How to Clear Cookies and Browser Data in Safari

Created by Paul Leming, Modified on Mon, 15 Jul at 5:39 PM by Paul Leming

Clearing cookies and browser data can help resolve website issues, improve browser performance, and protect your privacy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clear cookies and browser data in Safari.

Step 1: Open Safari

Ensure you have Safari open on your Mac.

Step 2: Access the Preferences Menu

  1. Click on "Safari" in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. From the dropdown menu, select "Preferences."

Step 3: Navigate to Privacy

  1. In the Preferences window, click on the "Privacy" tab.

Step 4: Manage Website Data

  1. In the Privacy tab, click on the "Manage Website Data..." button.

Step 5: Clear Data

  1. A new window will pop up showing a list of websites that have stored cookies and other data on your browser.
  2. To remove all data, click on the "Remove All" button.
  3. Safari will ask for confirmation. Click "Remove Now" to proceed.
  4. To remove data for specific websites, select the sites from the list and click "Remove."

Step 6: Clear History

  1. To clear your browsing history, click on "History" in the top menu bar.
  2. From the dropdown menu, select "Clear History..."

Step 7: Choose Time Range

  1. A new window will pop up asking you to select the time range for clearing your browsing history. Options include "the last hour," "today," "today and yesterday," and "all history."
  2. Select the desired time range from the dropdown menu.

Step 8: Clear History

  1. Once you have selected the time range, click on the "Clear History" button.
  2. Safari will start clearing the selected history. This may take a few moments depending on the amount of data.

Additional Tips

  • Private Browsing Mode: Using Private Browsing mode in Safari prevents cookies and browsing data from being saved during your browsing session. To open a Private Browsing window, click on "File" in the top menu bar and select "New Private Window."
  • Block All Cookies: If you want to prevent websites from storing cookies on your browser in the future, go to the "Privacy" tab in Preferences and check the box next to "Block all cookies."

Clearing cookies and browser data periodically can help maintain your browser's performance and ensure your privacy. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, refer to Safari's Support Center for more detailed instructions.

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