Updated for 2026 with instructions for macOS Sequoia and iOS 18. How-to: Step-by-step guide to manage cookies in Safari and unblock specific sites. Fix: Solutions for login loops caused by Safari cross-site tracking. Business Solution: How Clym Consent Management helps website owners avoid these user friction points entirely.
For Mac: Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy. Uncheck "Block all cookies."
For iPhone (iOS 18+): Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced. Toggle off "Block All Cookies."
Safari is one of the most secure browsers in the world, largely due to its aggressive default privacy settings. However, these settings can sometimes cause websites to "break," preventing you from signing in to accounts or saving your shopping cart.
By 2025, Safari had already become one of the strictest browsers when it comes to cookie policies, cross-site tracking, and third-party data collection. Whether you're trying to log into an account or a website owner troubleshooting user issues, understanding how Safari handles cookies is essential. This guide walks you through every setting on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, with up-to-date instructions for iOS 18 cookie settings and macOS Sequoia.
If you are a user trying to access a site, this guide will show you exactly how to enable cookies in Safari on Mac and iOS.
What’s new in 2026 for Safari cookie settings
Apple continues to tighten privacy controls. Here is what has changed:
Safari on macOS (Sequoia and earlier) simplifies cookie management into a single checkbox, but hidden advanced settings allow for more control. Here is how to handle Safari cookie settings Mac.
You will see an option labeled "Block all cookies."
Above the cookie setting, you will see "Prevent cross-site tracking."
The settings for Safari on iOS have moved slightly in recent updates. Here is where to find Safari cookie settings iPhone on iOS 17 and 18.
Sometimes enabling cookies isn't enough; you need to manage cookies Safari by clearing a corrupted file.
If you have followed the steps above but a website still claims "Cookies are disabled," consult this table to identify the issue.
Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Still seeing "Cookies disabled" | Cross-site tracking is on | Temporarily turn off "prevent cross-site tracking" |
Login loops | Corrupted cookie or cache | Clear cookies for that specific site |
Safari doesn’t save cookies | Private browsing mode | Switch to a normal window |
"Block all cookies" is greyed out | Screen time restriction | Disable restrictions temporarily |
Safari blocks Safari third-party cookies by default.
The Fix: On Mac, go to Settings > Privacy and ensure "Prevent cross-site tracking" is unchecked temporarily. Refresh the page, sign in, and then re-enable the setting.
Safari's "Private Browsing" mode is strictly isolated. It does not save cookies permanently. If you log in while in Private mode and close the tab, you will be logged out immediately. Ensure you are using a standard browsing window.
Old data can conflict with new settings.
Mac: Press Command + Option + E to clear the browser cache instantly.
If your website requires users to manually "unblock third-party cookies" or disable "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" in Safari, you are likely losing traffic.
Safari’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) is not a bug - it is the new standard for privacy. You cannot expect users to lower their security shields just to view your content.
Most websites work flawlessly when built on a first-party, consent-driven tracking model. Clym helps you transition to this modern approach quickly and without engineering overhead.
Modern websites use a Consent Management Platform like Clym to respect Safari's rules while still collecting the data you need.
Your visitors shouldn't have to dig through their iPhone settings to buy your product. Facilitate a seamless experience on every browser.
To enable third-party cookies, you must disable "Prevent cross-site tracking." Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and uncheck the box next to "Prevent cross-site tracking."
Safari blocks third-party cookies by default to protect your privacy, so you should only do this if a specific website is failing to load.
This is likely due to Screen Time restrictions. If the cookie toggle is greyed out, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Check if there are any restrictions set for "Web Content" that might be locking your browser settings.
Disabling these restrictions temporarily should allow you to change your cookie settings.
I enabled cookies, but I still can't sign in. What do I do?
You likely need to clear the cache for that specific site. Old, corrupted cookie data can conflict with new settings.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, search for the site, and swipe left to delete. On Mac: Go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data, find the site, and click Remove.
"Block All Cookies" stops everything; "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" stops ads.
No, Safari does not currently support an "Allow List" for specific sites.
Unlike Chrome, Safari’s settings are global. This is why website owners should use a Consent Management Platform like Clym to manage these preferences intelligently.
Because you may be in Private Browsing mode or Safari is auto-deleting them.
If you use Private Browsing, cookies are deleted every time you close the tab. Additionally, regulations like GDPR cookie consent require websites to ask for permission.
Yes, Private Browsing does not save cookies permanently. While cookies are used during your private session, they are immediately deleted when you close the tab.
It is generally safe for short periods, but not recommended permanently.
Turning this off allows advertisers to track your browsing habits across different websites. You should re-enable it once you are done using the specific site that required it.
They are located under the "Advanced" menu. In iOS 18, Apple moved these settings deeper. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari, scroll to the bottom, tap Advanced, and look for "Block All Cookies."
Use the "Manage Website Data" tool. Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy, click Manage Website Data, search for the website name, select it, and click Remove.
Adam is the Head of Digital Marketing at Clym, where he leverages his diverse expertise in marketing to support businesses with their compliance needs and drive awareness about data privacy and web accessibility. As one of the company’s original team members, Adam has been instrumental in shaping its journey from the very beginning. When he’s not diving into marketing strategies, Adam can be found cheering on his favorite sports teams or enjoying fishing.
Find out more about Adam