How to Clear Cookies and Browsing History on Your Device

If you’re concerned about someone seeing that you visited our website, you can remove signs of your visit by clearing your browsing history and cookies. This page explains how to do that on the most common devices and browsers.

Quick Privacy Tips

• If possible, use private or incognito browsing when visiting sensitive websites

• Clear your browsing history and cookies after each visit

• Avoid using shared or monitored devices if you can

• If you feel unsafe right now, contact emergency services

Important Note About the LEAVE SITE Button

Our website includes a LEAVE SITE button that quickly takes you to the BBC homepage. This can help if you need to exit the site quickly.
However, it does not delete your browsing history, cookies, or saved data. If someone has access to your device or browser, they may still be able to see that you visited this site. Follow the steps below if removing that information is important for your safety.

Please note that instructions may vary slightly depending on your device model, operating system version, or browser updates.

Mobile Devices

iPhone or iPad (iOS)

Safari Browser

1. Open Settings

2. Scroll down and tap Safari

3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Clear History and Website Data

4. Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data

On newer iOS versions, you may also be able to choose specific time ranges or remove data for individual websites.

Chrome Browser

1. Open Chrome

2. Tap the three dots (bottom-right on older versions, top-right on newer versions)

3. Tap History, then Clear Browsing Data

4. Choose Time Range (select All Time for full removal)

5. Select Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, and Cached Images and Files

6. Tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm

Android Phones or Tablets

Chrome Browser

1. Open Chrome

2. Tap the three dots

3. Tap History, then Clear Browsing Data

4. Choose Time Range (All Time recommended)

5. Select Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, and Cached Images and Files

6. Tap Clear Browsing Data and confirm

Samsung Internet

1. Open Samsung Internet

2. Tap Menu, then Settings

3. Tap Privacy, then Delete Browsing Data

4. Select Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, and Cache

5. Tap Delete and confirm

Amazon Fire Tablets

Silk Browser

1. Open Silk Browser

2. Tap the menu icon

3. Go to Settings

4. Tap Privacy, then Clear Browsing Data

5. Select History, Cookies, and Cache

6. Tap Clear Data

Laptops, Desktops, and Other Devices

Windows or Mac

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome

2. Click the three dots

3. Go to History, then Clear Browsing Data

4. Choose Time Range (All Time for full removal)

5. Select Browsing History, Cookies and Other Site Data, and Cached Images and Files

6. Click Clear Data

Safari (Mac)

1. Open Safari

2. Click Safari in the menu bar, then Clear History

3. Choose All History

4. Click Clear History

For deeper cleaning, go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data and remove stored cookies.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge

2. Click the three dots

3. Go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services

4. Under Clear Browsing Data, click Choose What to Clear

5. Select All Time

6. Tick Browsing History, Cookies and Other Site Data, and Cached Images and Files

7. Click Clear Now

Chromebook

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome

2. Click the three dots

3. Select History, then Clear Browsing Data

4. Choose Time Range (All Time recommended)

5. Tick Browsing History, Cookies and Other Site Data, and Cached Images and Files

6. Click Clear Data

Linux Devices

Firefox Browser

1. Open Firefox

2. Click the menu icon

3. Select Settings > Privacy & Security

4. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data

5. Tick Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content

6. Click Clear

Other Digital Traces to Check

Even after clearing your browser history, some information may still be saved:

• Search history: If you were signed into Google or another account, searches and site visits may be saved to that account

• Downloads: Files or PDFs you opened may still be in your downloads folder

• Autofill: Browsers may remember form entries

• Notifications: Websites may still be allowed to send notifications

• Emails or messages: Confirmation emails or saved links may remain

Clearing Google Account Activity

If you were signed into a Google account:

1. Go to Google Account > Data & Privacy

2. Under History Settings, review Web & App Activity

3. Delete or pause activity as needed

Using Private or Incognito Browsing

Private or incognito modes can help reduce traces on your device, but they are not completely anonymous. These modes prevent history from being saved on the device, but they do not hide activity from internet providers, employers, or monitoring software.

Shared or Monitored Devices

If someone else has access to your device, browser, email, or cloud account, they may still be able to see activity. If possible, consider using a trusted friend’s device, a library computer, or a new account that others cannot access.

If You’re Worried About Your Safety

If you are experiencing abuse or feel unsafe, help is available. You are not alone.

UK Support Services:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (24/7)

• Women’s Aid Live Chat – https://www.womensaid.org.uk

• Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327

• Childline – 0800 1111

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak safely, use the Silent Solution by pressing 55 when prompted.

For more resources, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/domestic-abuse