Clear cookies in Samsung Internet (the built-in browser)
The fastest way to clear cookies on a Samsung tablet is through Samsung Internet, which is the default browser that comes with most Samsung devices. Open Samsung Internet, then tap the three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Tap Settings, then scroll down and tap Privacy. You will see an option called Delete browsing data. Tap it, and a window will pop up showing what you can delete: cookies and site data, cached images and files, and browsing history are usually checked by default.
Make sure Cookies and site data is checked, then tap Delete at the bottom. The process takes a few seconds. When it finishes, those cookies are gone from your tablet.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Internet stores cookies in its Settings menu under Privacy, where you can delete them in one tap without affecting your saved passwords.
- You can choose to delete only cookies, or cookies plus browsing history and cached files, depending on what you want to clear.
- Chrome on a Samsung tablet uses the same clearing method as Chrome on any Android device, found in Settings > Privacy.
- Clearing cookies does not delete your saved passwords unless you specifically check that box before deleting.
- Some apps store their own cookies separately from your browser, so clearing browser cookies will not affect login sessions in those apps.
Clear cookies in Google Chrome on your Samsung tablet
If you use Chrome instead of Samsung Internet, the process is similar but the menu locations are slightly different. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap Settings, then tap Privacy and security. You will see Clear browsing data near the top of that menu. Tap it, and a window appears with checkboxes for different types of data.
Make sure the time range at the top is set to what you want — All time clears everything, while Last hour or Last 24 hours clears only recent cookies. Check the box next to Cookies and site data, then tap Clear data. Chrome will delete those cookies when ready.
What cookies do and why you might want to clear them
A cookie is a small file that a website stores on your tablet to remember information about you — your login status, items in a shopping cart, or your preferences for how a page should look. Cookies are not harmful by themselves; they make websites work better and faster.
You might want to clear cookies if you are selling your tablet, sharing it with someone else, or if a website is not working correctly and you suspect old cookie data is causing the problem. Clearing cookies can also reduce the amount of data websites collect about your browsing habits, though it does not stop them from collecting new data the next time you visit.
If you clear cookies from a website you use regularly, you will likely need to log in again the next time you visit it. Your saved passwords are stored separately from cookies, so clearing cookies does not automatically log you out everywhere — but some sites use cookies to stay logged in, so you may need to enter your password again.
Clear cookies from a single website instead of all at once
If you only want to clear cookies from one specific website rather than your entire tablet, you can do that in Samsung Internet. Open the website, then tap the lock icon or information icon next to the web address at the top of the screen.
Tap Cookies and site permissions or Site settings (the exact wording depends on your tablet's Android version). You will see a list of permissions and data for that site. Look for Cookies or Storage and tap it, then tap Clear or Delete.
In Chrome, the process is similar: tap the lock icon next to the web address, then tap Cookies and site data, find the cookie you want to remove, and tap the trash icon next to it. This method is useful if you want to stay logged into most sites but need to clear data from just one.
Difference between clearing cookies and clearing cache
Cookies store information about you and your preferences. Cache stores copies of images, videos, and other files from websites so they load faster the next time you visit. They are two different things, though both clearing options usually appear in the same menu.
Clearing cache frees up storage space on your tablet and can speed things up if your cache has grown very large. Clearing cookies removes login information and site preferences. You can clear one without clearing the other — just uncheck the boxes for whichever data you want to keep.
If your tablet is running slowly or you are running low on storage space, clearing both cache and cookies together is usually the fastest fix. If you only want to log out of websites, clearing cookies alone is enough.
Automatically clear cookies when you close your browser
Both Samsung Internet and Chrome let you set them to clear cookies automatically every time you close the app. This is useful if you share your tablet or want to reduce tracking without having to clear manually each time.
In Samsung Internet, go to Settings > Privacy and look for Delete browsing data on exit or Clear browsing data when closing the app. Toggle it on. From that point forward, cookies will be deleted every time you fully close Samsung Internet.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security and turn on Delete browsing data (or Clear browsing data on exit, depending on your Android version). You can also choose which types of data to delete automatically — you might want to clear cookies but keep your cache, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies log me out of everything?
Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites, but not all. Some sites use other methods to keep you logged in. You will need to enter your password again the next time you visit a site whose cookies you cleared. Your saved passwords themselves are not deleted when you clear cookies.
Does clearing cookies delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies. When you clear browsing data, you will see a separate checkbox for Passwords and autofill — it is usually unchecked by default. You have to specifically check that box to delete saved passwords.
Can I clear cookies from just one app instead of my whole browser?
Apps like Facebook, Gmail, or Instagram store their own cookies inside the app, separate from your browser. To clear those, go to your tablet's Settings > Apps, find the app, tap Storage, and tap Clear cache or Clear data. This does not affect browser cookies.
What if a website stops working after I clear cookies?
Log in again or refresh the page. The website will create new cookies. If the problem persists, try clearing your cache as well, or try the site in a different browser to see if the issue is specific to one app.
Do I need to clear cookies regularly?
Not unless you share your tablet, want to reduce tracking, or are experiencing problems with a website. Cookies do not slow down your tablet or use much storage. Clearing them is optional and depends on your privacy preferences.