Cookies are turned on by default in every major browser on Mac, but you may need to turn them back on if you disabled them
Most websites need cookies to work properly — they store login information, remember what you put in your shopping cart, and keep you signed into email. If a website keeps logging you out, won't let you complete a purchase, or says "cookies must be enabled," the fix is usually straightforward: check your browser settings and make sure cookies are not blocked.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. Each browser stores this setting in a different place, and the wording varies. This guide walks you through the exact steps for each one.
Key Takeaways
- Safari on Mac has cookies turned on by default; if websites are not working, check Safari > Settings > Privacy and make sure "Block all cookies" is not checked.
- Chrome stores cookie settings under Chrome > Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data; the default allows all cookies unless you have manually blocked them.
- Firefox keeps cookie settings in Firefox > Settings > Privacy & Security under the Cookies and Site Data section; you may need to allow cookies for individual websites if you have set Firefox to block them by default.
- If you block cookies for a specific website, you can add that site to an exception list so it works normally while other sites remain blocked.
- Clearing your browser cache and cookies can fix login problems, but you will be logged out of websites until you sign back in.
How to turn on cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences if you are using an older version of macOS). Click the Privacy tab.
Look for the section labeled Cookies and website data. You will see a checkbox next to "Block all cookies." If this box is checked, click it to uncheck it. This turns cookies back on for all websites. Close the Settings window — the change takes effect when ready.
If you want to block cookies from certain websites while allowing them on others, leave "Block all cookies" unchecked. Instead, click Manage Website Data to see a list of websites that have stored cookies on your Mac. You can select any website and click Remove to delete its cookies, or click Remove All to clear everything at once.
How to turn on cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Privacy and security, then click Cookies and other site data.
You will see several options. The default setting is Allow all cookies, which means cookies are on. If you see Block all cookies or Block third-party cookies in Incognito selected instead, click Allow all cookies to turn cookies back on.
If you want to block cookies from specific websites, keep "Allow all cookies" selected and scroll down to the section labeled Sites that can never use cookies. Click Add and type the website address. That site will be blocked from using cookies while all others remain allowed.
How to turn on cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Privacy & Security.
Scroll down to the section labeled Cookies and Site Data. You will see a checkbox next to "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed." This does not block cookies — it just clears them automatically each time you close the browser. Leave this unchecked if you want to stay logged into websites.
Below that, look for the option that says Manage Exceptions (or Manage Data depending on your Firefox version). If you have blocked cookies for a specific website and want to allow them again, click this button, find the website in the list, and click Remove. The website will then be able to use cookies normally.
What to do if a website still will not work after turning on cookies
If you have turned on cookies but a website still will not let you log in or complete a purchase, the problem may be something else. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies for that specific website, then reload the page and try again.
In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy, click Manage Website Data, find the website, and click Remove. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Delete browsing data, check Cookies and other site data, and click Delete. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data.
After clearing, reload the website and try logging in again. You may also want to check whether the website itself is having problems by visiting its social media accounts or status page — sometimes the issue is on their end, not yours.
The difference between blocking all cookies and blocking third-party cookies
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting. They remember your login, your language preference, and items in your cart. Third-party cookies are set by other companies — usually advertisers — and track your activity across multiple websites to show you targeted ads.
If you block all cookies, websites will not work properly because they cannot remember who you are. If you block only third-party cookies, websites still function normally, but advertisers cannot track you as easily. Most people who care about privacy choose to block third-party cookies rather than all cookies.
In Safari, you can block third-party cookies by going to Safari > Settings > Privacy and checking "Prevent cross-site tracking." In Chrome, you can click Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data and select "Block third-party cookies." Firefox has a similar option under Settings > Privacy & Security > Enhanced Tracking Protection.
When to clear cookies and when to leave them alone
You should clear cookies if you are having login problems, if you want to remove tracking data before selling or giving away your Mac, or if you are using a shared computer and want to log out of all websites at once. Clearing cookies will log you out of every website, so you will need to sign back in.
You should leave cookies alone if everything is working normally. Cookies do not slow down your Mac or use much storage space. The only reason to clear them regularly is privacy — if you do not want websites to remember your activity, clear them weekly or monthly depending on how much you browse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a website keep asking me to turn on cookies even though I already did?
The website may be using third-party cookies that you have blocked. Try going to your browser settings, finding the website in your blocked list, and removing it. Reload the page and the website should work. If it still does not work, the website may have a technical problem on their end.
Will turning on cookies make my Mac less find?
Cookies themselves do not install viruses or malware. They are just small text files that store information. The real privacy concern is third-party tracking cookies, which advertisers use to follow you across websites. You can turn on first-party cookies (so websites work) while blocking third-party cookies (so you are tracked less).
What is the difference between cookies and cache?
Cookies store login information and website preferences. Cache stores images, videos, and other files so websites load faster the next time you visit. You can clear both at the same time, but they do different things. Clearing cache frees up storage space; clearing cookies logs you out of websites.
Can I allow cookies for one website but block them for all others?
Yes. In Safari and Chrome, you can add websites to a blocklist so they cannot use cookies while others can. In Firefox, you can set the default to block cookies, then add exceptions for websites you trust. The exact steps are in the browser-specific sections above.
Do I need to restart my browser after changing cookie settings?
No. Cookie settings take effect when ready in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. You do not need to close and reopen the browser. If a website still is not working after you change the setting, try closing the website tab and opening it again in a new tab.