How to Clear Your Browser's Cache and Cookies (and When You Should)
What cache and cookies are, when clearing them helps fix website problems, and step-by-step instructions for Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox.
"Have you tried clearing your cache and cookies?" is common advice when a website misbehaves. Here's what that actually means, when it helps, and how to do it.
What are cache and cookies?
- Cache: copies of images and files from websites you've visited, stored on your device so pages load faster next time.
- Cookies: small files websites use to remember you, such as keeping you logged in, remembering your basket, or tracking you for advertising.
When clearing them helps
- A website looks broken, won't load properly or keeps showing old information.
- You keep getting stuck in a login loop.
- A site is showing errors that other people don't get.
- You've used a shared or public computer and want to remove your information.
The downside: clearing cookies logs you out of websites, so make sure you know your passwords first (a password manager makes this painless).
Google Chrome
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Command + Shift + Delete on a Mac).
- Choose a time range, for example Last 24 hours or All time.
- Tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click Delete data.
Microsoft Edge
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, choose the time range and the items, then click Clear now.
Firefox
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, choose what to clear and the time range, then confirm.
Safari on Mac
Open Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data to remove data for individual sites, or choose History > Clear History to clear everything for a chosen time period.
iPhone and Android
- Safari on iPhone: Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data (on older versions of iOS, Settings > Safari).
- Chrome on Android or iPhone: tap the three-dot menu, then Delete browsing data.
Private browsing
A private or incognito window doesn't save cookies or history after you close it. It's useful on shared computers or for checking whether a problem is caused by stored data. Remember it doesn't make you invisible online. Websites, your employer or your broadband provider can still see your activity, as our VPN guide explains.