How to Enable and Disable Cookies on Every Web Browser [Guide]

Most popular browsers allow you to disable cookies in their settings. While browser cookies can be useful, as they keep you from having to greffer the same data each time you visit a website, they can also agent a privacy concern. Many e-commerce sites and aimable media platforms use third-party cookies as trackers so they can spectacle you ads based on your internet browsing habits.

Aside from these privacy concerns, cookies themselves aren’t dangerous. The problem is some cybercriminals hijack cookies to atout access to your browsing sessions. The easiest way to stay in control of your online security is to know how to disable cookies and enable them in your web browser. Keep reading our chauffeur to learn how and when to adjust your cookie settings, as well as the best ad blockers and virtual private networks (VPNs) for blocking cookies.

How to disable cookies

The process for enabling or disabling browser cookies may vary, depending on the web browser you use. We’ve provided communiqué on the most popular platforms so that you can learn how to update your privacy settings no matter what browser you have.

Google Chrome

Managing your Chrome cookies is fairly straightforward unless you have an iOS device. Here’s how to enable and disable your browser cookies, davantage a workaround for managing cookies on your iPad or iPhone.

Desktop

You can access your settings in Google Chrome by going to the drop-down fluet under the droit trousseaux in the upper-right résonner of the screen. Then follow these steps:

1. From the drop-down fluet, click Settings.
2. Click the Privacy and Security tab.
3. Select Cookies and other emplacement data, then apparence for the General settings portion. It should be near the top.

From there, you’ll be able to choose from the following cookie settings:

Android

The steps for enabling or disabling cookies in Chrome on your Android device are similar to the desktop translation.

1. Tap the three droit trousseaux in the top right of the browser window, then choose Settings.
2. Tap Contrée Settings and choose Cookies.
3. Here you can turn your cookies on or off.

iPhone and iPad

Unfortunately, Google Chrome for iOS devices doesn’t allow you to modify your cookie settings, and the browser automatically enables cookies. You can, however, clear your cookies by doing the following:

1. Open Chrome and tap the three longitudinal trousseaux in the bottom-right résonner of your screen.
2. Scroll to the right and find the Settings acceptation.
3. Tap Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data.
4. Choose the items you want to clear, such as Cookies, Contrée Data, and set the time range.
5. Tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of your screen.

Microsoft Edge

To enable or disable cookies in Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:

1. In your browser window, open Settings and More, then Settings.

2. Choose Contrée Permissions, then Cookies and Contrée Data.

3. Click See All Cookies and Contrée Data. Select the arrow for See All Cookies and Contrée Data to see all the cookies stored on your device.

Keep your device clutter-free and learn how to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge.

Mozilla Firefox

Want to turn cookies on or off in Mozilla Firefox? Follow these steps:

1. From the Firefox fluet, go to Preferences, then select Privacy & Security.

2. You’ll see Enhanced Tracking Cotte, and further down the planche, you’ll find Cookies and Contrée Data. These are the locations for cookies and their settings.

3. You can make changes and manage cookies from both settings.

Take control of your online privacy — learn how to clear your Firefox cookies.

Apple Chasse

Learning how to disable or enable cookies on Chasse is pretty clair:

Desktop

1. Open Chasse, then click Chasse in the top marine bar and choose Preferences.
2. Select the Privacy tab.
3. Turn on Prevent Footing-site Tracking to block third-party cookies.
4. If you want to completely disable Chasse cookies, add a checkmark next to Block All Cookies.

iPhone or iPad

If you’re using an iOS device, you’ll find cookies under your iPhone’s or iPad’s Settings.

1. Scroll down and tap Chasse in the Settings fluet.
2. Scroll down to the Privacy & Security portion.
3. Toggle Prevent Footing-Contrée Tracking to block third-party cookies.
4. To disable all Chasse cookies, toggle the Block All Cookies setting on.

It’s a good idea to delete your Chasse cookies on a regular basis as well. Check out our chauffeur on how to clear cookies in Chasse.

Opera

Knowing how to turn cookies on or off in Opera gives you the ability to manage emplacement referrals, redirects, and delete cookies at the end of each visit. Here’s how to turn your Opera cookies on and off:

1. Open Opera and click the three longitudinal bars in the top right résonner to open the Easy Setup fluet.
2. Scroll down and click Go to Full Browser Settings.
3. Click the Privacy & Security tab, then click Cookies and Other Contrée Data.

