How to Clear Chrome Cache Without Losing Saved Logins 2026 🧠 — Step-by-Step Guide
Short intro: Clearing cache can fix pages that load wrong or show stale content, but you don’t want to lose saved passwords or active sessions. This guide shows exact steps to clear cache and site data safely in 2026 while preserving logins and autofill where possible. Practical, copy-paste ready, no fluff.
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H2: What this guide covers 👋
- Difference between cache, cookies, and site data.
- Exact clicks, shortcuts, and paths for Windows and macOS.
- How to clear cache only, clear cookies selectively, and preserve passwords/sessions.
- Troubleshooting, quick commands, and small real-life tips.
Target: users in the US, Canada, Australia, UK who need a low-risk way to clean Chrome without redoing logins.
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H2: Quick reality check — cache vs cookies vs site data
- Cache = files (images, scripts) saved to speed up loading. Clearing cache often fixes display problems.
- Cookies = small tokens that keep you logged in or save preferences. Deleting all cookies can sign you out.
- Site data / Local Storage = app state, sometimes crucial to stay logged in.
Goal: clear cache (safe) and delete only problem cookies (selective) so you keep saved logins and passwords.
Personal aside: I used to clear everything and then spend an hour re-logging into dozens of sites — don’t be that person. Selective cleanup is the trick.
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H2: One-line plan
Clear cached images and files → verify problem fixed → if needed, clear cookies for the specific site only → keep passwords and autofill intact.
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H2: Step 1 — Quick clear cache (Desktop) — exact clicks
Windows / macOS (standard UI):
1] Open Chrome.
2] Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac).
3] In the "Clear browsing data" dialog:
- Tab: Basic → Time range: Last 24 hours / Last 7 days / All time (choose as needed).
- Check only "Cached images and files".
- Uncheck "Cookies and other site data" and "Passwords and other sign-in data".
4] Click Clear data.
Result: Cache cleared; passwords and cookies untouched.
Note: If you need to remove more recent cache only, pick a shorter time range. If you want a full refresh, choose All time.
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H2: Step 2 — Use DevTools to clear cache for a single site (precise and fast)
1] Open the problem site in a tab.
2] Press F12 (or Ctrl+Shift+I / Cmd+Option+I) to open DevTools.
3] Right-click the Reload button (in the browser toolbar) and choose "Empty Cache and Hard Reload" (works while DevTools is open).
4] Alternatively in DevTools: Application panel → Clear Storage → check "Cache Storage" and "IndexedDB" as needed → Click Clear site data.
Why do this: clears only the current origin’s cache and storage, leaving other sites untouched and preserving sign-ins elsewhere.
Side note: This is my go-to for one-off site fixes — fast and surgical.
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H2: Step 3 — Clear cookies for a specific site (preserve others)
1] Open the site.
2] Click the padlock icon left of the address bar → Cookies.
3] In the dialog, inspect cookies and remove the site cookies you suspect are causing issues by selecting and clicking Remove.
4] Or: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → See all site data and permissions → Search for the site → Click the trash icon to remove only that site’s data.
Result: You may be signed out on that specific site only; other sites keep sessions.
Human tip: If a site logs you out after cookie removal but you need to stay logged in, clear only cache via DevTools first — often enough.
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H2: Step 4 — Preserve passwords and autofill (exact checks)
- Export passwords before doing risky cleaning if you’re nervous: chrome://settings/passwords → three-dot menu → Export passwords (secure the CSV).
- Ensure Chrome Sync is enabled if you rely on cloud-stored passwords: chrome://settings/syncSetup → check Passwords.
- Do NOT check “Passwords and other sign-in data” when using Clear browsing data unless you mean to remove saved logins.
Quick check: chrome://settings/passwords — confirm you see saved logins before you clear anything.
Note: Exporting passwords makes sense for nervous folks — but treat CSV as plaintext and delete/secure it immediately.
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H2: Step 5 — Clearing cache for all profiles and specific profile paths (advanced)
If you manage multiple Chrome profiles or need to clear cache files directly:
Windows paths (copy/paste ready):
- Profile cache folder (Default profile):
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache
- Profile Cache Storage:
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Code Cache\js
macOS paths:
- Default profile cache:
/Users/<YourUser>/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome/Default/Cache
- Code cache:
/Users/<YourUser>/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Code Cache/js
Exact steps (Windows example):
1] Quit Chrome.
2] Navigate to the Cache folder path above.
3] Delete the contents of the Cache folder (not the folder itself).
4] Restart Chrome.
Caution: Direct deletion is forceful but effective; only use if UI methods fail.
Personal aside: I do manual cache deletes when DevTools reload doesn’t clear stubborn assets — but only when I know what I’m deleting.
