Why delete cookies?
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer or laptop. They remember things like your login details or which products you viewed in a webshop. Useful, but sometimes inconvenient. Over time, cookies can slow down your browser or raise privacy concerns. That is why it can be smart to clear them regularly.
What exactly are cookies?
A cookie is essentially a small text file. There are different types of cookies: functional cookies for basic settings, analytical cookies to measure website usage, and tracking cookies that follow your browsing behavior for advertising purposes. Especially the latter often raise questions about privacy.
How can you delete cookies from your PC or Mac?
Deleting cookies in Windows 11 (via browsers)
The location of cookies depends on the browser you are using:
Click the three dots in the top-right corner → Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data. Select Cookies and other site data and click Clear data.
Click the three dots → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Choose what to clear. Select Cookies and other site data and confirm.
Click the three lines in the top-right corner → Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Cookies and Site Data.
Deleting cookies on Mac (Safari)
Are you using Safari? Then you can delete cookies as follows:
- Go to the menu and select Safari → Preferences.
- Click Privacy.
- Select Manage Website Data.
Select the desired websites or click Remove All.
Deleting cookies on iPhone
Do you often use your iPhone to browse the internet? Cookies are stored there as well. Here is how you can easily clear them:
- Safari (default browser):
Open the Settings app → tap Safari → choose Clear History and Website Data. This removes all cookies and browsing data in one go. - Google Chrome (iOS):
Open the Chrome app → go to Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data. Select Cookies and site data and confirm your choice.
Good to know: after deleting cookies, you may need to log in again on some websites, but your iPhone will immediately feel a bit faster and cleaner.
Is it advisable to delete cookies?
Clearing cookies has both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, your browser often becomes faster and you prevent websites from collecting unnecessary information about your browsing behavior. On the downside, you lose convenient settings such as automatic logins. Our advice: delete cookies regularly, but keep exceptions for websites you use frequently.
Extra tip: combine clearing cookies with clearing the cache
In addition to cookies, your computer also stores cache files. By clearing both your cache and cookies, you give your PC or Mac a truly fresh start. Read more about this in our article on clearing the cache on your PC.
Cookies and privacy
Since the GDPR, websites are required to be transparent about their use of cookies. Want to learn more about cookie notices and what is legally required? Read our article on cookies and the GDPR.
