How to Remove Cookies from a Samsung Phone

Clearing cookies on your Samsung phone can free up storage, fix website loading issues, and improve privacy by removing tracking data stored by browsers and apps. This guide covers the built-in Samsung Internet browser and Google Chrome, the two most common browsers on Samsung devices. You don’t need any special tools—just your phone and a few minutes.

What You’ll Need

• Your Samsung phone (any model running Android 9 or newer)
• Access to the Settings app and your browser’s menu
• A stable internet connection (optional, but helps if you need to re-login to sites)

Step-by-Step

For Samsung Internet Browser

1. Open the Samsung Internet app on your phone. It’s usually a globe icon with a blue background.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap Settings.
4. In the Settings menu, tap Privacy (or “Privacy and security” on some versions).
5. Tap Delete browsing data.
6. You’ll see a list of data types. Make sure Cookies and site data is checked. You can also check Cached images and files if you want to free up more space, but this is optional.
7. Tap Delete data at the bottom of the screen.
8. Confirm by tapping Delete on the popup. The cookies will be cleared.

For Google Chrome

1. Open the Chrome app on your Samsung phone.
2. Tap the three vertical dots (menu) in the top right corner.
3. Tap Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. Scroll down and tap Privacy and security.
5. Tap Clear browsing data.
6. At the top, choose a time range. Select All time to delete all cookies, or choose a specific period.
7. Make sure Cookies and site data is checked. Uncheck other items like browsing history if you don’t want to remove them.
8. Tap Clear data at the bottom.
9. Confirm by tapping Clear on the popup.

Clearing Cookies for a Specific Site (Samsung Internet)

1. Open Samsung Internet and go to the website whose cookies you want to delete.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right.
3. Tap the lock icon or info icon next to the website address.
4. Tap Site settings.
5. Tap Cookies and then Clear cookies.

Using the Phone’s Settings to Clear Cookies (for Samsung Internet)

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Tap Apps (or “Applications”).
3. Scroll down and tap Samsung Internet.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear data and then Clear cache. Note: This will also clear all browsing data, including bookmarks and saved passwords, so use it with caution.

Common Mistakes

• Not checking the right data type: In Chrome, if you don’t check “Cookies and site data,” you’ll only delete cache, not cookies. Double-check the checkbox.
• Choosing a short time range: In Chrome, if you select “Last hour” instead of “All time,” you’ll only remove recent cookies, leaving older ones intact.
• Clearing everything: Some users tap “Clear data” without unchecking other items like passwords or autofill, which can log you out and remove saved login info. Be selective.
• Using the wrong browser: If you use both Samsung Internet and Chrome, you need to clear cookies in each separately. Clearing one doesn’t affect the other.
• Forgetting app cookies: Cookies are also stored by apps that use embedded browsers. Clearing browser cookies won’t remove app-specific cookies. You’ll need to clear the app’s data or use the app’s own settings.

Tips

• Know what you’ll lose: Clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites and remove saved preferences like language or theme. You’ll need to log in again.
• Use private browsing: To avoid accumulating cookies in the future, use Samsung Internet’s Secret mode or Chrome’s Incognito mode. These don’t save cookies after you close the tab.
• Clear cookies regularly: Doing it once a month can help keep your phone running smoothly and reduce tracking.
• Backup passwords: Before clearing, make sure your passwords are saved in your Google account or Samsung Pass so you can easily log back in.
• Check site-specific issues: If a single website is misbehaving, clear cookies for just that site instead of wiping everything.

Troubleshooting

• Cookies aren’t clearing: If the delete button doesn’t work or cookies reappear, restart your phone and try again. If that fails, force-stop the browser app (Settings > Apps > [Browser] > Force stop) and then clear cookies.
• Websites still remember you: Some sites use other storage like local storage or fingerprinting. Clearing cookies may not fully reset your identity. Try clearing cached images and files as well.
• Browser is slow after clearing: This is normal because the browser has to re-download assets. Give it a few minutes; it should speed up again.
• Accidentally deleted everything: If you cleared passwords and bookmarks, you may be able to restore them from a backup. Samsung Smart Switch or Google backup can restore data if you had it enabled.
• Can’t find the menu: Samsung Internet’s menu is at the bottom right, but if you’ve changed the layout, it might be at the top right. Look for the three lines or dots icon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?

No, clearing cookies alone does not delete saved passwords. Passwords are stored separately in your browser’s password manager or Google account. However, if you also check “Passwords” in the clear data options, they will be removed.

Do I need to clear cookies on both Samsung Internet and Chrome?

Yes, cookies are stored per browser. If you use both browsers, you’ll need to clear cookies in each one separately to remove all cookies from your phone.

Will clearing cookies log me out of apps?

No, clearing browser cookies does not affect app logins. Apps store their own data separately. However, if an app uses an embedded browser to show web content, it may have its own cookie storage that you’d need to clear via the app’s settings.

How often should I clear cookies?

There’s no strict rule, but clearing them once a month is a good balance between privacy and convenience. If you notice websites loading slowly or showing outdated content, clear them more often.

Can I clear cookies for just one website?

Yes, both Samsung Internet and Chrome allow you to clear cookies for a specific site. In Samsung Internet, go to the site, tap the menu, then the lock icon, and choose “Site settings.” In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > All sites, find the site, and tap “Clear data.”

What’s the difference between cookies and cache?

Cookies are small files that store login info and preferences. Cache is a collection of images, scripts, and other parts of websites that help them load faster. Clearing both is often recommended, but you can clear one without the other.

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