How to Clear Cache, History and Cookies in Safari, Chrome and Firefox on a Mac
Quick answer: In Chrome, Firefox and Edge, press ⇧⌘Delete, choose a time range, and clear cached files. In Safari, turn on the Develop menu, then choose Develop ▸ Empty Caches (⌥⌘E); clear history and cookies from History and Settings ▸ Privacy. Clearing cookies signs you out of websites.
Clearing a browser cache fixes pages that show old content and can free a little space. For app and system caches see How to Clear Cache on a Mac (App, Browser and DNS Cache).
Steps by browser
| Browser | Shortcut or menu | What to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Safari | Develop ▸ Empty Caches (⌥⌘E) | Enable the Develop menu first |
| Safari history and cookies | History ▸ Clear History; Settings ▸ Privacy | Manage Website Data for one site |
| Chrome | ⇧⌘Delete | Clear browsing data, choose the time range |
| Firefox | ⇧⌘Delete | Clear Recent History |
| Edge | ⇧⌘Delete | Clear browsing data |
Safari in detail
Choose Safari ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced and tick Show features for web developers.
Choose Develop ▸ Empty Caches, or press ⌥⌘E.
To clear history, choose History ▸ Clear History and pick a time range.
To clear cookies for one site, open Settings ▸ Privacy ▸ Manage Website Data, select the site and click Remove.
Chrome, Edge and Firefox
Press ⇧⌘Delete, choose the time range, tick the items to clear (cached images and files, cookies, history), and confirm. In Firefox the dialog is called Clear Recent History.
What each option removes
Cache deletes saved copies of pages, images and scripts. Sites reload them next visit.
Cookies remove logins and preferences for sites.
History removes the list of visited pages.
Saved passwords are stored separately and are kept unless you tick them.
If a site still shows old content
Flush the DNS cache. See How to Flush the DNS Cache on a Mac (and When You Need To).
FAQs
How do I clear the cache in Safari on a Mac?
Enable the Develop menu, then choose Develop ▸ Empty Caches.
Does clearing cookies delete passwords?
No, but it signs you out of sites.
How do I clear cookies for one site?
Use Manage Website Data in Safari, or the site settings in Chrome or Firefox.