers on my computer?

Are the different caches on my computer related to each other?

How big is Chrome's Cache?

Find out how much temporary space Chrome is using for your Cache

The size of Chrome's cache

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How to Manage Cookies in the Safari Browser

Excessive cookies can slow down any web browser

Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. Tom is also president of Coyote Moon, Inc., a Macintosh and Windows consulting firm.

What to Know

• Open Safari > select Preferences > Privacy tab.
• In the Cookies and website data section, select Manage Website Data > select website(s) > Remove .

This article explains how to manage and delete cookies and caches in the Safari web browser. Information applies to Macs with macOS High Sierra (10.11) and later.

Delete Cookies and Cache in Safari

You can choose to delete all your stored cookies and caches or only specific data you want to remove, leaving the others behind.

Launch Safari, go to the Safari menu, then select Preferences .

In the window that opens, go to the Privacy tab.

In the Cookies and website data section, select Manage Website Data to open an alphabetical list of the websites for which your computer is storing data, including cookies and caches.

To delete a single website, scroll through the alphabetical list, or use the search field. Select it, then choose Remove to delete any data your computer stores for that website. This can be helpful when you have problems with a specific website.

Select multiple sequential websites using the Shift key. Select the first cookie, then hold the Shift key and select the second website. Any websites in between the two are selected.

Use the Command key to select noncontiguous websites. Select the first cookie and then hold the Command key as you select each additional cookie.

Select Remove to delete the selected cookies.

Select Remove All to delete all the websites on the list. No selection is necessary. You are prompted to confirm that you want to delete all the data stored by the websites. Confirm by selecting Remove Now in the pop-up window.

Delete Safari Caches

If you prefer to leave the cookies in place and delete only the caches, do so through the Developer menu on the Safari menu bar. The Developer menu isn't enabled by default. You turn it on in the Safari preferences menu and then clear the caches:

In the window that opens, go to the Advanced tab.

Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar check box and close the preference screen.

Select Develop in the Safari menu bar, then select Empty Caches .

Alternatively, press Option + Command + E on the keyboard.

This is an all-or-nothing option. You can't select individual caches to remove in the Develop menu.

Corrupt Cookies Affect the Safari Experience

When a web browser accumulates cookies over a long time, bad things can happen. Cookies eventually become out of date, consuming space while serving no benefit. Cookies can also become corrupt from Safari freezes, power outages, unplanned Mac shutdowns, and other events. Eventually, you may find that Safari and some websites no longer work well together, if at all.

Troubleshooting the reason Safari and a website fail to work well together is challenging. A corrupt cookie or cached data may be the culprit.

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How to Clear Cookies on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Clearing cookies on your iPhone can help free up some space, improve your phone’s performance, and get rid of any unwanted tracking from websites. It’s a pretty straightforward process, and I’m here to walk you through it. After following these steps, your iPhone will be cookie-free, ready for a fresh start.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Clear Cookies on iPhone

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what we’re about to do. Clearing cookies will remove data that websites have stored on your device, which can include login information, preferences, and tracking details. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Open Settings

Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone.

The ‘Settings’ app is the one with the gear icon. You’ll find it on your home screen or in your App Library.

Step 2: Scroll to Safari

Scroll down and tap on ‘Safari’.

Safari is Apple’s web browser, and it’s where all your browsing data, including cookies, is stored.

Step 3: Tap on ‘Clear History and Website Data’

Find the ‘Clear History and Website Data’ option and give it a tap.

This is the button that will remove all your browsing history, cookies, and other website data from Safari.

Step 4: Confirm the Action

Confirm your action by tapping ‘Clear History and Data’ on the pop-up.

A pop-up will appear to make sure you want to clear this data. This action cannot be undone, so make sure you’re ready to say goodbye to those cookies.

After completing these steps, all the cookies stored on your iPhone will be gone. Your Safari browser will no longer hold data from your past web browsing sessions, and you’ll likely have to log in again to websites you frequently visit.

Tips: How to Clear Cookies on iPhone

• Before clearing cookies, make sure to save any login information you might need as it will be removed from Safari.
• Clearing cookies doesn’t remove your autofill information, so addresses and credit card details will still be saved.
• To prevent cookies from being collected in the future, consider using Safari’s Private Browsing mode.
• If you want to clear cookies for specific websites rather than all of them, you can do this under ‘Advanced’ settings in Safari.
• Remember that clearing cookies can be a useful troubleshooting step if you’re experiencing issues with certain websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cookies.

