How to clear the web browser's cache, cookies, and history

Why do you need to clear the browser cache?

Cache is the temporary internet and websites files. These files are saved to be used by the browser to cut down the web page loading time instead of reading the websites content every time you access them. When a website gets updated, the browser will continue using the old saved files. As a result, web pages might not load properly as expected. Hence, you need to delete these old files by clearing the cache.

Furthermore, you need to clear the browser cache periodically to prevent or resolve performance problems.

Note that, clearing the browser cache may remove data such as saved passwords, websites history, etc. Hence, you may need to backup some of your saved information first.

Clearing cache, history & cookies in Desktop Browsers

In most computer-based web browsers, to open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history, press Ctrl-Shift-Delete (Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete (Mac).

Microsoft Edge

In the top right, click the Settings icon (looks like three horizontal dots).
Click the Settings, find Privacy, search, and services and then click on Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data.
In the Time range dropdown, select All time.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and saved website data, and Cached data and files. Click Clear.
After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Google Chrome

In the top right, click the Settings icon (looks like three vertical dots).
Select History and then click on History from the sliding menu
From the menu at the left side, choose Clear browsing history
From the Time range drop-down menu, select All time
Select Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site and plug-in data, and Cached images and files
Click on Clear data
Exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

In the top right, click the Settings icon (looks like three horizontal lines)
Click on History and then choose Clear Recent History…
From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select Everything
Select Browsing & Download History, Cookies, Cache, and Offline Websites Data
Click on Clear Now
Exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

MAC Safari 8.0 – 10.0

From the Safari menu, choose Preferences
Click on Privacy
Click on Remove All Websites Data…
In the pop-up message, click on Remove Now
Exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Clearing cache, history & cookies in Mobile Browsers

Android 7 (Samsung Internet and Google Chrome)

From the Apps dashboard, tap Settings
Tap Apps
Select the app you want to clear the cache for
Tap Storage
Tap Clear Cache
Exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

iOS 11 (Safari)

From the Apps dashboard, tap Settings
Tap Safari
Tap Clear History and Website Data
Exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

iOS 11 (Google Chrome)

Open Google Chrome app
In the top right, tap the Settings icon (looks like three vertical dots)
Tap Privacy and then tap Clear browsing data
Check "Cookies, Site Data." check other items if needed
Tap Clear Browsing Data
Confirm by tapping Clear Browsing Data
Tap Done
Exit all browser windows and re-open the browser.