How to Clear Browser Cache: Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox
How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox on computer and phone, with step-by-step paths and tips on what you lose when you clear them.
This guide is general information only, not professional financial, legal or technical advice. Menus and rules can vary by device and country.
To clear your browser cache, open your browser's settings, find the option to delete or clear browsing data, tick "cached images and files" (and "cookies" if needed), pick a time range, and confirm. Every major browser has this option, usually under privacy or history settings.
Clearing the cache fixes many common problems, such as pages that look broken, old content that won't update, or sites that won't load correctly. Below are the exact steps for each browser.
Quick answer
- Chrome (computer): More (three dots) > Delete browsing data > choose a time range > tick Cached images and files > Delete data.
- Edge: Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear.
- Firefox: Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security > Browsing data > Clear Data.
- Safari (iPhone): Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Safari (Mac): Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.
- Tip: Clearing cookies signs you out of many websites, so have your passwords ready.
Cache vs cookies: what are you deleting?
Before you start, it helps to know what each type of data does. You can clear one without the other.
| Data type | What it is | What happens when you clear it |
|---|---|---|
| Cache (cached images and files) | Copies of images and page files saved to load sites faster | Pages may load a bit slower the first time; display glitches often disappear |
| Cookies and site data | Small files sites use to remember you, your login and preferences | You get signed out of many sites; saved site preferences reset |
| Browsing history | List of pages you visited | Address bar suggestions and history list are cleared |
| Saved passwords and autofill | Logins and form entries the browser remembers | You'll need to type them again; usually leave this unticked |
If a website is acting strangely, start by clearing only the cache. If that doesn't fix it, clear cookies too.
How to clear cache in Google Chrome
On a computer
- Open Chrome.
- Click the More icon (three dots) at the top right.
- Choose Delete browsing data.
- Pick a time range, such as Last hour or All time.
- Tick Cached images and files. Tick Cookies and other site data if you also want to clear cookies.
- Click Delete data.
Shortcut: type "Delete browsing data" in the address bar and select the action chip that appears.
If you're signed in to Chrome with sync turned on, clearing data can remove it from your other synced devices too.
On Android
- Open Chrome and tap the More icon next to the address bar.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Tap More options to choose exactly what to delete, or pick a time range.
- Tick the items you want, then tap Delete data.
Chrome on Android may default to a short time range, so check it before you confirm. Clearing cookies in Chrome does not sign you out of your Google Account.
How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge
- Select Settings and more (the three dots) at the top right.
- Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Find Clear browsing data and select Choose what to clear next to Clear browsing data now.
- Under Time range, choose a period from the drop-down menu.
- Tick Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data. Untick anything you want to keep.
- Select Clear now.
If sync is on, Edge clears the data on all synced devices. To clear only the current device, turn off sync first under Settings > Profiles > Sync.
How to clear cache in Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu button and select Settings.
- Open the Privacy & Security panel.
- In the Browsing data section, click Clear Data (some versions say "Clear browsing data").
- Set the When drop-down to Everything if you want to clear the whole cache.
- To clear only the cache, make sure only Temporary cached files and pages is ticked.
- Click Clear.
You can also open History > Clear Recent History from the menu. The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + Del on Windows and Linux, or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac.
Firefox can also clear the cache automatically every time you close it. In Privacy & Security, under History, choose custom settings and turn on Clear history when Firefox closes, then pick what to clear.
How to clear cache in Safari
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then Safari.
- Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Choose a timeframe, then tap Clear History.
This removes history, cookies and cached data, but your AutoFill information stays. If you want to keep your history and only remove cookies and cache, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data and tap Remove All Website Data, then Remove Now.
On a Mac
- Open Safari.
- Choose Safari > Settings from the menu bar, then click Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data.
- Select specific sites and click Remove, or click Remove All.
To clear your browsing history on a Mac as well, choose History > Clear History and pick how far back to go. Removing website data may sign you out of sites.
Menu names can change slightly between browser versions, but the options are almost always under privacy, history or browsing data settings.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
Clearing everything when you only needed the cache. Ticking every box wipes saved passwords and autofill data. Unless you want a full reset, leave passwords unticked.
Forgetting about sync. In Chrome, Edge and Safari with iCloud, clearing data on one device can clear it on others. Turn off sync first if you only want to clean one device.
The site still looks broken. Try clearing data for "All time" instead of a short range. If it still fails, test the site in a private window or another browser to see if the problem is the site itself.
The "Clear" button is grayed out on iPhone. There may be no data to clear, or Screen Time content restrictions may be blocking it.
You got signed out of everything. This is expected after clearing cookies. A password manager makes signing back in easy. See our tips on how to create a strong password.
The page still won't load. The problem may be your connection, not your browser. Our guide on fixing Wi-Fi that won't connect walks through network fixes. If your whole computer feels sluggish, read how to speed up a slow computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to clear my browser cache?
Yes. The cache only holds temporary copies of website files, and the browser rebuilds it as you browse. The main side effect is that some pages load a little slower the first time you visit them again.
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
No, not unless you also tick the saved passwords option. Clearing cookies signs you out of websites, but the passwords your browser remembers stay saved if you leave that box unticked.
How often should I clear my cache?
There's no set schedule. Most people only need to clear it when a site behaves oddly, after a website update doesn't appear, or when they want to remove tracking data for privacy.
Does clearing cache free up storage space?
It can free some space, especially on phones, because cached files add up over time. The browser will gradually build a new cache as you browse, so the gain is temporary. For bigger savings, see our guide on how to free up phone storage.
Does private or incognito mode save cache?
Private windows keep cookies and cache only while the window is open. When you close all private windows, that data is discarded, so you don't need to clear it manually.