Cookies are small files that websites store on your device to remember your preferences and track your online activity.

Will clearing cookies log me out of websites?

Yes, clearing cookies will log you out of most websites where you’ve saved your login information.

Can I clear cookies from third-party browsers on my iPhone?

Yes, you can clear cookies from browsers like Chrome and Firefox through settings within those specific apps.

Does clearing cookies also clear my browsing history?

Yes, when you clear cookies through the ‘Clear History and Website Data’ option, it also clears your browsing history.

Why should I clear cookies on my iPhone?

Clearing cookies can help with privacy concerns, free up storage space, and potentially resolve issues with websites behaving unexpectedly.

• Open ‘Settings’ app.
• Scroll to and tap on ‘Safari’.
• Tap on ‘Clear History and Website Data’.
• Confirm the action.

Learning how to clear cookies on your iPhone is a simple yet essential skill for maintaining your online privacy and ensuring your device runs smoothly. Although cookies can be helpful for a personalized web experience, they can also take up unnecessary space and track your browsing habits a little too closely for comfort. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can take control of your digital footprint and improve your iPhone’s performance. Plus, with the additional tips and answers to some frequently asked questions, you’re now equipped to navigate around cookies like a pro. Remember to clear your cookies periodically, and happy browsing!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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How to clear your browser cache

It’s quick, simple, and useful.

By Barbara Krasnoff , a reviews editor who manages how-tos. She’s worked as an editor and writer for almost 40 years. Previously, she was a senior reviews editor for Computerworld.

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One of the best ways to restore space to your computer or phone — or to fix a problem that may have been caused by a temporary file screwing up the works — is also one of the simplest: to clear the browser cache. However, unless you’ve been instructed sometime in the past to clear your cache, you may be unaware of this otherwise invisible feature.

Here’s how to clear your cache on the major browsers and on your Android or iOS devices. We’ve also included instructions on how to clear the data for a single site if you need to.

• Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
• On the desktop version, select More Tools > Clear Browsing Data... On the mobile app, select Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data .
• Make sure the Cached images and files box is checked. (You can also choose to clear your browsing history and cookies if you want — click on the Advanced tab if you want to get more specific.)
• Use the Time range drop-down menu to choose how far back to go. (In the case of clearing your cache, All time is best.)
• Click on the Clear data button.

To clear the data for a specific site

• Click on the three dots on the top right
• Select Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data .
• Scroll down and click on See all cookies and site data.
• Search for the website’s name in the upper right corner and select the trash can icon to the right.

Interestingly, Safari makes it very easy to clear all your data — including cache, browsing history, and cookies — at one blow. But it’s not as obvious if you just want to clear your browser cache.

To do it the easy way:

• While you’re in the Safari browser on your desktop, go to the top menu and select Safari > Clear History...
• Select the time period (last hour, today, today and yesterday, all history) you want to clear and click on Clear History .
• Or, on your iPhone, tap the Bookmarks icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like an open book) and then on the History icon (the clock).
• Tap on the Clear button and select your time period.

If you want to just clear out the browser cache on your web browser, it’s a little more complicated.

• Look to see if there is a Develop section in your Safari’s top menu. If not, go to Safari > Preferences... > Advanced and check Show Develop in menu bar .
• Click on Develop > Empty Caches .
• Click on  Safari > Preferences...
• Click the  Privacy  tab and then  Manage Website Data...
• You’ll get a list of websites. To remove one, click on it and then click  Remove . To remove all website data from Safari, click  Remove All .

Microsoft Edge

The Edge browsers for desktop and mobile are different enough, so we’ll describe the process separately.

Desktop browser

• Click the three dots in the upper right corner
• Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services
• Scroll down to Clear browsing data and click on Choose what to clear
• Make sure Cached images and files is checked (and check any other data you want to clear out)
• Use the Time range drop-down to select the last hour, last 24 hours, last four weeks, or all time
• Click on Clear now
• Select Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data .
• Search for the website’s name in the upper right corner or scroll down to find it
• Click on the “down” arrow next to the site name, and then use the trash can icons to delete the cookies and data.
• You can also use the buttons on top to Remove all shown or Remove third-party cookies .

Mobile browser

• Tap on the three dots at the bottom of the screen and select Settings > Privacy and security
• Select Clear browsing data
• Make sure Cached images and files is checked, and use the drop-down menu to pick your time range.
• If you want, you can toggle on Clear browsing data upon exit to clear out all your data each time you exit Edge.

