Whether you have a Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy S22 or any other Android smartphone, your browser collects and stores data every time you surf the web. This data makes up your cookies and cache, and it can often be helpful. It keeps you logged into your accounts and makes frequently visited sites load faster, for example.
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But this data eventually takes up space on your phone, while possibly also including cookies that are tracking your browsing history with the intention of serving personalized ads. (I’ve been looking through ads for TV shows for related TV shows in some online stores as well as my YouTube searches to compare prices and styles.)
It doesn’t hurt to clear this data occasionally to keep your web browser lean, running efficiently and, ideally, storing as few tracking cookies as possible.
On Android, the steps vary slightly depending on the type of phone and web browser app you’re using, so below we’ll go over how to clear this data on Google’s Chrome (often with many Android phones like the Google Pixel line). ) ), Samsung’s Internet browser (often the default on Galaxy phone series) and Mozilla’s Firefox browser. If you also have certain Apple devices, you can also check out our separate guide on how to clear your cache on iPhone web browser.
“Clear browsing data” menu in Chrome on Android.
Screenshot by Mike Sorrentino/CNET
Google Chrome
You can clear your cookies and cache on the Android version of Google Chrome by first tapping more button In the upper right corner of the browser, indicated by the column of three dots, then tap Historythen clear browsing Data, You can also access it from Chrome Adjustment menu, tapping Privacy & Security and then clear browsing Data,
Chrome also offers basic And advanced Settings to clear your browsing history, Cookies and Site Data And Saved Images and Files, you can use time limit Drop-down to choose whether you want to delete the entire history or a selection of any locations from the last 24 hours to the last four weeks. harness advanced will also allow you to delete saved passwords, autofill form data And site settings, After selecting what you want to delete, tap on the blue one net figures button, and then it will be removed without any further prompts, so just make sure you’re zapping exactly what you want to zap.
read moreSkip Google Chrome and use this privacy-focused browser instead
samsung internet
“Clear data” and “Clear cache” options for Samsung Internet.
Screenshot by Mike Sorrentino/CNET
You can clear the cache and cookie data of your Samsung Internet browser in two different ways. You can clear it from within the browser itself, or you can go to your phone’s Settings app.
To clear while in the Samsung Internet Browser app, first tap option button represented by three horizontal lines in the lower right corner, then AdjustmentScroll down and tap personal datathen tap delete browsing data to get a menu of options to delete. you can clear your browsing history, Cookies and Site Data, Saved Images and Files, Passwords And autofill form in any combination. after tapping delete dataYou will then receive a prompt asking you to confirm your options before deleting.
The browser offers the most customization of what you want to delete by going through the app. However, if you want to access the same options from your phone’s Settings menu, open Adjustment app and tap AppsThen scroll down and tap samsung internet and then Storage,
Under Storage, you find different options clear cache And net figures, harness clear cache will clear the cache immediately, but net figures Brings up a prompt that warns you that all data in the application will be permanently deleted, including files, settings, accounts, and databases. While it doesn’t specify cookies, this “going nuclear” approach should zap all remaining data, allowing you to restart the Samsung Internet browser as if it were brand new.
read moreChange these Android settings to get the most out of your phone:
mozilla firefox
Similar to Google Chrome, you can clear cookies and cache with the Mozilla Firefox Android app. To access this function, tap More switch To the right of the address bar, again symbolized by three vertically aligned dots. then tap Adjustment and scroll down delete browsing data,
The “Delete browsing data” menu in Mozilla Firefox on Android.
Screenshot by Mike Sorrentino/CNET
Out of the three browsers we are discussing here, Firefox gives you the most options delete browsing data menu, allows you to delete any existing open tabYours browsing history and site data, site permissions and even your download together folder cookies And Saved Images and Files,
While you can’t choose a time limit for Chrome, you can be more specific about what kind of data you want to remove.
read moreBrowser Privacy Settings to Change ASAP in Firefox, Chrome and Safari
And Firefox has an additional option for those who never want to keep their browsing data after using the app. there is one inside the settings Delete browsing data on quit option, which instructs Firefox to erase any combination of these same settings every time you quit the application. This is a useful feature if you want to keep the browser clean and, say, avoid accidentally handing over your browser history to someone who may have stolen or otherwise gained access to your phone.
For more information, see Everything there is to know about Google’s new operating system, Android 12, including how to check when your phone will get an update and how to download it. Plus, take a look at CNET’s list of the best Android apps.
How often do you clear your browser’s cache and cookies? And do you have a favorite Android browser that should be added to this tech tip? Tell us in the comments.
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