Safari blocks cookies by default on newer Macs, which stops many websites from working properly
If you're on a Mac and Safari won't let you stay logged into websites, remember passwords, or load certain pages, cookies are likely turned off. Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember who you are and what you've done there. Safari's default settings block most of them for privacy, but you can turn them back on in a few clicks.
The steps below show you exactly where to find the cookie settings and what each option does. You can turn cookies on completely, allow them only from websites you visit, or keep them off for certain sites while allowing them elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Safari's privacy settings block cookies by default, which prevents you from staying logged into most websites.
- You can change cookie settings by opening Safari, clicking Safari in the menu bar, and selecting Preferences.
- The Privacy tab holds three cookie options: block all, allow only from sites you visit, or allow from all websites.
- You can also block or allow cookies for individual websites without changing your overall Safari settings.
Open Safari Preferences on your Mac
Start by opening Safari — the compass icon usually in your dock or Applications folder. Once Safari is open, look at the very top of your screen where you see the menu bar. Click the word Safari (not the Safari icon, but the word Safari itself in the top-left menu).
A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the word Preferences near the top of that menu and click it. A new window will open with several tabs across the top. You're looking for the tab labeled Privacy — click it now.
Choose your cookie setting in the Privacy tab
In the Privacy tab, you'll see a section labeled "Cookies and website data" near the middle of the window. Below that label are three radio buttons (circles) with different options. Here's what each one does:
Block all cookies: This stops all websites from storing cookies on your Mac. Choose this only if you don't mind logging into websites every single time you visit them.
Allow from websites I visit: This is the middle option and the one most people should use. It lets websites you actually go to store cookies, but blocks cookies from ads and trackers on those pages. This is Safari's default setting.
Allow from all websites: This turns cookies on completely, including from ads and other third-party sources. Choose this only if a website absolutely won't work otherwise.
Click the radio button next to whichever option matches what you need. The change takes effect immediately — you don't need to restart Safari.
Allow cookies for a single website if the general setting isn't enough
Sometimes one website won't work even when you've allowed cookies from sites you visit. In that case, you can create an exception just for that site. Go to the website that isn't working, then open Safari menu > Preferences > Privacy again.
Below the three radio buttons, you'll see a section called "Manage Website Data." Click the button labeled Manage Data to see a list of every website that has stored data on your Mac. Find the website giving you trouble in that list, select it, and click Remove. Then go back to that website and try logging in again — Safari will let it store fresh cookies.
If that still doesn't work, you can add the website to an allow list. In the same Privacy tab, look for a section labeled "Block all cookies" or similar (the exact wording changes with macOS versions). Some versions let you click a plus sign to add websites that should always be allowed to use cookies, even if your main setting is "Block all."
Check your macOS version if you can't find these settings
The exact location and wording of cookie settings shifts slightly between macOS versions. If the Privacy tab doesn't look like what's described above, you're likely on an older or newer version of macOS.
To find your macOS version, click the Apple menu (top-left corner) and select About This Mac. The version number appears in the window that opens. If you're on macOS 10.12 or older, the Privacy settings are in the same place but labeled slightly differently — look for "Cookies and website data" in the Privacy tab and you'll find the same three options.
Restart Safari if websites still won't work after enabling cookies
After you've turned cookies on, close Safari completely and open it again. Some websites cache old settings and won't recognize that cookies are now allowed until Safari restarts.
If a website still won't let you log in or remember your information, the problem might not be cookies at all. Try clearing your Safari cache: go to Safari menu > Preferences > Privacy, then click Manage Website Data and select Remove All. This deletes all stored website data and forces Safari to start fresh with that site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning on cookies make my Mac less secure?
Cookies themselves don't install viruses or malware — they're just text files. Turning on "Allow from websites I visit" is safe because it blocks third-party tracking cookies while still letting real websites work. Only choose "Allow from all websites" if you absolutely need to.
Why does Safari block cookies by default?
Safari blocks cookies to protect your privacy from advertisers and trackers that follow you across the internet. The "Allow from websites I visit" setting balances privacy with usability — it lets websites work while still blocking most tracking.
Can I turn cookies on for one website and off for everything else?
Yes. Set your main cookie setting to "Block all cookies," then use the Manage Data section to add exceptions for websites that need them. Some macOS versions also let you click a plus sign to create an allow list.
What if I turn cookies back off after turning them on?
You can change your cookie setting anytime by going back to Safari > Preferences > Privacy and clicking a different radio button. Websites won't be able to store new cookies, but old cookies already on your Mac stay there until you manually delete them.
Do I need to do this on every browser, or just Safari?
Each browser has its own cookie settings. If you use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge on the same Mac, you'll need to turn cookies on in those browsers separately. Safari settings don't affect the others.