< Blog |
September 5, 2023

How to Delete Cookies and Cache From Browser and Devices

Imagine cookies, not the yummy ones, but tiny digital notes that websites leave on your computer when you visit. They track all your online activities, from streaming your favorite UFC match to the latest release.

Of all websites the Internet is home to, 41.4% contain cookies. Having lots can slow things down and make you feel like you are being followed. Clearing cookies is like tidying up and telling your computer you no longer need those notes. It keeps your computer fast, protects your privacy, and starts your online visits fresh. But how to delete cookies from your device?

Before stretching this any longer, here’s a brief guide on deleting cookies from Chrome, Windows 10, iPhone, and Android. Let’s get the ball rolling!

Short on Time? We’ve Got You Covered

  • Cookies are digital notes websites leave on your device.
  • They track online activities, like watching videos or games.
  • Clearing cookies tidies up and boosts device speed.
  • Different cookie types include permanent, session, flash, and more.
  • Deleting cookies protects privacy and stops tailored ads.
  • Timing to clear cookies depends on usage and preferences.
  • Common browsers let you clear cookies using specific shortcuts.
  • While there are risks, clearing cookies speeds up browsing and improves privacy.

What We Will Be Discussing

  • What Are Cookies?
  • What Are the Types of Cookies
  • Is It a Good Idea to Remove All Cookies?
  • How to Delete Cookies From Browser and Devices?

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are Internet text files that identify your computer and your online activity. They consist of data bits, such as your username and password. However, 56% of Australians are unaware of the functionality of cookies, and for the ones that know – only 1.13% of Internet users manually clear cookies.

They target specific consumers to improve online browsing. Upon connection, servers build cookie data and tag it with a unique ID belonging to you and your machine. When your computer and the server exchange this cookie, the server reads the ID to provide you with individualized information.

What Are the Types of Cookies

Here are the 6 types of cookies:

1. Permanent Cookies

Persistent cookies, often known as “permanent cookies,” function long after your web browser has closed. You won’t have to type passwords and logins again since they can remember them. These cookies must be deleted by law after a year.

2. Session Cookies

Session cookies,  known as “temporary cookies,” help websites identify users and the information they have given while a user is navigating the website. They only keep user data while on the website; these cookies disappear once the browser is closed. These are frequently used on e-commerce or shopping websites.

3. Flash Cookies

Flash cookies—or “super cookies”—perform independently of web browsers and are designed to remain on a user’s machine for life. They persist in contrast to conventional cookies even after all other cookies have been deleted from the web browser.

4. First-party Cookies

The website users visits (the domain displayed in the browser’s address bar) sets up first-party cookies. These cookies aid website owners in collecting statistics, saving language choices, and other duties that improve user experience.

5. Third-party Cookies

Third-party cookies are made by other parties to collect particular information from internet users, frequently for study into purchasing habits, demographics, or behavior. Advertisers typically employ these cookies to guarantee precise audience targeting for their goods and services.

6. Zombie Cookies

As a type of flash cookies, these come back to life after being deleted by users. They are, therefore, challenging to discover or manage. They are frequently employed in online games to prevent cheating, but they have also been misused to install dangerous software on a user’s device or for other harmful objectives.

Is It a Good Idea to Remove All Cookies?

According to a study by JupiterResearch, about 40% of Internet users erase cookies from their main PCs at least once a month. Here’s why you should consider deleting cookies:

1. Your Online Information Is Private

Websites cannot monitor your visits or create a digital profile of you if cookies are disabled. As a result, you should expect to see less-tailored adverts.

2. Fewer Biases of Search View

Clearing your cookies can be helpful to enhance your privacy while using your device. This prevents website hosts from using long-lasting cookies, known as persistent cookies, and safeguards your privacy while sharing your device.

3. Regain Online Privacy

Your privacy may be improved by clearing your cookies. It increases your privacy when sharing your device and protects you from persistent cookies, which are long-lasting cookies used by website hosts.

When to Delete Cookies?

The amount of time you should spend deleting the cache and cookies in your browser depends on your surfing patterns, the websites you frequent, and your privacy concerns. Try to do this, in general, at least once every month. It’s better to delete cookies more frequently if you have:

  • Sluggish or crashing browsers.
  • Issues with websites.
  • out-of-date information.
  • storage space restrictions.
  • Privacy concerns.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to delete the cache and cookies if you want to remove a specific history or activity.

