How to Clear Cookies in Google Chrome

Clearing cookies in Google Chrome removes the small files websites store on your device, which can fix login issues, free up storage, and reset tracking data. This guide walks you through clearing cookies on desktop and mobile, with options for clearing everything or just specific sites. You only need your Chrome browser and, for some steps, access to the site you want to keep logged into.

What You’ll Need

• Google Chrome installed on your computer, Android phone, or iPhone/iPad
• If you clear all cookies, you’ll need your passwords or a password manager to log back into sites

Step-by-Step

On Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook)

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three vertical dots menu in the top-right corner of the browser window.
3. Hover over More tools and click Clear browsing data. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows/ChromeOS) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open the same window directly.
4. A pop-up window appears with two tabs: Basic and Advanced. On the Basic tab, set the Time range dropdown to All time if you want to remove every cookie, or choose a shorter period like Last hour or Last 7 days.
5. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Make sure Browsing history and Cached images and files are unchecked unless you also want to clear those.
6. Click the blue Clear data button. Chrome will remove the cookies and refresh any open tabs.

Clear Cookies for a Single Site (Desktop)

1. Open the website whose cookies you want to remove.
2. Click the padlock icon (or “Not secure” warning) in the address bar to the left of the URL.
3. Click Cookies in the drop-down panel.
4. A dialog lists the cookies for that site. Click the trash can icon next to each cookie, or click Remove all at the bottom.
5. Click Done, then reload the page. You’ll be logged out of that site only.

On Android

1. Open the Chrome app.
2. Tap the three vertical dots menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select History, then tap Clear browsing data at the top.
4. Set the Time range to All time or your preferred window.
5. Check Cookies and site data; uncheck anything else you don’t want to delete.
6. Tap Clear data and confirm if prompted.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Chrome app.
2. Tap the three horizontal dots menu at the bottom-right.
3. Tap History, then Clear browsing data.
4. Choose a Time range (e.g., All time).
5. Ensure Cookies, Site Data is checked.
6. Tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom, then confirm.

Common Mistakes

• Clearing the wrong time range: Choosing “Last hour” when you need to fix a week-old login issue won’t help. Use “All time” unless you’re sure the problem started recently.
• Deleting everything unintentionally: The Basic tab’s “Clear data” button also removes browsing history and cached files if those boxes are checked. Uncheck them if you only want cookies gone.
• Forgetting saved passwords: Clearing cookies does not delete saved passwords, but it logs you out everywhere. Make sure you know your passwords before clearing.
• Expecting cookies to fix a site that’s down: If a website itself is having server issues, clearing cookies won’t help. Check the site’s status page or try another browser first.

Tips

• Use Incognito Mode for one-off sessions: Incognito (Ctrl+Shift+N) doesn’t save cookies after you close the window, so you don’t need to clear them later.
• Set Chrome to auto-clear on exit: Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data, then toggle on “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows” to keep things tidy automatically.
• Whitelist sites you trust: In the same settings page, under “Always use cookies,” you can add sites that should keep cookies even when you clear everything else.
• Export bookmarks first: If you’re clearing cookies as part of a bigger cleanup, export your bookmarks (Bookmarks → Bookmark manager → ⋮ → Export) so you don’t lose navigation shortcuts if something goes wrong.

Troubleshooting

• Cookies keep coming back: If a site re-creates cookies immediately, it’s likely because you’re still logged in or the site sets them on every page load. Log out of the site, clear cookies again, then log back in.
• You get logged out of everything and can’t remember passwords: Use the “Forgot password” link on each site, or check your password manager if you use one. Chrome’s saved passwords are in Settings → Autofill → Password Manager.
• Clear data button is grayed out: This happens when no boxes are checked. Tick at least “Cookies and other site data” and the button will activate.
• Site still shows old data after clearing: Hard-refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+Shift+R (or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) to bypass the cache. If that fails, close the tab and reopen the site.
• Chrome sync re-adds cookies: If you’re signed into Chrome with a Google account, synced data may restore cookies on other devices. Temporarily turn off sync (Settings → You and Google → Sync and Google services → Manage sync) before clearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cookies log me out of websites?

Yes. Cookies are what keep you logged in. After clearing them, you’ll need to sign in again on every site you visit.

Does clearing cookies delete my passwords?

No. Passwords saved in Chrome’s password manager are stored separately and won’t be removed when you clear cookies.

What’s the difference between cookies and cache?

Cookies store login state, preferences, and tracking info. The cache stores images, scripts, and page files to speed up loading. Clearing cookies logs you out; clearing cache just makes pages reload slower once.

Can I clear cookies for just one site without losing others?

Yes. Use the padlock icon in the address bar on that site, click Cookies, and remove them individually, or use the “Remove all” button for that site only.

How often should I clear cookies?

There’s no fixed schedule. Clear them when you notice login problems, a site misbehaves, or you want to reduce tracking. Doing it monthly is a reasonable habit if you don’t use incognito.

Will clearing cookies speed up my browser?

It can help if you have thousands of cookies, but the effect is usually small. Clearing cached images and files has a bigger impact on speed, though it makes pages load slower the first time after clearing.

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