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What Are Browser Cookies?

Understand small pieces of website data used for sign-ins, preferences, sessions, and tracking.

Quick Answer

Cookies are data a website asks the browser to store; some are necessary for site functions while others support preferences or tracking.

Step by Step

  1. Open the browser and the relevant page or Settings section.
  2. Cookies are data a website asks the browser to store; some are necessary for site functions while others support preferences or tracking.
  3. Test the result before clearing additional data or resetting more settings.
  4. If troubleshooting, try a private window or another browser to help determine whether the problem is browser-specific.

If That Doesn't Work

  • Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and mobile browsers use different menu names and layouts.
  • Clearing cookies, resetting settings, or removing saved passwords can sign you out or remove conveniences, so review the selected options first.