Your Android Phone’s Cache and Cookies Build Up Fast. How to Clean Them Out

If you Android phone Google Chrome, Firefox or Samsung Internet uses, collects and saves your browser data every time you surf the Internet. This information makes up your cookies and cache, and helps your phone quickly log into your accounts and load frequently visited websites.

But this data eventually accumulates and takes up space on your phone, while also likely including cookies Tracking your browsing history with the intention of providing personalized advertising. (I saw an ad for glasses afterwards Visit some online stores to compare prices and styles, as well as for cruises after considering some possible short breaks.)

It doesn’t hurt to occasionally delete this data to keep your web browser lean and efficient and ideally to save as few tracking cookies as possible.

On Android, the steps are slightly different depending on the type of phone and web browser app you’re using, so below we’ll cover how to clear this data for the Google Chrome browser (often the default setting for many Android phones such as Google Chrome). the google pixel line), Samsung’s Internet browser (often the default setting is on the Galaxy phone series) and Mozilla’s Firefox browser. You can also read our separate guide on how to do this Clear your cache in an iPhone web browser in case you need to clear out a few Apple devices as well.

Google Chrome

You can clear your cookies and cache in the Android version of Google Chrome by first tapping More button in the upper-right corner of the browser, indicated by a column of three dots, and then tap storythen Clear browser data. You can also access it via Chrome settings menu, tap privacy and security and then Clear browser data.

Chrome also offers basic and Progressive Preferences for deleting your Browser history, Cookies and Website Data and Cached images and files. You can use the… Period of time Drop-down menu to choose if you want to delete all history or a selection from the last 24 hours up to the last four weeks. Beat Progressive will also give you access to delete Saved Passwords, Autofill form data and page settings. After choosing what you want to delete, tap on the blue delete data Button. You may get an additional prompt if Chrome ranks certain websites as “important” for you, and if so, you’ll be given the option to confirm before deleting. Otherwise, if you don’t get this prompt, Chrome will immediately proceed with deleting as you instructed.

Continue reading: Ditch Google Chrome and use this privacy-focused browser instead

Samsung internet

There are two different ways to clear the cache and cookie data of your Samsung internet browser. You can delete it yourself in the browser or go to your phone’s Settings app.

To delete, first tap on the Samsung Internet Browser app radio button in the lower right corner, represented by three horizontal lines, then settings; scroll down and tap Personal datathen tap Clear browser data to get a menu of delete options. You can delete yours Browser history, Cookies and Website Data, Cached images and files, passwords and Fill out forms automatically in any combination. After typing delete datayou will then get a prompt asking you to confirm your choice before deleting.

Going through the browser app itself offers the most customization of what you want to delete. However, if you want to access similar options from your phone’s settings menu, open the settings app and tap applicationsthen scroll down to and tap on it Samsung internet and then storage.

At the bottom of the store you get separate options too clear cache and delete data. Beat clear cache will clear the cache immediately, but delete data brings up a command prompt warning you that all of the application’s data will be permanently deleted, including files, settings, accounts, and databases. Although no cookies are specified, this “going nuclear” approach should zap any remaining data, allowing you to restart Samsung’s internet browser as if it were brand new.

Continue reading: Change these Android settings to get the most out of your phone

Mozilla Firefox

Similar to Google Chrome, you can clear the cookies and cache in the Mozilla Firefox Android app. To access this feature, tap More button to the right of the address bar, again symbolized by three vertically aligned dots. Then tap settings and scroll down to Clear browser data.

Of the three browsers we discuss here, Firefox gives you the most options at Clear browser data Menu that also allows you to delete existing ones open tabsyour Browser history and location data, Website Permissions and even yours Downloads folder next to it Cookies and Cached images and files.

While you can’t choose a time period like Chrome, you can be more specific about what type of data you want removed.

Continue reading: Browser privacy settings to change them as soon as possible in Firefox, Chrome and Safari

And Firefox has an additional option for those who never want to keep their browsing data after they’re done using the app. Within the settings is a Clear browsing data on exit Option that tells Firefox to clear any combination of these same settings every time you exit the application. It’s a useful feature if you want to keep the browser tidy and, for example, want to prevent accidentally sharing your browsing history with someone who may have stolen or otherwise gained access to your phone.

For more information, see Everything you need to know Google’s new Android 13 operating systemincluding how to download the beta. Also take a look at the CNET list of the best android apps and some Settings you want to change on your current phone.