Why your Samsung phone blocks cookies and how to turn them back on
Cookies are small files that websites store on your phone to remember things about you — your login information, items in a shopping cart, language preference, or that you've already read an article. Your Samsung phone's browser comes with cookie settings turned on by default, but you may have accidentally disabled them, or a family member may have restricted them. If websites keep asking you to log in again or won't let you complete a purchase, cookies are usually the reason.
The steps to turn cookies back on depend on which browser you use. Most Samsung phones come with Samsung Internet (the blue globe icon), but some people use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge instead. The setting is in a different place in each one, but the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are files websites store on your phone to remember your login, shopping cart, and preferences — they are not harmful by default.
- Samsung Internet, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all have cookie settings in different locations, but all are found under browser settings or privacy.
- You can enable cookies for all websites or block them from specific sites you do not trust.
- If you turn cookies off, websites will ask you to log in every time and will not remember your choices.
Enable cookies in Samsung Internet
Open the Samsung Internet app (the blue globe icon on your home screen). Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings.
Tap Privacy. You will see an option that says Cookies. If it is toggled off (the switch is gray and pushed to the left), tap it to turn it on (the switch will turn blue and push to the right). Close the settings and go back to the website you were using — it should now work.
Enable cookies in Chrome
Open the Chrome app (the colorful circle icon). Tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings.
Tap Site settings. Tap Cookies. Make sure the toggle next to Cookies is turned on (blue, pushed to the right). If you see an option that says Block third-party cookies, you can leave that on — third-party cookies are less important for most websites to work. Close settings and try the website again.
Enable cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox (the orange and blue fox icon). Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings.
Tap Privacy. Under the section labeled Cookies, make sure you do not see a checkmark next to Cookies disabled. If you do see that checkmark, tap it to remove it. Firefox will now accept cookies. Go back and reload the website you were trying to use.
Enable cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge (the blue wave icon). Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings.
Tap Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the section labeled Cookies and site permissions. Tap Cookies and data stored. Make sure the toggle next to Allow sites to save and read cookie data is turned on (blue, pushed to the right). Close settings and try your website again.
What to do if a specific website still will not work
Sometimes you may want cookies on for most websites but blocked for one site you do not trust. All four browsers let you block cookies from specific websites while keeping cookies on everywhere else. In Samsung Internet and Chrome, go back to Site settings or Cookies, and you will see a section called Block or Blocked sites. In Firefox and Edge, you can find a similar list under Manage exceptions or Manage permissions.
If a website still will not work after you turn cookies on, the problem is usually something else — the website itself may be broken, or your phone's date and time settings may be wrong. Check that your phone's date and time are correct by going to Settings > General management > Date and time and making sure Automatic date and time is turned on.
Why websites need cookies to work
Cookies let websites remember who you are without asking you to type your password every single time you visit. They also let shopping sites keep items in your cart, let news sites remember which articles you have read, and let video sites remember where you stopped watching. Without cookies, every website would feel like you were visiting it for the first time, even if you visit it every day.
Cookies do not read files to your phone or give websites access to your photos or contacts. They are just small text files that say things like "this person logged in as username@email.com" or "this person put a blue shirt in their cart." If you are worried about privacy, you can turn cookies off, but you will have to log in to every website every time you use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning on cookies let websites track me?
Cookies let individual websites remember you, but they do not let different websites share information about you. A cookie from Amazon cannot tell Facebook what you bought. Some websites do use third-party cookies (cookies from companies other than the website itself) to track you across the internet, which is why Chrome and other browsers let you block those separately.
What if I do not see the Cookies option in my browser settings?
Your phone's Android version or browser version may be older and use different menu names. Look for a setting called Privacy, Site settings, or Data. If you still cannot find it, try searching the settings for the word "cookie" — most phones have a search function in settings that will take you directly there.
Can I turn cookies on for some websites and off for others?
Yes. All four browsers let you block cookies from specific websites while keeping cookies on for everywhere else. Go to the cookies setting, find the option to block or manage exceptions, and add the website you do not trust. Cookies will work normally on all other sites.
Do I need to restart my phone after turning cookies on?
No. Close the browser completely and open it again, or just reload the website you were trying to use. The change takes effect when ready.