Cookies make the internet a smoother place. They help websites remember your login, preferences, and even the items in your shopping cart. But sometimes, third-party cookies are blocked on your Mac, causing websites to break or forget who you are.
If you need to enable third-party cookies, don’t worry! It’s easy to do, and we’ll guide you through the process step by step.
What Are Third-Party Cookies?
Before we get started, let’s quickly explain what third-party cookies are.
Cookies are small files stored by your browser to keep track of your website visits. There are two types:
- First-party cookies – Created by the website you are visiting.
- Third-party cookies – Created by other sites, like ads or embedded content.
Some websites rely on third-party cookies to function properly. If they are blocked, you might have trouble logging in, streaming content, or using certain web features.
How to Allow Third-Party Cookies on Mac
The process depends on the browser you are using. Below, we’ll cover the most popular ones.
Safari
Since macOS Big Sur, Safari disables third-party cookies by default. But you can change this:
- Open Safari.
- Click on Safari in the top menu.
- Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions).
- Go to the Privacy tab.
- Uncheck “Prevent cross-site tracking.”
That’s it! Third-party cookies are now enabled in Safari.
Google Chrome
Chrome also blocks some cookies by default, but here’s how to enable them:
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security.
- Click Cookies and other site data.
- Select “Allow all cookies” or adjust settings as needed.
Now, Chrome will allow third-party cookies on your Mac.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is privacy-focused but lets you change cookie settings:
- Open Firefox.
- Click the three lines in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security.
- Under “Enhanced Tracking Protection,” choose Custom.
- Uncheck “Cookies” or set it to allow third-party cookies.
Firefox will now allow cookies based on your settings.
When Should You Allow Third-Party Cookies?
Allowing all cookies isn’t always recommended. Some are used for tracking your activity across different websites.
So, when should you enable them?
- When a website isn’t working properly.
- For online banking or services that require third-party cookies.
- When using trusted sites you visit frequently.
How to Clear Cookies on Your Mac
If you’re having problems with cookies, you may need to clear them. Here’s how:
Clearing Cookies in Safari
- Open Safari.
- Go to Settings > Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data.
- Select the websites and click Remove.
Clearing Cookies in Chrome
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three dots > Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Check Cookies and other site data, then click Clear data.
Clearing Cookies in Firefox
- Open Firefox.
- Click the three lines > Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to Cookies and Site Data.
- Click Clear Data, check the box, and click Clear.
Final Thoughts
Enabling third-party cookies on your Mac is simple. While they can help websites work better, remember to be cautious. Too many cookies can lead to privacy risks.
Only allow them when necessary and clear them regularly for a safer browsing experience!