How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge
A page that won't load right is often fixed by clearing the cache. Here's how to do it in every major browser, and how to avoid signing yourself out of everything.
To clear your cache, open your browser’s privacy or history settings, choose Delete browsing data (Chrome and Edge), Clear Data (Firefox) or Clear History (Safari), pick a time range, tick cached images and files and, if needed, cookies, then confirm. On Windows, Ctrl+Shift+Delete opens the dialog in Chrome, Edge and Firefox; on a Mac, use Cmd+Shift+Delete in Chrome and Firefox.
Clearing only the cache is harmless. Clearing cookies signs you out of most websites, so do that only when you need to.
Cache vs cookies: what’s the difference?
| Cache | Cookies and site data | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Saved copies of images, scripts and pages so sites load faster | Small files that remember logins, preferences and cart contents |
| Clearing it fixes | Pages that look broken, outdated or won’t update; some loading errors | Login loops, “too many redirects” errors, stuck settings, some tracking |
| What you lose | Nothing important; sites load a little slower the first time | You’re signed out of sites, and site preferences reset |
Clearing cache and cookies does not delete saved passwords, bookmarks or autofill data unless you tick those boxes too.
Tip: before clearing everything, try a hard refresh on the problem page: Ctrl+Shift+R (or Ctrl+F5) on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on a Mac. It reloads the page without using the cache.
Google Chrome
Chrome on Windows, Mac and Chromebook
- Click the three-dot menu at the top-right, then Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Delete browsing data (or press Ctrl+Shift+Delete / Cmd+Shift+Delete).
- Choose a Time range. Pick “All time” to clear everything.
- Tick Cached images and files, and Cookies and other site data if needed.
- Click Delete data.
Google’s official instructions are on Chrome Help. Older Chrome versions call this “Clear browsing data”.
Chrome on Android and iPhone
- Tap the three-dot menu (bottom-right on iPhone, top-right on Android).
- Tap Delete browsing data. If you don’t see it, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.
- Choose the time range and tick Cached images and files and/or Cookies, site data. On some versions, tap More options first.
- Tap Delete data.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox on Windows, Mac and Linux
- Click the menu button (three lines) and choose Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security and scroll to Cookies and Site Data (some versions label it Browsing data).
- Click Clear Data, tick Temporary cached files and pages and/or Cookies and site data, and confirm with Clear.
To limit it to a time range, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac) to open Clear browsing data and cookies instead. To remove one site only, use Manage Data in the same settings section and search for the site.
Firefox on Android and iPhone
- Tap the menu button, then Settings.
- On Android, tap Delete browsing data. On iPhone, tap Data Management.
- Select Cached images and files and/or Cookies, then confirm.
Apple Safari
Safari on Mac
- To clear only one site’s data, choose Safari > Settings (Preferences on older macOS), click Privacy, then Manage Website Data. Select the site and click Remove, or Remove All to clear every site’s cookies and cache.
- To clear history, cookies and cache together, choose History > Clear History, pick a time range and click Clear History. This also removes your browsing history.
For a cache-only clear, enable the Develop menu (Safari > Settings > Advanced and tick the option to show features for web developers), then choose Develop > Empty Caches.
Safari on iPhone and iPad
- On iOS 18 and later, open Settings > Apps > Safari. On iOS 17 and earlier, open Settings > Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data, choose a timeframe, and confirm. This removes history, cookies and cache.
- To keep your history but clear site data, go to Advanced > Website Data at the bottom of the Safari settings and tap Remove All Website Data, or swipe left on a single site.
Microsoft Edge
Edge on Windows and Mac
- Click the three-dot menu (Settings and more), then Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services, then find Delete browsing data and click Choose what to clear (or press Ctrl+Shift+Delete).
- Pick a time range, tick Cached images and files and/or Cookies and other site data, and click Clear now.
Edge can also clear data automatically each time you close the browser: in the same section, open Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
Edge on Android and iPhone
- Tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Tap Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.
- Choose the items and time range, then tap Delete data (or Clear now).
What clearing fixes, and what it doesn’t
Usually fixed: pages showing old content, broken layouts after a site update, images not loading, endless login loops, “too many redirects” errors and some video playback glitches.
Not fixed: slow internet, malware, problems caused by a browser extension, or a website that’s actually down. To test extensions, open a private or incognito window (extensions are usually off there); if the problem disappears, disable extensions one by one.
Clearing cookies also removes some tracking data, but trackers can rebuild profiles quickly. For ongoing privacy, use your browser’s tracking protection settings or private windows instead of clearing repeatedly.
Bottom line
Clear the cache first when a page misbehaves; it’s safe and fast. Clear cookies only if the problem involves signing in or site settings, and expect to log back in afterward. Leave passwords and autofill unticked unless you really mean to remove them.
FAQ
Will clearing my cache delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are a separate checkbox. Only tick “Passwords” if you want them deleted.
How often should I clear my browser cache?
There’s no need to do it on a schedule. Clear it when a site is misbehaving or when you’re freeing up storage on a nearly full device. Phone short on space? See how to free up storage on iPhone or Android.
Can I clear cookies for just one website?
Yes. Click the icon to the left of the address bar on the site in Chrome or Edge and look for cookies or site data, use Manage Data in Firefox, or Manage Website Data in Safari.
Does clearing the cache make my browser faster?
Not usually. The cache exists to speed things up, so sites may load slightly slower right after clearing until it rebuilds.
