Cookies are turned on by default in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on Mac
Most browsers on macOS have cookies enabled automatically, so you likely do not need to change anything. Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember your login information, shopping cart contents, and preferences. If you cannot stay logged into a website or it keeps asking you to sign in again, cookies may be turned off — but this is rare unless you or someone else changed the settings deliberately.
The steps to turn cookies back on differ depending which browser you use. Safari, Chrome, and Firefox each have their own settings menu, and the option is in a different place in each one. This guide walks you through enabling cookies in the three most common browsers on Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are enabled by default in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, so check whether you actually need to change anything before adjusting settings.
- In Safari, go to Preferences > Privacy and make sure "Block all cookies" is not checked.
- In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and select "Allow all cookies".
- In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and check that cookies are set to "Allow" rather than "Block".
- If a website still will not keep you logged in after enabling cookies, clear your browser cache or try a different browser.
Enable cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions 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 that box is checked, click it to uncheck it. If it is already unchecked, cookies are already enabled. Close the Settings window when you are done.
Safari also has a more detailed option: you can click the dropdown menu under "Cookies and website data" to choose Always allow, Only from websites you visit, or Never allow. Most people should use Only from websites you visit, which is the default. This allows websites you intentionally visit to store cookies while blocking cookies from ads and trackers.
Enable cookies 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.
Click Cookies and other site data. You will see three options: Block all cookies, Block third-party cookies in Incognito, and Allow all cookies. Select Allow all cookies if you want websites to store cookies normally. If you want to block tracking cookies but allow login cookies, select Block third-party cookies in Incognito instead — this is a middle ground that works for most people.
Chrome also lets you block cookies from specific websites. Scroll down to Sites that can never use cookies and check whether the website you are trying to use is listed there. If it is, click the X next to it to remove the block.
Enable cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
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". Leave that unchecked if you want cookies to stay on your computer between sessions. Below that, you will see a dropdown menu for cookie settings. Make sure it is set to Allow all cookies or Allow cookies and site data. If it says Block cookies and site data, click the dropdown and change it.
Firefox also shows a list of websites that are blocked from storing cookies. Scroll down to Exceptions under Cookies and Site Data and check whether your website is listed there. If it is, select it and click Remove Website.
What to do if cookies are on but websites still will not remember you
Sometimes a website will not keep you logged in even after you enable cookies. This usually means your browser cache is full or corrupted. Try clearing your cache: in Safari, go to History > Clear History and select "all history". In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and select "All time". In Firefox, go to History > Clear Recent History and select "Everything".
After clearing your cache, close the browser completely and open it again. Try logging into the website once more. If it still does not work, try a different browser — sometimes a website has a bug with one browser but works fine in another. You can also try disabling browser extensions, which occasionally interfere with cookies. In Safari, go to Settings > Extensions and uncheck any extensions you do not recognize.
The difference between cookies and tracking
Cookies come in two types: first-party cookies, which the website you are visiting creates, and third-party cookies, which advertisers and data brokers create to track you across multiple websites. Enabling all cookies means you allow both types. If you want to stay logged in but reduce tracking, use the middle-ground settings: Safari's "Only from websites you visit", Chrome's "Block third-party cookies in Incognito", or Firefox's standard setting. These let websites remember you without letting advertisers follow you around the internet.
If you use private or incognito browsing mode, cookies are deleted when you close the window, even if you have cookies enabled in your regular settings. This is useful if you want to browse without being remembered, but it means you will have to log in again each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a website keep asking me to log in even though cookies are on?
The website may have blocked your browser from storing cookies, or your browser cache may be corrupted. Clear your cache and try again. If that does not work, check whether the website is listed in your browser's cookie exceptions or blocked sites list and remove it if it is.
Is it safe to enable all cookies?
Enabling cookies is generally safe — they are just small text files. The main downside is that advertisers can use third-party cookies to track your browsing across websites. If you want to reduce tracking while staying logged in, use your browser's middle-ground setting that blocks third-party cookies but allows first-party ones.
Do I need to enable cookies for every website?
No. When you enable cookies in your browser settings, it applies to all websites. You only need to change settings if a specific website is blocked from storing cookies, which you can do in your browser's exceptions list.
What happens if I clear cookies?
Clearing cookies logs you out of all websites and deletes any stored preferences. You will have to log in again the next time you visit. Your browsing history and passwords are separate and are not deleted unless you specifically choose to clear those too.
Can I enable cookies for some websites but not others?
Yes. In Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, you can add specific websites to an exceptions list that either always allows or always blocks cookies for that site. This is useful if you trust one website but want to block cookies everywhere else.