Cookies are a convenient way to experience the parts of the internet you frequently visit. One can think of these non-edible artifacts as digital breadcrumbs for info you may not want to remember every time. But when your computer is tasked with remembering too many of these trail-markers, it can really slow down your machine. Regardless of the browser you’re using, it’s a good idea to clear your cookies every once in a while.

Difficulty

What You Need

A PC, phone, or tablet running Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or similar browser

We’ve put together this guide to teach you how to clear cookies onChrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and a few other browsers. We’ll also teach you about some system clean-up tools you can install to automate the organization of your PC or Mac.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome lets you easily deletecookies, control browsing data, and specify what sort of files it should accept or block.

Step 1:Click the three-dotCustomize and Controlicon located in the top-right corner.

Step 2:SelectSettingsin the drop-down menu.

Step 3:A separate Settings tab opens in Chrome. ClickPrivacy and Securitylisted on the left to expand your options.

Step 4:SelectClear Browsing Datashown on the right.

you may also reach this setting by typing chrome://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar.

Step 5:An in-browser pop-up appears with the Basic tab loaded by default. Here, you can delete your browsing history, cached images, and cookies, along with other site data. You can select a time range using the drop-down menu, then sign out from your Google Account to delete browsing data from the device you’re on.

You can also click theAdvancedtab for additional features like clearing your download history, passwords, other sign-in data, autofill form data, site settings, and hosted app data.

Step 6:When ready, click the blueClear Databutton. If your Google account is synced to other devices, this step will clear cookies on those devices as well.

Step 7:To manage how cookies are saved and stored in the future, select theSite Settingsoption listed underPrivacy and Security. Then, selectCookies and Site Dataon the following page.

Note: You can also reach this setting by typing chrome://settings/content/cookies in the address bar.

Here, you’ll find options to disable all cookies, clear cookies when you close Chrome, and block third-party cookies. You can block and allow cookies from specific sites as well.

Chrome on Android or iOS

The steps are identical on iOS and Android devices, but the big difference you’ll see is the overall visual presentation. The screenshots provided below are from an iPad Pro:

Step 1:Tap thethree-doticon. It’s typically located in the top-right corner unless you’re viewing Chrome on a phone in portrait mode (bottom right).

Step 2:Tap theSettingsoption on the drop-down menu.

Step 3:Tap onPrivacyon the following screen. Again, the presentation is visually different.

Step 4:TapClear Browsing Data. Then, tapCookies and Site Dataif it’s not already selected.

Step 5:Tap onClear Browsing Datawhen ready.

There are also options for clearing your browser history andremoving cached images and files.

Mozilla Firefox

The open-source browser has tons of add-ons and actually offers more options than Chrome when it comes to customizing these settings. Here’s how to clear out any cookies it’s storing:

Step 1:Click on the three-lineMenuicon located in the top-right corner.

Step 2:SelectOptionson the drop-down menu.

Step 3:TheGeneralcategory loads by default. SelectPrivacy and Securitylisted on the left.

Step 4:Scroll down on the right to findCookies and Site Data. Click theClear Databutton.

Step 5:A pop-up window appears. Make sureCookies and Site Datais checked, and then click theClearbutton.

Alternatively, you can click theManage Databutton rather thanClear Data. A pop-up window appears with a search field for locating a specific cookie and a list of all cookies stored on your device. You can click theRemove Selectedbutton to delete a highlighted cookie or click theRemove Allbutton to delete them all.

Finally, you can click theManage Permissionsbutton located underCookies and Site Datato control whether individual cookies are blocked or allowed, respectively.

Firefox on iOS and TabletOS

Step 1:Tap the three-lineHamburgericon.

Step 2:TapSettingson the pop-up (or drop-down) menu.

Step 3:On phones, scroll down toPrivacyand tapData Management. On tablets, tapData Managementlisted underPrivacyin a pop-up window.

Step 4:UnderClear Private Data, make sureCookiesis toggled on, and then tap the redClear Private Databutton.

Firefox on Android

Step 2:Tap theSettingsoption on the pop-up (or drop-down) menu.

Step 3:Tap onClear Private Data.

Step 4:A pop-up window appears. verify theCookies and Active Loginsoption is checked and then tapClear Data.

Unlike Chrome and Firefox, Safari only stores cookies from websites you visit. Nevertheless, if you’s stillusing Safari on MacOS, it lets you easily change these settings. Since Apple discontinued the Windows version, our instructions focus on the macOS and mobile versions.

Step 1:With Safari open, clickSafarilisted next to the Apple icon on the menu bar.

Step 2:SelectClear Historyon the drop-down menu.

Step 3:A pop-up window appears with four options in a drop-down menu:The Last Hour,Today,Today and Yesterday, andAll History. Select an option, and click theClear Historybutton.

