Safari stores cookies and other website data for sign-ins, preferences, and site features. If you want to remove that data without necessarily wiping the visible browsing-history list, use Safari’s Website Data controls.
On current iOS versions, Safari’s app-specific controls are under Settings > Apps > Safari. You can clear browsing history and website data from Safari’s settings, or use Advanced > Website Data when you need to inspect or remove stored site data more selectively. Clearing cookies can sign you out of websites and remove saved site state. If your goal is only to fix one troublesome website, removing that site’s data can be less disruptive than clearing everything.
Quick steps
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Safari.
- Tap Advanced.
- Tap Website Data.
- Tap Remove All Website Data and confirm.
Expect to be signed out
Removing website data can sign you out of sites and clear saved site preferences. Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain or a password manager are separate, but the website may no longer remember that you were signed in.
Clear one website instead
The Website Data list can be useful when one site is broken. Removing data for only that domain is less disruptive than clearing every cookie on the phone and lets you test whether stale site data caused the problem.
Clear History and Website Data is the broader Safari cleanup. The Advanced > Website Data route is useful when you specifically want cookies and cache removed while preserving more of the visible history.
Safari can block all cookies, but sign-ins, shopping carts, and other site functions may stop working. Clearing bad or old data is usually a better troubleshooting step than permanently blocking every cookie.
One more detail worth knowing
How to Delete Cookies on iPhone Deleting cookies on your iPhone is a simple process that involves navigating through the settings app. First, open the Settings app, then scroll down and tap on Safari. Within Safari's settings, locate and tap on "Advanced," then "Website Data." Finally, select "Remove All Website Data" to delete all cookies.
How to confirm the change
After you finish clear/delete cookies, repeat the action that originally brought you to this guide. Check the visible setting or real-world result rather than assuming the change took effect. If the result differs from the steps above, return to the relevant menu and look for a carrier, account, device, or app-specific control before changing unrelated iPhone settings.
Removing website data can sign you out of sites, reset site preferences, and remove data used to keep shopping carts or sessions active. It does not delete ordinary photos, messages, or apps from the iPhone.
Current Safari settings may be under Apps
On current iOS versions, Safari’s settings are found under Settings > Apps > Safari. If an older instruction tells you to scroll directly to Safari on the main Settings page, use the Apps section instead. You can also manage website data more selectively when you do not want to clear everything.
Matthew Roberts created this site to help his friends and family with questions that they might have about how to change the settings on their iPhones. It now serves as an archive of iPhone how-to guides to help anyone that stumbles upon this website.