Clearing cookies and cache takes under a minute. You can remove cookies in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox directly from each browser's Privacy and Security settings.
Targeting a single site is possible. All three browsers let you clear cookies for one specific website without wiping your session data everywhere else, which is useful when just one website is acting up.
Your saved passwords stay safe. Clearing cookies removes site data and login sessions, but passwords stored in iCloud Keychain or a password manager are unaffected.
Do it monthly for best results. Regular cookie clearing speeds up page loading, fixes odd login or styling bugs, and removes third-party trackers that follow you across the web.
CleanMyMac clears all browsers in one click. Instead of repeating the process in each browser, CleanMyMac scans and removes cookies, cache, and privacy items from every browser at once in seconds. Available on Setapp. Try it free for 7 days.
A quick answer: you can clear cookies and cache in each browser's Privacy and Security settings manually or use a cleanup app to remove them all in one click.
Here's a breakdown of the fastest ways to do it, with detailed instructions given below:
Or get CleanMyMac as a standalone app for $9.95 USD/mo.
How to clear cookies and cache in Safari
You can clear cookies in Safari via the Privacy settings. Here’s how you do it:
Open Safari.
From the menu bar, choose Safari > Settings.
Click the Privacy tab > Manage Website Data.
Click Remove All (or pick individual sites and hit Remove).
Confirm when Safari asks.
How to clear cookies and cache in Google Chrome
To clear cookies and cache in Chrome:
Open Chrome.
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Choose Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.
Set the time range to All time (or your preferred span).
Select Cookies and other site data plus Cached images and files.
Click Delete data.
Shortcut: Command + Shift + Delete opens the Clear Browsing Data window instantly. Saves you the trouble of going through all the menus over and over again.
How to clear cookies and cache in Firefox
You can clear your Firefox browser data in the Privacy and Security settings. Follow these steps:
Open Firefox.
Click Settings in the menu bar > Privacy and Security.
Under Browsing data, click Clear browsing data.
Source: Mozilla Support
Keep both Cookies and site data and Temporary cached files and pages checked.
Click Clear, then confirm.
Firefox also lets you set automatic cookie clearing when you quit the browser. It's under the same Privacy and security section if you want hands-free maintenance.
The easiest way to delete cookies on Mac
While you can clear cookies manually in each browser, you can also use CleanMyMac to remove cookies from all of the browsers in one click.
CleanMyMac is a full Mac maintenance toolkit that actually goes beyond cookies and cache. It clears system junk, removes downloaded Mail attachments, and even scans for malware. I've used it for years, and it always helps keep my Mac running smoothly.
Here’s how to remove cookies from your system with CleanMyMac:
Install and open CleanMyMac.
Choose My Tools in the sidebar.
Scroll down to find Privacy Items and click Scan.
Review the scan results and select the items you want removed.
Click Remove.
It’s also easy to clear cache files with CleanMyMac. Here’s how to do it:
Click Cleanup in the sidebar > Click Scan.
Click Review under System Junk Found.
Select the Cache Files you want removed.
Click Clean Up.
Cookies and cache are just the starting point. CleanMyMac also runs a Smart Care routine that checks your system health, clears junk across macOS, flags malware, and more. I run it monthly, and it's become my go-to before anything else when my Mac starts feeling slow.
If your Mac feels sluggish even after a cleanup, the issue might be memory. Check out the best RAM cleaners for Mac to consider alongside CleanMyMac.
Clear cookies for specific websites only
Sometimes you don't want to clear everything. Maybe one website is acting up, but you want to stay logged into others. Here's how to target specific websites:
In Safari: In the Manage Website Data window (Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data), type the website name in the search box. Choose it and click Remove.
In Chrome: Go to Privacy and security > Open Third-party cookies > Click See all site data and permissions. There, search the problematic website and click the trash icon next to it.
In Firefox: Open Privacy and Security > Under Browsing data, click Clear data for specific sites. From there, search for the website you want to clear, choose it, and click Remove Selected.
This way, all the cookies you don’t want removed stay intact.
Why clear cookies and cache?
Cookies keep you signed in and remember website preferences, but they also pile up, eat storage, and can track you across the web. Clearing them now and then gives you a fresh start without deleting your bookmarks.
Here's what you actually gain from doing it regularly:
Speed up page loading when old files conflict with updated website code
Fix odd login or styling issues caused by stale cache
Remove third-party trackers for extra privacy
Free a surprising chunk of disk space on your Mac
I clear my browser data monthly to keep things running smoothly. It takes just a minute and makes a noticeable difference in browser performance.
Clear cookies, keep your Mac fast
Clearing cookies and cache takes just a minute but makes your browsing faster and more private. Whether you go browser by browser through Safari, Chrome, and Firefox settings or let CleanMyMac handle them all in one scan, regular maintenance keeps your Mac running at its best.
CleanMyMac is available with a Setapp Membershipalongside 270+ other Mac and iOS apps, or as a standalone app if you only need the one tool. Either way, you get a 7-day free trial to start. Try it free.
FAQ
Why should I clear cookies on my Mac?
Old cookies can slow your browser, eat storage, and let sites track you. Clearing them frees space and helps protect your privacy. You'll just need to sign in to your favorite sites again.
How do I clear cookies in Safari on Mac?
Open Safari and choose Safari > Settings > Privacy.
Click Manage Website Data.
Choose a website and hit Remove, or choose Remove All to wipe everything.
Confirm, then close the window.
Does clearing cookies delete my saved passwords?
No. Cookies store site data, not the passwords saved in iCloud Keychain or another password manager. After you clear cookies, websites may ask you to log in again, but your stored passwords are still there to autofill.
How do I clear my system cache on a Mac quickly?
You can dig into ~/Library/Caches and delete folders by hand, but the safer route is to run an all-in-one tool like CleanMyMac (available in Setapp). It scans system, user, and browser caches and removes only the files you no longer need. No guesswork required.
How often should I clear cookies and cache?
Once a month is enough for most people. Do it sooner if pages load slowly, ads feel too targeted, or you're troubleshooting a website issue.
Can I remove cookies for just one website in Safari?
Yes. In Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data, type the site's name, choose it, and click Remove. Everything else stays untouched.
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