Summary
This article shows how to clear your web browser's cache, cookies, and history. When you're busy surfing the web, doing research for a paper, or simply watching the latest Internet sensation, your web browser often stores information from the websites you visit, so that when you visit that site again, it will load faster. This information is stored in what is called a "cache" within your Internet browser.
Note: Clearing your web browser's cache, cookies, and history may remove some data that you wish to keep.
Desktop Browsers
Mobile Browsers
Further Readings - with links to support articles from browser vendors
How-to
Task: Clearing Data on Desktop Browser: Google Chrome
Instructions
Step 1 - In Chrome, click the More button 
in the upper right corner of the browser
Step 2 - From the drop-down menu open More tools
Step 3 - From the drop-down menu open Clear browsing data
Step 4 - In the Time range field, select All time
Step 5 - Check the boxes for the following if they are not already checked. Others are optional:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and other site and plug-in data
- Cached images and files
Step 6 - Click the Clear data button
Step 7 - Quit Chrome and re-open
For more information, refer to the Google Chrome Help - Clear Browsing Data webpage.
Outcome
You should be able to clear the data on your Google Chrome desktop browser.
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Task: Clearing Data on Desktop Browser: Microsoft Edge
Instructions
Step 1 - In Edge, click the More button 
in the upper right corner of the browser
Step 2 - From the drop-down menu open History
Step 3 - From here, click the More button in the upper right corner of the History menu
Step 4 - From the drop-down menu open Clear browsing data
Step 5 - In the Time range field, select All time
Step 6 - Check the boxes for the following if they are not already checked. Others are optional:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
Step 7 - Click the Clear now button
Step 8 - Quit Edge and re-open
For more information, refer to the Microsoft Edge Support - View and Delete Browser History webpage.
Outcome
You should be able to clear the data on your Microsoft Edge desktop browser.
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Task: Clearing Data on Desktop Browser: Mozilla Firefox
Instructions
Step 1 - In Firefox, click the Menu button 
in the upper right corner of the browser
Step 2 - From the drop-down menu open History
Step 3 - From here, select Clear recent history...
Step 4 - In the Time range to clear: field, select Everything
Step 5 - Un-check boxes for Site settings and Offline website data, if necessary
Step 6 - Click the Clear Now button
Step 7 - Quit Firefox and re-open
For more information, refer to the Mozilla Support - How to Clear the Firefox Cache webpage.
Outcome
You should be able to clear the data on your Mozilla Firefox desktop browser.
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Task: Clearing Data on Desktop Browser: Apple Safari
Instructions
Step 1 - In Safari, click the History menu 
in the upper left corner of the browser
Step 2 - From the drop-down menu open Clear History...
Step 3 - In the Clear field, select all history
Step 4 - Click the Clear History button
Step 5 - Quit Safari and re-open
For more information, refer to the Apple Support - Clear your Browsing History in Safari on Mac webpage.
Outcome
You should be able to clear the data on your Apple Safari desktop browser.
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Task: Clearing Data on Mobile Browser: Chrome on Android
Note: The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your mobile device and your preferred browser. However, you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu.
Instructions
Step 1 - Open Chrome, click the More button in the upper right corner of the browser
Step 2 - From the drop-down menu open Settings
Step 3 - From the menu, select Privacy and Security
Step 4 - Select Clear browsing data
Step 5 - In the Time range field, select All time
Step 6 - Check the boxes for the following:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and other site and plug-in data
- Cached images and files
Step 7 - Click the Clear data button
Step 8 - Quit Chrome and re-open
For more information, refer to the Google Chrome Help - Clear Browsing Data webpage - see tabs for Computer, Android, and iPhone & Pad.
Outcome
You should be able to clear the data on your Chrome mobile browser on Android.
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Task: Clearing Data on Mobile Browser: Safari on iOS
Note: The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your mobile device and your preferred browser. However, you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu.
Instructions
Step 1 - Open the Settings app
Step 2 - Find and select the settings for Safari
Step 3 - Select Clear History and Website Data
Step 4 - Tap Clear History and Data to confirm
Step 5 - Quit Safari and re-open
For more information, refer to the Apple Support - Clear the history and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch webpage.
Outcome
You should be able to clear the data on your Safari mobile browser on iOS.
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Further Readings
Google Chrome Help - Clear Browsing Data - see tabs for Computer, Android, and iPhone & Pad
Microsoft Edge Support - View and Delete Browser History - for Windows 10 or 11
Mozilla Support - Delete browsing, search and download history on Firefox - see customization drop-downs on the right for Mac, Linux, and various versions of Windows
Apple Support - Clear your Browsing History in Safari on Mac - select Mac OS version from drop-down at the top
Apple Support - Clear the history and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
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Need additional help?
Visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.