Where your passwords are stored and why you might want to remove them
Your browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — stores passwords you enter on websites. When you type a password and click a box that says "Save password?", that browser keeps it in an encrypted file on your device. The same happens on your phone or tablet. If someone gains access to your device, they can often see those saved passwords without needing to know them first.
You might want to delete saved passwords if you share a device with someone else, if you're selling or giving away a computer, or if you've used a password you now want to stop using. Deleting them removes the stored copy, though it doesn't change the actual password on the website itself — you'll just have to type it in next time you log in.
The steps differ depending on which browser you use and whether you're on a computer or phone. The process takes less than five minutes on any device.
Key Takeaways
- Saved passwords live in your browser's password manager, not just on websites, and anyone with access to your device can view them.
- You can delete all saved passwords at once or remove individual ones, depending on what you need.
- Deleting a saved password doesn't change your actual password on the website — you'll type it in fresh next time.
- If you share a device, deleting passwords before handing it over is faster and safer than hoping the next person won't look.
Deleting passwords in Chrome on Windows or Mac
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Autofill and passwords," then click "Passwords."
You'll see a list of every website where Chrome saved your password. To delete one password, hover over it and click the three dots that appear, then select "Delete." To delete all saved passwords at once, go back to Settings, click "Privacy and security," then "Clear browsing data." Make sure "Passwords and other sign-in data" is checked, set the time range to "All time," and click "Clear data."
If you use a Google account and have passwords synced across devices, deleting them in Chrome will remove them from all your devices where you're signed into that account.
Deleting passwords in Firefox on Windows or Mac
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Privacy & Security" on the left. Scroll down to "Logins and Passwords" and click "Saved Logins."
A window opens showing every saved password. Click on any entry and click "Remove" to delete just that one. To delete all of them, click the three dots at the top of the window and select "Remove All." Firefox will ask you to confirm before deleting.
Firefox does not sync passwords across devices by default, so you'll need to repeat this process on each device where you've saved passwords.
Deleting passwords in Safari on Mac or iPhone
On a Mac, open Safari and click "Safari" in the menu bar at the top. Select "Settings," then click the "Passwords" tab. You'll see a list of saved passwords. Click any entry and press Delete, or right-click and select "Delete."
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap "Passwords" (or "Passwords and Accounts" on older versions), then tap "Website & App Passwords." Tap "Edit" in the top right, select the passwords you want to remove, and tap "Delete."
Safari passwords sync across Apple devices if you use iCloud. Deleting a password on your Mac will remove it from your iPhone and iPad as well.
Deleting passwords in Edge on Windows
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Privacy, search, and services" on the left. Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear." Check "Passwords," set the time range to "All time," and click "Clear now."
To delete individual passwords instead, click the three dots, go to "Settings," then "Passwords." You'll see your saved passwords listed. Click the three dots next to any password and select "Delete."
If you use a Microsoft account and have passwords synced, they'll be removed from all your devices signed into that account.
Deleting passwords on Android phones and tablets
Open Chrome and tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner. Tap "Settings," then "Passwords." You'll see a list of saved passwords. Tap any entry and tap "Delete" at the bottom of the screen.
To delete all passwords at once, tap the three dots, go to "Settings," then "Privacy." Tap "Clear browsing data," check "Passwords and sign-in data," set the time range to "All time," and tap "Clear data."
If you use a different browser on Android like Firefox, open that app instead and look for its password settings — usually under Settings or Preferences.
What happens after you delete a saved password
Once you delete a saved password, your browser no longer fills it in automatically. The next time you visit that website, you'll type the password in by hand. If you check "Save password?" again, the browser will store it once more.
Deleting a saved password does not change the password itself on the website. If you want to change the actual password — not just remove the saved copy — you'll need to log into the website, find the account settings or security page, and change it there. Most websites have a "Change Password" or "Security" section in your account menu.
If you're preparing a device to give to someone else, deleting passwords is one step. You should also sign out of your email and any accounts you use, and consider doing a full factory reset if the device is old or you want to be thorough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a saved password log me out of websites?
No. Deleting a saved password only removes the stored copy in your browser. You'll stay logged in on websites until you manually log out or your session expires. Next time you visit, you'll need to type your password in again.
Can I recover a password after I delete it from my browser?
No, once you delete it from your browser, it's gone from that device. If you need to log back in and don't remember the password, use the "Forgot Password?" link on the website to reset it. The website itself still has your account — only your browser's copy is deleted.
If I delete passwords on my phone, will they disappear from my computer too?
Only if you use the same account and have syncing turned on. Chrome and Edge sync passwords across devices if you're signed into your Google or Microsoft account. Safari syncs across Apple devices through iCloud. Firefox does not sync by default. Check your browser's sync settings to see what's connected.
Should I delete all my saved passwords or just some of them?
If you're the only person who uses your device, keeping saved passwords is convenient and reasonably safe. Delete them if you share the device, if someone else will use it next, or if you're concerned about a specific password. For devices you're selling or giving away, delete everything before handing it over.
What's the difference between deleting a password and clearing my browsing data?
Deleting a password removes just that one saved login. Clearing browsing data removes passwords, cookies, browsing history, cached images, and other stored information all at once. Use "Clear browsing data" if you want a thorough wipe before giving away a device.