Cookies, cache, and more

Cookies 101

In a nutshell, a cookie is a small file used to keep track of you and your preferences when you go to a website. The server hosting the website sends a cookie to your browser. In our case, we use cookies so we can do things like greet you by name, bring you local weather info, and remember your saved site settings.

Nowadays, most browsers accept cookies by default. You can go to your browser's support site to verify. But, most often, you’ll find the option to manage cookies under the Preferences or Internet options menu. While cookies help make your internet surfing experience a little better and quicker, sometimes they can bog things down. You can refresh your browser by clearing the browsing data, which includes your cookies, cache, and history.

 

Clear cookies in mobile browsers

If you have an Apple iOS device running Safari®: 

1. Go to Settings.

2. Find and tap Safari.

3. Tap Clear Cookies and Data. You’ll see a pop-up that enables you to confirm your selection.

4. Select Clear. The Clear Cookies and Data button will turn gray.

If you have an iOS device running Chrome™: 

1. Open your browser.

2. Tap the menu toolbar.

3. Select Settings > Advanced > Privacy.

4. Tap Clear Browsing Data.

5. Choose Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, or Cached Images and Files.

6. Choose the settings you want to clear, and select Clear Browsing Data.

If you have an Android® device running Chrome™:

1. Open your browser.

2. Tap the menu toolbar.

3. Select History > Clear browsing data.

4. Choose a deletion time range or the specific items you want to delete.

5. Select Clear data > Clear.

If you have an Android device running Firefox®:

1. Open your browser.

2. Tap the 3 vertical dots.

3. Select History > Clear Browsing History.

4. Select OK.

 

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Clear cookies on desktop browsers

If you have a PC running Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer®, or Edge®:

1. Open your browser.

2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete.

3. Select the items you want to clear.

4. Select the Delete or Clear button, depending on your browser type.

5. Close and reopen your browser.

If you have a Mac running Chrome or Firefox:

1. Open your browser.

2. Press Command+Shift+Delete.

3. Select the items you want to clear.

4. Select the Delete or Clear button, depending on your browser type.

5. Close and reopen your browser.

If you have a Mac running Safari:

1. Open your browser.

2. Select Safari in the top left corner next to the Apple icon.

3. Select Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

4. Select the items you want to clear.

5. Select the Remove or Remove All button, depending on your choices.

6. Close and reopen your browser.

Tip: If these steps don’t work with your browser, go to your browser's support site for version-specific instructions.