How to Delete Cookies From Browser and Devices?

According to a study conducted in June 2021, approximately 61% of participants from the United Kingdom mentioned that they consistently agreed to all cookies when prompted by websites about cookies. However, deleting site cookies might be essential in a few cases.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Chrome

Here’s how you to delete cookies on Chrome:

  1. Launch the Google Chrome browser on your PC.
  • To access the menu, click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  • Choose “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
  • Scroll down to Privacy and Security. It can be found on the Settings tab by scrolling down.
  • Click “Clear Browsing Data” under “Privacy and Security,” then click “Open Clear Browsing Data.”
  1. Select a Time Range.
  • A box will show up. You may decide the period you wish to delete cookies for.
  • Choose from: “Last hour,” “Last 24 hours,” “Last 7 days,” “Last 4 weeks,” or “All time.”
  • Choose cookies and other site data: Place a check next to “Cookies and other site data.”
  1. Clear Data.
  • If required, you may also choose from different categories of data.
  • After deciding what to remove, select “Clear data” by clicking the button.
  • You will be prompted with a pop-up window to confirm the action. To continue, click “Clear”.
  • Chrome will delete the specified cookies and site data for the specified time frame.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Windows 10

  1. Open Settings.
  • To access the Windows Settings, click the “Start” button.
  • Open the “Settings” icon (or press the “Windows” key + “I”).
  • Navigate and open “Privacy.”
  1. Clear the browsing history.
  • In the left sidebar, click “Browsing history.”
  • Click the “Choose what to clear” box under Browsing History.
  1. Check site data and cookies.
  • There will be a list of data type names.
  • Find and click open Cookies and site data.
  • Click “Clear” once you’ve decided what needs to be deleted.
  • A confirmation prompt will show up. To confirm, click “Clear”.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Mac

You can clear site cookies from Safari on Mac. Here’s how to do it.

  1. Launch Safari on your Mac.
  • Find the Safari app from your apps list and launch the browser. Or, give a voice command to Siri for launching the Safari browser on your Mac.
  1. Clear the cache from the Menu bar. 
  • Click open the Menu bar.
  • Click Safari, followed by launching preferences.
  • Open the privacy tab > Manage Website Data.

You will see a list of the cookies and website cache your Safari browser has saved here.

  1. Delete cookies from Safari.
  • Now that you see that pop-up, click Remove all if you want to clear all cookies. Or, you can clear specific browsing history.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on iPhone

Here’s how to clear cache and cookies on your iPhone:

  1. Navigate to Safari.
  • The “Safari” option may be found by scrolling down.
  • To access Safari settings, tap on it.
  • Go to the Safari settings and select “Clear History and Website Data.”
  1. Provide your confirmation.
  • A pop-up window requesting your confirmation will display. To continue, choose “Clear History and Data”.
  • Safari will delete all cookies, browsing history, and other website data on your iPhone.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Android Phone

  1. Open Chrome Browser.
  • Start your Android phone’s Google Chrome browser.
  • To access the settings menu, click or tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  • Choose “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
  • In the Settings menu, scroll down and select “Privacy.”
  1. Clear Browsing Data. 
  • Click “Clear Browsing Data” under Privacy.
  • Decide on Data Types.
  • A list of data kinds to clear will be shown. A checkmark should be placed next to “Cookies, site data.”
  1. Clear Data.
  • You may also decide to clear certain kinds of data. After deciding what to remove, click “Clear data” in the toolbar.
  • A prompt for confirmation will show up. To confirm, tap “Clear”.

Final Note

Despite all the pros, deleting cookies comes with a few risks, such as getting logged out of your online accounts and losing access to relevant ads or suggestions. However, clearing cookies has numerous benefits, such as faster browsing speed.

And it’s always best to clear the cache and delete all cookies. Meanwhile, a trusted VPN, like iProVPN, helps avoid location-specific ads and pop-ups. Elevate your online experience without risking your privacy.


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FAQs

  • Is it safe to delete cookies?

    To keep your device organized, delete all cookies at least once a month. Additionally, you must do this whenever your browser performance declines or you visit a dubious website. You will need to log in more than once, but it is worth it to protect your privacy.

  • How do I clear out my cookies?

    Here’s your answer to how to delete cookies. Most web browsers can delete your cookies and cache by pressing Ctrl-Shift-Delete (Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete (Mac).


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