If you use your phone every day to browse, shop, or log into social media, your smartphone accumulates tons of small tracking files. Many are useful, but others are unnecessary. With a few simple steps, you can delete cookies from your mobile, adjust their behavior and decide which sites can save them and which ones can't, improving privacy and performance.
In this practical guide we gather everything you need to know for Android and iPhone: what cookies are and how they differ from the cache, how to delete them in the most popular browsers, how to manage them (including third-party cookies), what warnings you should keep in mind and some extra tips to keep your phone agile and protected.
What are cookies and how do they differ from cache?
Cookies are small files created by the websites you visit and stored by your browser to remember your session. They allow you to stay logged in, view saved preferences, or receive more relevant content based on your location or language. They're generally convenient, but it's also good to know. what they keep and what for.
There are two main types: first-party cookies (created by the site you visit) and third-party cookies (generated by external services embedded in the page: ads, images, widgets, comments, etc.). The latter can be used to personalize advertising or measure interactions between different sites, and are therefore the ones that raise the most questions in terms of tracking and privacy.
Cookies should not be confused with cache. The cache stores parts of pages and resources (images, style sheets) to speed up loading when you return to a site. Clearing the cache can help if a website displays poorly or slowly, while deleting cookies resets logins and preferences. Both operations, when used correctly, improve performance. performance and cleanliness.
Important: Some sites display a prompt to accept or decline cookies the first time you visit. It's becoming more common for the decline button to be clear and accessible, and many browsers also offer additional features (such as ad themes or site-suggested ads) to limit what they can learn about you, providing greater control about your experience.
Finally, you'll see references to new features in browsers like Chrome that restrict the use of third-party cookies. If you're part of a testing group, limitations may apply by default and you may have additional settings to manage them. In that scenario, it's a good idea to thoroughly review your settings. Privacy & Security.
Benefits and warnings of deleting cookies on your mobile phone
Deleting cookies from time to time helps you reduce your footprint and resolve occasional site crashes. It's also useful for reclaiming storage space and preventing the accumulation of old session data or preferences that you no longer need. In terms of privacy, deleting cookies makes it difficult for third parties to build detailed profiles about you. browsing habits.
What are the downsides? Each time you delete them, you'll have to log in to your services again, and some websites will take a little longer to load initially. Also, if you strictly block third-party cookies, certain embedded features (e.g., online editors or integrations with other sites) may stop working as expected. you expect in your day to day life.
Blocking all cookies isn't always a good idea: some sites simply can't function without them. You may see messages like "cookies are necessary" or "you can't use them." problems identifying you even if you enter your username and password correctly. Therefore, it is usually most practical to allow the minimum necessary, manage exceptions and establish specific rules for Trusted sites.
Practical tip: Incognito mode is a good option when you want to browse without leaving any local traces. In this mode, when you close the window, the browser deletes cookies and site data created during the session. However, remember that your provider or the website may still receive certain information, so it's not a good idea. cloak of total invisibility.
An additional point to keep in mind: connecting to public Wi-Fi networks increases your risk of exposure. Keeping your browser up to date, using HTTPS, and clearing cookies and cache regularly reduces the attack surface and minimizes the amount of information that could be exposed about you. browsing activity.
How to delete all cookies on Android
The steps will vary slightly depending on the browser you use, but the process is very similar. Below, you'll see how to do it in Chrome, Samsung Internet, and Firefox on your Android device. We'll also explain how to select a specific period and how to take advantage of the mode. incognito when it's time.
Chrome for Android
To clear cookies in Chrome, open the app and tap the menu icon (three dots). Then go to Settings and access the Privacy and security section. There you will find "Clear browsing data." Select "Cookies and site data," choose the interval (for example, "Last hour" or "Last 24 hours"), and confirm with "Clear data." This deletes cookies and, if you select the corresponding option, also the "Clear data." browser cache.
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu.
- Go to “Settings” and then “Privacy and Security.”
- Tap “Clear browsing data.”
- Check "Cookies and site data" and choose the time period: "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," "Last 7 days," "Last 4 weeks," or "All time."
- Confirm with "Delete data" to complete the clearing cookies.
Samsung Internet
If you're using the Samsung browser, open the app and tap the menu icon (three lines). Go to Settings, scroll down to "Personal browsing data," select "Clear browsing data," select "Cookies and site data," and tap "Clear data." Click OK to finish and exit the browser as if it were the first time, keeping only what you choose. keep you.
- Open Samsung Internet and tap the menu.
- Go to “Settings” and then “Personal browsing data.”
- Tap “Clear browsing data.”
- Check “Cookies and site data.”
- Confirm "Delete data" and accept the operation.
Firefox for Android
In Firefox, open the three-dot menu, go to Settings, and click "Clear private data." Make sure "Cookies and active logins" is selected and confirm with "Clear data." Once cleared, when you return to a site that recognized you, you'll need to log in. session again.
- Three-point menu.
- “Settings” > “Clear private data.”
- Check "Cookies and active logins."
