Clearing cookies removes tracking files that websites store on your device
Cookies are small files that websites save to your browser to remember information about you — your login details, what you put in your shopping cart, sites you've visited. Some cookies are necessary for websites to work. Others track your behavior across the internet so advertisers can follow you from site to site. Clearing cookies deletes these files from your device, which stops websites from using old cookies to recognize you and stops some tracking.
The process takes two to three minutes and works the same way on most browsers. You go to your browser settings, find the option to clear browsing data, select cookies, and delete them. After you clear cookies, you may need to log back into websites you use regularly, because the browser no longer has the file that remembered your login.
Clearing cookies is different from clearing your browsing history. History is a list of websites you visited; cookies are files those websites left behind. You can clear one without clearing the other, though most people clear both at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are files websites store on your device to track you and remember your preferences, and clearing them stops that tracking.
- You clear cookies through your browser settings under "Clear browsing data" or "Privacy" — the exact name depends on which browser you use.
- After clearing cookies, you will need to log back into most websites because the browser no longer remembers your login.
- Clearing cookies does not delete your browsing history or your passwords, only the tracking files websites left on your device.
- You can set your browser to clear cookies automatically every time you close it, so you do not have to do it manually.
How to clear cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security on the left side. Click Clear browsing data.
A window will open with options for what to delete. Make sure the time range at the top is set to All time so you clear all cookies, not just recent ones. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to clear cookies. Click Clear data at the bottom right.
How to clear cookies in Firefox
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 the section labeled Cookies and Site Data.
Click the button that says Clear Data. A small window will appear. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear. Firefox will delete all cookies when ready.
How to clear cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab.
Click Manage Website Data. A list of websites that have stored cookies on your device will appear. Click Remove All at the bottom right to delete all cookies at once. If you want to delete cookies from only certain websites, click on a website name and then click Remove.
How to clear cookies in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three 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.
A window will open. Set the time range to All time. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Click Clear now. Edge will delete all cookies from your device.
Set your browser to clear cookies automatically
Instead of clearing cookies manually every few weeks, you can tell your browser to delete them automatically when you close it. This happens in the background without any action from you.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data. Turn on Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data and select Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and check Remove all website data when quitting Safari. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data and turn on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
Once you turn this on, your browser will clear cookies every single time you close it. You will need to log back into websites each time you open your browser, but you will have much less tracking data stored on your device.
What happens after you clear cookies
Websites will no longer recognize you when you visit them. You will need to log back into email, social media, banking sites, and any other account-based websites. The login process is the same as usual — you just have to do it again because the browser no longer has the cookie that remembered you.
Some websites may load slightly differently or ask you to accept cookies again. This is normal. You may also notice that personalized recommendations disappear — for example, if a shopping site was showing you products based on your browsing history, it will stop doing that until you browse more and new cookies are created.
Clearing cookies does not delete your passwords. Your browser stores passwords separately from cookies, so you will still have them saved. It also does not delete your browsing history, bookmarks, or any files you downloaded. Only the cookie files themselves are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies in your browser's password manager. Clearing cookies will not affect them, and you will still be able to log into websites using saved passwords. If you want to delete passwords, you have to do that in a different part of your browser settings.
Do I need to clear cookies if I use private browsing mode?
Private browsing mode (called Incognito in Chrome) does not save cookies to your device at all — they are deleted automatically when you close the window. You do not need to clear cookies from private sessions, but cookies from regular browsing will still be on your device.
Can I clear cookies from only one website instead of all of them?
Yes. In most browsers, you can go to your settings and find a list of websites that have stored cookies. You can select individual websites and delete only their cookies. In Safari, this is under Privacy > Manage Website Data. In Chrome, it is under Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Will clearing cookies stop advertisers from tracking me?
Clearing cookies stops tracking from cookies specifically, but advertisers use other methods too — like fingerprinting and pixel tracking. Clearing cookies is one part of reducing tracking, but it is not a complete solution. Using a privacy-focused browser extension or turning on your browser's tracking prevention feature provides more protection.
How often should I clear my cookies?
That depends on your preference. If you want minimal tracking, clear them weekly or use automatic clearing when you close your browser. If you do not mind logging back in frequently, clear them more often. If you rarely think about it, clearing them once a month is reasonable. There is no single right answer — it depends on how much you value convenience versus privacy.