HTTP cookie initially for websites to remember useful information about the user in order to better serve the users. However, they are often misused by third parties for commercial and/or monitoring purposes, making it a nuisance and privacy nightmare. While Google has announced plans to replace web cookies with so-called ‘trust tokens’, the plan is unlikely to be widely implemented anytime soon. Today we show you how you can delete (clear) and disable (or enable) cookies in Google Chrome on Android and Windows 10.
Delete, Disable and Manage Cookies in Google Chrome
The problem with rogue cookies is particularly acute on mobile platforms, which often do not offer as much scope for protecting online privacy as desktop platforms. However, many browsers block third-party cookies entirely or offer users the ability to manage them relatively efficiently. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how you manage, delete (clear) and disable (or enable) cookies in Google Chrome on Android smartphones and tablets.
Manage Cookies in Google Chrome on Android Devices
The process of deleting cookies from Google Chrome is similar on Android and iOS with minimal deviations. If you’re using an iPhone, you should still be able to follow the guide below to delete cookies in Google Chrome on your device.
Delete Cookies in Google Chrome on Android
- Open Chrome and click the menu button (three points) in the upper right corner. on the next page, Settings.
- In the settings menu, go to: Privacy & Security > Clear browsing data.
- Now Further tab [1] and use the dropdown [2] choose time interval, such as Last Hour or All Time. Now select the checkboxes of the things you want to delete [3]and finally hit clear data [4]. Confirm by tapping Open in the pop-up dialog.
This much! You have successfully cleared browsing data and all web cookies in Google Chrome on your phone. We will now see how we can allow (enable) or block (disable) cookies saved by websites.
Enable (Allow) or Disable (Block) Cookies in Google Chrome on Android
Note: If you do not allow websites to save cookies in your browser, some functionality on certain websites may not work as expected. For example, you cannot log into any website to check your messages, pay online, buy goods or write reviews..
- To completely disable cookies, go to: More > Settings as described above. Then scroll down and tap on it. Site Settings > Cookies.
- The default cookie setting is ‘Block third-party cookies in incognito mode’. However, you can always block all cookies on all sites if you wish. Your preferences will be saved instantly.
You can allow cookies from the site you are visiting, while blocking cookies from other sites that display ads or images on the web page. Select the third option in the screenshot above to block these third-party cookies.
Manage Cookies in Google Chrome on Windows 10 Devices
The process of deleting cookies from Google Chrome is similar on Windows and macOS with minimal deviations. If you are using a Mac, you should be able to follow the guide below to delete cookies in Google Chrome on your device.
Delete Cookies in Google Chrome on Windows
- Open Google Chrome on your computer and click the menu button (three points) in the upper right corner. In the drop-down menu, Settings.
- Scroll down Privacy and security select the partition and then Clear browsing data.
- In the opened window, Cookies and other site data [1] checkbox (and any other items you might want to delete). You can also select the time zone from the drop-down menu. [2]. Finally, click on clear data button [3] below.
This much! You have successfully cleared browsing data and all web cookies in Google Chrome on your phone. Note that you can also use keyboard shortcuts to clear your browsing history in all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. In either case, we will now see how we can allow (enable) or block (disable) cookies saved by websites.
Enable (Allow) or Disable (Block) Cookies in Google Chrome on Windows
- Set route to More > Settings as described above. Now scroll down and select Cookies and other site data under Privacy and security.
- As with Android, the default cookie setting is ‘Block third-party cookies in incognito mode’. However, you can always block all cookies on all sites. Your preferences will be saved instantly.
- In addition, you can always whitelist sites that can use cookies, or you can blacklist sites that can never use cookies. To do this, use the ‘Add’ buttons next to the relevant options.
Note: Whitelisting only works for first-party sites. Therefore, if you block third-party cookies, all cookies and site data from all third-party sites will be blocked, even if that site is allowed in your exceptions list..
Manage Cookies Like a Professional to Avoid Targeted Ads
Google Chrome may be the most popular web browser on both Windows and Android, but it is notorious for numerous privacy bugs, including incognito tracking without user consent. So, if you want even more privacy, check out how you can spoof geolocation in all major web browsers. You can also control how you can open any major browser in Incognito or Private mode by default every time. If even that isn’t enough, check out our list of the best Chrome alternatives to switch to a safer, more privacy-focused browser.