• Click on the three lines in the upper right corner of the app, then select Settings > Privacy & Security
• Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data ; click on Clear Data...
• Make sure Cached Web Content is checked (you can also check off the Cookies and Site Data box if you want to clear that as well)
• Select Clear

In Cookies and Site Data , there is also a box you can check to delete all cookies and site data when you close the browser. A button called Manage Exceptions... lets you choose any sites whose cookies you want to keep.

If you’re on the website you want to clear:

• Look for a lock icon to the left of the address bar and click on it.
• Click on Clear cookies and site data... and then click Remove on the pop-up box.

If you want to clear data from one or more specific sites:

• Go to Firefox > Preferences > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data . Click on Manage Data .
• Scroll down to find the site you want to clear or type its name into the search box.
• Highlight the site and click on Remove Selected . (If you want, you can also click on Remove All .)

Update July 6th, 2022, 2:10PM ET: This article was originally published on July 4th, 2022, and has been updated to add information on Firefox.

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Safari User Guide

• Change your homepage
• Import bookmarks, history, and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Share or post webpages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Customize a start page
• Customize the Safari window
• Customize settings per website
• Zoom in on webpages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill user name and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

Manage cookies and website data in Safari on Mac

You can change options in Safari preferences so that Safari always accepts or always blocks cookies and website data .

Open Safari for me

Prevent trackers from using cookies and website data to track you: Select “Prevent cross-site tracking.”

Cookies and website data are deleted unless you visit and interact with the trackers’ websites.

Always block cookies: Select “Block all cookies.”

Websites, third parties, and advertisers can’t store cookies and other data on your Mac. This may prevent some websites from working properly.

Always allow cookies: Deselect “Block all cookies.”

Websites, third parties, and advertisers can store cookies and other data on your Mac.

Remove stored cookies and data: Click Manage Website Data, select one or more websites, then click Remove or Remove All.

Removing the data may reduce tracking, but may also log you out of websites or change website behavior.

See which websites store cookies or data: Click Manage Website Data.

Note: Changing your cookie preferences or removing cookies and website data in Safari may change or remove them in other apps.

How To Clear Cookies On Safari IPhone

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Introduction

When it comes to browsing the web on your iPhone, Safari is the go-to browser for millions of users worldwide. Its seamless integration with iOS devices and user-friendly interface make it a popular choice for accessing the internet on the go. However, as you navigate through various websites and online platforms, Safari accumulates digital footprints known as cookies. These tiny pieces of data serve various purposes, such as remembering your login credentials, storing preferences, and personalizing your browsing experience. While cookies can enhance your online interactions, they can also raise privacy concerns and impact your device's performance over time.

In this article, we will delve into the essential process of clearing cookies on Safari for iPhone. By understanding the significance of this action and learning the steps involved, you can effectively manage your online privacy and optimize your browsing experience. Whether you're looking to safeguard your personal information or improve Safari's performance, knowing how to clear cookies on your iPhone is a valuable skill in today's digital landscape. So, let's embark on this journey to uncover the ins and outs of managing cookies on Safari for iPhone.

Why Clear Cookies on Safari iPhone

Clearing cookies on Safari for iPhone is a crucial practice that can significantly impact your browsing experience and digital privacy. Here's why it's important:

Privacy Protection : Cookies can track your online activities, including the websites you visit and your interactions with them. While this data is often used for legitimate purposes such as personalizing your browsing experience, it can also be exploited by advertisers and other third parties to create targeted ads or even track your behavior across different websites. By regularly clearing cookies, you can minimize the accumulation of such data and reduce the risk of your online activities being monitored without your consent.

Enhanced Security : Some cookies store sensitive information, such as login credentials and session tokens. If your device falls into the wrong hands, these cookies could potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized access to your accounts. By clearing cookies, especially before handing over your device for repair or when it's out of your possession, you can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to your online accounts.

Improved Performance : Over time, a large number of cookies can accumulate in your browser , potentially impacting its performance. Clearing cookies can help free up storage space and optimize Safari's functionality, leading to smoother browsing sessions and faster load times for websites.

Fresh Browsing Experience : Clearing cookies can reset your browsing preferences and personalized settings on websites. This can be particularly useful if you encounter issues with website functionality or if you want to start afresh with a clean slate in terms of personalized recommendations and settings.

