Over time, your browser’s cookies and cache collect a lot of junk files. Some of this data comes from sites you’ve visited only once, while others track your browsing habits to serve targeted ads. For example, you might see frequent ads for items you viewed recently. Clearing your cache regularly helps eliminate this unnecessary data, reducing the risk of unknown data trackers lurking in your browser.
Though clearing your cache means you’ll have to log back into your favourite websites, it’s a small inconvenience compared to the benefit of protecting your privacy and freeing up storage space on your phone.
How to Clear Cookies and Cache in Google Chrome
To clear cookies and cache in Google Chrome on your Android device, tap the More button (three vertical dots) in the top right corner. Go to History and then Delete browsing data. Alternatively, you can navigate through Chrome’s Settings menu to Privacy and Security, and then Delete browsing data. You’ll have options under Basic and Advanced settings to clear browsing history, cookies and site data, and cached images and files. You can choose a time range to delete this data, ranging from the past 24 hours to all time. After selecting what you want to delete, tap Clear data.
How to Get Rid Of Unnecessary Web Files in Samsung Internet
For Samsung Internet, there are two ways to clear your cookies and cache. In the browser app, tap the Options button (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then go to Settings, and select Personal browsing data. Tap Delete browsing data to choose what you want to delete, such as browsing history, cookies, and cached images. Confirm your choices and delete.
Alternatively, you can clear data from the Settings app on your phone. Go to Settings, then Apps, and select Samsung Internet. Tap Storage, where you’ll find options to Clear cache and Clear storage. Clear cache will delete cached files immediately, while Clear storage will remove all app data, including cookies, settings, and accounts.
How to Declutter in Mozilla Firefox
In Mozilla Firefox, clearing cookies and cache is also straightforward. Tap the More button (three vertical dots) on the right of the address bar, then go to Settings and scroll down to Delete browsing data. Firefox offers options to delete open tabs, browsing history, site permissions, downloads, cookies, and cached images. Unlike Chrome, Firefox does not allow you to select a time range, but you can be specific about the types of data you want to remove.
Firefox also has a feature to automatically delete browsing data every time you quit the app. Enable this by going to Settings and selecting Delete browsing data on quit. This helps keep your browser tidy and ensures your browsing history isn’t accessible if your phone is lost or stolen.
Regularly clearing cookies and cache from your Android browser is crucial for maintaining privacy and keeping your device free from unnecessary data. Each browser—Google Chrome, Samsung Internet, and Mozilla Firefox—offers simple steps to manage and delete this data, boosting both security and performance. By following these steps, you can ensure a safer and more efficient browsing experience on your Android device.