Step 4:If you prefer to have more control over what is deleted, with Safari open, clickSafarilisted next to the Apple icon on the menu bar. Then selectPreferenceson the drop-down menu. A pop-up window appears. Click thePrivacytab.

Here, you’re able to useBlock All Cookiesto remove everything in one fell swoop. Alternatively, click theManage Website Databutton to see a list of each cookie stored in the browser, which you can then remove individually.

Safari’s options for filtering cookies are limited. you may, however, have Safari block cross-site tracking.

Safari on iOS and iPadOS

Clearing cookies on iPhone and iPad is straightforward if you’re using Safari.

However, you can chooseother browsers for iPhone.

Step 1:OpenSettings.

Step 2:On iPadOS, scroll down on the left-hand menu and tapSafari. Simply scroll down and tapSafarion iOS devices.

Step 3:To delete all cookies, tapClear History and Website Data.

Step 4:To delete a specific cookie, start by openingSettings. For iPadOS, scroll down on the left-hand menu and tapSafari. Simply scroll down and tapSafarion iOS devices. Then, scroll down and tapAdvanced.

Step 5:TapWebsite Data. A list of all websites appears on your screen. Tap theEditbutton. Tap the redMinusbutton next to each site you want to remove and delete. TapDoneto complete.

Microsoft Edge (Non-Chromium)

Microsoft Edgeis integrated into Windows. Here’s how to alter its cookie settings and wipe out any existing ones:

Step 1:Click on the three-dotSettingsicon in the top-right corner.

Step 2:Click theSettingsoption on the drop-down menu.

Step 3:TheGeneralcategory opens by default. ClickPrivacy & Securityon the roll-out menu.

Step 4:Click theChoose What to Clearbutton.

Step 5:Make sureCookies and Saved Website Datais ticked and then click theClearbutton.

Step 6:To manage how Edge handles cookies, scroll down the Privacy and Security panel to locateCookies. The associated drop-down menu provides three options:Don’t Block Cookies(default),Block on Third-Party Cookies, andBlock All Cookies.

Within the Choose What to Clear menu, you also have the option to clear cookies every time you leave the browser, using the toggle option under theClearbutton.

Although the Opera browser is based on the same foundation used by Google Chrome, getting to the browser’s cookie options has a slightly different process:

Step 1:Click on the redOperalogo in the top-left corner.

Step 2:SelectSettingson the drop-down menu.

Step 3:A new tab opens. ClickAdvancedon the menu, followed byPrivacy and Security.

Step 4:Select theClear Browsing Datasection.

Step 5:An in-browser pop-up appears with theBasictab loaded by default. Here, you can delete your browsing history, cached images, and cookies, along with other site data. Select a time range using the drop-down menu.

Click theClear Databutton when complete.

Step 6:To manage how Opera handles cookies, do the following, click on the redOperalogo in the top-left corner. SelectSettingson the drop-down menu. Then, clickAdvanced>Privacy and Security>Site Settings.

Step 7:Select theCookies and Site Datasection on the following page. Here, you can decide whether you want to block cookies, delete them at regular intervals, or allow them entirely.

Apps and plugins: CCleaner

Free to download,CCleaneris a vital tool used to help your computer get rid of those extra files generated due to browsing the web and other applications. CCleaner doesn’t just clean cookies within one particular browser; it’s a web browser that can clean cookies across the board.

Users have other options if they’re looking for a deep clean. CCleaner offers a Pro version of its software for just $30 a year. This paid version is a great way to automate cleaning by setting times for your computer to conduct a deep cleaning. It also notifies you constantly of any cyber threats or privacy breaches as they are happening. These paid features are worth the investment because they add steadfast protection for your home or office, ensuring your privacy for all types of activity.

Cookie AutoDeletewill eliminate cookies whenever you close out your browser, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. you’re able to also remove cookies from a domain and create white and gray lists that you may want to allow and share. The developer maintains a database so you can check each cookie for more information.

you may install Cookie AutoDelete on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Its compatibility with both browsers earns it our top pick for cookie management apps on the market.

Apps and plugins: Onyx

Onyxis a fantastic system clean-up tool made exclusively for macOS products. It’s free to download and doesn’t take long to get up and running. When you open the app, you’ll see tabs forMaintenance,Utilities,Files,Security, and a few other options. Clicking one of these categories will bring you to that respective tab’s settings dashboard. From here, you’ll be able to fine-tune exactly how Onyx goes about sweeping up digital debris.

UnderMaintenance, we recommend clicking theInfoicon next toInternet. This will take you to a sub-menu, where you’ll be able to toggle on the ability to clear cookies and other site data (which is toggled off by default).

Concerned about privacy? Learnhow to clear your historyin Chrome and other browsers.