Block cookies in Safari settings

The fastest way to stop websites from storing cookies on your iPhone is to turn off cookie storage in Safari, which is Apple's built-in browser. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then scroll to the Privacy & Security section. Toggle off Allow from Websites under the Cookies heading. This stops Safari from accepting cookies entirely.

When you turn off cookies this way, some websites may not work properly — login pages might not remember you, shopping carts may empty, and video players might reset. If a site breaks, you can turn cookies back on temporarily, visit that site, then turn them off again. Safari will remember your choice the next time you open it.

This setting only affects Safari. If you use Chrome, Firefox, or another browser on your iPhone, you need to change cookie settings separately in each app.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's cookie block is in Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security, and you toggle off "Allow from Websites" to stop all cookies.
  • Blocking cookies may break website features like login pages and shopping carts, so you may need to turn them back on for specific sites.
  • Each browser app on your iPhone has its own cookie settings — blocking cookies in Safari does not block them in Chrome or Firefox.
  • You can also clear existing cookies by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, which removes cookies from sites you have already visited.
  • Third-party cookie blocking is not available on iPhone Safari the way it is on desktop browsers, but Apple's Intelligent Tracking Prevention blocks many trackers automatically.

Clear cookies you have already stored

If websites have already stored cookies on your phone, you can delete them. Go to Settings, tap Safari, then scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data. A menu will appear asking what time range to clear — choose All Time to remove every cookie stored on your device.

This action also clears your browsing history and cached website data, so websites will load slightly slower the next time you visit them. You will also be logged out of most sites. If you only want to remove cookies without clearing history, Safari does not offer that option on iPhone — you must clear all three together.

Use private browsing to avoid storing cookies

Safari's Private Browsing mode does not store cookies, history, or autofill data while you are using it. Open Safari, tap the Tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right, then tap Private in the lower left corner. The address bar will turn dark, showing you are in private mode.

Websites can still see you and set cookies while you browse, but Safari will not save those cookies after you close the tab. When you close a private tab, all data from that session disappears. This is useful if you are using a shared iPhone or want to browse without leaving a trace, but it does not stop websites from tracking you in real time.

Understand what Intelligent Tracking Prevention does

Apple's Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) is a built-in feature that automatically blocks many tracking cookies without you having to do anything. It works by identifying cookies and scripts that follow you across multiple websites and preventing them from working. This is different from blocking all cookies — ITP lets regular cookies function while stopping the ones designed to track your behavior.

ITP is on by default in Safari and cannot be turned off. It blocks most third-party trackers, but some advertisers and data brokers find ways around it. If you want stronger privacy, combine ITP with the cookie-blocking steps above, though that may cause more websites to malfunction.

Check cookie settings in other iPhone browsers

If you use Chrome on your iPhone, open the app, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, go to Settings, tap Privacy, then toggle off Allow Cookies. For Firefox, open the app, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, go to Settings, tap Privacy, and select Strict under Tracking Protection to block most cookies and trackers.

Each browser stores its own cookies separately, so blocking cookies in Safari does not affect Chrome or Firefox. If you want consistent privacy across all browsers, you need to change settings in each one. Some people use one browser for everyday browsing and another for private sessions, though this requires remembering which browser you are using.

Know what websites may not work after blocking cookies

Blocking cookies can break features you rely on. Login pages may not remember your username or keep you signed in. Shopping sites may not save items in your cart. Video streaming services may not remember where you stopped watching. Some websites may refuse to load at all or show a message asking you to enable cookies.

If a website does not work after you block cookies, you have two options: turn cookie blocking off in Safari settings and reload the page, or use private browsing mode for that site only. Some people block cookies globally but make exceptions for sites they trust, though Safari does not have a built-in way to whitelist specific sites — you must turn the setting on or off for all websites at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will blocking cookies stop all tracking on my iPhone?

No. Blocking cookies stops one tracking method, but websites can track you in other ways — through your IP address, device fingerprinting, and login accounts. Intelligent Tracking Prevention blocks many trackers automatically, but some advertisers still find ways to follow your behavior. Blocking cookies is one privacy step, not a complete solution.

Can I block cookies on just one website in Safari?

Safari does not have a per-site cookie setting on iPhone. You can only turn cookies on or off for all websites. If you need cookies for one site, you must turn them on globally, visit that site, then turn them back off. Some other browsers like Firefox offer more granular control, but Safari does not.

What is the difference between clearing cookies and blocking new ones?

Clearing cookies removes the ones already stored on your phone from past visits. Blocking cookies prevents new ones from being stored going forward. You can do both — clear old cookies and then turn off cookie storage — for maximum privacy. Clearing alone does not stop websites from setting new cookies the next time you visit.

Does blocking cookies make Safari faster or slower?

Blocking cookies may make some websites load slightly slower because Safari cannot use cached login information or preferences. However, you will not notice a significant speed difference. The tradeoff is privacy versus convenience, not speed versus slowness.

Can I block cookies on apps other than Safari?

Yes, but each app has its own settings. Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers all have cookie controls in their settings menus. Apps that are not web browsers — like social media apps or shopping apps — may also store tracking data, but they do not use the same cookie system as web browsers. Blocking Safari cookies does not affect those apps.