Where to find cookie settings on your Mac browser

Cookie settings live in your browser's preferences, not in macOS itself. The exact location depends on which browser you use — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge all store these settings in different places. The good news is that once you know where to look in your browser, changing what cookies can do takes just a few clicks.

Your browser uses cookies to remember things about websites you visit: your login information, what's in your shopping cart, your language preference. Some cookies are necessary for websites to work at all. Others track your browsing across multiple sites to show you targeted ads. Cookie settings let you decide which types you allow and which you block.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each have cookie settings in their own preferences menu, and the steps to reach them are different for each browser.
  • You can block all cookies, allow only first-party cookies (from the site you're visiting), or allow all cookies — most people choose the middle option.
  • Clearing cookies from your browser removes stored login information and site preferences, so you may need to sign back into websites after you do it.
  • Private browsing mode prevents your browser from storing cookies at all while you're in that mode, but they return once you close the private window.

Changing cookie settings in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Privacy tab. Under the section labeled Cookies and website data, you'll see three options: Always block, Allow only from websites you visit, or Always allow.

Most people choose Allow only from websites you visit because it blocks tracking cookies from ad networks while still letting websites you're actually on work normally. If you choose Always block, some websites may not function correctly. If you choose Always allow, you'll see more targeted ads across the web.

To clear cookies you've already stored, stay in the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data. You'll see a list of every website that has stored data on your Mac. You can remove all of it at once by clicking Remove All, or select individual websites and click Remove.

Changing cookie settings in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy and security in the left sidebar, then click Cookies and other site data. You'll see four options: Allow all cookies, Block all cookies, Block third-party cookies in Incognito, or Block third-party cookies.

The Block third-party cookies option is the middle ground — it stops tracking cookies from ad networks and other third parties while allowing cookies from the website you're currently visiting. This is what most people choose. If you select Block all cookies, websites may break or refuse to load.

To clear cookies you've already stored, click Clear browsing data in the Privacy and security section. A window will pop up. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, then click Clear data. You can choose to clear data from the last hour, day, week, month, or all time.

Changing cookie settings in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Under Cookies and Site Data, you'll see a checkbox for Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. You can check this box if you want Firefox to automatically clear all cookies every time you close the browser.

Below that, click the dropdown menu next to Enhanced Tracking Protection. Choose Standard (blocks known trackers), Strict (blocks more trackers but may break some websites), or Custom (lets you pick exactly what to block). Standard is the default and works well for most people.

To clear cookies right now, click Clear Data in the same section. A window will appear. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked, then click Clear. You can also choose whether to clear data from just today or from all time.

Changing cookie settings in Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Under Clear browsing data, you'll see options for what to clear and when. Under Cookies and other site data, you can choose to clear data every time you close the browser by toggling Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.

Scroll down to Tracking prevention and select your level: Basic, Balanced, or Strict. Balanced is the default and blocks most tracking cookies while keeping websites working. Strict blocks more trackers but may cause some sites to load incorrectly.

To clear cookies immediately, click Clear browsing data at the top of the Privacy section. A window will pop up. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, select your time range, and click Clear now.

What happens when you clear cookies

When you clear cookies, your browser deletes the stored information that websites have placed on your Mac. This means you'll be logged out of most websites, your shopping carts will empty, and sites won't remember your preferences like language or theme choice. You'll need to sign back in the next time you visit those sites.

Clearing cookies does not delete your browsing history, passwords, or autofill information — those are stored separately. If you want to clear those too, your browser's clear data settings usually let you choose what to remove. Clearing cookies is safe and won't damage your Mac or your browser.

Using private browsing to avoid storing cookies

Every Mac browser has a private browsing mode that prevents cookies from being stored while you're using it. In Safari, it's called Private Browsing. In Chrome, it's Incognito. In Firefox, it's Private Window. In Edge, it's InPrivate. When you close a private window, all cookies from that session are deleted automatically.

Private browsing is useful when you're on a shared Mac, using a public computer, or shopping for a gift you don't want recommended to you later. Keep in mind that your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity — private browsing only hides it from other people using the same Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will blocking all cookies break websites?

Yes, many websites won't work if you block all cookies. Some sites need cookies just to let you log in or add items to a cart. The middle option — blocking only third-party or tracking cookies — works for most people because it stops ad tracking while keeping websites functional.

Do I need to clear cookies regularly?

Not necessarily. Clearing cookies occasionally can reduce tracking and free up a small amount of storage space, but it's not required for your Mac to run well. If you clear cookies often, you'll just need to sign back into websites more frequently.

What's the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?

First-party cookies come from the website you're visiting and are usually necessary for that site to work. Third-party cookies come from other companies (usually advertisers) and are used to track you across multiple websites. Blocking third-party cookies stops most tracking while keeping websites functional.

Can websites see that I've blocked their cookies?

Yes, websites can detect when you've blocked cookies, and some may refuse to load or ask you to turn off your blocking. If a website isn't working, try temporarily allowing cookies for that site, or check if your browser has an option to allow cookies just for that domain.

Does clearing cookies delete my passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies. When you clear cookies, you stay logged out of websites, but your saved passwords remain in your browser. You can sign back in using your saved password without having to type it again.