Cookies (or cookies) are small pieces of data that websites are saved on your device. They help sites remember your settings, logins and preferences, but over time they accumulate, taking up memory and sometimes even slowing down the browser. On smartphones Samsung Galaxy (be it a flagship series S or a budget one A), cookies can be stored not only in browsers, but also in some applications that use web browsing.
If you notice that Galaxy S24 or Galaxy A34 has become slower to open pages, shows outdated data on sites (for example, does not update the cart in an online store) or just want ensure privacy โit's time to clear your cookies. In this article we will analyze all the current methods: from manual cleaning in each browser to system methods via Android Settings. Weโll also tell you how to do this selectivelywithout losing important saved passwords.
What are cookies and why they need to be cleared on Samsung Galaxy
Cookies are not viruses or malware, but their excess can create several problems:
- ๐ฑ Used memory: hundreds of small files take up tens of megabytes over time, which is critical for devices with
64 GBmemory (for example, Galaxy A14). - ๐ Privacy leak: cookies may contain data about your visited sites, which is used for targeted advertising.
- ๐ข Slowdown: browsers (Chrome, Samsung Internet) take longer to load pages if they have to process thousands of outdated ones cookies.
- ๐ Data conflicts: If the site has updated its structure, old cookies may cause display errors (for example, incorrect layout or missing buttons).
At the same time completely clearing cookies will lead to logging out of all accounts on sites and resetting personal settings (for example, dark theme on forums or language preferences). Therefore, it is important to understand when to delete all cookies, and when - only for specific sites.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Some sites (for example, banking or government portals) use cookies for two-factor authentication. Their deletion may require re-entering the SMS code or email confirmation.
How to clear cookies in the Samsung Internet browser
Samsung Internet is a standard browser on all devices Galaxy, and it has its own cookie management system, different from Chrome. To clear the data:
- Open the browser Samsung Internet.
- Tap on icon
โฎ(three dots) in the lower right corner โ selectSettings. - Go to the section
Privacy and securityโDelete browsing data. - Check the boxes:
- ๐ช Cookies and site data
- ๐๏ธ Cached images and files (optional if you need to free up memory)
Delete data and confirm action.If you want to delete cookies only for certain sites:
- In
Settingsbrowser, selectSites and downloadsโManaging site data. - Enter the name of the site in the search bar (for example,
vk.com). - Tap on the site โ
Delete.
Save passwords from browser in Samsung Pass or Google Password Manager
Close all tabs with important forms (for example, payment)
Check whether cookies are used for 2FA on banking websites
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On devices with One UI 6.0 (for example, Galaxy S24) the path to the settings may be slightly different - instead Privacy and security look for Personal data.
Clearing cookies in Google Chrome on Samsung Galaxy
Google Chrome is the most popular browser on Android, and its settings are synchronized with your Google account. To delete cookies:
- Open Chrome and tap on the profile icon (or
โฎโHistory). - Select
Clear browsing data. - In the top drop-down menu, specify the period (for example,
All time). - Check:
- ๐ช Cookies and site data
- ๐๏ธ Cached images and files (by optional)
Clear data.For selective deletion:
- Go in
Chrome SettingsโPrivacy and SecurityโSite SettingsโCookies. - Tap on the site whose cookies you want to delete โ
Clear and reset.
If after clearing cookies sites open more slowly, try disabling the option Saving traffic in Chrome settings. It may conflict with new sessions.
On Galaxy s Android 14 in Chrome a function has appeared (in the privacy settings). If you enable it, cookies will be automatically cleared when closing the browser - convenient for public devices. Deleting data when exiting (in privacy settings). If you enable it, cookies will be automatically cleared when you close the browser - convenient for public devices.
Deleting cookies in other browsers (Firefox, Opera, Edge)
If you use alternative browsers, the process of clearing cookies is similar, but with nuances:
| Browser | Path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mozilla Firefox | โฎ โ Settings โ Delete personal data |
Can be enabled Delete cookies when closing in Privacy โ History. |
| Opera | About โ Settings โ Clear browsing data |
There is a built-in VPNthat can block some cookies. |
| Microsoft Edge | ... โ History โ Clear data |
Synchronized with your Microsoft account, cookies can be restored when you log in again. |
| Brave | โฐ โ History โ Clear data |
Blocks by default trackers, so cookies accumulate more slowly. |
I Firefox And Brave has a feature container tabsthat isolates cookies for different types of sites (for example, work and personal). This is useful if you want to clear cookies selectively without affecting everything. sites.
