Clearing Caches & Cookies in Multiple Browsers

 

Users require websites to load in a blink of an eye. Web browsers play their role in speeding up the web page loading process by caching content and files whenever you first visit a website. But there might be instances when browsers continue to serve cache even if the web page or content has been modified. When this happens, users encounter errors, or they may continue to see older content. To overcome such problems, you need to clear cookies and cache for a seamless browsing experience.

For the uninitiated, cache refers to the portion of your system’s hard drive that is dedicated to storing browser files. Without this feature, your browser will operate slowly because whenever you visit a website for the first time, your browser will have to download large files from scratch each time. These files include background images, website logos, fonts, and technical aspects like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. The cache stores these items locally so that your future visits to the website are quicker.

On the other hand, cookies are simple text files that websites store on your computer. They are specifically designed to save website login details, identify users, or create personalized web pages tailored to individual preferences.

In this guide, you will learn the steps needed to clear the cookies and cache on different web browsers. You will also learn the reasons why it is prudent to clear them.

Clearing Cache and Cookies on Different Web Browsers

• On Safari

To clear cookies on Mac, you have to open Safari and go to Preferences. Click the Privacy tab and select Manage Website Data. Then, click Remove all and click Remove Now. Navigate to the Safari menu and choose Quit to close the browser. Save your changes.

To delete Safari history for iOS, you have to go to Settings on your device and scroll down to the Safari menu. Next, tap Clear History and Website Data, and then tap Clear History and Data. When the cookies and cache have been cleared, the Clear History and Website Data button will turn gray.

• On Google Chrome

For deleting history on Chrome, click the Tools menu or the three dotted lines on the screen’s upper-right corner. Then, click on History and select Clear Browsing Data. Next, you have to choose the Time Range, and if you want to clear all the cookies and cache, you can choose All Time. Then, check-mark Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Finally, click Clear Data.

Suppose you are using a Windows computer, close and reopen the Chrome browser and save your changes. If you are using a Mac computer, head to the Chrome menu and select Quit to allow the changes to take effect.

On your iOS device, you can clear Chrome history by opening the browser and tapping the menu bar. Then, select Settings and choose Privacy. Select Cookies Site Data and Cached Images and Files. You can set the Time Range, and to delete them all, select All Time. Then, click Clear Browsing Data. You have to confirm your selection again.

• On Firefox

Open Firefox and click on the Tools bar. Then, click on Options (it is labeled Preferences on Mac systems). On the menu, choose Privacy & Security, and under the Cookies and Site Data option, choose Clear Data. Finally, click on Clear Now to delete the data.

When using the browser on a Windows computer, you have to close Firefox and reopen it for the changes to take effect. On your Mac system, you have to navigate to the Firefox menu and choose Quit.

If you are using Microsoft Edge, you can delete Cache and Cookies by going to Settings.

Reasons to Clear Cache and Cookies

You need to clear cache files to:

• Maximize the performance of your computer. Depending on your settings, these files can take up significant disk space and impact your browsing experience. It can also make your system lag.
• Fix browser errors. Sometimes, certain websites might not load or show error messages. Clearing cache can solve such problems.

You need to clear cookies to:

• Enhance the security of your computer and browsing experience. Hijackers can hijack cookies and gain access to your browsing sessions. They can steal your personal Alldata.
• Protect your personal information because cookies collect such information to provide users with a personalized browsing experience.
• Speed things up. When your computer has accumulated several cookies, it will slow things down, and you need to clear them to speed up your system.

The Bottom Line

If your computer is lagging or your browser is showing error messages when visiting certain websites, it can help to clear the cookies and cache. Follow the steps mentioned above, and it will help you to remove these files from multiple browsers.