Library / Browser dev tools / Local storage
No. 114·noun·also called localStorage, Application tab, cookies

Local storage

Small bits of data a website saves inside your browser, such as preferences or sign-in, that you can view and clear in DevTools.

SPECIMEN · DIAGRAM · COMPARE

Local storage

  • In this browser only
  • Preferences, drafts
  • Cleared by you

Database

  • On the server
  • Shared across devices
  • Survives clearing
Definition

What it is

Websites can store things on your device, not just on their servers. Local storage holds simple saved values (a theme choice, a draft, quiz progress). Cookies often hold your sign-in session. Both live in the DevTools Application tab.

This data survives refreshes and restarts, which is handy until something gets stuck: a stale setting, a broken session, a "first visit" screen that never shows again. Clearing it there (or with Clear site data) gives you a fresh start without affecting anyone else.

Because it lives in one browser, data saved this way doesn't follow a user to another device.

Say it like a builder

How to ask for it

Vague

“I keep seeing the old version of my settings.”

Precise

“The onboarding screen never shows again after the first visit, even after I reset my account. It looks like a flag in local storage. Tie it to the user record instead, so it follows the account across devices.”

Why it works

Spotting that the state lives in local storage explains the bug and asks for the right fix: store it on the server.

In the wild

You've seen this in

  • CThe Application tab in Chrome DevTools
  • YCookie banners mentioning "stored on your device"
  • PProgress that's gone when you switch browsers
Usage note

Often confused with

DatabaseA database lives on the server and is shared; local storage lives in one browser on one device.SessionA session is the signed-in state; it's often kept in a cookie, which is one kind of browser storage.