Compliance with Policies : Certain websites and online platforms require users to clear cookies as part of their terms of service or privacy policies. By regularly clearing cookies, you ensure compliance with such requirements and avoid any potential conflicts with website usage policies.

In essence, clearing cookies on Safari for iPhone is a proactive step towards safeguarding your privacy, enhancing security, optimizing browser performance, and ensuring compliance with website policies. By understanding the significance of this practice, you can make informed decisions about managing your digital footprint and maintaining a secure and efficient browsing environment on your iPhone.

Steps to Clear Cookies on Safari iPhone

Clearing cookies on Safari for iPhone is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in just a few simple steps. Follow the instructions below to clear cookies and browsing data from your Safari browser on your iPhone:

Open Settings : Begin by unlocking your iPhone and locating the "Settings" app on your home screen. The Settings app is represented by a gear icon and is typically found on the first page of your apps.

Navigate to Safari Settings : Scroll down the Settings menu until you find the section labeled "Safari." Tap on "Safari" to access the browser's specific settings and options.

Access Privacy & Security Settings : Within the Safari settings, scroll down to find the "Privacy & Security" section. This is where you can manage various privacy-related features, including clearing browsing data such as cookies.

Clear Browsing Data : Tap on "Clear History and Website Data." A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you want to clear your browsing history, cookies, and other browsing data. Confirm your decision by selecting "Clear History and Data."

Verification : Once the process is complete, Safari will have cleared all cookies and browsing data from your iPhone. You can verify this by reopening the Safari browser and observing that your browsing history and stored website data have been removed.

By following these steps, you can effectively clear cookies and browsing data from Safari on your iPhone, thereby enhancing your privacy, security, and browsing performance. It's important to note that clearing cookies will log you out of websites and remove any saved preferences, so you may need to re-enter login credentials and customize settings on your frequently visited websites.

Regularly clearing cookies and browsing data is a proactive measure to maintain a clean and secure browsing environment on your iPhone. By incorporating this practice into your digital routine, you can take control of your online privacy and ensure a seamless and efficient browsing experience on Safari for iPhone.

In conclusion, the ability to clear cookies on Safari for iPhone is a fundamental aspect of managing your digital footprint and ensuring a secure and efficient browsing experience. By understanding the significance of clearing cookies and the steps involved in doing so, you are empowered to take control of your online privacy and enhance the performance of your Safari browser on your iPhone.

Regularly clearing cookies serves as a proactive measure to protect your privacy, mitigate security risks, and optimize your browsing environment. It enables you to minimize the accumulation of tracking data, reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information, and free up storage space on your device. Additionally, clearing cookies can provide a fresh start in terms of personalized settings and preferences on websites, ensuring a seamless and tailored browsing experience.

As technology continues to evolve, the importance of digital privacy and security becomes increasingly prominent. By incorporating the practice of clearing cookies into your digital routine, you actively contribute to safeguarding your online presence and maintaining a secure browsing environment on your iPhone. Whether it's complying with website policies, enhancing performance, or protecting sensitive information, the act of clearing cookies empowers you to make informed decisions about your online interactions.

In essence, the process of clearing cookies on Safari for iPhone is not merely a technical task but a proactive step towards taking charge of your digital privacy and security. By following the outlined steps and understanding the reasons behind this practice, you can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, knowing that you have the tools to manage your online presence effectively.

So, as you embark on your browsing journeys with Safari on your iPhone, remember the power that lies in managing your cookies. By staying informed and proactive, you can ensure a secure, efficient, and personalized browsing experience while maintaining control over your digital footprint. Clearing cookies is not just a technical process; it's a proactive step towards digital empowerment and privacy protection in today's interconnected world.

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Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

How many tabs are open on your mobile browser right now? Go ahead, check -- you might be surprised by what you find.

Americans spend over five hours a day on their smartphones. That's over five hours of your phone potentially accessing, retrieving, and saving cache and cookies, which can negatively impact your iPhone's storage space .

What is cache?

Cache is the temporary storage of some data, like parts of a website from the last time you visited it, for example. Browser cache is content from a website that is stored on your phone during a browser session to help the browser execute faster the next time you visit that page.

Also:  How to clear Google search cache on Android

Cache data can slow down your phone's overall browsing performance, however, since it takes up storage space on your device, so it's good to clear it out regularly. In this article, we mainly focus on clearing web browser cache on an iPhone, but you should know that other types of cache include mobile app cache and CPU cache.