- Confirm "Delete data" to end.
Choose a specific period
When you clear data, Chrome and other browsers allow you to choose the interval: from the last hour to your entire history. This option is ideal if you only want to fix a single error without losing your other sessions. Select the period next to "Time" or "Interval," marked with a drop-down menu at the top of the dialog. data erasure.
Incognito mode browsing
In incognito mode, browsers block or limit third-party cookies by default, and when you close them, they delete the cookies created during that session. If you want to keep a site hidden from local traffic, open an incognito tab for whatever you're about to do and close it when you're done. It's a convenient way to reduce your footprint without having to manually delete it. on every occasion.
How to delete cookies on iPhone (iOS)
On iPhone, the steps depend on the browser you use. Safari offers built-in controls in Settings, while Chrome and Firefox on iOS include the option within their own settings. Below are the details, along with blocking and advanced management.
safari
To clear your browsing history and website data in Safari, go to Settings > Safari and tap "Clear History and Website Data." Confirm with "Clear." If you want to go deeper, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data and tap "Delete All Data" to clear cookies and data saved by domain. You can also block all cookies by going to Settings > Safari > Advanced by enabling "Block All Cookies" (note that some websites may stop working). as it should be).
- Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Optional: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Clear All Data.
- To block cookies completely: Settings > Safari > Advanced > enable "Block all cookies" (with caution).
Safari also lets you manage your history from within the app: tap the Bookmarks button, go to History, and delete specific sites if you prefer a selective cleanup. If you need to close tabs, see How to close all Safari tabsIf the delete button is grayed out, there may be no data to delete or you may need to review Screen Time restrictions related to the device. Web content.
Chrome for iOS
Open Chrome on your iPhone, tap the menu (three dots), go to "Settings," then "Privacy." Choose "Clear browsing data," select "Cookies, site data," and confirm with "Clear browsing data." This option allows you to combine clearing cookies with cache and history, or do it in a more detailed way. selective if you prefer.
- Open Chrome > three-dot menu.
- “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Clear browsing data.”
- Check "Cookies, site data" and confirm the erasure.
Firefox for iOS
In Firefox, open the menu, go to "Settings," and under "Privacy," tap "Data Management." Select "Cookies" and "Clear private data" to delete stored information. When you reopen the pages, you will have to identify yourself in those who need it.
- Menu > Settings.
- Privacy > "Data Management".
- Select "Cookies" and confirm "Delete private data" to clean.
Configure and manage third-party cookies in Chrome
In addition to deleting, you can configure the behavior of third-party cookies. On mobile and desktop, Chrome allows you to allow them, block them by default, or apply exceptions per site. If you strictly block all third-party cookies, some embedded features may fail; therefore, consider a balanced configuration and adjust permissions per trusted site.
To manage this: open Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Third-party cookies. You can choose to allow, block, or apply custom rules. Under "Sites that can use third-party cookies," add specific domains to the exception list. To cover subdomains, you can use wildcards like ejemplo.com (this will include blog.ejemplo.com y tienda.ejemplo.com). You can also add an IP or an address that does not begin with http://. Removing an exception is as easy as tapping "Remove" next to the site in the allowed list.
Temporary permission from the bar: If a page isn't working because third-party cookies are blocked, Chrome allows you to temporarily enable them from the icon next to the address bar (a status indicator will appear: "Third-party cookies blocked," "allowed," or "limited"). If you enable the exception during normal browsing, the permission lasts 90 days or until you disable it. In incognito, it lasts only while the session is active. open at that time.
Embedded content and relationship between sites: Some websites display content from other domains (images, ads, online publishers). They may ask your permission to use information already stored about you for that content to work. If you agree, the embedded content can access your cookies for 30 days or as long as there is activity. You can disconnect from the connection in Settings at any time and decide on a case-by-case basis whether third-party content can be used. access your data.
Related sites: Certain groups of sites from the same company may collaborate to maintain your session when you move between domains in the same group. If you allow or limit third-party cookies, that relationship can be maintained to personalize content or maintain your session. If you block them completely, that link between sites is usually broken unless you set a specific exception to improve your experience without sacrificing your privacy. additional privacy.
Other privacy options: In Chrome, you can enable "Do Not Track" requests with your traffic, request not to be tracked (sites may or may not honor them), or apply advanced protections that block third-party cookies to a greater extent. Note that Google is testing features that significantly limit these third-party cookies by default for some users, while keeping only what is necessary for services. site basics.
Clear cache on your mobile: apps and system
Clearing the cache is different from clearing cookies and can resolve loading or formatting errors. On Android, you can clear the cache for each app in Settings, and in some older versions, there was a global clearing of "cached data." If you don't see that option, go app by app and clear the cache from "Storage" to reclaim space and clean temporary files that no longer exist. you need on the phone.
- Android: Settings > Apps > choose an app > Storage > Clear cache.
- Android (depending on version): Settings > Storage > Cached data > confirm to clean.
