How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Android Chrome
To clear your cache and cookies in Google Chrome on Android, open the Chrome app, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, and select Settings. Tap on Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data. Choose your time range, check the boxes for "Cookies and site data" and "Cached images and files," and tap Clear data.
If a website is failing to load properly, displaying formatting errors, or throwing a "502 Bad Gateway" warning, clearing your browser's cache and cookies is almost always the easiest fix.
Your Android phone stores tiny pieces of data from websites (the cache) to make them load faster the next time you visit. However, when websites update their designs, your saved cache can conflict with the new live code, causing the page to break. Here is exactly how to flush that old data out.
Step-by-Step Guide
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1
Open Chrome Settings
Launch the Google Chrome app on your Android device. Tap the three vertical dots (⋮) located in the top right corner of your screen, then scroll down the menu and tap Settings.
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2
Go to Privacy and Security
In the Settings menu, scroll down to the "Basics" section and tap on Privacy and security. At the very top of the next screen, tap Clear browsing data.
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3
Select Your Time Range
You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Time range." If you only want to fix a recent glitch, select Last hour or Last 24 hours. If you want to completely free up storage space, select All time.
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4
Choose What to Clear
Make sure the checkboxes for Cookies and site data and Cached images and files are checked. If you want to keep your search history intact, uncheck "Browsing history." Finally, tap the blue Clear data button at the bottom.
Clearing your "Cookies and site data" will sign you out of most websites. Make sure you know your passwords for sites like Amazon, Twitter, or your banking portal before proceeding. If you forgot them, check our guide on [INTERNAL LINK: How to Find Saved Passwords on Android].
What is the Difference Between Cache and Cookies?
Many people confuse these two terms because they are usually cleared at the same time, but they serve entirely different purposes:
- The Cache: Stores visual assets like logos, background images, and fonts so your phone doesn't have to download them over and over again. It strictly saves loading time and mobile data.
- Cookies: Store your personal session data. This includes your login status, what items are in your shopping cart, and your site preferences (like dark mode vs. light mode).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will clearing my cache delete my bookmarks or saved passwords? A: No. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, and autofill forms are stored safely in your Google Account. Clearing cache and cookies only removes temporary website files.
Q: How often should I clear my Android cache? A: You only need to clear it when you are actively experiencing a problem (like a site not loading) or if your phone is critically low on storage space. There is no need to clear it daily or weekly.
Q: Does clearing cache speed up my phone? A: It can free up a gigabyte or two of internal storage, which helps older Android phones run smoother. However, clearing the cache actually makes websites load slower the very next time you visit them, as your browser has to download all the images from scratch.