You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but doing so will break many websites

Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember things about you — your login, your shopping cart, your preferences. You can turn them off entirely in your browser settings, but most websites won't work properly if you do. A better approach is to block only third-party cookies, which are placed by advertisers and data brokers rather than the website you're visiting. This stops much of the tracking without breaking the sites themselves.

If you want to disable all cookies anyway, the steps differ by browser. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have cookie controls in their privacy settings, usually taking two to three minutes to change. You can also set your browser to delete cookies automatically when you close it, which is a middle ground many people find useful.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking third-party cookies stops most tracking while keeping websites functional, whereas disabling all cookies breaks login systems and shopping carts on many sites.
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you block third-party cookies without touching first-party ones, usually in Settings > Privacy or Security.
  • You can set any browser to delete all cookies when you close it, which gives you a fresh start each session without breaking sites while you're using them.
  • Some websites detect cookie blocking and refuse to load; if this happens, you can add that site to an exception list in your browser settings.

Block third-party cookies instead of all cookies

Third-party cookies come from advertisers, analytics companies, and data brokers — not from the website you're actually visiting. They follow you across the web to build a profile of your browsing habits, which is then sold to advertisers. Blocking these stops most of the tracking that concerns people, and websites still work normally because they rely on first-party cookies (the ones the website itself sets) for login and basic function.

Most modern browsers now block third-party cookies by default. Chrome switched to this in 2024. Firefox has blocked them for years. Safari blocks them unless you turn the setting off. If you're using an older version of your browser, you may need to turn this on manually, but it's worth checking your current settings because the default may have already changed.

How to disable all cookies in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Click Cookies and other site data.

You'll see three options: "Allow all cookies," "Block third-party cookies in Incognito," and "Block all cookies." Choose Block all cookies if you want to disable them entirely. If you only want to block third-party cookies, select that option instead — it's the middle ground and the one most people should choose.

If you want cookies deleted automatically when you close Chrome, stay in the same Privacy and security section and toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you close Chrome. This way, websites work normally while you're browsing, but you start fresh each time you reopen the browser.

How to disable all cookies in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three-line menu in the top right. Select Settings, then Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section.

You'll see a checkbox for Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed — turn this on if you want automatic deletion. Below that is a dropdown menu for cookie behavior. Select Block all cookies to disable them entirely, or leave it on the default setting to block only third-party cookies. Firefox blocks third-party cookies by default, so you may not need to change anything.

How to disable all cookies in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs), then click the Privacy tab.

You'll see a section called Cookies and website data. The default is usually set to block cookies from third parties and advertisers, which is what most people want. If you want to block all cookies, select Block all cookies from the dropdown. Safari does not have a built-in option to delete cookies automatically when you close the browser, but you can do this manually by going to Safari > Clear History and selecting all history.

How to disable all cookies in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Scroll down to Cookies and other site data.

You'll see options to block third-party cookies or all cookies. Choose Block all cookies if you want to disable them entirely. If you want cookies deleted when you close Edge, scroll up slightly in the same section and toggle on Clear browsing data, then select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked in the list that appears.

What happens when you disable all cookies

Many websites will stop working properly. You may not be able to stay logged in — you'll be logged out each time you refresh the page or visit a new section of the site. Shopping carts won't remember what you added. Websites that remember your preferences (dark mode, language, font size) will reset each time you visit. Some sites will refuse to load at all and show an error message.

If you disable all cookies and find that a site you need won't work, you can add it to an exception list. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, click the lock icon or info icon next to the website address in the address bar, find the Cookies section, and look for an option to allow cookies for that site. In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and click Manage Website Data, then find the site and click Remove to clear its cookies, which often resets the block.

Using private or incognito mode as an alternative

If you don't want to disable cookies globally but want more privacy for specific browsing, most browsers offer a private mode. Chrome calls it Incognito, Firefox calls it Private Window, Safari calls it Private, and Edge calls it InPrivate. In these modes, cookies are not saved to your computer — they exist only while the window is open and are deleted when you close it.

Private mode is useful if you want to browse without leaving a local record on your computer, or if you want to log into multiple accounts on the same website at once. It does not hide your activity from your internet service provider or the websites you visit, but it does prevent those sites from using cookies to track you across other websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling cookies make me safer?

Disabling third-party cookies reduces tracking by advertisers and data brokers, which improves privacy. Disabling all cookies does not make you safer from viruses or hackers — that depends on other security practices like keeping your browser updated and not clicking suspicious links. Blocking third-party cookies is the privacy improvement most people should make; disabling all cookies usually causes more problems than it solves.

Can websites tell if I have cookies disabled?

Yes, websites can detect when cookies are disabled and sometimes refuse to load or show a warning message. If this happens, you can add that site to an exception list in your browser settings to allow cookies just for that site, or you can use private mode to browse it without saving cookies locally.

Do I need to disable cookies if I use a VPN?

No. A VPN hides your IP address from websites, but it does not affect cookies. Cookies are stored on your computer and sent to websites regardless of whether you use a VPN. If you want to reduce tracking, blocking third-party cookies is more effective than using a VPN alone.

What's the difference between blocking cookies and clearing them?

Blocking cookies prevents websites from storing new ones. Clearing cookies deletes the ones already stored on your computer. You can do both — block new cookies in your settings and manually clear old ones by going to your browser's history or privacy settings and selecting "Clear cookies and site data" or similar.

Will I lose my saved passwords if I disable cookies?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies in your browser's password manager. Disabling cookies will not affect saved passwords, though you may be logged out of websites more often because the login session (which relies on cookies) won't persist.