How to clear cache on iPhone

What you'll need: Everything you need to clear your browser cache is within the iPhone's settings app or the Safari app, so grab your iPhone to get started.

Keep in mind that clearing the cache can clear private data, which can close all open tabs in Safari. This is also likely to log you out of all your websites, prompting you to sign in again the next time you open them. 

How do I clear the cache from Chrome on iPhone?

If Google Chrome is your preferred browser, it may have a substantial amount of data stored on your device, which could also slow down performance. 

To clear the cache in Chrome, open the Google Chrome app and follow these steps:

• Tap  Settings .
• Go to  Privacy and Security .
• Select  Clear Browsing Data .
• Select the time from which to delete the data (if you want to delete all your browsing history, choose All Time ).
• Go through the items you'd like to delete, like your Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, Cached Images and Files, Saved Passwords , and Autofill Data.
• Confirm by tapping  Clear Browsing Data  at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap Done when you've deleted the Chrome cache.

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Clearing the browsing and cache data in Google Chrome doesn't close all open tabs, but it will refresh each tab and log you out of websites. Once you tap on one of the tabs you want to access, you'll have to log back in.

How can I browse on Safari without history?

If you're learning how to clear cache on an iPhone, you may also be wondering if there's a way to use Safari without saving any browsing history. You can turn on Private Browsing by following these steps:

• Open  Safari .
• Tap on  Tabs .
• Choose Private .

You can also enable private browsing by going to your iPhone Settings, finding Safari, and toggling on the private option. 

How do I clear my app cache on my iPhone?

To clear the app cache from your iPhone Settings app, you can either delete the app and reinstall it, offload it, or try to clear the cache from within the app. Unfortunately, iOS apps don't have consistent settings across the board that would allow you to clear the cache of every app.

Also: Apple warns: Don't put your wet iPhone in rice. Do this instead

Apps like TikTok and CapCut, for example, have options to Clear Cache within their respective settings. Amazon lets users delete their browsing history, while the Reddit app can clear local history. It all depends on what the app's settings let you do. 

Is "clear cache" the same as offloading?

Not exactly, though app offloading can help if your phone is slowed down by low storage. To offload an app  means to uninstall an app without deleting any documents or data associated with it. 

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To offload an app, go to  Settings , then  General , choose  iPhone Storage  and select the app to offload, then tap  Offload App . If you ever download it again, you'll pick up where you left off for that app.

Are cookies and cache the same thing?

Cookies and cache are not the same. Cookies are data files that websites send to your phone, including things like saved passwords to keep you logged into an account or even the website preferences from the previous time you visited. 

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Though they do sound harmless, cookies can also track how you browse the internet. They monitor patterns in your browsing and search history, even seeing what you clicked on or what your mouse hovered over. Ever made an innocuous search on Amazon only to find ads for it on all the apps you use? Cookies likely made that possible.

Can I block cookies on my iPhone?

While you can block cookies on Safari, the ranks are divided on whether you should. Blocking cookies entirely means that websites won't be able to get information from you, but it also means that some websites may not even work correctly on your browser. A lot of users actually enjoy a more personalized browsing experience, so cookies are a good thing for them.

 If you'd like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:

• Go to  Settings  and select  Safari .
• Tap on the toggle next to  Block All Cookies .

There are also third-party extensions that help you block cookies and trackers in Google Chrome, like Ghostery and Disconnect .

How do I check iPhone storage?

On an iPhone, Settings can show you what's taking up most of your media storage, like photos, videos, and music. You can also see what each particular app's storage consumption is, which includes temporary data. To view the details of your iPhone's storage space, follow these steps:

• Go to the iPhone Settings .
• Tap on General .
• Select iPhone Storage .
• Scroll through to find the app you're looking for.
• Tap on the app to view storage status and options.

Unfortunately, you can't clear your iPhone cache for third-party apps by going into your Settings app, but this gives you a visual of your iPhone's storage and the option to delete or offload apps.

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When you look at your device's storage space, you'll probably see recommended steps you can take to optimize your iPhone's storage, like offloading unused apps.

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Delete, allow and manage cookies in Chrome

You can choose to delete existing cookies, allow or block all cookies, and set preferences for certain websites.

Important: If you are part of the Tracking Protection test group, you will see a new Chrome setting for managing third-party cookies called "Tracking Protection." Learn more about Tracking Protection .

