Your computer’s cookies and cache work hand in hand to collect information about your browsing habits to improve your user experience and ensure pages you visit regularly can be served up quickly.
Cookies are the small text files that websites store on your PC, laptop, phone, or other digital device when you visit them. They contain information about your interactions with the website, such as login status, preferences, or items in your shopping cart. Cookies are used to remember settings and information between visits; they allow you to stay logged in to your favourite sites, remember language preferences, or keep items in your shopping cart while you browse.
Your cache, on the other hand, is a temporary collection of files stored within your browser that contain data from the websites you’ve visited. Caching plays a vital role in reducing load times and improving website performance.
Though both features are very useful, it’s important to clear these records from time to time to protect your privacy, free up storage space, and keep your devices secure. Let’s take a closer look at how to clear cookies and cache, and explain how often you should do so, based on your browsing habits and attitude to risk.
What does clear cache mean?
Clearing your cache refers to the process of removing the temporary files that your web browser stores on your device when you visit websites. These temporary files include things like images, scripts, and other website data that help speed up loading times by avoiding the need to download the same content repeatedly when you revisit a site.
When you clear the cache, you are telling your browser to delete all these stored files. This forces the browser to fetch the most up-to-date version of the website’s content from the internet the next time you visit.
Though your cache can help you access frequently viewed files faster, there are several reasons why you need to clear your cache periodically:
- You’ll free up storage space
Over time, the cache can grow significantly, taking up valuable space on your device and slowing it down. Clearing it can free up RAM.
- You’ll fix website errors
Sometimes, the cached files become outdated or corrupted, causing websites to display incorrectly or fail to load properly. Clearing the cache can resolve these issues by ensuring your browser loads fresh content.
- You’ll improve your browser’s performance
Too much cached data can actually slow down your browser. Clearing it will usually improve performance.
- You’ll be able to access the latest versions of websites
Cached content may prevent you from seeing recent changes or updates to a website. Clear the cache, and you’ll make sure you’re viewing the most current version.
How to clear cookies and cache on different browsers
The benefits are similar – but the process of clearing your cookies and cache varies according to the browser you’re using.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots (⋮) located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
- In the dropdown menu, select Settings.
- Scroll down and click on Privacy and security from the left-hand menu.
- Under Privacy and security, click on Clear browsing data.
- A pop-up window will appear with the following options:
- Select the time range for clearing data. To clear everything, choose All time.
- Cookies and other site data: Check this box if you want to clear cookies.
- Cached images and files: Check this box to clear the browser cache.
- After selecting the desired options, click Clear data, and you’ll be good to go.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (≡) located in the upper-right corner.
- From the dropdown menu, select Settings (or Options on some versions).
- In the left-hand menu, click on Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section.
- Click the Clear Data button.
- A window will pop up asking for your permissions to action the following:
- Cookies and site data: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached web content: Check this box to clear the cache.
- After selecting your preferences, click Clear.
- To prevent Firefox from storing cookies and cache in the future, scroll down to the History section and adjust the settings to never remember history or to clear history when Firefox closes.
Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner of the window.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- In the left-hand menu, click on Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section.
- Click the Choose what to clear button.
- In the pop-up window:
- Select the time range for the data you want to clear. To clear everything, choose All time.
- Cookies and other site data: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached images and files: Check this box to clear the cache.
- After selecting the data you want to clear, click Clear now.
Safari (macOS)
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Click on Safari in the top-left corner of your screen in the menu bar.
- Select Preferences from the dropdown menu.
- In the Preferences window, click on the Privacy tab.
- To clear cookies:
- Click the Manage Website Data button.
- In the new window, click Remove All to delete cookies from all websites, or select individual websites to remove cookies from specific sites.
- To clear the cache:
- Close the Preferences window.
- In the top menu bar, click Develop. (Note: If you don’t see the Develop menu, enable it by going to Safari > Preferences > Advanced and checking the box labeled Show Develop menu in menu bar.)
- From the Develop menu, select Empty Caches.
How to clear cookies and cache on mobile devices
Android Devices
Google Chrome on Android
- Open Chrome on your Android device.
- Tap the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the screen.
- From the dropdown menu, select Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy and security.
- Tap Clear browsing data.
- In the pop-up window:
- Select the time range you want to clear (e.g., Last hour, Last 24 hours, All time). To clear everything, choose All time.
- Cookies and site data: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached images and files: Check this box to clear cached data.
- Once you’ve selected the desired options, tap Clear data.
- If prompted, you may also need to confirm your selection by tapping Clear again.
Mozilla Firefox on Android
- Open Firefox on your Android device.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (≡) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Scroll down and tap Delete browsing data under Privacy and security.
- In the options list:
- Cookies: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached images and files: Check this box to clear cache.
