What cookies are and why you might want to clear them
Cookies are small files that websites store on your tablet to remember information about you — your login details, what you put in a shopping cart, which articles you read. They make websites faster and more convenient because you don't have to re-enter the same information every time you visit.
You might want to clear them for privacy reasons, to free up storage space, or because a website isn't working properly and a fresh start helps. Clearing cookies won't delete your photos or documents — it only removes these small tracking files that websites leave behind.
On a Samsung tablet, the process differs slightly depending on which browser you use. The steps below cover Samsung Internet (the built-in browser) and Google Chrome, which are the two most common choices.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are small files websites store on your tablet to remember your login information and browsing habits.
- Clearing cookies from Samsung Internet takes three taps: open Settings, tap Delete browsing data, and confirm.
- In Google Chrome, the same action lives under Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data.
- You can choose to clear only cookies, or cookies along with browsing history and cached images at the same time.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites, so you may need to sign back in afterward.
How to clear cookies in Samsung Internet
Open Samsung Internet — the blue globe icon that came with your tablet. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu button) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings.
In Settings, look for Delete browsing data and tap it. A window will appear with checkboxes. Make sure Cookies and site data is checked. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to remove cookies, or check Browsing history and Cached images and files if you want to clear those too.
Tap Delete at the bottom of the window. The tablet will process for a moment, then show a confirmation message. Your cookies are now cleared.
How to clear cookies in Google Chrome
Open Google Chrome — the colorful circle icon. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Tap Settings.
Tap Privacy, then tap Clear browsing data. A window will open with several options. At the top, you'll see a dropdown that says All time — this controls how far back the clearing goes. Leave it on All time unless you only want to clear cookies from the last hour or day.
Make sure the checkbox next to Cookies and site data is checked. Tap Clear data. Chrome will process for a moment, then the window will close. Your cookies are cleared.
What happens after you clear cookies
Most websites will log you out once you clear cookies. The next time you visit a site where you have an account — email, social media, banking — you'll need to sign in again. This is normal and expected.
Some websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing cookies, because they no longer have stored information about your preferences. This slowness is temporary and usually not noticeable.
If a website was behaving strangely — pages not loading, buttons not working, or you couldn't log in — clearing cookies often fixes the problem. If the issue persists after clearing cookies and signing back in, the problem is usually on the website's side, not your tablet.
How to clear cookies automatically on exit
If you want your tablet to clear cookies every time you close the browser, you can set that up. In Samsung Internet, go to Settings and look for Privacy. Toggle on Delete browsing data on exit. In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and toggle on Delete cookies and site data when you close all tabs.
This means you'll be logged out of websites each time you close the browser completely, but your tablet will use less storage over time. You can turn this setting off anytime if you find it inconvenient.
The difference between clearing cookies and clearing cache
Cookies store information about you — your login details and preferences. Cache stores copies of images, videos, and web pages so websites load faster the next time you visit. They're separate things, though most clearing tools let you delete both at once.
If you're clearing data to fix a website problem, clearing both cookies and cache together usually works better than clearing just one. If you're only concerned about privacy, clearing cookies is what matters — cache doesn't contain personal information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies. If you want to clear saved passwords, you have to do that in a different menu — usually under Settings > Passwords or Autofill. Clearing cookies alone will not affect your saved passwords.
Can I clear cookies from just one website instead of all of them?
In Samsung Internet, tap the three lines menu, go to Settings > Site permissions, and you can manage individual sites. In Chrome, the standard clear function removes all cookies at once, but you can manage individual sites under Settings > Site settings. Most people find it easier to clear all cookies at once.
What if I clear cookies and a website still won't work?
Try clearing the cache as well as cookies — sometimes that solves problems that cookies alone won't fix. If it still doesn't work, try opening the website in a different browser (like switching from Chrome to Samsung Internet). If the problem happens in both browsers, the issue is likely with the website itself.
Does clearing cookies make my tablet faster?
Clearing cookies frees up a small amount of storage space, but the speed difference is usually not noticeable unless you've been browsing for months without clearing. Clearing cache has a bigger impact on storage than clearing cookies alone.
Do I need to clear cookies regularly?
No. Cookies take up very little space, and clearing them regularly is only necessary if you're concerned about privacy or if websites are malfunctioning. Most people can go months without clearing cookies and notice no problems.