What cookies are

Cookies are files created by websites you visit. By saving information about your visit, they make your online experience easier. For example, sites can keep you signed in, remember your site preferences, and give you locally relevant content.

There are 2 types of cookies:

• First-party cookies: Created by the site you visit. The site is shown in the address bar.
• Third-party cookies: Created by other sites. A site you visit can embed content from other sites, for example images, ads, and text. Any of these other sites can save cookies and other data to personalize your experience.

Delete all cookies

Important: If you delete cookies, you might get signed out of sites that remember you, and your saved preferences could be deleted. This applies any time a cookie is deleted.

• On your computer, open Chrome.

• Tip: If you are part of the Tracking Protection test group, select Tracking Protection instead.
• To confirm, click Delete .

Delete specific cookies

• Click See all site data and permissions .
• At the top right, search for the website's name.

• At the top, next to "Time range," click the dropdown.
• Choose a time period, such as the last hour or the last day.
• Check Cookies and other site data .
• Uncheck all the other items.
• Click Clear data .

Change your cookie settings

Important: If you don't allow sites to save cookies, sites may not work as expected. To manage first-party cookies, learn more about on-device site data .

You can allow or block cookies for any site.

You can allow or block third-party cookies by default.

• Tip: If you are part of the Tracking Protection test group, follow the “Tracking Protection” instructions instead .
• Allow third-party cookies .
• Block third-party cookies in Incognito mode .
• If you block third-party cookies, all third-party cookies from other sites are blocked unless the site is allowed on your exceptions list.

If you block third-party cookies by default, you can still allow them for a certain site.

• Next to "Allowed to use third party cookies," click Add .
• To create an exception for an entire domain, insert [*.] before the domain name. For example, [*.]google.com will match drive.google.com and calendar.google.com .
• You can also put an IP address or a web address that doesn't start with http:// .
• Select Add .

• Once the page reloads, the address bar shows “Third-party cookies allowed,” “Third-party cookies blocked,” or “Third-party cookies limited” depending on your settings.
• This option is only temporary and only for the site you’re on.
• Sites get added to the exception list automatically .
• If you temporarily allow third-party cookies on a site, that setting carries over into Incognito mode and you can't reset it from Incognito mode.

To allow related sites to see your activity within the group:

• Select Block third-party cookies .
• Turn Allow related sites to see your activity in the group on or off.

To show related sites in the same group:

• Choose a site.

• If you are part of the Tracking Protection test group, select Tracking Protection instead.

Sites you visit can embed content from other sites, for example images, ads, text, and even features — like a text editor or weather widget. These other sites can ask for permission to use info they’ve saved about you (often saved using cookies) in order for their content to function properly.

For example, imagine you normally compose documents on docs.google.com . While completing a task for school, you need to collaborate with other students on your school’s class portal that offers direct access to Google Docs. With your permission:

• Google Docs can access its third-party cookies while you use your school’s site, allowing a connection between the site and Google Docs.
• This may allow Google Docs to verify who you are, find your info, and save changes you make to your documents on the site.

In some cases, this info can be used to track your activity as you browse sites. As a privacy feature, you can decide when to allow embedded content to access your data for sites you trust.

Tip: The connection uses cookies and lasts for 30 days or as long as you remain active. You can stop allowing the connection anytime in Settings .

To allow or decline permission

When you browse a site that displays a prompt requesting for permission for the embedded content to use information they’ve saved about you:

• Select Allow to give the site access to information they’ve saved about you (using cookies)
• Select Don’t allow to deny access
• To stop allowing access, learn how to manage site settings permissions.

Manage your tracking protections

When turned on, Tracking Protection significantly limits sites from using third-party cookies to track you as you browse, except for limited cases to allow basic services to function. If you choose to, you can block third-party cookies completely in your settings. You can manage your Tracking Protection preferences in your “Privacy and Security” settings.

• Block all third-party cookies: When you toggle this on, features on some sites may not work. Chrome blocks all third-party cookies from sites you visit, including related sites .
• Send “Do not track” request with your browsing traffic: When you toggle this on, you request that sites not track you. Sites use their discretion whether to comply with the request. Learn more about "Do Not Track" .
• Choose which sites you allow to use third-party cookies: You can also check and edit which sites you allow to use third party cookies under “Sites allowed to use third-party cookies.” Learn how to allow third-party cookies .

Related resources

• Change site settings permissions
• Clear browsing data
• Clear cache and cookies
• Manage your ad privacy in Chrome
• Learn about on-device site data in Chrome

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How to Clear the Cache and Cookies in Your Web Browser

Why clear cache and cookies.