- After selecting what you want to delete, tap Delete browsing data at the bottom.
Samsung Internet on Android
- Open Samsung Internet on your Android device.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (≡) in the bottom-right corner.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Tap Privacy and security.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- In the pop-up window:
- Cookies and site data: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached images and files: Check this box to clear cache.
- After selecting the options, tap Delete data.
Unique steps for different Android versions
Android versions 10 and later generally have similar steps, but on older versions (e.g., Android 9 or lower), the Clear browsing data section might be under Advanced settings within the browser settings.
Additionally, system-level cache clearing (for the browser app itself) can be done through Settings > Apps > [Browser Name] > Storage and then selecting Clear cache, but following this process won’t clear cookies, just cached files.
iOS Devices (iPhones and iPads)
Safari (iOS)
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap Safari.
- Scroll down again and tap Clear History and Website Data.
- A pop-up will appear. Tap Clear History and Data to confirm. This action will clear cookies, cached files, and history for all websites. It will also log you out of any sites you were signed into.
Google Chrome (iOS)
- Open Chrome on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the three horizontal dots (⋯) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- In the menu, select Settings.
- Tap Privacy under the Basics section.
- Select Clear Browsing Data.
- In the pop-up menu:
- Choose the desired time range (e.g., Last hour, Last 24 hours, All time).
- Cookies, Site Data: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached Images and Files: Check this box to clear cached data.
- After selecting your options, tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom and confirm by tapping Clear Browsing Data again.
Mozilla Firefox (iOS)
- Open Firefox on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (≡) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap Settings from the menu.
- Scroll down to the Privacy section and tap Data Management.
- Select the data you want to delete:
- Cookies: Toggle this switch on to clear cookies.
- Cache: Toggle this switch on to clear the cache.
- After selecting your preferences, tap Clear Private Data.
Microsoft Edge (iOS)
- Open Microsoft Edge on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the three horizontal dots (⋯) at the bottom-center of the screen.
- In the menu, tap Settings.
- Under Privacy, tap Clear browsing data.
- Select the data you want to clear:
- Cookies and site data: Check this box to clear cookies.
- Cached images and files: Check this box to clear cache.
- Tap Clear browsing data, and then confirm by tapping Clear again.
Some more key tips for iOS devices
Safari on iOS does not allow you to clear cookies or cache for specific sites from the general settings. However, you can manage individual site data by going to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, where you can delete data for specific websites.
For browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on iOS, cookies and cache are managed separately from Safari, so clearing data for one browser won’t affect another.
Benefits of clearing cookies and cache
Regularly clearing your device’s cache and cookies can help to protect your privacy and keep your device secure in a number of ways:
- Clearing cookies regularly helps limit how much websites can track you, reducing targeted ads and the potential exposure of your browsing habits to third parties. It also prevents websites from building long-term behavior profiles based on your browsing activity.
- Old or corrupted cookies and cache can create vulnerabilities that may be exploited by hackers, either via session hijacking or taking advantage of sensitive cached information or outdated or compromised scripts. Clearing your cookies regularly mitigates against these risks.
- Clearing cookies removes stored login credentials like usernames, passwords and autofill data, ensuring that unauthorized users can’t access your accounts and get hold of your private data without re-entering passwords.
- Many websites require you to accept cookies to use certain features. Clearing cookies regularly forces websites to request your consent again, giving you a chance to reconsider or reject their data collection practices.
- If you use a shared or public device (such as in a library or shared household), clearing cookies and cache after each session ensures that subsequent users cannot view your browsing history, access your accounts, or retrieve stored personal information.
- Sometimes, websites or attackers use malicious cookies or scripts embedded in your browser’s cache to deliver malware or phishing attempts. These files can enable unauthorized tracking of your browsing activity and/or deliver malware if they exploit weaknesses in outdated cached scripts. Clearing the cache and cookies regularly can help protect your browser from being compromised by these types of attacks, as you’ll force the browser to reload fresh, safe versions of web pages and scripts.
Most browsers allow you to choose a specific time range for clearing cookies and cache or simply clear everything at once – so you have plenty of control over what stays and what goes.
Though there are plenty of advantages to clearing cache and cookies, be aware that clearing cookies will log you out of websites, so be prepared to log back in after your data has been removed.
How often should you clear cookies and cache?
The answer really depends on how concerned you are about your data privacy and overall security online. Generally speaking, clearing your cookies and cache around once a month should keep you safe and stop your device from lagging.
Clearing your cookies and cache is simple to achieve, and it can really help to speed up your computer’s performance and reduce the risk of your data being compromised. You can easily carry out the above steps yourself – but if you’re looking for more robust protection for your system and its data, take a look at System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™, our all-in-one privacy, password manager and PC cleaner that makes light work of routine maintenance.
