Cookies and other website data can remember sign-ins, preferences, shopping carts, and tracking information. Clearing them can help troubleshoot a website or remove stored browsing data, but it can also sign you out of sites.
Clear Safari History and Website Data
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Choose the timeframe and other available options.
- Confirm.
Remove Website Data Without Clearing All History
- Open Settings > Apps > Safari.
- Tap Advanced.
- Tap Website Data.
- Remove the individual site data you do not want, or use the option to remove all website data.
What Changes After You Clear Cookies?
Sites may forget that you were signed in, preferences can reset, and shopping carts may be emptied. Saved credentials managed through Apple’s Passwords system are separate from ordinary Safari cookies, so clearing website data should not be confused with deleting all of your saved passwords.
Chrome, Firefox, and Other Browsers
Safari’s controls do not clear the private browsing data maintained by every other browser. If you use another browser, open that browser’s own history or privacy controls and clear the data there.
Block All Cookies?
Safari provides privacy protections, but broadly blocking required website data can prevent some sites from working correctly. Clearing problem data is often a better troubleshooting step than trying to prevent every site from storing anything.
When Should You Clear Cookies?
Clearing cookies is most useful when a particular site has a broken login, repeatedly loads an old session, or when you intentionally want to remove stored browsing data. It is not necessary to erase cookies on a schedule simply to keep an iPhone working normally.