What cache and cookies do, and why you might clear them
Cache is a folder your browser stores on your computer to make websites load faster. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, scripts, and other files so it doesn't have to read them again the next time you visit. Cookies are small text files that websites place on your computer to remember information about you — your login status, items in your shopping cart, your preferences, or your browsing history across sites.
You might clear cache and cookies for several practical reasons. If a website is loading incorrectly or showing outdated information, clearing cache often fixes it because your browser will read fresh files instead of using old ones. If you're selling a computer or sharing it with someone else, clearing both removes your login information and browsing history. If you're concerned about privacy, clearing cookies stops websites from tracking your activity across the internet. Some people clear cache regularly to free up hard drive space, though the amount is usually small unless you browse heavily.
The process is the same across Windows and Mac computers, though the exact menu names differ slightly depending on which browser you use. The three most common browsers — Chrome, Firefox, and Safari — all let you clear cache and cookies in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Cache stores website files to speed up loading; cookies store information websites use to remember you.
- Clearing cache fixes websites that load incorrectly or show outdated information.
- Clearing cookies removes your login information and stops websites from tracking you across the internet.
- The process takes less than a minute in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
- You can set your browser to clear cache and cookies automatically every time you close it.
How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) and select Settings from the dropdown. On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up with several checkboxes. Make sure Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are both checked. At the top of the window, you'll see a dropdown that says All time — this controls how far back Chrome will clear. Leave it on All time unless you only want to clear recent data. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right. Chrome will clear both cache and cookies in a few seconds, and the window will close automatically.
How to clear cache and cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section labeled Cookies and Site Data and click the Clear Data button.
A window will appear with two checkboxes: Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content. Make sure both are checked. Click the Clear button. Firefox will clear both in a few seconds. If you want to clear only recent data instead of everything, go back to the Privacy & Security page and look for History near the top. Click Clear Recent History, set the time range you want, and make sure the same two boxes are checked before clicking Clear Now.
How to clear cache and cookies in Safari
Open Safari. At the top of the screen, click Safari in the menu bar (not in the window — in the very top menu of your Mac). A dropdown will appear. Click Clear History. A window will pop up asking how far back you want to clear. Select All history from the dropdown, then click Clear History.
This clears your history, but Safari stores cookies and cache separately. To clear those, go back to the Safari menu and click Preferences. Click the Privacy tab at the top. Click Manage Website Data on the right side. A list of websites will appear. Click Remove All at the bottom right to clear all cookies and cache data, then click Done.
Set your browser to clear cache and cookies automatically
If you want your browser to clear cache and cookies every time you close it, you can turn on automatic clearing. In Chrome, go to Settings, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data. Check the box that says Clear cookies and other site data when you quit Chrome. In Firefox, go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and check the box next to Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. In Safari, go to Preferences, click the Privacy tab, and select Remove all website data when quitting Safari from the dropdown under Website tracking.
Turning on automatic clearing means you won't stay logged into websites between sessions — you'll have to log in again each time you open your browser. This is a trade-off between convenience and privacy. Many people turn it on for shared computers but leave it off for personal ones.
What happens after you clear cache and cookies
After clearing, websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them because your browser has to read all the files again instead of using saved copies. This slowdown is usually just a second or two and only happens on the first visit. On the second visit, the website will load at normal speed again as your browser rebuilds the cache.
You'll be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site where you have an account, you'll see the login page instead of going straight to your account. This is normal and expected — cookies are what keep you logged in. You can log back in, and if you want to stay logged in, make sure you check any box that says "Remember me" or "Keep me logged in."
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache and cookies delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies and cache. Your browser keeps passwords in a find vault that clearing cache and cookies does not touch. You can clear cache and cookies without losing any saved passwords.
How much space does cache take up?
Cache usually takes up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes, depending on how much you browse. For most people, clearing it frees up very little noticeable space. If you're trying to free up hard drive space, deleting old files or large video files will help much more than clearing cache.
Is it safe to clear cache and cookies?
Yes. Clearing cache and cookies is completely safe and won't damage your browser or computer. The only inconvenience is that you'll be logged out of websites and some sites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing.
What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing history?
Browsing history is a list of websites you've visited that appears in your browser's history menu. Cache and cookies are files stored on your computer. Clearing history removes the list but leaves cache and cookies behind. Clearing cache and cookies removes the files but doesn't affect your history list. Most browsers let you clear all three at once.
Do I need to clear cache and cookies regularly?
Not unless you have a specific reason. If a website is broken, clearing cache often fixes it. If you share your computer, clearing them before handing it over protects your privacy. If you're concerned about tracking, clearing cookies regularly helps. For a personal computer you use alone, clearing them once every few months is enough.