Cookies are small data files that websites store on your iPhone to remember information about you, such as your login details or browsing preferences. While they can enhance your browsing experience, they can also track your online activity and take up storage space over time. Clearing cookies on your iPhone is a simple way to protect your privacy and improve your device’s performance. This guide will walk you through various methods to clear cookies and manage your browsing data in Safari on your iPhone.
Clearing History, Cookies, and Cache in One Step
This is the most comprehensive method to clear your browsing data in Safari. It removes your browsing history, cookies, and cached files all at once.
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Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
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Scroll down and tap Safari.
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In the Safari settings, find and tap Clear History and Website Data.
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A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap Clear History and Data to proceed.
It’s important to note that clearing history, cookies, and browsing data will not affect your AutoFill information. If the “Clear History and Website Data” button is grayed out, it indicates that there is no history or website data to clear, or you might have web content restrictions enabled in Screen Time settings.
How to Clear Cookies and Cache While Keeping History
If you prefer to keep your browsing history but want to clear cookies and cache, you can do so through Safari’s advanced settings.
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Go to Settings app, then tap Safari.
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Scroll down and tap Advanced.
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Tap Website Data.
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Tap Remove All Website Data at the bottom of the screen.
Similar to the previous method, if the “Remove All Website Data” button is gray, it means there is no website data to clear, or restrictions are in place.
Deleting Specific Websites from Your Safari History
Safari also allows you to delete history for specific websites instead of clearing everything.
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Open the Safari app on your iPhone.
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Tap the Bookmarks icon (it looks like an open book) at the bottom of the screen.
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Tap the History icon (clock icon).
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Tap Edit at the bottom right corner.
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Select the website(s) you want to remove from your history by tapping the circle next to them.
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Tap Delete at the bottom right corner to remove the selected website history.
Blocking Cookies on Your iPhone Safari
If you prefer to prevent websites from storing cookies on your iPhone in the first place, you can block cookies in Safari settings.
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Navigate to Settings > Safari.
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Scroll down to the Privacy & Security section.
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Toggle Block All Cookies to turn it on (green).
Blocking all cookies can impact your browsing experience. Some websites may not function correctly, and you might encounter issues like being unable to log in, seeing cookie-related error messages, or experiencing broken site features. Consider blocking cookies selectively or using content blockers for a more balanced approach.
Enhancing Privacy with Content Blockers
Content blockers are third-party apps available on the App Store that offer more advanced control over content in Safari, including blocking cookies, images, pop-ups, and other resources.
- Download a content blocker app from the App Store. Search for terms like “content blocker” or “ad blocker.”
- After installation, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions.
- Enable the content blocker you downloaded by toggling it on.
You can use multiple content blockers simultaneously to customize your browsing experience and enhance your privacy. If you need assistance with a specific content blocker, it’s best to contact the app developer for support.
Clearing cookies on your iPhone is a straightforward process that can help maintain your privacy and optimize your device’s performance. By following these methods, you can effectively manage cookies and browsing data in Safari, tailoring your settings to your preferences and needs.
