Help and Technical Documentation

How to Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Web browsers store images, scripts, stylesheets, and other website files locally to help pages load faster. When mapping applications or GIS services are updated, older cached files can sometimes conflict with newer application code or resources, causing map viewers or tools to behave unexpectedly. Clearing your browser cache causes the browser to request fresh copies of these files instead of reusing older locally cached versions.

In most cases, you should try a hard refresh or clear only the browser cache first. Clearing cookies and other site data is usually not necessary unless the problem continues, and doing so may sign you out of websites or remove saved site preferences.

Quick Fix (Bypass Cache for One Page): If a specific map tool is acting up, you often do not need to clear your entire browser cache. While viewing the affected page, try a Hard Refresh:

  • Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Windows / Linux: Press Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R.
  • Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on macOS: Press Command + Shift + R.

Clear Browsing Data Shortcut: In Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on desktop, you can open the browser's browsing-data controls directly:
Windows / Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Delete   |   macOS: Command + Shift + Delete

Google Chrome (Desktop)

  1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Delete browsing data. You can also go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.
  3. Set the Time range to All time.
  4. To clear the browser cache, select:
    • Cached images and files
  5. If the problem continues, you may also select Cookies and other site data. Note: Clearing cookies may sign you out of websites.
  6. You can leave Browsing history unchecked if you want to keep your list of visited sites.
  7. Click Delete data.
  8. Reload the MapWV application.

Microsoft Edge (Desktop)

  1. Click the Settings and more icon (three horizontal dots) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. In the left-hand menu, click Privacy, search, and services.
  4. Scroll to Clear browsing data and click Choose what to clear next to Clear browsing data now.
  5. Set the Time range to All time.
  6. Select Cached images and files.
  7. If the problem continues, you may also select Cookies and other site data. Note: Clearing cookies may sign you out of websites.
  8. Click Clear now.
  9. Reload the MapWV application.

Mozilla Firefox (Desktop)

  1. Click the Open application menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Click Privacy & Security in the left navigation panel.
  4. Scroll to the Cookies and Site Data section and click Clear Data....
  5. Select Temporary cached files and pages. In some Firefox versions, this may be labeled Cached Web Content.
  6. If the problem continues, you may also select Cookies and site data. Note: Clearing cookies may sign you out of websites.
  7. If prompted for a time range, select Everything.
  8. Click Clear or Clear Now.
  9. Reload the MapWV application.

Apple Safari (macOS)

Option A: Clear the browser cache only (recommended first)

  1. Click Safari in the menu bar and select Settings.
  2. Click the Advanced tab.
  3. Enable Show features for web developers. On older Safari versions, this may appear as Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. In the menu bar, open the Develop menu.
  5. Click Empty Caches. You can also use Option + Command + E.
  6. Reload the MapWV application.

Option B: Clear website history and data

  1. Click History in the menu bar.
  2. Select Clear History....
  3. Select all history from the dropdown menu.
  4. Click Clear History.

To remove cookies and other stored website data without clearing your entire browsing history, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data. You can remove data for individual websites or choose Remove All.

Mobile Devices (iOS & Android)

Safari on iPhone & iPad:

  1. Open the device's Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps > Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
  4. Select the desired timeframe. Choose All History for a complete clear.
  5. Tap Clear History.

Note: On older versions of iOS or iPadOS, Safari may appear directly in the main Settings list instead of under Apps.

Chrome on Android:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu.
  3. Tap Delete browsing data.
  4. Set the time range to All time.
  5. Select Cached images and files.
  6. If the problem continues, you may also select Cookies and site data.
  7. Tap Delete data.

Chrome on iPhone & iPad:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu.
  3. Tap Delete Browsing Data.
  4. Select All Time as the time range.
  5. Select Cached Images and Files.
  6. If the problem continues, you may also select Cookies, Site Data.
  7. Tap Delete Browsing Data and confirm if prompted.
Browsers