What clearing cookies actually does
Clearing cookies removes the small files that websites store on your device to remember you. When you clear them, websites forget your login information, your shopping cart empties, and tracking data from ad networks gets deleted. The next time you visit a site, it will treat you as a new visitor.
This is different from clearing your browsing history (which removes the list of sites you visited) or clearing your cache (which removes images and files that speed up page loading). You can clear cookies alone, or all three together depending on what you want to remove.
Clearing cookies does not make you anonymous online or hide your activity from your internet provider. It only removes what websites have stored locally on your device. If you want privacy from tracking, clearing cookies is one step, but you may also want to consider a VPN or a privacy-focused browser.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cookies removes login information, shopping carts, and tracking data stored by websites on your device.
- The process takes under a minute and is built into every major browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have a dedicated settings page for it.
- You can clear all cookies at once or set your browser to clear them automatically every time you close it.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites, so you will need to sign back in after you do it.
How to clear cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. At the top, make sure the time range is set to All time if you want to remove every cookie. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to clear cookies. Click Clear data and you are done.
If you want Chrome to clear cookies automatically every time you close the browser, go back to Settings > Privacy and security and scroll down to Clear browsing data. Toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome.
How to clear cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
A window will appear. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. You can leave Cached Web Content unchecked if you only want to remove cookies. Click Clear and the cookies are gone.
To clear cookies automatically when you close Firefox, go back to Settings > Privacy & Security. Under Cookies and Site Data, check the box that says Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
How to clear 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. Click Manage Website Data.
A list of websites will appear. To remove all cookies at once, click Remove All. To remove cookies from specific sites, select the site and click Remove. Click Done when finished.
Safari does not have a built-in option to clear cookies automatically on close, but you can set it to clear history and cookies when you quit. Go to Safari > Settings > General and check Remove history items, then set it to after one day or your preferred timeframe.
How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will pop up. Set the time range to All time at the top. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Click Clear now.
To clear cookies every time you close Edge, go back to Settings > Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to Clear browsing data and toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Then toggle on Cookies and other site data.
What happens after you clear cookies
You will be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit Gmail, Facebook, your bank, or any other site where you were signed in, you will need to enter your username and password again. Websites will not remember your preferences, so if you had customized settings or a dark mode enabled, those will reset to the default.
Shopping carts will empty. If you were in the middle of buying something online, the items you added will be gone. Autofill information (like your address or payment method) may also be cleared depending on your browser settings, though this is usually stored separately from cookies.
Tracking will start fresh. Ad networks and analytics services will no longer have a record of your previous visits, so you may see different ads or recommendations. This effect is temporary — as soon as you visit websites again, they will start collecting new data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies in your browser's password manager. Clearing cookies will log you out, but your saved passwords remain. You will need to enter your password again to sign back in, and your browser will offer to save it again if you want.
Should I clear cookies every day?
That depends on your comfort level. Clearing cookies daily removes tracking data more frequently but means you will be logged out of websites more often. Many people clear cookies weekly or monthly instead. If you want the balance of convenience and privacy, set your browser to clear cookies automatically when you close it.
Does clearing cookies protect me from hackers?
Clearing cookies removes data stored on your device, but it does not protect you from hackers intercepting your data in transit or stealing your password. For protection against hackers, use strong unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid public WiFi for sensitive tasks like banking.
Can I clear cookies from just one website?
Yes. In Chrome and Edge, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Manage all cookies and site data. Search for the website name and click the trash icon next to it. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Manage Data and remove the site you want. In Safari, use Manage Website Data and select the site before clicking Remove.
What is the difference between clearing cookies and using private browsing?
Private browsing (Incognito in Chrome, Private Window in Firefox) prevents your browser from storing cookies and history while you are in that window, but does not clear existing cookies. Once you close the private window, nothing from that session is saved. Clearing cookies removes what has already been stored. You can use both together for maximum privacy.