How to Enable and Manage Cookies in Safari on Mac and iOS (2025)

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a website forgetting your login details or losing items in your shopping cart, cookies are the silent heroes behind the scenes that prevent this from happening. They help websites remember who you are, what you like, and even what you were about to buy. But they’re also a bit of a double-edged sword.

Safari provides options to manage cookies manually, but in most cases, the websites you visit should have a properly configured Consent Management Widget. These widgets, often displayed as cookie banners, allow you to control which cookies and scripts the website runs while you browse. A well-implemented widget helps with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. It gives you a clear choice about the types of data the site collects, such as essential, analytics, or marketing cookies. This approach makes it easier for users to manage privacy without needing to adjust browser settings frequently, although many websites still don't provide this option or are misconfigured.

If you’re using Safari, Apple has made managing cookies fairly straightforward. Whether on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you can tweak your settings to find the perfect balance between convenience and privacy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to enable cookies, manage your settings, and even clear them when needed.

What Are Cookies, and Why Do They Matter?

First, let’s demystify cookies. They’re not actual edible treats (sadly), but small text files that websites store on your device. They save data like your login status, preferences, or what’s in your shopping cart. Cookies can be incredibly helpful, but not all of them are created equal.

Types of Cookies

• First-Party Cookies:

- These are created by the website you’re visiting.

- They’re essential for things like staying logged in or remembering your settings.

• Third-Party Cookies:

- These come from outside sources, like advertisers.

- They track your activity across websites, which is why you see ads for a product you searched for last week.

• Session Cookies:

- Temporary cookies that disappear once you close your browser.

- Perfect for short-term tasks, like filling out a form.

• Persistent Cookies:

- These stick around even after you close your browser.

- They’re used to remember your preferences for future visits.

Why You Might Want to Enable Cookies

Enabling cookies isn’t just about convenience, it’s often necessary for websites to work properly. Here’s how they make life easier:

• Saving Login Information: You won’t have to re-enter your username and password every time you visit a site.
• Remembering Preferences: Like keeping your dark mode setting or your language choice.
• Improving Shopping Experiences: Ever added items to your cart, left the site, and returned later to find them still there? That’s cookies in action.

Without cookies, many websites wouldn’t function as smoothly or at all.

How to Enable Cookies in Safari on a Mac

Here’s how to make sure Safari on your Mac allows cookies:

1. Open Safari: Launch the browser on your Mac.
2. Access Preferences: Click on the Safari menu in the top-left corner and select Preferences.
3. Go to Privacy Settings: In the window that pops up, click the Privacy tab.
4. Adjust Cookie Settings: Make sure the “Prevent cross-site tracking” box is unchecked.
5. Restart Safari: Close the browser and reopen it to apply the changes.

Now your browser will accept cookies, making websites work as intended.

How to Enable Cookies in Safari on iPhone or iPad

Using Safari on your iPhone or iPad? Here’s how to enable cookies:

1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Go to Apps: Open the Apps to see the list of apps installed on your device.
3. Find Safari: Scroll down until you see Safari and tap on it.
4. Privacy & Security: Look for the “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking” option in the Privacy & Security section and make sure it’s toggled off (gray).
5. Restart Safari: Close any open tabs and relaunch Safari.

That’s it! Websites will now be able to save cookies on your device.

How to Delete Cookies in Safari

Sometimes, you might want to clear your cookies to troubleshoot a website issue or protect your privacy. Here’s how:

On Mac

1. Open Safari and go to Preferences > Privacy.
2. Click “Manage Website Data”.
3. Either select individual sites to remove their cookies or click “Remove All” to clear everything.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Go to Apps: Open the Apps to see the list of apps installed on your device.
3. Find Safari: Scroll down until you see Safari and tap on it.
4. Tap “Clear History and Website Data”.

Keep in mind that clearing cookies will log you out of websites and reset your preferences.

Safari’s Built-In Privacy Features

Safari is known for being privacy-friendly, and it has several tools to help you manage cookies and tracking:

• Intelligent Tracking Prevention: This feature blocks third-party cookies by default, which helps prevent advertisers from following you across the web.
• Private Browsing Mode: No cookies, browsing history, or autofill data are saved during your session.
• Cross-Site Tracking Protection: Stops trackers from sharing your activity between websites.

These features make Safari a solid choice for privacy-conscious users.

Tips for Managing Cookies Like a Pro

1. Check Cookie Policies: Before accepting cookies, see how the website plans to use your data.
2. Block Third-Party Cookies: These are the main culprits for intrusive tracking.
3. Clear Cookies Periodically: This can improve browser performance and keep your data safe.
4. Use Private Browsing: For sensitive tasks, private mode ensures no cookies or history are saved.

Conclusion

Cookies are an integral part of the web, making your online experience smoother and more personalized. Whether you’re enabling cookies to keep things running smoothly or clearing them to protect your privacy, Safari makes it easy to take control.

By understanding how cookies work and using Safari’s tools to manage them, you can browse with confidence, knowing your preferences and privacy are in good hands. So, take a few moments to tweak your settings, and enjoy the best of both worlds—a seamless browsing experience and peace of mind.