As internet users, we often encounter “cookies,” small text files stored on our devices that help websites remember our preferences and tailor our browsing experience. With increasing concerns about online privacy, web browsers like Apple’s Safari have implemented stricter measures to control cookie tracking. However, there may be instances when you want to allow cookies on Safari to enhance your browsing experience or access necessary website features.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to allow cookies on Safari for a personalized browsing experience.
- Manage cookies and website data for enhanced privacy and security.
- Understand the implications of enabling and disabling third-party cookies.
Allowing Cookies on Mac
To manage your cookie settings on Mac for the Safari browser, follow the below steps. This guide will walk you through accessing your Safari Preferences and Settings, as well as adjusting the Privacy Tab and Settings for cookies.
Safari Preferences and Settings
To access Safari Preferences:
- Open the Safari browser on your Mac.
- In the menu bar at the top, click on Safari and then select Preferences from the drop-down menu. This action will open the Preference window containing several tabs.
Privacy Tab and Settings
In the Preferences window, navigate to the Privacy tab to manage your cookie-related settings:
- Once you have the Privacy tab open, locate the Cookies and website data section.
- Here, you have several options for managing cookies:
- Always block: This setting will block all cookies on every website. It might affect some websites’ functionality.
- Allow from current website only: Allows cookies only from websites you visit, blocking cookies from third-party sites (such as advertisers).
- Allow from websites I visit: Accepts cookies from websites you visit, including some third-party cookies. Safari limits these to prevent cross-site tracking.
- Always allow: This setting will enable all cookies, regardless of the source.
To allow cookies in Safari on your Mac, choose the most suitable option based on your browsing preferences. Remember that completely blocking cookies might affect the functionality of some websites. Keep your privacy in mind and choose a setting that meets your needs.
Allowing Cookies on iPhone and iPad
When using an iPhone or iPad, you might want to allow cookies in Safari for a better browsing experience. This guide covers how to enable cookies on your device, specifically focusing on Safari settings on iOS.
Safari Settings on iOS
To adjust cookie settings on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app: Locate the Settings icon on your device’s home screen and tap to open.
- Scroll down and select Safari: In the Settings app, scroll down until you find the Safari option and tap on it.
- Access Privacy & Security settings: In the Safari settings, locate the “Privacy & Security” section. It contains various options related to security and privacy, including cookie management.
- Enable or disable cookies: In the Privacy & Security section, find the “Block All Cookies” toggle switch. If it’s green, cookies are currently blocked. Tap the switch to toggle it off and enable cookies on your device. If your device runs on iOS 7, the switch will say “Block Cookies” instead. You will need to tap on it and then select “Never” to enable cookies.
Managing Cookies and Website Data
In Safari, you can easily manage your cookies and website data preferences to enhance your browsing experience and protect your privacy. Below, we will discuss how to allow, block, and remove cookies, as well as prevent cross-site tracking.
Allow, Block, and Remove Cookies
To customize your cookie preferences in Safari, follow these steps:

- Open Safari, click on Safari in the menu bar, and select Preferences.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- In the Cookies and website data section, you have three options to choose from:
- Allow from websites I visit: This allows cookies and website data only from websites you visit regularly, based on Safari’s tracking. This option helps maintain a balance between user experience and privacy.
- Allow from current website only: This option is the most restrictive, allowing cookies only from the website you are currently browsing.
- Block all cookies: This option blocks all cookies and can negatively affect your browsing experience, as some websites may not function correctly without cookies.
To remove existing cookies and website data:
- In the Privacy tab of Safari’s Preferences window, click on Manage Website Data.
- You will see a list of websites that have stored cookies and data on your computer. You can select individual websites and click Remove or use Remove All to clear the list.
Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
In addition to managing cookies, Safari allows you to prevent cross-site tracking. This feature restricts websites from collecting data about your browsing habits across multiple websites, which can be used for targeted advertising or other privacy-intrusive purposes.
To enable this feature:

- Open Safari’s Preferences and click on the Privacy tab.
- Check the box next to Prevent cross-site tracking. This will make Safari automatically remove identifying cookies and website data from third parties, helping to protect your online privacy.
Following these steps will give you more control over how cookies and website data are managed within Safari, improving your browsing experience while safeguarding your privacy.
Enable and Disable Third-Party Cookies
To enable or disable third-party cookies in Safari, follow these steps:
- Open Safari.
- Click the Safari menu on the top left corner.
- Select Preferences.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Check or uncheck the box labeled “Prevent cross-site tracking” to enable or disable third-party cookies.
Impact on Advertisers and Security
Allowing third-party cookies can lead to a more personalized online experience with relevant ads. On the other hand, blocking third-party cookies can enhance privacy and security, as it reduces the potential for cross-site tracking and data collection by third parties. The built-in option to prevent cross-site tracking in Safari helps balance user privacy and online functionality.
Enable Cookies | Disable Cookies |
---|---|
Relevant ads | Increased privacy |
Cross-site tracking | Reduced cross-site tracking |
Allows functionality | No personalized ads |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enable cookies in Safari on iPhone?
To enable cookies in Safari on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on “Safari.”
- Under the “Privacy & Security” section, toggle off “Block All Cookies” if it is switched on.
Remember that enabling cookies may affect your browsing privacy.
How to enable third-party cookies in Safari for Mac?
Here’s how to enable third-party cookies in Safari for Mac:
- Open Safari and click “Safari” in the top-left corner of the menu bar.
- Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Privacy” tab.
- Uncheck “Block all cookies.”
Remember that enabling third-party cookies may affect your browsing privacy.
How to allow 3rd party cookies in Safari on Mac?
The process to allow 3rd party cookies in Safari on Mac is the same as enabling third-party cookies mentioned above.
How to change cookie settings on Safari for iPhone?
To change cookie settings on Safari for iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on “Safari.”
- Under the “Privacy & Security” section, you can toggle “Block All Cookies” on or off according to your preference.