Where to find cookie settings on your Mac
Cookie settings on a Mac live in your web browser, not in your operating system. Each browser — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge — stores its cookie controls in a different place. You cannot change cookies from System Settings or a central Mac location. You have to go into the browser itself and find the privacy or security section.
The steps below cover the four most common browsers. If you use a different one, the principle is the same: look for Settings or Preferences, then Privacy or Security, then find the section labeled Cookies or Website Data.
Key Takeaways
- Cookie settings are stored inside your web browser, not in your Mac's System Settings, so you must open the browser first.
- Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each keep cookie controls in different locations within their settings menus.
- You can block all cookies, allow all cookies, or choose a middle option that blocks tracking cookies while allowing functional ones.
- Changing cookie settings does not delete cookies you already have — you need a separate step to clear existing cookies if you want them gone.
How to change cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences if you are on an older Mac). Click the Privacy tab.
Under "Cookies and website data," you will see three options: Always block, Allow from websites I visit, or Always allow. Choose the one that fits what you want. "Always block" stops websites from storing cookies on your Mac. "Allow from websites I visit" is the middle ground — it lets sites you actively visit set cookies but blocks third-party tracking cookies. "Always allow" lets any website set cookies without restriction.
If you want to delete cookies you already have, stay in the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data. You will see a list of websites that have stored data on your Mac. Select the ones you want to remove and click Remove, or click Remove All to clear everything at once.
How to change 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, then click Cookies and other site data.
You will see four options. Allow all cookies lets websites store cookies freely. Block all cookies stops all cookie storage. Block third-party cookies is the default — it stops tracking cookies from advertisers and other outside companies while allowing the website you are visiting to use cookies. Block third-party cookies in Incognito only applies the block when you use Incognito mode.
To delete existing cookies, stay in the Privacy and security section and click Clear browsing data. A window will open. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, choose your time range (Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time), and click Clear data.
How to change cookies 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 will see a checkbox for Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. Check this if you want Firefox to automatically clear cookies every time you close the browser. Below that, click the Manage Exceptions button if you want to allow cookies from specific websites even if you have set Firefox to block them elsewhere.
For more control, look for the section labeled Enhanced Tracking Protection just above the Cookies section. Firefox offers three levels: Standard (blocks some trackers), Strict (blocks more trackers but may break some websites), and Custom (lets you pick exactly what to block). To delete cookies you already have, click Clear Data in the Cookies and Site Data section, check Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear.
How to change cookies 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 "Cookies and other site data," you will see a toggle for Tracking prevention. Set it to Basic, Balanced, or Strict. Basic blocks some trackers, Balanced (the default) blocks most third-party trackers, and Strict blocks as many trackers as possible but may cause some websites to work poorly.
Below that, find Clear browsing data. Click it, make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, choose your time range, and click Clear now. You can also check the box for Choose what to clear every time you close the browser if you want Edge to delete cookies automatically.
What blocking cookies actually does
Blocking cookies does not make you invisible online, and it does not stop websites from collecting data about you. It only stops websites from storing small files on your Mac that remember who you are or what you did on their site.
If you block all cookies, some websites may not work properly — you might get logged out unexpectedly, your shopping cart might empty, or you might see the same tutorial pop-up every time you visit. This is because many websites use cookies to remember your login, your preferences, and what you have already seen.
The middle option — blocking only third-party or tracking cookies — usually gives you the best balance. It lets websites you visit directly use cookies to function properly, but stops advertisers and data brokers from tracking you across multiple sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my cookie settings delete cookies I already have?
No. Changing your cookie settings only affects new cookies going forward. To delete cookies that are already on your Mac, you must use the "Clear browsing data" or "Clear data" option in your browser's settings. This is a separate step from changing your cookie policy.
If I block all cookies, will websites still work?
Most websites will work, but some will have problems. You may get logged out without warning, your shopping cart may empty, or you may lose your saved preferences. Many modern websites rely on cookies to function smoothly. Blocking only third-party cookies usually avoids these problems.
Do I need to change cookie settings in every browser on my Mac?
Yes. Each browser stores its own cookies and has its own settings. If you use Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, you will need to change the cookie settings in each one separately. Your Mac's System Settings do not control browser cookies.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
A first-party cookie comes from the website you are visiting. A third-party cookie comes from an outside company, usually an advertiser or data broker, and is used to track you across multiple websites. Most browsers let you block third-party cookies while allowing first-party ones, which is usually the best middle ground.
Can I set different cookie rules for different websites?
Yes, but the process varies by browser. Safari and Firefox let you manage exceptions through their settings. Chrome and Edge do not have a simple exception list, but you can use Incognito or InPrivate mode to browse without storing cookies on specific sites.