On iPhone, Safari is cleaned from Settings as we've seen (which includes its cache). For third-party apps, there's no universal button: some include their own option to clear the cache; others require "Offload App" from Settings > General > iPhone Storage and then reinstalling it. This action deletes the app while preserving documents and data, and reinstalling it refreshes temporary resources so that everything runs smoother.
- iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Select the app and tap “Download app.”
- Reinstall the app from the App Store to regenerate its clear cache.
Remember: Clearing cache doesn't delete your account or cloud data. It only clears local temporary files. If you want a more thorough deletion of an app, then you should delete its data (on Android) or uninstall and reinstall it (on iOS), keeping in mind that you will log out and you will have to log in again.
Delete app data and what Google saves about you
Beyond the browser, apps accumulate usage data and cache. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, choose a social or messaging app, and under "Storage" tap "Clear Data" if you want a hard reset (you'll be logged out and have to log back in). This action clears local data; anything in the service's cloud will remain there, so your conversations, purchases, or backups won't be lost. will disappear from the server.
- Settings> Applications.
- Open the desired app (Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, etc.).
- Go to "Storage" and press "Clear data" to reset the local storage. completely.
If you want to go a step further with your Google account, open your phone's Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > the Data & Privacy tab. Go to My Activity and filter by date and product to delete searches, app activity, and more. You can also go to the Google Dashboard to review data for each service and set up automatic activity deletion. expiration location.
- Settings > Google > “Manage your Google Account.”
- “Data and privacy” > “My Activity” > “Filter by date and product”.
- Delete what you don't want to keep and adjust the deletion automatic periodic.
Also, review which apps have access to your Google account and revoke access to those you no longer use. This is a good digital hygiene practice that complements clearing cookies and cache, and allows you to keep control of your data. flow of personal data.
Extra mobile performance and security tips
Clearing cookies and cache is just one part of maintenance. Keep your apps and system up to date to get performance improvements and security patches. Enable automatic updates or check manually from time to time to avoid bugs that have already been fixed and small improvements that, when added together, make a difference.
Keep an eye on your storage: delete unnecessary files, clean up old screenshots, and uninstall unused apps. Reclaiming space reduces bottlenecks and prevents the system from slowing down due to lack of free memory. A monthly review of your gallery and downloads helps maintain your phone. fresh and light.
Battery is another key factor. On iPhone, monitor the battery status in Settings; if the health drops below a certain threshold, performance may suffer. On Android, calibrate expectations with saving modes and disable background processes you don't need. Restarting your phone occasionally frees up temporary memory and fixes minor issues. system jams.
On Android, consider a trusted antivirus if you install apps outside the official app store or frequently download attachments. Renowned solutions like Bitdefender Mobile Security, Norton Mobile Security, or Avast offer extra layers of protection. On iPhone, this isn't usually necessary due to iOS's built-in measures, but in both cases, common sense and updates are your best bet. defense line.
Monitor your data usage: set data limits or alerts, use Wi-Fi for large downloads, and activate saving modes if your plan is tight. If you use prepaid, you can top up your data balance online with reliable services without sharing your bank details. These services are available for traditional carriers like Movistar and Vodafone, as well as for newer virtual carriers. This way, you can avoid losing connectivity just when you need it. update apps or browse.
Block, allow, and deny: how to take control
Current EU regulations require sites to offer clear options, including rejecting non-essential cookies. When the prompt appears, take a few seconds to adjust what you accept and what you don't. This, combined with browser options to block third-party cookies and manage exceptions, gives you fine-grained control over your cookies. your fingerprint.
In some advanced scenarios, Chrome will show options like "limited third-party cookies" by default for certain test users. You can maintain that approach, block all third-party cookies (with potential failures on specific sites), or selectively allow them per site. Google is also moving toward technologies that reduce the use of third-party cookies for advertising, which will change the landscape of advertising. cross-site tracking.
If a site asks you for permission to allow its embedded content to use information stored about you, you can agree or decline. Choosing "Allow" allows that content to access your cookies to function properly; "Do not allow" blocks it. This permission expires after 30 days or when the activity ceases, and you can withdraw it sooner from the browser settings.
What happens when you clear cookies and cache?
When you delete cookies, you lose saved logins and preferences, and some websites may take longer to load the first time after clearing them. When you clear the cache, images and resources are downloaded again, so you may notice a slower initial load, but then the site will perform as before. If you sync your account in Chrome, you won't have to log in to your Google account again to sync across all your pages. associated devices.
In Chrome, you can review and change other cookie settings (for example, deleting only cookies from a specific site) without deleting everything. In other browsers like Safari or Firefox, you'll find similar instructions on their help pages, and the paths may vary slightly depending on the version of the browser. operating system.
Getting into the habit of clearing cookies and cache, setting up third-party cookie blocking with thoughtful exceptions, and regularly reviewing your account activity helps keep your phone more responsive, reduce tracking, and make informed decisions about what you share and with whom; just a few minutes a month will give you a more private, organized, and enjoyable experience. under your control.
