Quick answer: In Safari on current iPhones, cookies are generally allowed unless you have blocked them. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced and make sure Block All Cookies is off. You do not need to disable every tracking protection just to sign in to most websites.
Cookies are small website records that can remember a session, shopping basket or preference. They are not the same as browser history or saved passwords. The steps below focus on Apple’s Safari browser and were checked against current Apple documentation on October 13, 2026.
Enable cookies in Safari on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then select Safari. On an older iOS version, you may find Safari directly in Settings.
- Scroll to Advanced.
- Find Block All Cookies. Leave it off (the control should not be enabled).
- Return to Safari, reload the affected site, and try signing in again.
There is no universal button called “Enable Cookies” in Safari. Most guides use that phrase to mean turning off Block All Cookies. If an administrator manages the iPhone or a content-blocking extension is installed, additional restrictions may apply.
Should you switch off Prevent Cross-Site Tracking?
Usually not. Apple’s Prevent Cross-Site Tracking control limits certain third-party tracking behavior. It is separate from blocking all cookies. Try normal cookie settings first, because disabling tracking protection broadens the ability of third parties to follow activity across sites.
| Safari option | What it changes | Recommended first step |
|---|---|---|
| Block All Cookies | Broadly prevents cookie use, which can break logins | Keep off if you need normal website sessions |
| Prevent Cross-Site Tracking | Limits third-party tracking across websites | Keep on unless troubleshooting a verified site-specific issue |
| Clear History and Website Data | Removes stored browsing records and website data | Use selectively after easier fixes |
| Safari extensions/content blockers | May filter cookies, scripts or requests | Temporarily disable one trusted extension to test |
Website still says cookies are disabled?
- Verify the browser. These instructions apply to Safari. Chrome, Firefox and in-app browsers may have different controls, even on the same iPhone.
- Open the site normally. Test a standard Safari tab instead of a private tab or an in-app webview.
- Reload and sign in again. Some sites do not recognize the updated setting until a new session is established.
- Check extensions. Temporarily disable content blockers for that specific website if you trust it.
- Clear data for the affected site. Where available, remove only the problem site’s website data rather than erasing everything. Be prepared to sign back in.
- Update iOS and Safari. Safari updates arrive with iOS. Older versions sometimes have different menu labels and bugs.
What not to do
Avoid disabling every privacy control just to solve a login problem. Do not install unknown profiles or configuration apps from a webpage that claims Safari must be “unlocked.” Never enter account credentials into a lookalike page, and use the official site address. Cookie settings affect website behavior, not how your mobile carrier connects to the internet; Airplane Mode is unrelated.
Frequently asked questions
Are cookies on by default on iPhone?
Safari generally permits first-party website cookies while applying tracking protections. Check your own settings, as devices may be managed or customized.
Will turning off Block All Cookies erase my data?
Turning the restriction off does not itself factory-reset your device. However, turning it on may remove website data, as Apple documents. Changes to stored sessions can require you to sign in again.
Does this enable third-party cookies everywhere?
No. Third-party cookie handling and cross-site tracking controls are separate and may still limit tracking.
Is clearing browser data the same as factory reset?
No. Clearing Safari data is narrower than restoring an iPhone to factory settings.
Verification and image credit
Guidance based on Apple Support: Delete Safari history, cache and cookies and Safari privacy settings. Photo: Давид Андронов, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0, unmodified. Hardware photo is illustrative, not a screenshot of Safari’s Advanced menu.
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