Why Safari blocks third-party cookies and how to turn them back on
Safari blocks third-party cookies by default as a privacy protection. Third-party cookies are tracking files placed by websites you are not directly visiting — for example, an ad network that appears on multiple sites. Most of the time, this blocking improves your privacy and page load speed. But some websites need third-party cookies to work correctly, like embedded payment systems, live chat tools, or video players from other domains.
If a website tells you to enable third-party cookies and you use Safari, you can turn off this protection in Settings. The process takes about one minute and applies to all websites you visit, not just one.
Key Takeaways
- Safari's default setting blocks third-party cookies to protect your privacy, but some websites need them to function.
- You can disable this blocking in Safari Settings under Privacy, by unchecking "Prevent cross-site tracking."
- This change applies to all websites you visit, not individual sites, so you may want to re-enable it afterward.
- If you only need third-party cookies for one website, you can use Safari's per-site settings instead of changing the global setting.
Steps to enable third-party cookies on Mac
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Privacy tab.
You will see a checkbox labeled Prevent cross-site tracking. This checkbox is turned on by default. Uncheck it. Close the Settings window. Third-party cookies are now enabled for all websites.
If you want to verify the change worked, visit the website that needed third-party cookies. The embedded tool or payment system should now load. If it still does not work, the website may need a different setting or a browser restart.
Steps to enable third-party cookies on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app on your device (not Safari Settings). Scroll down and tap Safari. Scroll down to the Privacy section and look for Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. Tap the toggle to turn it off.
Return to Safari and reload the website that needs third-party cookies. The page may take a few seconds longer to load the first time. If the embedded tool still does not appear, try closing Safari completely and opening it again.
Using per-site settings instead of changing the global setting
If you only need third-party cookies for one specific website, you can allow them just for that site instead of disabling the protection everywhere. This keeps your privacy setting intact for other websites.
On Mac, visit the website that needs third-party cookies. Click the lock icon in the address bar, then click Show Details. Look for the option to allow cross-site tracking for this website only. On iPhone and iPad, tap the aA icon in the address bar, then tap Website Settings, and toggle on Allow Cross-Site Tracking.
This per-site approach is useful if you use a website occasionally and do not want to lower your privacy protection for all browsing. The setting applies only to that domain and will not affect other sites you visit.
When to re-enable the default privacy setting
After you finish using the website that needed third-party cookies, you can turn the protection back on. Return to Safari Settings, click Privacy, and check Prevent cross-site tracking again. This restores Safari's default privacy behavior.
Leaving third-party cookies enabled permanently means advertisers and tracking networks can follow your activity across multiple websites. If you only needed them temporarily for one task, turning the protection back on is the safer choice for your privacy.
What to do if third-party cookies still do not work
Some websites require additional settings beyond third-party cookies. If you enabled third-party cookies and the website still does not work, the issue may be with Safari's Intelligent Tracking Prevention, a separate privacy feature that blocks some tracking even when third-party cookies are on.
Try visiting the website in a private browsing window. Open a new private window in Safari (Command-Shift-N on Mac, or tap Tabs and then Private on iPhone). Private windows have less strict tracking prevention. If the website works in private mode, the problem is likely Safari's tracking protection, not third-party cookies.
If the website still does not work, contact the website's support team. They can tell you whether the issue is a browser setting or a problem on their end. Some older websites may not be fully compatible with Safari's privacy features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart Safari after enabling third-party cookies?
Not always, but it does not hurt. Close Safari completely and reopen it to make sure the setting takes effect. Reload the website that needs third-party cookies. If it still does not work after a restart, the website may need a different setting or a full device restart.
Will enabling third-party cookies slow down my Safari browsing?
Slightly, because Safari will now load more tracking files in the background. The difference is usually not noticeable on modern devices. If you notice slower page loads after enabling third-party cookies, turn the protection back on and use the per-site setting instead for just the websites that need it.
Can I enable third-party cookies for just one website without changing Safari Settings?
Yes. Use the per-site settings described in the "Using per-site settings" section above. This way you keep the privacy protection on for all other websites. Per-site settings override the global setting, so Safari will allow third-party cookies only on that domain.
What is the difference between third-party cookies and first-party cookies?
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting and help it remember your login or preferences. Safari allows these by default. Third-party cookies are set by other companies whose code runs on that website, usually for tracking or ads. Safari blocks these by default to protect your privacy.
If I enable third-party cookies, can websites see my browsing history?
Third-party cookies alone do not show a website your full history, but they do let tracking networks see which sites you visit that use their code. This is why Safari blocks them by default. If you want to limit tracking, use the per-site setting to allow third-party cookies only on websites you trust.