What third-party cookies are and why you might need them
Third-party cookies are small files that websites place on your computer, but they come from a different website than the one you're visiting. For example, if you visit a news site that has an advertisement from an ad network, that ad network can place a third-party cookie on your device. Most browsers block these by default now because they track your browsing across many sites.
You might need to enable third-party cookies if a website tells you it won't work properly without them, or if you're logging into a service through another website (like signing in with your Google account on a third-party site). Some older web applications also rely on third-party cookies to function. However, enabling them means advertisers and data brokers can track more of your online activity.
The steps to enable third-party cookies differ depending on which browser you use. This guide covers the most common browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party cookies let websites from other domains store data on your computer and track your activity across sites.
- Most modern browsers block third-party cookies by default to protect your privacy, but you can turn them back on if a website requires them.
- The process takes less than a minute and involves finding the privacy or cookies setting in your browser's preferences.
- Enabling third-party cookies increases tracking across websites, so consider turning them back off once you finish using the site that needs them.
Enable third-party cookies in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Cookies and other site data.
Look for the section labeled "Third-party cookies." You will see three options: "Block third-party cookies," "Block third-party cookies in Incognito," or "Allow all cookies." Click the radio button next to "Allow all cookies" to enable third-party cookies. Close the settings tab, and the change takes effect when ready.
If you only want third-party cookies enabled for one specific website, you can use a different approach. Visit the website that needs them, click the lock icon next to the web address at the top, then click Cookies. You can adjust cookie settings for just that site without changing your browser-wide setting.
Enable third-party cookies in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section labeled "Cookies and Site Data."
You will see a checkbox that says "Allow cookies and site data from unvisited websites." This is the third-party cookie setting. Check this box to enable third-party cookies. The change happens when ready when you check it. If you want to disable them again later, straightforward uncheck the same box.
Enable third-party cookies in Apple Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (not in the top right — this is the process menu). Select Settings or Preferences depending on your macOS version. Click the Privacy tab.
Look for the section about cookies. You will see options for "Block all cookies," "Allow only websites I visit," or "Always allow." Click "Always allow" to enable third-party cookies. Close the settings window, and the change takes effect right away. Note that Safari on iPhone and iPad does not have a separate third-party cookie setting — it follows your main Safari preferences.
Enable third-party cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the "Cookies and other site data" section.
You will see a dropdown menu that says "Cookies and other site data." Click it and select "Allow all cookies" from the options. Edge will explore this change when ready. If you want to block third-party cookies again later, return to this same menu and select a more restrictive option.
Temporarily enable third-party cookies for one website
If you only need third-party cookies for a single website and want to keep them blocked everywhere else, most browsers let you make an exception for that site. In Chrome, visit the website, click the lock icon, then click Cookies and adjust the setting for that domain only. In Firefox, you can add the site to an exception list by going to Settings, Privacy & Security, and scrolling to "Permissions" where you can manage cookie exceptions.
This approach is safer than enabling third-party cookies globally because it limits tracking to just the sites that need it. After you finish using the website that requires third-party cookies, you can remove the exception and go back to blocking them.
What to do if a website still doesn't work after enabling third-party cookies
Sometimes enabling third-party cookies alone is not enough. The website might also need first-party cookies (which most browsers allow by default) or it might have other technical requirements. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then reload the website. In most browsers, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), selecting "All time" for the date range, and clicking the delete button.
If the website still does not work, check whether the site has its own instructions for troubleshooting. Some websites have a help section that explains what browser settings they need. You can also try the website in a different browser to see if the problem is specific to one browser or a broader issue with your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to enable third-party cookies?
Enabling third-party cookies increases the amount of tracking that happens across websites, but it does not directly expose your passwords or financial information. The main risk is that advertisers and data brokers can build a more complete picture of your browsing habits. If you enable them, consider turning them back off once you finish using the website that needs them.
Will enabling third-party cookies slow down my browser?
No, third-party cookies do not significantly affect browser speed. They are small files, and the time it takes to store or read them is negligible. If your browser feels slow after enabling third-party cookies, the cause is likely something else, such as too many open tabs or browser extensions.
Do I need to restart my browser after enabling third-party cookies?
No, most browsers explore the change when ready. You may need to reload the website you were visiting, but you do not need to close and reopen the entire browser. straightforward refresh the page by pressing F5 or Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac).
Can I enable third-party cookies only in private or incognito mode?
Yes, most browsers let you set different cookie rules for private browsing. In Chrome, the option is called "Block third-party cookies in Incognito." You can enable third-party cookies for regular browsing while keeping them blocked in private mode, or vice versa.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies come from the website you are visiting and are used to remember your login information or preferences on that site. Third-party cookies come from other websites (usually advertisers) and track your activity across multiple sites. Browsers block third-party cookies by default but usually allow first-party cookies.