Safari blocks third-party cookies by default — here's how to change that
Safari's default setting blocks third-party cookies, which are tracking files placed by websites you're not directly visiting. If a website tells you it won't work properly without them, you can turn them back on in Safari's privacy settings. The process takes about 30 seconds and applies to all websites you visit.
Before you do this, understand what you're changing: third-party cookies let advertisers and analytics companies track you across multiple sites. Safari blocks them to protect your privacy by default. Turning them on makes that tracking possible again. Some older websites or embedded tools genuinely need them to function, but most modern sites work fine without them.
Key Takeaways
- Safari blocks third-party cookies by default as a privacy protection, and you can see this setting in Safari > Settings > Privacy.
- Unchecking "Prevent cross-site tracking" is what actually allows third-party cookies to load on websites you visit.
- This change affects all websites in Safari — you cannot turn third-party cookies on for just one site.
- If a website still doesn't work after enabling third-party cookies, the problem is usually something else, and you may need to try a different browser or contact the website's support.
Where to find the third-party cookie setting in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Privacy tab.
You'll see a checkbox labeled "Prevent cross-site tracking." This is the setting that blocks third-party cookies. If it's checked, third-party cookies are blocked. If you uncheck it, Safari will allow third-party cookies to be stored and used.
On iPhone or iPad, the path is slightly different: go to Settings (the system settings, not Safari's), scroll down and tap Safari, then look for "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" and toggle it off.
What happens when you turn third-party cookies on
Once you uncheck "Prevent cross-site tracking," websites can now place cookies from third parties — usually advertisers, analytics services, or embedded content providers like video players. These cookies track which sites you visit and what you do on them, building a profile used for targeted ads and analytics.
You'll likely notice more personalized ads appearing across the web. You may also see some websites load embedded content (like a live chat widget or a video player) that previously didn't work. Some older internal business tools or legacy websites sometimes require third-party cookies to function properly.
If a website still doesn't work after enabling third-party cookies
Turning on third-party cookies solves some problems but not all. If a website still doesn't work, the issue is usually something else: a missing plugin, an incompatible browser version, or a setting unrelated to cookies.
Try these steps in order: first, reload the page by pressing Command+R (or Cmd+R). Second, clear Safari's cache by going to Safari > Settings > Privacy and clicking "Manage Website Data," finding the website, and clicking "Remove." Third, try the website in a different browser like Chrome or Firefox to see if the problem is Safari-specific. If it works in another browser, the issue is a Safari compatibility problem, not cookies.
Turning third-party cookies back off
If you decide you want the privacy protection back, the process is the same in reverse. Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and check the box next to "Prevent cross-site tracking" again. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari and toggle "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" back on.
Existing third-party cookies won't disappear immediately, but Safari will stop accepting new ones. You can manually clear them by going to Safari > Settings > Privacy, clicking "Manage Website Data," and clicking "Remove All" to delete all stored cookies at once.
The difference between first-party and third-party cookies
First-party cookies are placed by the website you're actually visiting — they remember your login, your shopping cart, or your preferences on that site. Safari allows these by default because they make websites work better for you.
Third-party cookies are placed by other companies whose code is embedded in the website — ad networks, analytics platforms, or social media trackers. They follow you from site to site and build a profile of your browsing habits. Safari blocks these by default because they're primarily used for tracking, not for making the website function.
Why Safari blocks third-party cookies in the first place
Apple blocks third-party cookies as a privacy feature because they're the primary tool used to track your browsing across the internet. When you visit Site A, an ad network places a cookie. When you visit Site B (which uses the same ad network), that cookie identifies you and records that you visited both sites. Over time, this builds a detailed profile of your interests, habits, and behavior.
By blocking third-party cookies by default, Safari prevents this cross-site tracking without breaking the websites you visit. Most modern websites work fine without them because the web has moved toward other tracking methods (like first-party data collection and fingerprinting), but some older sites or internal business tools still rely on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I allow third-party cookies for just one website?
No. Safari's privacy settings apply to all websites at once — you cannot turn third-party cookies on for one site and off for another. If you need third-party cookies for one specific site, you have to enable them globally, which means they'll be active on every website you visit.
Will clearing my browsing history delete third-party cookies?
It depends on your settings. Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and look at the "Remove history" dropdown. If it's set to "after one day" or another time period, cookies will be deleted on that schedule. If you want to delete them immediately, use "Manage Website Data" instead and click "Remove All."
Is it safe to turn third-party cookies back on?
Turning them on doesn't expose you to malware or viruses — cookies are just text files. What changes is that advertisers and analytics companies can now track your browsing across websites. If you're concerned about privacy, keep them blocked and try a different browser or contact the website's support team to ask if they can fix the issue without requiring third-party cookies.
Do I need to restart Safari after changing the cookie setting?
No. The change takes effect immediately. If a website still doesn't work after you uncheck "Prevent cross-site tracking," try reloading the page in a new tab or clearing that website's data before assuming the setting didn't work.