How to clear cookies and cache on iPhone or iPad
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Yes, cookies and cache help speed things up and provide a personalized online experience. However, they can also cause some issues, such as a slow iPhone or full storage disk. In this article, I’ll show you how to delete cookies on iPhone and clear cache. Plus, I’ll share some tips and app recommendations so you can always feel safe while enjoying your online journey.
Just a few words on why you can trust my advice. I've been a tech writer for almost a decade, and I love all things Apple. I work at a company with a lot of cool professionals in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, app development, and digital marketing, so you can trust that the tips and recommendations here are top-notch.
Why should you delete cookies on your iPhone?
If cookies help us daily by auto-filling forms, remembering login details, or providing personalized content, why get rid of them? There are several crucial reasons why it’s better to delete cookies on iPad or iPhone every now and then:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Protecting your privacy | Cookies monitor your online activity and collect data, allowing third parties to create detailed profiles of you. Deleting them enhances your privacy. |
| Preventing security risks | Cyber hackers can use cookie data to gain access to your personal information. Clearing cookies reduces the chances of security breaches involving sensitive data. |
| Freeing up storage space | Over time, cookies can take up significant storage space on your device. Deleting them frees up space for more important files. |
| Optimizing device performance | Cookies not only consume valuable gigabytes but also slow down your iPhone. Removing them improves both speed and overall performance. |
| Solving browser issues | Cookies can store corrupted data, causing website functionality issues. Clearing them may resolve these problems. |
How to remove cookies and cache from iPhone browsers?
Cookies and cache are stored in browsers, as this is where you spend time searching websites or doing online shopping. Each browser handles cookies differently, so I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process using the three most popular variants — Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.
How to clear cookies and cache on iPhone Safari
As Safari comes preinstalled on your iPhone, it’s a bit different from Chrome and Firefox in terms of dealing with cookies and cache, as you don’t even need to open its app. Here’s a detailed guide on how to delete cookies and clear cache (iPad and iPhone requires the same process):
- Open Settings, scroll down, and tap Safari.
- Scroll down and choose Clear History and Website Data.
- Confirm your choice by tapping Clear History and Data in a pop-up window.
In case you’d like to know how to erase cookies on iPhone and clear cache but keep your browsing history, here’s what you have to do:
- Open Settings, scroll down, and choose Safari.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Advanced.
- Choose Website Data to see a list of websites. To check the whole list, tap Show All Sites at the bottom of the left column. At the top of the right column, you’ll see the total amount of storage space all cookies and cache take up.
Find the name of the website which cookies and cache you’d like to delete, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. The list will likely be very long if you haven’t cleared it for a while. In that case, you can use the search bar at the top of your screen.
To delete all the cookies and cache, tap Remove All Website Data under the list. A piece of advice from my side: if you opened the whole list and it’s long, it’s better to go back and open Website Data once again. Otherwise, scrolling will take you forever.
How to remove cookies and cache from Chrome
If you prefer using Google Chrome to Safari, no worries; the process is just as easy. Simply follow these steps:
- Open the Google Chrome app and tap the three dots at the bottom right corner of your screen.
- Scroll down and choose Clear Browsing Data.
Select Cookies, Site Data and Cached Images and Files, then tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of the screen, and confirm your choice by choosing Clear Browsing Data.
Note that this process might also delete browsing history, saved passwords, or auto-fill data. Simply select the needed options on the last step.
While a VPN can’t block cookie trackers, it increases your cybersecurity and makes you harder to target by encrypting data and masking your IP address.
How to erase cookies and cache on Firefox
If your choice is Firefox, the steps for deleting cookies and cache are similar to those used for Chrome. Here’s how to do that:
Open the Firefox app, tap the three lines at the bottom right corner, and choose Settings.
Scroll down to the Privacy section, choose Data Management, and toggle on Cookies and Cache.
Tap Clear Private Data at the bottom of the screen, and confirm your choice by tapping OK.
If you’d like to delete cookies from specific websites, tap Web Site Data, select the needed options, tap Clear Items at the bottom of the screen, and confirm your choice by tapping OK.
How to disable cookies on your iPhone or iPad?
Browsers aren’t the only ones tracking your digital actions. Apps on your phone also collect information about your online activity. If that makes you feel unsafe and you want to know not only how to clear cookies on iPhone but also block their tracking, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings, scroll down, and tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Tracking to see all the apps that have asked permission to track your activity.
- Toggle off those apps you don’t want to use cookies.
In case you’ll change your mind later, you can always enable those apps to use cookies by toggling them on.
But wait, there’s more. If there are any pages you don’t want to block, you can add them to the Allow list instead of turning the app on and off all the time. And the best part is that AdLock allows you to watch YouTube videos ad-free!
Protect and declutter your digital life
Although every browser has its own method for clearing cookies and cache, you can easily manage them by following the step-by-step guides from this article. But if you feel that simply clearing these technical files isn’t enough, consider using the apps mentioned above — ClearVPN, CleanMy®Phone, and AdLock.
All of these apps are available through Setapp. So, why worry that your personal data might be stolen or the storage disk might be full when you can use these and 240+ more apps to power up your digital life? Especially when you can try all of them for free during the 7-day trial period.
How to get rid of cookies on iPhone FAQ
What happens if I clear all cookies on my iPhone?
You’ll be logged out of websites and lose any saved preferences or settings. This means you’ll need to re-enter login information and adjust your settings the next time you visit those pages.
Are cookies safe on an iPhone?
Generally, cookies are safe and useful, as they save your login details and remember your preferences. However, they can also track your browsing habits and store personal information. That’s why deleting cookies regularly can help protect your privacy and reduce the risk of any potential security issues.
Where are cookies on iPhone?
Cookies are stored within the browser you use on your iPhone, but they’re not in a specific visible location like your photos or files.
Does deleting cookies speed up an iPhone?
Yes, clearing cookies can help speed up your iPhone, especially website browsing. Over time, cookies and other website data can slow down your browser and take up storage space. That’s why clearing them can free up space and improve your phone’s performance.
How long do cookies last on an iPhone?
It depends on the settings of the websites you use on your iPhone. Some cookies are temporary and only last during your browsing session, while others can last for months or even years.
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