What cookies and cache do, and why clearing them matters
Cookies are small files that websites store on your device to remember information about you — your login details, what you put in a shopping cart, sites you've visited, and your browsing habits. Cache is a folder where your browser saves copies of images, videos, and web pages you've already loaded, so they open faster the next time you visit.
Data brokers and advertisers use cookies to track which websites you visit and build a profile of your interests. Clearing both cookies and cache regularly removes these tracking files and makes it harder for companies to follow your online movement. It also frees up storage space on your device and can speed up your browser if the cache has grown very large.
Clearing cookies and cache does not delete your passwords or usernames unless you specifically choose to do so. After you clear them, you may need to log back into some websites, but your saved passwords (if you chose to save them separately) will still be there.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies store information websites use to track you; cache stores copies of pages and images to load them faster.
- Clearing both regularly reduces how much data brokers can collect about your browsing habits.
- The process takes two to three minutes and works the same way on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
- You can set your browser to clear cookies and cache automatically every time you close it.
- Clearing cache and cookies will not delete your saved passwords unless you choose that option.
How to clear cookies and cache on Chrome
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button), then select Settings from the dropdown. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says All time — leave it there. Below that, make sure the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are both checked. Uncheck any other boxes unless you want to delete those items too. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.
Chrome will clear the data in a few seconds. You can close the window and continue browsing. The next time you visit a website that used to recognize you, you will need to log in again.
How to clear cookies and cache on Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left side. Scroll down to the section called Cookies and Site Data. Click the red 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 finish in a few seconds.
If you want to clear only the cache but keep your cookies, uncheck the Cookies and Site Data box before clicking Clear. This is useful if you want to keep yourself logged into websites but still remove tracking files.
How to clear cookies and cache on Safari
Open Safari. At the top of the screen, click Safari in the menu bar, then click Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Privacy tab. On the right side, click Manage Website Data.
A list of websites will appear. Click Remove All at the bottom right to delete all cookies at once. Safari will ask you to confirm — click Remove Now. To clear the cache, go back to the Privacy tab and click Remove All Website Data at the bottom.
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose how far back you want to clear (the default is all time) and tap Clear History and Data.
How to clear cookies and cache on Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will open. Make sure the time range at the top is set to All time. Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Click Clear now.
Edge will clear the data when ready. You can also turn on the option to clear browsing data automatically every time you close the browser — look for the toggle that says Clear browsing data every time you close the browser on the same page.
How to clear cookies and cache on Android phones
The steps depend on which browser you use. If you use Chrome, open the app and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Tap Settings, then Privacy. Tap Clear browsing data. Make sure All time is selected at the top, check Cookies and site data and Cached images and files, then tap Clear data.
If you use Firefox on Android, tap the three lines at the bottom right, then tap Settings. Tap Delete browsing data. Check Cookies and Cache, then tap Delete browsing data.
If you use a different browser, look for a Settings or Menu option, then search for Clear cache or Clear browsing data. The names vary, but the option exists in every browser.
Set your browser to clear cookies and cache automatically
Instead of clearing manually every few weeks, you can tell your browser to do it automatically. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Check the box that says Clear cookies and other site data when you quit Chrome. From now on, every time you close the browser completely, cookies and cache will disappear.
In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data and check the box that says Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and check Remove all website data when quitting Safari.
This method is the easiest if you want continuous protection without remembering to clear manually. The downside is that you will be logged out of websites every time you close your browser, so you will need to log back in the next time you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies and cache delete my passwords?
No, unless you specifically check a box that says Passwords or Autofill data. Passwords are stored separately from cookies and cache. When you clear only cookies and cache, your saved passwords stay in place, and you can still use autofill to log in faster.
How often should I clear cookies and cache?
Once a week or once a month is reasonable for most people. If you are concerned about tracking, clearing every time you close your browser (using the automatic setting) offers the most protection. If you rarely visit sensitive websites, clearing once a month is enough.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache stores images and pages to make websites load faster. Cookies store information websites use to recognize you and track your behavior. Clearing cache frees up space and removes stored pages; clearing cookies removes tracking files and logs you out of websites. You can clear one without the other.
Will clearing cookies and cache slow down my internet?
No. Clearing cache might actually speed up your browser if the cache folder has grown very large. Websites will take a few extra seconds to load the first time you visit them after clearing, because your browser has to read the images and pages again instead of using the stored copies.
Do I need to clear cookies and cache if I use private or incognito mode?
No. Private browsing mode (called Incognito in Chrome) does not save cookies or cache at all — they are deleted automatically when you close the window. However, websites can still see that you are visiting them, and your internet provider can still see your activity. Private mode only hides your history from other people who use your device.