System clearing cookies through Android settings
Not all cookies are stored in browsers. Some applications (for example, instant messengers with web browsing) also save web data. data-i="170">Select Facebook, Instagram, instant messengers with web browsing) also save web data. To remove them:
- Go to
Settingsyour Samsung Galaxy. - Select
Applications. - Tap on
โฎ(three dots) โShow system ones(if necessary). - Find the application (for example, Facebook) โ
MemoryโClear data. - Select
Clear cacheand/orClear all data(the second option will delete both cookies and settings applications!).
For Bulk clear cache and cookies:
- Go in
Settings โ Device care โ Memory. - Tap
Clear(this will delete the cache of all applications, but will not affect browser cookies). - For deep cleaning, select
AdvancedโClear application data(you will be prompted to select specific applications). - ๐ Save passwords: before clearing, export them via
Chrome/Samsung Internet Settings โ Passwords โ Export(you will need to enter your device PIN). - ๐ Exclude important sites: to Chrome you can add sites to
Exceptions(in the cookie settings) so that their data is not deleted. - ๐ Use incognito mode: in this mode, cookies are deleted automatically after closing the tab.
- ๐ฑ Synchronize data: if you are logged into your Google/Samsung account, some settings (for example, bookmarks) will be restored after clearing.
- ๐ซ Deleting cache instead of cookies: cache are temporary files to speed up loading, and cookies are authorization data. Clearing the cache alone will not solve privacy problems.
- ๐ Ignoring synchronization: if you are signed in to your Google Account, cookies may be restored after logging back into the browser.
- ๐ฑ Clearing system application data: deleting cookies from
Android System WebViewmay cause some applications to malfunction. - ๐ Incorrect privacy settings: there is an option Samsung Internet there is an option
Blocking trackingthat may conflict with cookies.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Clearing an application (not just the cache) will lead to the deletion of local settings. For example, in all data application (not just the cache) will lead to exit your account and deleting local settings. For example, in Instagram you will have to re-enter your login and password.
How to clear cookies without losing important data
If you are afraid of losing saved ones passwords or site settings, use these tips:
On Samsung Galaxy s One UI 5.0+ there is a function Secure Folderwhere you can store a separate instance of the browser with isolated cookies. This is useful if you want to separate work and personal data.
What will happen if you do not clear cookies for years?
Over time, the browser will begin to slow down when opening new tabs, as it will sort through thousands of outdated files. On some sites, errors like 403 Forbidden or 500 Internal Server Error may appear due to a conflict between old and new data. In addition, advertising networks will show you less relevant ads as your cookie interest profile will become outdated.
Common errors when clearing cookies on Samsung Galaxy
Many users face problems after clearing cookies. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
If, after clearing cookies, sites stop working correctly:
- Try refresh page (
F5or swipe down). - Check whether
Data saving modeis enabled in the browser. - Make sure the correct ones are on your device
date and time(cookies may reset if settings are incorrect).
Clearing cookies does not remove viruses or malware. If after the procedure the browser continues to slow down or show ads, check your device for viruses using McAfee or Google Play Protect.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Do I need to clear cookies if I use a VPN?
VPN hides your IP address, but does not block it cookies. They are still saved on the device and can be used to track your activity within a VPN session. If anonymity is important to you, clear your cookies regularly or use browsers with automatic data removal (for example, Tor Browser for Android).
Why do some sites open in English after clearing cookies?
Cookies often store information about selected language. After they are removed, the site determines the language by IP address or browser settings. To return the Russian language, find the option Language or Language on the site (usually in the footer of the page) and select the desired option.
Is it possible to clear cookies for only one site in Chrome?
Yes. Open the site whose cookies you want to delete, then:
- Tap on the icon
๐to the left of the address bar. - Select
Cookies. - Click on the trash can or
Delete.
This will delete cookies for the current domain only.
How much memory is freed after clearing cookies?
The amount depends on the number of sites visited. On average:
- For 10โ50 sites:
1โ5 MB. - For 100+ sites:
10โ50 MB. - When clearing the cache together with cookies:
100โ500 MB(depending on the browser).
On Galaxy S23 Ultra with 256 GB memory this is insignificant, but on budget models (for example, Galaxy A13 s 64 GB) every megabyte counts.
How to prevent sites from saving cookies on Samsung Galaxy?
In most browsers, you can block cookies completely:
- In Chrome:
Settings โ Privacy โ Cookiesโ disableAllow saving local data. - In Samsung Internet:
Settings โ Privacy โ Block cookies. - In Firefox:
Settings โ Improved protection against trackingโ selectStrict.
Please note that on some sites (for example, YouTube or Government services) authorization will not work without cookies.