What clearing cache and cookies actually does
Cache is temporary data that apps and your browser store to load faster next time — things like images from websites you visited, login information, and app settings. Cookies are small files websites place on your phone to remember you, track your activity, or keep you logged in. Clearing both removes this stored data and forces your phone to download everything fresh the next time you use an app or visit a website.
You might clear cache and cookies to free up storage space, stop websites from tracking you, fix an app that is not working properly, or remove login information before selling or giving away your phone. The process is different depending on whether you want to clear data from your browser, a specific app, or your entire phone.
Key Takeaways
- Cache and cookies are stored separately — you can clear one without the other, though most people clear both at the same time.
- Clearing browser cache and cookies happens in your phone's Settings app under Apps or Application Manager, not in the browser itself.
- Apps like Chrome, Firefox, and Samsung Internet have their own cache clearing options inside the app if you want to clear only that browser's data.
- Clearing cache frees up storage space but does not delete your passwords or sign you out of accounts unless you also clear cookies.
- The exact steps vary slightly between Android versions and phone manufacturers, but the general path is always Settings > Apps > select an app > Storage > Clear Cache or Clear Data.
Clear cache and cookies from your browser through Settings
Open your phone's Settings app and scroll down to find Apps or Application Manager (the name depends on your phone brand and Android version). Tap it, then search for or scroll to find your browser — this is usually Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, or Edge.
Tap the browser name, then look for a button labeled Storage or Storage and Cache. You will see two options: Clear Cache and Clear Data (sometimes called Clear Storage). Tap Clear Cache to remove temporary files without signing you out. Tap Clear Data to also remove cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history — this will sign you out of websites and accounts.
If you only want to clear cookies and not cache, you cannot do that from Settings on most Android phones. Instead, open your browser app itself and look for Settings or Privacy options inside the app, which usually have a separate option for clearing cookies alone.
Clear cache and cookies from inside your browser app
If you use Chrome, open the app and tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data. A window will appear with checkboxes for Cookies and Site Data, Cached Images and Files, and other options. Check the boxes you want to clear, make sure the time range is set to All Time at the top, then tap Clear Data.
Firefox works similarly: open the app, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right, select Settings, then Delete Browsing Data. Check the boxes for Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content, then tap Delete Browsing Data.
Samsung Internet (on Samsung phones) uses a different path: tap the three-line menu, select Settings, then Privacy, then Delete Browsing Data. Check the boxes you want and tap Delete.
Clearing from inside the app is faster if you only want to clear that one browser's data and leave other apps untouched. It also gives you more control — you can choose to clear cookies without clearing cache, or vice versa.
Clear cache from individual apps
Apps like Instagram, Facebook, Gmail, and others store their own cache separate from your browser. If an app is running slowly or showing outdated information, clearing its cache often fixes the problem without deleting your account or settings.
Go to Settings > Apps, find the app you want to clear, and tap it. Select Storage or Storage and Cache, then tap Clear Cache. This removes temporary files the app stored but keeps you logged in and does not delete any of your data inside the app.
If clearing cache does not fix the problem, you can tap Clear Data instead, but this will delete your login information and reset the app to its first-run state. You will have to log back in and may lose saved preferences.
Clear all cache and cookies at once from Settings
If you want to clear cache and cookies from everything on your phone in one step, go to Settings > Apps and look for a menu button (three dots or three lines) at the top of the screen. Tap it and select Show System Apps or Show All Apps to see every app on your phone.
Some Android phones have a faster route: go to Settings > Storage or Device Care, then look for an option like Clear Cache or Optimize Storage. This clears cache from all apps at once without touching cookies or other data. On Samsung phones, this is usually under Settings > Device Care > Storage > Optimize Now.
Be aware that clearing all data at once will sign you out of most apps and websites. You will need to log back in to everything afterward.
What you lose and what you keep when clearing
When you clear cache only, you keep your passwords, login sessions, and account information. Websites and apps will load slightly slower the next time because they have to download everything fresh, but you stay logged in.
When you clear cookies, you lose your login sessions and websites forget you. You will have to sign back into Gmail, Facebook, banking apps, and other accounts. Websites will also stop tracking you across the internet, which is why some people clear cookies regularly for privacy.
When you clear data (which includes both cache and cookies), you also lose saved preferences, app settings, and sometimes downloaded content like offline maps or saved articles. The app or website will feel like you are using it for the first time.
Your actual account information — emails, photos, messages, posts — lives on the company's servers, not on your phone, so clearing cache and cookies never deletes that. You can always log back in and see everything again.
Why your phone might need cache cleared
Cache builds up over time and can take up several gigabytes of storage space, especially if you use your phone heavily. Clearing it regularly can free up space and make your phone run faster, though the difference is usually small unless your storage is almost full.
Apps sometimes store outdated or corrupted cache files that cause bugs — an app might crash, show old information, or load incorrectly. Clearing cache forces the app to download fresh data and often fixes these problems without uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Cookies can also cause problems: a website might not load correctly because it is using an old cookie, or you might be stuck logged into someone else's account if you used a shared phone. Clearing cookies fixes both of these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?
No. Cache and cookies are temporary files stored by apps and browsers. Your actual photos, messages, emails, and other personal data live in the app itself or on the company's servers. Clearing cache and cookies will not touch any of that.
Do I need to clear cache and cookies regularly?
Not unless you are running low on storage space or having problems with apps and websites. Cache builds up slowly, and most people do not need to clear it more than once every few months. If privacy is a concern, clearing cookies monthly or after browsing sensitive sites is a good habit.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing data?
Cache is temporary files that help apps load faster. Clearing cache frees up space and fixes app problems but keeps you logged in. Clearing data removes cache, cookies, login information, and app settings — it is a complete reset. Use Clear Cache for routine maintenance and Clear Data when you need to fully reset an app or remove all traces of your activity.
Will clearing cookies sign me out of everything?
Yes, clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites and apps because cookies store your login session. You will need to log back in to Gmail, social media, banking apps, and other accounts. Your passwords are usually stored separately, so you can log back in immediately.
Can I clear cache from just one app without affecting others?
Yes. Go to Settings > Apps, select the specific app, tap Storage, and select Clear Cache. This clears only that app's cache and leaves everything else untouched. This is the safest way to clear cache if you only want to fix one app that is misbehaving.