Why can't I delete website data in iOS 10.3?

Seems with iOS 11.2.1 this issue is fixed.

Hi there I am not sure how old this post is but I have the solution. It's very particular about the steps you take, so follow each step. I own an iPhone7 iOS 10

1. Set cookies to allow

2. Make a list of all the websites that won't erase from your website data.

3. Visit each site (on safari) doing the following steps.

4. Once you have safari open with the website that is storing data on your device, leaving the window open (press home screen button)

5. Open: settings>safari>advanced>website data

6. Swipe the current website that is open in safari

7. Delete

8. Click back twice

9. Double click home screen button and close safari first then close your settings window

10. Repeat steps for remaining website data stored on your device.

This is literally the only way it works. If you skip any steps then the web site will remain but with 0kb. I spent a week messing with my settings until I discovered the solution. I tried it several other ways (attempting to skip steps) but failed. Good luck guys.

As a rough guess, there are many thousands (I'll use 10,000) of known bugs in something as complex as iOS. As each one of them takes time to resolve, test, and verify that the resolution didn't break something else, they are prioritized. And this one is a very low priority. It doesn't interfere with normal operation and it isn't a security vulnerability. It's annoying, but most users aren't even aware of it.

I and many other users, DO see this as a security threat. At one point iOS did actually allow you to remove website data, then after an update it no longer works. So in my opinion Apple created this problem, there has been no acknowledgement of this issue and certainly no solution for a long time now. Relying on most users not being aware of this, is not a solution. Apple is focused on a mass release of phones, watches, apple TV etc., but apparently does not seem concerned about the basic functions of the software.

There are two reasons why a company doesn’t address evercookies. The first would be that they don’t care. The second would be that they can’t.

I don’t think they can fix the bug. The reason I think they can’t fix this bug, is because they added a new feature for Safari that’s on by default. The feature I’m talking about is called, “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.”

That’s what’s weird...it’s different for everyone. I went to the sites you mentioned as well as the iOS 10 list that have been a nightmare for me to remove and so far nothing. I was able to browse the sites, search, add items to cart, etc. and then delete all the data from within the Safari settings. I don’t know if it’ll last but so far, so good!

iOS 11 - iPhone 6s

No timildl, I do not work for Apple or have any association with them. I upgraded to ios11 on Wednesday evening and am enjoying the new system. It runs quickly with no buffering and/or glitches so maybe others are at the mercy of there network providers. As of up to today I can still delete ALL of the website data from both my iPhone and my iPad. I can also remove ALL website date from the kids iPads and one iPhone, so for me this a result and I am confident in saying so.As for others Thank you to Lawrence Finch for his support. Your sarcastic response leads me to ask "Do You work for an Android manufacturer ?"

I didn’t do a clean install when upgrading my iPad Pro to iOS 11 and have yet to have an issue with deleting cookies. I had two cookies that were persistent before the update.

Both devices (iPhone 6s & iPad Pro) have had no issues deleting web data since the iOS 11 update.

Ok, the problems has not been fixed for YOU but for many others it has, therefore my confirmation that iOS 11 has fixed my issue is as valid as is your confirmation that it has not. If you are still having an issue it must be a problem with your particular device so I would politely suggest you book a Genius Bar appointment and get it resolved unless you want to keep contradicting others who have confirmed the fix.

User22983 wrote:

Don't make a grand statement that the issue has been fixed.

IT'S NOT BEEN FIXED and after waiting 6 months I believe it'll never be.

A device has nothing to do with it. It's the new file system, the AFS.

No one made any "grand statement". onlyoneking was pointing out that it HAS been fixed for some people. The fact that it hasn't for everyone may point to more than one root cause.

You need to understand how cookies work. Just because you didn't log into the other websites is irrelevant. If you look at the t's&c's you will see that they allow third party access, this means that if you login to Walgreens, all their associated partners will have access to your information and hence their names will be stored as cookies. Annoying I know but thats the way the T'internet is going, everyone gets a little piece of your data. When it works in your favour i.e online ticketing, priority passes et al its nice, so I guess we just have to get on with it because it is not going to change.

I guess it has something to do with corrupted data file or incorrect folder/file permission. The key is to EDIT the backup manually to remove the cookies. When restoring a backup, the device first wipes itself then applies the backup. In my experience, I even saw some entries that are not listed in the os's website data page. It is rather creepy if you thing about it.

Quick follow-up, and topical b/c it's nerve-racking and there isn't a fix (as far as I can tell). Maybe I'll start a new thread, but in the meantime I'd be curious if others are unable to erase "Accounts & Passwords" data? On the new IOS 11, Settings>Accounts & Passwords>App & Website Passwords ... does anyone else have data populated within their "Passwords" field they can't erase? This IS topical for this thread b/c data w/in aforementioned field can not be erased. For e.g., just like the 0KB website data 'cookies' that couldn't be erased (ergo, "topical" for this thread)... I have accounts & passwords that can't be erased. (I'm pretty sure one if from an airport lounge, but regardless, it's pretty off-putting that I can't erase it). I even clicked "Add Password", and created a fictitious username & password in order to test if it could be erased, and it can not. Try for yourself.

I dislike complaining... I try to find the good versus bad, e.t. But in today's day & age, to not feel in somewhat control of your smart phone is pretty off-putting. I respect Apple's policy, historically, regarding personal privacy... but these 'bugs' just kill my Apple-Spirit anymore. Nobody's data/info. is impervious to ne'er do wells and government (unfortunately), but for crying out loud -let me erase stuff and at least feel some semblance of privacy (even if it's false, lol). Well, at least the SuperCookie/Safari bug is fixed. Moving-on. (Thanks for reading if I didn't put you to sleep and you made it this far w/ my editorial/diatribe). Maybe I'll get the "BlackPhone2" next? 🙂 Laters.

i recommend we take this to Apple Insider, MacRumors, etc. websites to get some public attention on this. This is indeed a privacy issue at the very least.

In case anyone cares, i have this problem with ALL cookies on my iOS devices. I can't delete a single one that's left, and there are a ton left because i hadn't cleared it out in a long time. In fact, if i do a lot of individual swiping or press the "Clear History and Website Data" button/linkthing, and then try to list Website Data, it will sit spinning the "Loading..." forever. Only a reboot will let me view the list again, but what's the point anyway, since it's useless for anything but letting the user know they have NO CONTROL over their browser's stored data!

The evercookie bug is still present in iOS 11.