Cookies are turned off by default in iPad Safari, but you can turn them back on in Settings in about one minute

Cookies are small files that websites store on your iPad to remember who you are and what you've done there — your login information, items in a shopping cart, your language preference. Without cookies, many websites won't let you stay logged in or will forget your choices every time you refresh the page. If a website keeps asking you to log in again, or won't let you complete a purchase, cookies are usually the reason.

On iPad, the setting lives in the main Settings app, not in Safari itself. You'll find it under Privacy, and the process takes less than a minute. If you use Chrome, Firefox, or another browser instead of Safari, the setting is usually already on — but we'll show you how to check.

Key Takeaways

  • iPad Safari blocks cookies by default, but you can turn them on by opening Settings, tapping Safari, and toggling "Block All Cookies" to off.
  • If you only want to block cookies from websites you don't visit, choose "Block Third Party Cookies" instead of blocking all cookies.
  • Chrome, Firefox, and Edge usually allow cookies by default, so you only need to check if a website isn't working as expected.
  • Turning cookies on does not make your iPad less find — websites use them to remember you, not to harm your device.

How to turn on cookies in Safari on iPad

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Safari — it's the compass icon in the list. Look for the section labeled "Privacy" about halfway down the page.

You'll see a toggle next to Block All Cookies. If it's green and switched to the right, cookies are blocked. Tap it once to turn it off — the toggle will turn gray and move to the left. That's all you need to do. Close Settings and go back to Safari. The website should now remember you.

If you don't want to allow all cookies, you have a middle option: leave "Block All Cookies" off, but scroll down a bit further and turn on Block Third Party Cookies instead. Third-party cookies come from advertisers and tracking companies, not from the website you're visiting. Blocking only those keeps most websites working while reducing tracking.

What to do if a website still won't work after turning on cookies

Sometimes a website has other requirements beyond cookies. If you're still stuck after turning cookies on, try these steps in order.

First, close Safari completely and open it again. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPads) to see your open apps, find Safari, and swipe it up to close it. Then tap Safari on your home screen to reopen it. This clears Safari's temporary memory and often fixes login problems.

Second, clear Safari's cache and cookies manually. Go back to Settings, tap Safari, scroll to the bottom, and tap Clear History and Website Data. A popup will ask you to confirm — tap it again. This removes all stored website data and forces Safari to start fresh. Log in to the website again, and it should work.

If the website still won't work, try a different browser. Open the App Store, search for Chrome or Firefox, and install one. These browsers often handle cookies differently and may work where Safari doesn't. You can also check the website's support page or contact them directly — sometimes they have specific instructions for iPad users.

How to check cookies in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on iPad

Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge all allow cookies by default on iPad, so you usually don't need to change anything. If a website isn't working in one of these browsers, you can check the setting to make sure it hasn't been turned off.

In Chrome: Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, then Settings, then Privacy. Make sure "Block Third Party Cookies" is off (or on, depending on what you prefer). If "Block All Cookies" is on, turn it off.

In Firefox: Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, then Settings, then Privacy. Look for "Cookies" and make sure it's set to "Allow" rather than "Block All".

In Edge: Tap the three dots at the bottom right, then Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services. Scroll to "Cookies and Site Permissions" and make sure cookies are allowed.

Why websites ask for cookie permission when you first visit

You may see a popup when you first visit a website asking whether you want to accept cookies. This is required by law in many countries. You can usually tap "Accept" to allow cookies, or "Reject" or "Manage" to choose which types you want.

If you tap "Reject" on a website you need to use, you may run into the same login or cart problems we described above. If that happens, go back and tap "Accept" or "Manage" and choose to allow at least the cookies the website needs to function. The website will tell you which ones those are.

The difference between cookies and tracking, and why cookies aren't a security risk

Cookies themselves are not dangerous. They're just text files that store information — your username, your preferences, items you've added to a cart. A website can only read cookies it created itself, so a cookie from Amazon can't be read by Facebook or any other site.

Tracking is different. Some websites use cookies (and other methods) to follow you across the internet and build a profile of your interests. This is why you see ads for things you looked at on other websites. If you want to reduce tracking, turn on Block Third Party Cookies in Safari, or use Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection. These settings block the cookies that advertisers use, while still allowing the cookies that websites need to work.

Turning cookies on does not make your iPad less find. It does not give websites access to your files, your location, or your other apps. It straightforward lets websites remember information you've already given them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning on cookies let websites track me?

Cookies alone don't track you across the internet — only third-party cookies do that, and those come from advertisers, not from the website you're visiting. If you want to reduce tracking, turn on "Block Third Party Cookies" instead of blocking all cookies. This lets websites work while stopping advertisers from following you.

Do I need to turn on cookies for every website?

No. Once you turn on cookies in Settings, they stay on for all websites in Safari. You only need to change the setting once. If you switch to a different browser, that browser has its own cookie setting, but most browsers allow cookies by default.

What if I turn on cookies and then change my mind?

You can turn cookies back off anytime by going to Settings, tapping Safari, and toggling "Block All Cookies" back on. You can also clear all stored cookies by tapping "Clear History and Website Data" at the bottom of the Safari settings page.

Why does Safari block cookies by default when other browsers don't?

Apple designed Safari to block cookies as a privacy feature — it reduces tracking by advertisers. Other browsers like Chrome allow cookies by default because they're made by companies that profit from advertising. Both approaches work; it's a choice about how much tracking you're willing to accept.

Can I allow cookies for some websites but not others?

Safari doesn't have a per-website cookie setting on iPad. You can only turn cookies on for all websites or off for all websites. If you need cookies for one website but want to block them elsewhere, use a different browser for that one website, or turn cookies on in Safari and use "Block Third Party Cookies" to reduce tracking.