Level 1

85 points

Clearing Safari website data does not delete everything - iPhone

One would expect "clear history & website data" from safari would do just that, but that's not always the case.

Often, in my case, there are persistent data that survive the "clear." Usually from Twitter or Facebook, but sometimes from random sites I've visited. I have the Twitter App installed, but not Facebook or other sites that keep showing up.

This doesn't clear them:

Settings>Safari>Clear History and Website Data

Neither does this:

Settings>Safari>Advanced>Website Data>Remove All Website Data

This does work:

Individually swiping left on the persisting data and selecting "delete"

This, IMO, is an unusual behavior since the first method SHOULD do this job.

Most people won't go to ...advanced>website data> to double check if the clearing worked.

I suspect these are similar to "databases" that remain in Desktop Safari and have to be manually removed from

user/library/safari/databases (I had to remove a homedepot.com data that would keep reappearing.)

So the Question: Is this a normal behavior? Does this happen to others?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Mar 25, 2017 12:18 AM

194 replies

Jun 10, 2017 8:09 AM in response to ParhamS

Go to Set up and use iCloud Tabs - Apple Support and make sure his information is off

Sep 11, 2017 9:45 AM in response to cdigrego

cdigrego wrote:

I have this same problem. Can't delete two zero byte files.

Probably everyone with every iOS device has the problem, and will until Apple fixes it. If they are zero bytes they don't have any information in them, so they aren't really a problem.

Sep 15, 2017 8:49 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

This is not a bug, but a stand that Apple took to prevent advertisers from rebelling. Today, a well explained article released will clearly let you know how Apple is handling this issue. A new tech called ITP.

Please read it here.

https://9to5mac.com/2017/09/15/what-are-cookies-how-do-cookies-work/

I think it will work, but if you think it will change in IOS 11, it will not. I would like to see a user approach of deleting all website data on my terms, not letting one decide for me.

JAta2

Level 1

19 points

Jan 10, 2018 2:32 PM in response to funcus25

I wouldn’t have expected 11.2.2 to fix this - after all, it’s only a 64m discrete security fix... I share you frustration in that Apple has put this bug on the back burner for quite a while. I can’t even imagine what kind of code would regenerate cookies that were deleted... it’s not easy! On my system, it’s 10 sites that never go away... if they are used by the browser, then they turn into real cookies. But clearing the cookies just converts them to 0 length cookies.

sirromt

Level 1

6 points

Apr 23, 2017 10:30 PM in response to ParhamS

I have this problem on my iPad mini 4. I tried everything you suggested but the 2 web sites with 0 bytes will not delete.

Apr 25, 2017 9:44 PM in response to sirromt

Same thing is happening to my iPad Pro, it's really irritating. 2 web sites with 0 bytes will not delete.

Apr 25, 2017 9:45 PM in response to ParhamS

Is your iPhone updated to the latest version?

sirromt

Level 1

6 points

Apr 26, 2017 12:08 AM in response to 143625Alex

Report the problem to Apple. The more reports they have of this software problem the faster they will find a fix for it.

sirromt

Level 1

6 points

Apr 26, 2017 12:20 AM in response to iPhoneSEguy2003

To reclaim space on the device and stop web sites tracking your activities.

sirromt

Level 1

6 points

Apr 26, 2017 12:23 AM in response to ferrarimaster24

As suggest I have completed a feed back form and submitted it to Apple. So far they have not acknowledged it.

Apr 26, 2017 12:34 AM in response to sirromt

I did a feed back for one of my problems and they haven't fixed it yet. You can see it on my profile.

Donnbot

Level 1

4 points

Apr 26, 2017 2:03 PM in response to tyremark

Has this solved the problem permanently or does the problem start again as you begin to visit websites again?

sirromt

Level 1

6 points

May 15, 2017 11:11 PM in response to ChickenTheGod

Hi, I've just applied the latest update (10.3.2) to my iPad but it did not remove the 0 byte cookies. It seems Apple does not want to fix the problem or maybe they can't fix it.

May 23, 2017 8:12 PM in response to JJMFlash

I have updated to iOS 10.3.2 and it fixes the problem. I guess the guys at Apple read this blog.

Donnbot

Level 1

4 points

May 24, 2017 4:02 AM in response to Space Cowboy 303

:( updating hasn't worked for me! I now have 14 and one is 68kb. #frustrating

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Clearing Safari website data does not delete everything - iPhone