Table of Contents
Introduction
Cookies are small data files stored on your device by websites you visit. They serve various purposes like remembering your site preferences, keeping you logged into sites, providing relevant ads, and tracking your online activity.
By default, iPhones and iPads block some types of cookies for privacy reasons. However, completely blocking cookies can cause issues with using certain websites properly. This article explains what cookies are, why they are used, and step-by-step instructions for enabling and allowing cookies on an iPhone or iPad.
What are Cookies?
Cookies are text files containing small pieces of data that websites store on your device. They are created when you visit a site and can be accessed again when you return to that site. This allows sites to “remember” things like:
- Items in your shopping cart
- Products you’ve viewed recently
- Usernames and passwords to keep you logged in
- Website preferences like layout, text size, etc.
Cookies set by the site you are visiting directly are called first-party cookies. Cookies set by advertisers, social media buttons, and other third parties embedded on a site are third-party cookies.
Why Website Cookies are Used
Here are some of the main reasons websites use cookies:
- Convenience: Store login info, site preferences, shopping cart items, etc. to improve ease of use.
- Personalization: Remember your activity to show relevant content, recommendations, custom layouts, etc.
- Performance: Analyze site traffic and usage to optimize webpages.
- Advertising: Enable ad targeting and analytics based on your browsing habits.
- Social Media: Allow social media plugins to function properly.
- Security: Enable security features like detecting fraudulent logins.
Completely blocking cookies can negatively impact convenience and features on many sites.
Enabling Cookies on iPhone and iPad
By default, Safari and most other browsers block some types of cookies automatically. Here are instructions for enabling cookies in Safari and Chrome browsers on an iPhone or iPad:
Enable Cookies in Safari
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Safari
- Go to the Privacy & Security section
- Make sure Block All Cookies is turned OFF (white)
- Restart the Safari app
Now Safari will accept cookies.
Enable Cookies in Chrome
- Open the Chrome app
- Tap the More (3 dot) menu > Settings
- Tap Cookies and make sure they are turned ON
- Restart Chrome
Chrome also allows cookies now.
For other browsers, check their settings for a cookies section to enable.
Allowing Cookies on Specific Sites
If you enable blocking for third-party cookies, you may still need to allow them site-by-site for full functionality:
- Visit the site and try to perform any action blocked by disabling cookies
- When prompted, choose to Allow Cookies
- Refresh the page and the site should work properly now
You can edit allowed sites under Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Manage Website Data
Controlling Cookie Tracking
To limit cookie tracking while still allowing site functionality:
- Turn ON Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in Safari
- Enable Ask Websites Not to Track Me
- Review Privacy Report to monitor cookie usage
- Selectively delete cookies under Website Data
Also consider using a private browsing mode and VPN for browsing when you want to minimize tracking.
Conclusion
Completely blocking cookies prevents many sites from working properly, while allowing all cookies enables unlimited tracking of your browsing activity.
Carefully enabling cookies along with leveraging iPhone/iPad privacy settings strikes a good balance for usability and privacy. Monitor your Privacy Report and manage cookie access periodically for even more control.
Expertise and Experience
I have over 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, privacy technologies, and writing technology guides. I stay up-to-date on the latest privacy features across platforms like iOS and ensure my advice represents industry best practices.
