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

Certain website data sites can not be removed. Even after a reset they still remain. This only happened after updating to 10.3.

iPad Air 2 WiFi, Cellular, iOS 10.3

Posted on Apr 2, 2017 4:48 AM

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Posted on Oct 16, 2017 11:54 PM

I found a solution and I originally posted it at Cookies won't delete on iOS. I found this thread has a lot of reviews and I will repost here.


I tested on both ios 11.1 beta 3 on my iphone 8 and 11.0.3 on my ipad.


I have this problem since ios 10 on iphone 5s. After I bought an iphone 8 recently and used the backup from the iphone 5s to restore, the "persistent" cookies migrated to the new device. I also bought an iPad Pro and used the backup from the phone to set it up, the "persistent" cookies migrated to the ipad as well.


All the operations and software are under windows. What you need to do is:


Step 1: Use iTunes or a third party software to make a backup of your device.


Step 2: Use a third party software (I used iMazing because it is the one I found that can edit the backup. This is not supposed to be an advertisement.) to edit the backup. To do this you first need to select the backup you made and click the edit button. Then you need to remove all the files in the editable backup under "File System/Apps/AppDomain-com.apple.mobilesafari/Library/WebKit/WebsiteData/WebSQL/ ". You will be able to see all the cookies that you can not delete at this location. I this the absolute path in the actual file system is /var/mobile/Application/com.apple.mobilesafari/Library/WebKit/WebsiteData/WebSQ L/.


Step 3: Usw iTunes or a third party software to restore the backup.


Note: The backup should not be encrypted.


The solution is quite technical, and I hope apple devs can fix this problem soon.

300 replies

Apr 26, 2017 8:07 AM in response to Community User

Drocmirage's solution seems a convoluted way to address an issue that shouldn't exist in the first place, but I decided to give it a try. I was able to eliminate one of the two persistent website data listings from my iPad Pro 9.7 (thanks for that), but the multi-step procedure didn't get rid of the other site after several attempt (microsoftstore.com). Hopefully Apple will eventually provide a true fix.

May 4, 2017 2:59 PM in response to Gibraltar Bill

This SEEMS to have worked for me twice. I went back to the website whose data I couldn't delete & while I was on it, went to settings, etc., & deleted just the offending web data. Worked for harbor freight.com & bissel.com, both 0 content folders that wouldn't go away at separate times.

By returning to the sites I was trying to get them to put some data in the folders so they wouldn't be 0 content but apparently I just needed to be there? Don't ask me what part of ios10 causes this & hope it works for you.

May 4, 2017 6:19 PM in response to Dbikedoc

Tried this "solution" twice and now I feel stupid for being so gullible. Like most of the stuff on the internet, this too is nonsense. If you return to advanced browser settings, the zero byte cookies have returned. Simplest solution of all is to: email the offending company and let them know why they won't get any more of your business, post details about the company's disrespect for customers on their web discussion board or fakebook page, encourage others to boycott the offending company also. You have to remember that corporate execs are stupid. Actions that diminish their profits hit them right in the greed, the only thing they are capable of understanding. Fight back, don't back down, eliminate your assailant by any means required.


By the way, this undeletable cookie problem has haunted Safari since 2010 if you check the Apple support forums. As usual, apple chooses to fix a problem by ignoring it. (Remember the itunes blank store page problem?) Also, cookies that are difficult to delete have been a problem at least as far back as 2008. Unethical companies are always looking for new ways to insult and assault customers.

May 8, 2017 1:55 AM in response to Gibraltar Bill

I always clear out website data/cookies after a lot of internet use and noticed since the iOS 10.3.1 update, the phone stores website data. Even though after deleting, the phone will show 0 bytes, but the sites are still listed under the advanced tab. At one point I had over a 100 sites listed, and the phone seemed a bit slower. I found the only way to clear this is a master reset and set up as a "new iPhone" which is a pain. Not sure if this will work, but so far, so good-no website data storage......yet.

May 13, 2017 3:43 AM in response to Gibraltar Bill

I have the same issue on iPhone and iPhone.


I "Clear History and Website Data" and also under Advanced > Website Data > "Remove All Website Data" but if you go back to the "Website Data" screen pages are still listed. I tried deleting them manually by swiping left on them to reveal a "Delete" button for each item but that doesn't work. It removed a few but not all. The items remaining have "0 bytes" of data but they won't delete from the list at all.


This has been an issue for a while now and although it's not stopping me from doing anything it's frustrating!

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

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