Where to Find the Clear Browsing Data Option
On a Samsung tablet, clearing cookies depends on which browser you use. Most Samsung tablets come with either Samsung Internet or Google Chrome pre-installed. Both browsers store cookies in the same way, but the steps to clear them differ slightly between the two.
Cookies are small files that websites save on your device to remember your login information, preferences, and browsing history. Clearing them can free up storage space, improve browser speed, and remove tracking data from websites you've visited.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Internet and Google Chrome both have a "Clear browsing data" option in their settings menus, accessible through the three-line menu icon.
- You must select "Cookies and site data" specifically — clearing all browsing data will also delete your saved passwords and browsing history.
- The process takes less than one minute and requires no restart of your tablet.
- If you use multiple browsers on your tablet, you will need to clear cookies separately in each one.
Clearing Cookies in Samsung Internet
Open the Samsung Internet app on your tablet. Tap the three horizontal lines (called the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings.
In the Settings menu, tap Privacy. You will see an option labeled Delete browsing data. Tap it. A popup window will appear with several checkboxes. Make sure only Cookies and site data is checked — uncheck "Browsing history," "Cached images and files," and "Passwords" if you want to keep those. Tap Delete at the bottom of the popup. The process finishes in a few seconds.
Clearing Cookies in Google Chrome
Open the Chrome app on your tablet. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Tap Settings from the menu that appears.
Tap Privacy and security, then tap Clear browsing data. A popup will open. At the top, make sure the time range is set to All time if you want to remove all cookies, or select a specific date range. Below that, check only Cookies and site data. Uncheck the other options if you want to preserve your history and passwords. Tap Clear data. Chrome will finish within seconds.
What Gets Removed When You Clear Cookies
When you clear cookies and site data, websites will no longer remember you the next time you visit them. You may need to log back into email, social media, and shopping accounts. Websites will not remember your preferences, such as language settings or items in your shopping cart.
Clearing cookies does not delete your browsing history, saved passwords, or cached images unless you specifically check those boxes. If you only want to remove cookies and leave everything else intact, uncheck all other options before tapping Delete or Clear data.
Clearing Cookies for a Single Website
If you only want to clear cookies from one website instead of all websites, you can do this in both browsers. In Samsung Internet, open the website, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, then tap Site permissions. Find the website in the list and tap it, then tap Clear. In Chrome, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, tap Site settings, then Cookies, and find the website you want to clear.
This method is useful if a website is not working properly or if you want to remove tracking data from one source without affecting your other saved login information.
When to Clear Cookies on Your Tablet
Clear cookies if your tablet is running slowly, if you notice websites loading incorrectly, or if you want to remove tracking data before selling or giving away your device. You may also want to clear cookies if a website is not recognizing you properly or if you are having trouble logging in.
Some people clear cookies regularly for privacy reasons. Others only clear them when they notice a problem. There is no set schedule — it depends on your personal preference and how often you use your tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my saved passwords?
No, not unless you specifically check the "Passwords" box before clearing. In both Samsung Internet and Chrome, passwords are stored separately from cookies. You can clear cookies while keeping your saved passwords intact by unchecking that option.
Can I clear cookies automatically on my Samsung tablet?
Yes. In Chrome, go to Settings, tap Privacy and security, then toggle on "Clear cookies and site data when you close Chrome." In Samsung Internet, go to Settings, tap Privacy, and toggle on "Delete cookies and site data when closing the app." Your tablet will then clear cookies every time you close the browser.
What if I clear cookies and still can't log into a website?
Try clearing the cache as well as cookies. In Chrome or Samsung Internet, go to Settings and look for "Clear cache" or "Cached images and files." If the problem continues, the website itself may be having issues. Try accessing it from a different device or browser to confirm.
Do I need to restart my tablet after clearing cookies?
No. Clearing cookies takes effect when ready. Your tablet does not need to restart, and you can continue using your browser right away.
Will clearing cookies log me out of everything?
Yes. After clearing cookies, you will be logged out of most websites and apps that use browser login. You will need to log back in the next time you visit those sites. Apps that have their own login system (like the Facebook app or Gmail app) are not affected by clearing browser cookies.