Clearing the cache and cookies from a web browser is an important first-step for almost any troubleshooting for internet browsing. The 'cache' is a tool used by your internet browser to speed up the page loading process. However, sometimes it can cause a problem when websites are updated and developed as files saved in the cache may conflict with what's actually coded into the website. Clearing cache and cookies is a way we can be sure that any issues you may come across are actually something wrong with the website, rather than inconsistencies caused by using different browsers.

Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers

If you are using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.

IMPORTANT: Be sure and close/quit the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies.

• Click the  Tools menu  (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).

• If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Chrome to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Chrome menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.
• Click on the Tools  bar (three bars in the top-right corner).
• Click History .

     3. On the menu to the right, select Clear Recent History .

     4. In the Clear All History menu, select the time range to Everything .      5. Select the options, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Site settings, and Offline website data .

    6. Click OK .     7. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Firefox to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

• Click on Safari on the top menu bar.

• Click the Privacy tab.

• Click Remove All .

• Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.
• Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes.

• Click Privacy, search, and services on the left-side menu.

• Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files .

• Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.
• Click on the Settings menu in the upper-right corner.

• Under the General tab on the upper-left-hand side, scroll down to Browsing history .

• Check the Temporary Internet files and website files , Cookies and website data , History , and Download History boxes.

• Close Internet Explorer and reopen it for changes to take effect. 
• Go to the Settings app on your device.
• Scroll down to the Safari menu.

• The button for Clear History and Website Data will turn gray when cache and cookies have been successfully cleared.
• Open Google Chrome on your iOS device.

• Click Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of the screen.

March 6, 2023

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How to manage and clear your cache and cookies

As the internet evolved, new functions including cookies and cache have made browsing the web or  working from home  faster and easier. However, these functions do come with drawbacks. Find out how to manage your cookies and clear your browser cache for an elevated online experience.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small files created by the websites you visit to hold information about your online activity. These files often improve your user experience by saving your passwords, remembering your preferences, and providing content relevant to your location. When you load a website, your browser sends this cookie back to the server to give the site this information. This exchange can add time to your browsing experience.

Although you may have some privacy concerns about websites having access to your personal information, cookies only store your information for a short amount of time. The security of cookies is less of a concern, as long as you avoid suspicious websites and keep your device updated with antivirus software—such as the built-in  security features of Windows 11 .

The main reason to clear your cookies is to improve overall internet speed. You may end up spending time trying to remember your passwords, but you’ll be able to browse new web pages faster.

What is a cache?

Your web cache shares similarities with cookies, but functions differently. Cookies save your user preferences and behaviors, and cache saves information about the web pages themselves. Both cache and cookies store data on your device, but while cookies expire eventually, you must manually clear your cache.

A cache stores copies of all data that passes through it, like HTML pages and images, and helps display a web page. When you first visit a website, it might take time to load all of the online content, like images or videos. However, once it’s saved to the cache, your subsequent visits will load faster. Similar to clearing your cookies, deleting your browser cache improves your speed and performance. While the purpose of a cache is to make loading pages faster, over time it usually saves pages that you never even visit. Take the time to occasionally clear your cache for faster internet access and to free up storage space on your device.

What’s the difference between cache and browser history?

Browser history lists all of the specific web pages you’ve visited using a specific browser. Unlike your cache, you can access this list to find a website you’ve previously visited. Your browser history functions to help you remember previous web pages, while a cache helps jog your device’s memory.

How to clear browser cache and cookies

Managing and clearing your cache and cookies depends on the device and browser you use. To clear your browser cache and cookies in  Microsoft Edge , go to  Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data  and select  Ctrl+Shift+Del . You can also type "edge://settings/clearbrowserdata" in your address bar to access this function.

Clear your browsing history, cookies, and cached images and files in minutes. You’ll be able to select the dates you want to clear, so you can keep some of your browsing history intact if you’d like.

Remember that clearing data in Microsoft Edge deletes it on any of your synced devices. If you want to avoid this, sign out of your account before clearing your cache and cookies.

By regularly clearing your browser cache and cookies, you’ll protect your privacy and improve your internet performance. The security features in Microsoft Edge make it easy to do exactly that: with a few clicks and a couple of minutes, you can easily delete information stored on your device.  Try Microsoft Edge  today to take control of your cookies and cache.

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