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H2: Step 6 — Clearing Service Worker / IndexedDB for a site (if app misbehaves)
1] Open DevTools → Application tab.
2] Under Service Workers: click Unregister for the site’s service worker.
3] Under Storage: uncheck what you want cleared (IndexedDB, Local Storage, Cache Storage) and click Clear site data.
Why: PWAs or sites using Service Workers can cache aggressively. Unregistering service workers forces a fresh install.
Warning: Unregistering may remove offline capability — but fixes many PWA problems.
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H2: Step 7 — Mobile Chrome (Android / iOS) — selective cache clearing
Android:
- Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage & cache → Clear cache (this clears only cache).
- To clear site data: Chrome app → Settings → Site settings → All sites → Select site → Clear & reset.
iOS:
- Chrome iOS → Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data → Select "Cached Images and Files" only → Clear.
Note: Mobile “Clear cache” usually doesn’t remove saved passwords (which are in OS keychain or Chrome sync). Still, be cautious with "Clear browsing data" full options.
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H2: Troubleshooting — common problems and fixes
Problem: Page still shows old assets after clearing cache
- Fix: Hard reload with DevTools open (Empty Cache and Hard Reload). Also clear CDN caches if you control the site.
Problem: You were signed out of many sites after clearing data
- Fix: You likely cleared cookies or site data. Re-login. Next time, clear cache only or remove cookies for the specific site.
Problem: Extensions behave oddly after cache clear
- Fix: Restart Chrome. If still odd, disable the extension and re-enable. For unpacked dev extensions, re-load unpacked.
Problem: Clearing cache causes some websites to lose local preferences
- Fix: Those settings were stored in cookies or localStorage; clear them selectively next time.
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H2: Comparisons (no table) — Clearing methods at a glance
Clear browsing data dialog (Cached images and files)
- Pro: Fast, GUI, preserves cookies and passwords if unchecked.
- Con: Global approach; affects all sites.
DevTools Empty Cache and Hard Reload (site-only)
- Pro: Precise, only current origin cleared.
- Con: Must have DevTools open.
Direct file deletion (profile cache folders)
- Pro: Forceful and effective.
- Con: Risky if you delete wrong files.
Selective cookie removal (padlock → Cookies)
- Pro: Surgical, preserves sessions elsewhere.
- Con: If you remove auth cookie, you'll be signed out for that site.
My advice: Start with DevTools for a single site, use Clear browsing data for global cache, and resort to direct file deletion only if necessary.
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H2: Quick commands and paths summary
- Clear browsing dialog: Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) / Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac)
- DevTools open: Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows) / Cmd+Option+I (Mac)
- Windows cache folder: C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache
- macOS cache folder: /Users/<YourUser>/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome/Default/Cache
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H2: FAQs — short practical answers
Q: Will clearing cache free disk space?
A: Yes. Cache can grow large — clearing it reclaims space but Chrome will rebuild cache over time.
Q: Does clearing cache remove saved passwords?
A: No — cached images/files are separate. Only remove "Passwords and other sign-in data" to delete saved logins.
Q: Are service worker caches cleared with normal cache clear?
A: Not always. Use DevTools → Application → Service Workers and Cache Storage to clear them.
Q: Should I clear cookies or cache first if troubleshooting a site?
A: Start with cache only (fastest, safest). If problems persist, clear cookies for that site or unregister service workers.
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H2: What you can take away 📝
- Clear cache only to fix visual or stale issues — don’t clear cookies or passwords unless you mean to.
- Use DevTools Empty Cache and Hard Reload for a quick, site-specific reset.
- For stubborn issues, clear Service Worker / IndexedDB for that site.
- Backup passwords first if you’re nervous. Exporting CSV is fine — but secure and delete it afterward.
- Manual deletion of profile cache folders works but is last-resort.
Personal line: I usually open DevTools, right-click reload, and fix the issue in under a minute — saves me logging back into a dozen sites.
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H2: Sources and further reading
- Google Chrome Help — Clear, enable, and manage cookies: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
- Google Chrome DevTools — Network and Application panels: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/
- Stack Overflow and Superuser threads on service workers and cache clearing: https://stackoverflow.com and https://superuser.com
Related: "How to Recover Deleted Chrome Bookmarks 2026" and "Automatically Backup Chrome Bookmarks 2026" — useful pre-steps before big cleanups.
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H2: Why this matters in 2026 — final wrap
Cleaning cache is a small maintenance task that prevents weird site behavior — but do it smart. Targeted clears (DevTools or site cookies) solve most problems while keeping your logins and passwords intact. Do the surgical thing first; blanket wipes only when necessary. Trust me — it saves time and headaches.
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