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Safari 13.1.2 Doesn't really clear cookies, why not?

Clear ALL History. Clear cookies manually via Preferences (Manage Website Data). Close Safari and relaunch. All previous cookies are back. Is this a known bug or a trick to make you think you have deleted all cookies? I like Safari, but this kind of thing doesn't happen with Firefox. What's up? OS 10.15.6

Posted on Aug 13, 2020 11:17 AM

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Posted on Aug 13, 2020 1:22 PM

You cannot clear all cookies as long as there is any web site still appearing in a browser window or tab, as the site will simply reset the cookie[s] when it notices they have been removed.


Quit Safari. Press and hold the shift key when launching Safari again. Now, clear the browser cache (option_ cmd+E), and clear history -> all history. You will notice that there are no cookies shown in Safari Preferences : Privacy : Manage Website Data… . Assumption: You have Safari Preferences : Advanced : [√] Show Develop menu in menu bar set.


Repeat the second paragraph only when you wish to eradicate all history, browser cache, and cookies. Tested with Safari 13.1.2.

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Aug 13, 2020 1:22 PM in response to Chris Doyle

You cannot clear all cookies as long as there is any web site still appearing in a browser window or tab, as the site will simply reset the cookie[s] when it notices they have been removed.


Quit Safari. Press and hold the shift key when launching Safari again. Now, clear the browser cache (option_ cmd+E), and clear history -> all history. You will notice that there are no cookies shown in Safari Preferences : Privacy : Manage Website Data… . Assumption: You have Safari Preferences : Advanced : [√] Show Develop menu in menu bar set.


Repeat the second paragraph only when you wish to eradicate all history, browser cache, and cookies. Tested with Safari 13.1.2.

Aug 14, 2020 6:58 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks Viking. I've noticed that, but this happens even when I close Safari etc. I've deleted All History, shut Safari and then had them reappear..... Thank you for the Keyboard Shortcuts, I appreciate it.


I guess I'm just ticked off that it requires so many hoops to be jumped through, yet the freakin' cookies rise from the dead nonetheless. I suppose I'm tilting at windmills ;-)

Aug 15, 2020 1:39 AM in response to Chris Doyle

You need to quit Safari before clearing history and cache, and then relaunch with the procedure that I previously mentioned. I do not have any cookies being reset following that protocol. I have checked, and they are not present. My browser is configured to present a blank page when launched normally.


Many years ago, Apple offered a feature in Safari that with one click, it would clear history, cookies, and (possibly) browser cache. That was too user friendly and practical, so it was removed. I am typing this in Firefox 79, which can be configured to wipe everything with a History menu -> Clear History… selection.

Aug 15, 2020 7:03 AM in response to VikingOSX

Hi Viking.....thanks again on the response. It just seems like an awful lot of moves to attain a clean slate without a cookie reset....as in, intentional. I remember the old one click button on Safari. I'm surprised a hack hasn't come along to mirror that feature. I'm not up to anything nefarious, I just like to limit my trail on the old internet. I use Firefox (79) for banking etc., but I like some of the conveniences of Safari.....sad to see Apple comply with the cookie monsters! Have a great weekend, Chris

Safari 13.1.2 Doesn't really clear cookies, why not?

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