How to enable cookies on iPhone to personalize your web browsing experience

Updated

2021-05-28T18:26:37Z

iPhone apps

Enable cookies for your iPhone's Safari browser in Settings; third-party browsers will generally have cookies enabled by default.
Avery Hartmans/Business Insider
  • You can enable cookies for the iPhone's Safari browser in the Settings app.
  • Many websites require the use of cookies for better performance.
  • While cookies help personalize and stream your web browsing experience, you can manage how third-party companies track you.
  • Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

You sometimes hear advice from security- and privacy-minded individuals suggesting that you should block or disable all cookies in your web browser. But is that really the best advice?

While third-party cookies are used by ad companies to track you as you go around the internet, first-party cookies are actually practical. First-party cookies allow browsers to remember important user info — like usernames, passwords, and language preferences — so you have a better user experience.

Generally speaking, it's a good idea to leave first-party cookies enabled to personalize and streamline your web browsing. That said, there are measures you can take so third-party content providers do not collect your personal data.

How to enable cookies on iPhone in Chrome and Firefox

If you use a third-party browser like Chrome or Firefox, cookies are enabled by default, and you do not have the option to disable them.

You do, however, have the option to disable third-party cookies. Here's how to manage cookies for Chrome and Firefox:

  • Chrome: On your iPhone, go to Settings, and then select Chrome. From there, make sure Allow Cross-Website Tracking is disabled.
  • Firefox: On your iPhone, go to Settings, and then select Firefox. From there, make sure Allow Cross-Website Tracking is disabled.

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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