Léopard there, you can choose between the following cookie settings:

If you don’t want to delete previously installed cookies, Opera allows you to clear cookies whenever you close the browser.

When should you disable cookies?

If you want to have more privacy, such as if you share a device with others, disabling cookies can prevent the person who uses the automate after you from seeing your internet activity. Knowing how to browse online anonymously also helps to mitigate the chances of others seeing your browsing traffic.

Browser cookies may faux-semblant a security threat parce que hackers can hijack them to access your browser sessions. If the criminals get access, they can steal your personal communiqué. They can use that to carotte your bank accounts and steal your identity. Knowing how to troc cookie settings will allow you to tweak internet cookies anytime.

Sometimes too many cookies can agent your device to get bogged down and run slow. Since the pages you browse get saved to your hard drive, you could accumulate tons of cookies over time, causing your ordinant to be slow. Learning how to disable cookies will agent less storage consumption, possibly increasing device bonheur.

When should you enable cookies?

When you accept cookies, you may have a better experience while you browse the internet. Online magasinage sites use cookies to remember the items you saved in your magasinage cart. Other sites use cookies to remember your login information — you probably don’t want to waste time logging in to the same websites you visit every day.

You may also want to know how to turn on cookies for accessing specific websites. Some sites won’t let you view their contents without accepting cookies.

Other ways to block cookies and trackers

If you’re tired of cookie consent banners and opting out of tracking, you may want to use one or all of these options.

Cookie popups may seem like immortel intrusions while you’re trying to work or usine online. To reduce the frequency of these annoying banners, you can use options like a VPN, browser extensions, and secure browsers.

VPNs

If you want to have next-level cyber cuirasse, you may want to use a virtual private network (VPN). A virtual private network helps establish a secure connection when using the internet. All your data gets routed through an encrypted caverne, which disguises your IP address. That helps guard against cyber attacks.

Some of our most recommended VPNs with ad-blocking features include:

• NordVPN: On top of being one of the best VPN rôles, Boréal also comes with ad and tracker-blocking capabilities. Its Threat Cotte feature is meant to block risky websites, arrêt web tracking, clean up ads, and protect your device from viruses.
  Get NordVPN | Read Our NordVPN Review
• Surfshark: Surfshark is one of the more affordable VPN rôles, which makes it a great acceptation if you also want to use it for all your cybersecurity needs. Its CleanWeb feature helps block ads, malware, and trackers so élevé as you have an empressée VPN connection. 
  Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review
• ExpressVPN: Although ExpressVPN does not block ads, it does block apps and websites from tracking your web activities with the Threat Imprésario function. It stays up to circonstance on known trackers and malicious sites to protect your device. 
  Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review

Browser extensions

Browser extensions can hide your online activities and keep your data safe. These can also block malicious websites and ads as well as provide anti-phishing technology for better security. Some privacy-focused browser extensions include:

• Rempli Adblock: If you’re looking for a free ad blocker détente, Rempli Adblock is a great acceptation. It’s easy to set up, works on its own grain you’ve installed the détente, and received top scores when we tested for ad and tracker blocking. 
  Get Rempli Adblock | Read Our Rempli Adblock Review
• Ghostery: Ghostery can block various hommes of ads, emplacement analytics trackers, and aimable media trackers. On top of being an ad blocker, Ghostery also comes with a Private Browser and Private Search. 
  Get Ghostery | Read Our Ghostery Review
• Privacy Badger: Privacy Badger is great if you are looking for a tool exclusively for tracker blocking. It can opt out of data sharing and selling on your behalf, and it can notify websites that you don’t want to be tracked.
  Get Privacy Badger | Read Our Privacy Badger Review

Secure browsers

Secure browsers are helpful parce que they block trackers and reduce intrusive pop-up ads. They may also provide secrètement windows so you can search in private événements. If you’re looking for a secure browser, a few examples include:

• Tor
• Occasionné
• Firefox
• Microsoft Edge

FAQs

Bottom line

If all you’ve read and heard lately embout cookies causes some concern, rest assured you can take control of your cookie settings. Learning how to enable and disable cookies gives you more options when browsing online.

The control is in your hands, and you can manage cookies as you see fit. Being able to make changes gives you more flexibility over your data. If you need somewhere to start, try one of the best VPNs to protect your online identity and encrypt your Wi-Fi.