Clearing cookies removes tracking data that websites store on your Mac
Cookies are small files that websites save to your Mac to remember you. They track what you browse, what you buy, and what you search for. Deleting them regularly stops websites and advertisers from building a profile of your activity. On Mac OS X, you can clear cookies from your browser in a few clicks, and you can set your browser to delete them automatically when you quit.
The steps differ slightly depending on which browser you use — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Each one stores cookies in a different location and offers different options for what to delete and when.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are files websites save to track your browsing, and deleting them removes that stored tracking data from your Mac.
- Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all have built-in tools to clear cookies, and the steps take less than a minute in any browser.
- You can delete all cookies at once or clear cookies from a specific date range, such as the last hour or the last week.
- Setting your browser to delete cookies automatically when you quit prevents them from accumulating over time.
- Third-party tracking cookies are the ones most commonly used by advertisers and data brokers, while session cookies are usually harmless.
Delete cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab.
You will see a section called Cookies and website data. Click Manage Website Data to see a list of all websites that have stored cookies on your Mac. You can select individual websites and click Remove, or click Remove All to delete everything at once. Click Done when finished.
To make Safari delete cookies automatically, stay in the Privacy tab and look for the option Block all cookies or Allow only websites I visit. The second option is less strict and still removes most tracking cookies while keeping you logged into sites you use regularly.
Delete cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy and security in the left sidebar, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will appear. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. At the top, choose your time range — All time will delete everything, or you can select Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 3 months. Click Clear data.
To delete cookies automatically, go back to Privacy and security and click Cookies and other site data. Turn on Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. Chrome will then remove all cookies each time you close the browser completely.
Delete cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data. Click Clear Data. A window will open. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked, and select your time range at the top. Click Clear.
To clear cookies automatically, stay in the Privacy & Security tab and look for Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. Check that box. You can also click Manage Exceptions to keep cookies from specific websites you visit regularly while deleting the rest.
Delete cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.
Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear. A window will appear. Check Cookies and other site data. At the top, select your time range — All time, Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 3 months. Click Clear now.
To delete cookies when you close Edge, go back to Privacy, search, and services and scroll to Clear browsing data. Turn on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Edge will then ask you what to delete each time you quit, or you can turn on Always clear this for cookies to remove them automatically without asking.
What happens after you delete cookies
After you delete cookies, websites may ask you to log in again because the browser no longer has the cookie that kept you signed in. You will also lose any saved preferences — for example, a website that remembered your language choice or your preferred view will reset to its default.
Advertisers and data brokers will not when ready stop tracking you. They use other methods beyond cookies, such as your IP address and device fingerprinting. Deleting cookies removes one layer of tracking, but it works best as part of a broader approach that includes using a VPN, blocking third-party cookies in your browser settings, and checking data broker websites to see what information they hold about you.
The difference between session cookies and tracking cookies
Session cookies are temporary and disappear when you close your browser. They help websites function — for example, they keep items in your shopping cart or remember that you are logged in. These are usually safe to keep.
Tracking cookies are persistent and stay on your Mac even after you close the browser. Advertisers and data brokers use them to follow you across websites and build a profile of your interests. These are the ones most worth deleting. Most browsers let you block third-party tracking cookies in settings without deleting all cookies, which is a middle ground if you want to reduce tracking without logging out of every site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies log me out of websites?
Yes, deleting cookies will log you out of most websites because the cookie that keeps you signed in will be removed. You will need to log back in the next time you visit. If you want to stay logged into certain sites, most browsers let you protect cookies from specific websites before clearing the rest.
Do I need to delete cookies regularly?
Deleting cookies once a month or once a week is a reasonable habit if you want to limit tracking. If you turn on automatic deletion when you quit your browser, you do not need to delete them manually — the browser will handle it for you.
Can I delete cookies from just one website?
Yes. In Safari, go to Privacy settings and click Manage Website Data, then find the website in the list and click Remove. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can click the lock icon next to the website address in the address bar and look for cookie or site data settings to delete just that site's cookies.
Will deleting cookies stop advertisers from tracking me?
Deleting cookies removes one tracking method, but advertisers also use your IP address, device fingerprinting, and other techniques. Cookies are just one piece. Deleting them regularly is useful, but it works best combined with blocking third-party cookies in your browser settings and checking data broker websites for information they hold about you.
What is the difference between clearing cookies and clearing browsing history?
Browsing history is a list of websites you visited. Cookies are files websites save to your device. Clearing history removes the list of sites you went to, while clearing cookies removes the tracking files. Most browsers let you clear them separately or together.