Clear cookies in Google Chrome on Windows or Mac
Open Google Chrome and select the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Click Settings, then Privacy and security in the left menu. Choose Clear browsing data.
A window will appear with options at the top. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. You can select All time to remove every cookie Chrome has stored, or pick a specific date range if you only want to clear recent ones. Click Clear data when you are ready.
Chrome will clear cookies from websites you have visited. The next time you go to those sites, you may need to log in again, and personalized settings like saved preferences will reset.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cookies in Chrome takes three steps: open Settings, go to Privacy and security, and select Clear browsing data.
- You can clear all cookies at once or choose a specific date range depending on how much data you want to remove.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites and reset any saved preferences or login information.
- Google Chrome stores cookies separately from your Google Account, so clearing one does not affect the other.
- You can set Chrome to clear cookies automatically every time you close the browser if you prefer.
Clear cookies on your Google Account across devices
Your Google Account keeps a record of websites and apps you have used. To see and remove this data, go to myaccount.google.com in any browser. Sign in if you are not already logged in.
Click Data & Privacy in the left menu, then scroll to Web & App Activity. You will see a toggle switch. Turn it Off to stop Google from recording where you go online. If you want to delete past activity, click Manage all Web & App Activity and select Delete all or choose a date range.
This is different from clearing cookies in your browser. Clearing cookies removes stored data on your computer. Managing Web & App Activity removes the record Google keeps on its servers about your browsing.
Clear cookies in Gmail
Gmail stores cookies the same way Chrome does. If you clear cookies in Chrome using the steps above, Gmail cookies will be removed along with all others. You will need to log back into Gmail the next time you visit.
If you only want to log out of Gmail without clearing all your browser cookies, go to gmail.com, click your profile picture in the top right, and select Sign out. This removes your Gmail session without touching cookies from other websites.
Set Chrome to clear cookies automatically
You can make Chrome clear cookies every time you close the browser. Open Chrome and go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Check the box that says Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome.
With this setting on, you will be logged out of websites each time you close Chrome completely. This is useful if you share a computer or want to limit the data websites can store about you. You can still stay logged in during a single browsing session.
Understand what cookies do and why you might clear them
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer. They remember your login information, preferences like language or theme, and items in your shopping cart. Websites also use cookies to track which pages you visit, which helps them show you targeted ads.
You might clear cookies to log out of accounts, stop websites from tracking you, or free up storage space. Clearing cookies does not delete your files, photos, or passwords saved in Chrome — it only removes the small tracking files websites create.
Some websites may not work properly if you clear cookies, because they rely on stored data to remember you. You may see slower load times or have to re-enter information you have entered before.
Clear cookies on mobile devices
On an iPhone or iPad, open Chrome and tap the three dots in the bottom right. Select Settings, then Privacy. Tap Clear Browsing Data and make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. Tap Clear Browsing Data again to confirm.
On Android, open Chrome and tap the three dots in the top right. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Check Cookies and site data and tap Clear data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
No. Cookies and saved passwords are stored separately. Clearing cookies will not remove passwords you have saved in Chrome. If you want to delete saved passwords, go to Settings > Autofill > Passwords and remove them individually.
Can I clear cookies from only one website?
Yes. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Manage all cookies and site data. Search for the website name and click the trash icon next to it to remove only that site's cookies.
What happens if I clear cookies while I am logged into Gmail?
If you clear cookies while Gmail is open in another tab, you will be logged out the next time you refresh or navigate to Gmail. You will need to sign in again with your email and password.
Does clearing cookies in Chrome affect my Google Account?
Clearing Chrome cookies does not change your Google Account settings or data. Your account information stays the same. You may need to log in again to Gmail and other Google services, but your account itself is not affected.
How often should I clear cookies?
How often you clear cookies depends on your privacy preferences. Some people clear them weekly, others monthly. If you enable automatic clearing when Chrome closes, you do not need to do it manually.