Cookies are turned off by default in Safari on iPad — here's how to turn them back on
Safari on iPad blocks cookies by default as a privacy measure. If a website tells you that cookies are disabled, or if you're having trouble logging into an account or seeing personalized content, you'll need to enable cookies in your Safari settings. The process takes about one minute and applies to all websites you visit in Safari.
Cookies are small files that websites store on your device to remember things about you — your login status, items in a shopping cart, language preference, or what you've already read. Without them, many websites won't work properly. The tradeoff is that cookies can also be used to track your activity across sites, which is why Safari turns them off by default.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings on your iPad, scroll down to Safari, and tap it to find the cookie controls.
- Look for "Block All Cookies" under the Privacy section and turn it off by tapping the toggle switch.
- You can also choose "Allow from Websites I Visit" to block tracking cookies while allowing functional ones.
- After you change the setting, close Safari completely and reopen it for the change to take effect.
Step-by-step: Enable cookies in Safari settings
Start by opening the Settings app on your iPad home screen. Scroll down the left panel until you see Safari listed — it's usually near the bottom, after Mail and Maps.
Tap Safari to open its settings. Look for the Privacy section, which contains several toggles related to tracking and data. You'll see "Block All Cookies" with a toggle switch next to it. If the toggle is green and switched to the right, cookies are currently blocked. Tap the toggle to turn it off (it will turn gray and move to the left).
Once you've turned off "Block All Cookies," close Safari completely. On iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Safari, and swipe it up to close it. Then reopen Safari from your home screen. The setting change takes effect once Safari restarts.
The difference between "Block All Cookies" and "Allow from Websites I Visit"
Safari gives you two main cookie options. "Block All Cookies" turns off every cookie, which breaks many websites but offers maximum privacy. "Allow from Websites I Visit" is the middle ground — it lets websites you directly visit store cookies on your device, but it blocks cookies from third-party trackers embedded in ads or analytics tools.
Most people should use "Allow from Websites I Visit" rather than turning cookies off entirely. This setting lets you log into accounts and use shopping carts normally, while still blocking the tracking cookies that follow you across the web. To use this setting, make sure "Block All Cookies" is turned off, then look for "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" in the same Privacy section and turn it on.
What to do if a website still won't work after enabling cookies
Sometimes a website won't work even after you've enabled cookies. This usually means the site needs a specific type of cookie that Safari is still blocking, or the site itself has a technical problem. Try these steps in order.
First, go back to Settings > Safari and check that "Block All Cookies" is definitely off. Then close Safari completely and reopen it — sometimes the setting doesn't take effect until Safari restarts. If the site still doesn't work, try opening it in a private browsing window. Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right of Safari, then tap "Private" at the bottom left. Private windows have different cookie rules and sometimes work when regular windows don't.
If it works in private browsing but not in regular browsing, the problem is likely a cookie left over from before you enabled them. Close Safari, go back to Settings > Safari, scroll down and tap "Clear History and Website Data," then confirm. This clears all stored cookies and browsing history. Reopen Safari and try the website again.
Cookies versus tracking: what you're actually allowing
Enabling cookies doesn't mean you're allowing unlimited tracking. Cookies are just files — what matters is what websites do with them. A cookie that remembers you're logged in to your email is different from a cookie that tracks which news articles you read across multiple sites.
Safari's "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" setting (which you should keep on) stops the second type. It blocks cookies and tracking pixels that follow you from one website to another. You can enable regular cookies for websites to function while still preventing cross-site tracking. This is why the recommended setup is: turn off "Block All Cookies" and turn on "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking."
How to manage cookies for specific websites
If you want to allow cookies for most sites but block them for one particular website, you can set rules per site. Open Safari and visit the website you want to control. Tap the address bar at the top, then tap the "aA" icon on the left side of the address bar. Scroll down to "Website Settings" and tap it.
You'll see toggles for Cookies, Camera, Microphone, and Location. Tap the Cookies toggle to turn it off for just that site. The next time you visit that website, Safari will block its cookies while allowing cookies on every other site. This setting stays in place until you change it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will enabling cookies slow down my iPad?
No. Cookies are tiny files — usually just a few kilobytes each — and they don't affect performance. The slowdown you might notice on a website is usually because the site itself loads slowly, not because of cookies.
Can I enable cookies just for one website instead of all websites?
Yes. Visit the website, tap the address bar, tap the "aA" icon, go to Website Settings, and toggle Cookies on for just that site. All other sites will follow your main Safari cookie setting.
What's the difference between cookies and tracking pixels?
Cookies are files stored on your device. Tracking pixels are invisible images embedded in websites and emails that send information back to a server. Safari's "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" blocks both types from following you across sites.
If I enable cookies, will websites know everything about me?
Websites can only see the cookies they themselves created, plus any information you voluntarily enter. One website can't read another website's cookies. Cookies don't give websites access to your contacts, photos, or other apps.
Do I need to enable cookies if I use private browsing?
Private browsing windows delete all cookies when you close them, but the same cookie settings still apply while the window is open. If "Block All Cookies" is on, private windows will still block cookies. You may need to enable cookies in settings even for private browsing to work on some sites.