What cookies are and why you should clear them
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember information about you — your login details, what you put in a shopping cart, or which pages you visited. They are not inherently harmful, but they also let advertisers and data brokers track which sites you visit and build a profile of your interests and behavior.
Clearing your cookies removes these stored files and stops many tracking systems from following you across the web. This is different from removing your information from data broker websites, but it works alongside that effort: brokers collect data partly through cookies and tracking pixels, so clearing them reduces what new data gets collected going forward.
Most browsers let you clear cookies in one or two clicks. The process takes less than a minute and has no downside — you may need to log back into some websites, but nothing breaks.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are files websites store on your device to track your behavior and remember your preferences, and clearing them stops that tracking.
- You can clear all cookies at once or set your browser to delete them automatically every time you close it.
- The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all browsers offer the option in their settings menu.
- Clearing cookies may log you out of websites and remove saved passwords, so you should be prepared to log back in.
- For ongoing protection, you can also block third-party cookies or use private browsing mode, which does not store cookies at all.
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. Choose Clear browsing data.
A window will appear with several options. Make sure the time range is set to All time if you want to remove every cookie your browser has stored. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can also check Cached images and files to free up storage space. Click Clear data and the process is complete.
If you want Chrome to delete cookies automatically, go back to Settings and Privacy and security. Under Clear browsing data, toggle on Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. From then on, every time you close the browser, all cookies will be removed.
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 Cookies and Site Data section and click Clear Data.
A window will pop up. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear to remove them.
To set Firefox to clear cookies automatically, stay in Privacy & Security and look for the Cookies and Site Data section. Check the box that says Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. Firefox will then clear all cookies every time you shut down the browser.
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 and the data they have stored will appear. To remove all of them at once, click Remove All. To remove only specific websites, select them and click Remove.
Safari does not have a built-in option to delete cookies automatically on close, but you can use Private Browsing mode instead. Click File in the menu bar and select New Private Window. Safari will not store cookies in private windows.
How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open 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 appear. Set the time range to All time. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can also check Cached images and files. Click Clear now.
To make Edge clear cookies automatically, go back to Settings and Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Then toggle on Cookies and other site data. Edge will delete cookies each time you close it.
Using private browsing to prevent cookies from being stored
Every major browser offers a private or incognito mode that does not store cookies, browsing history, or search history. When you close a private window, nothing is saved to your device. This is useful if you want to browse without leaving a trace, though websites can still see what you are doing in that moment.
In Chrome, click the three dots and select New Incognito Window. In Firefox, click the menu and select New Private Window. In Safari, click File and select New Private Window. In Edge, click the three dots and select New InPrivate Window. You can also use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome and Edge, Ctrl+Shift+P in Firefox, or Command+Shift+N in Safari.
Private browsing is not the same as being anonymous online — your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity. But it does prevent your browser from storing cookies and history locally.
Blocking third-party cookies in your browser settings
Beyond clearing cookies, you can also prevent your browser from accepting certain types of cookies in the first place. Third-party cookies are placed by advertisers and data brokers rather than the website you are visiting, and they are the main tool used to track you across the web.
In Chrome, go to Settings and Privacy and security. Under Cookies and other site data, select Block third-party cookies. In Firefox, go to Settings and Privacy & Security. Under Enhanced Tracking Protection, select Strict. In Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, select Settings, click Privacy, and check Prevent cross-site tracking. In Edge, go to Settings and Privacy, search, and services, then toggle on Tracking prevention and set it to Strict.
Blocking third-party cookies may cause some websites to display incorrectly or prevent certain features from working, but most sites function normally with this setting on.
What happens after you clear your cookies
After clearing cookies, you will likely be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site where you have an account — email, social media, banking — you will need to log in again. This is normal and expected.
Some websites may also load more slowly the first time you visit them after clearing cookies, because they need to read information they previously had stored locally. This slowdown is temporary and usually not noticeable.
Clearing cookies does not delete your account information or change your password. It only removes the files stored on your device. Your accounts remain intact, and you can log back in whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
Clearing cookies does not delete saved passwords if you use your browser's password manager. However, if you check the Passwords box when clearing data, it will remove saved passwords. Most people should leave that box unchecked and only clear cookies and site data.
Do I need to clear cookies on my phone?
Yes. Mobile browsers like Chrome on Android and Safari on iPhone store cookies the same way desktop browsers do. The steps are similar: open your browser settings, find the option to clear browsing data, and select cookies. Check your specific browser's documentation for exact steps.
How often should I clear my cookies?
That depends on your preference. Some people clear cookies weekly, others monthly. If you set your browser to delete cookies automatically when you close it, you do not need to do anything manually. If you prefer to keep cookies for convenience, clearing them once a month is a reasonable middle ground.
Will clearing cookies stop data brokers from collecting information about me?
Clearing cookies stops some tracking, but data brokers collect information through many methods beyond cookies — including public records, purchase history, and data sold by other companies. Clearing cookies is one part of reducing your digital footprint, but it works best alongside removing your information from data broker websites.
Can websites tell that I cleared my cookies?
Websites cannot directly see that you cleared cookies, but they may notice that you appear to be a new visitor if you return shortly after clearing them. This does not cause any problems — websites treat returning visitors with no cookies the same as new visitors.