When you visit a website it is very likely that some information is saved by the browser directly on the device. This information, in most cases, is stored in the form of "cookies". These small text files allow websites to customize data according to the specific needs of the user. Although cookies have acquired a negative reputation over time, they are actually extremely useful tools that, when used correctly, help improve the user experience while browsing the web. If you are using a Mac or an iOS device, this article explains how to enable the use of cookies within Safari.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: What are Cookies
Step 1. What are cookies?
When a user visits a website for the first time, a "cookie" is stored on the computer. For all subsequent visits, the computer will automatically check if the corresponding cookie contains relevant information on the site based on your previous use. Basically, cookies are used by websites to improve the end user experience by customizing content according to their needs.
For example, a website could use cookies to store data relating to searches that have been performed by the user in order to immediately view what they are looking for
Step 2. What are "first-party" cookies?
These are cookies that are stored on the computer directly by the website that the user is currently visiting. These are the main cookies, directly responsible for the correct functioning of the site and the correct display of data, based on the specific needs of each individual user.
- In some cases, nowadays more and more often, a website does not work properly if the use of this type of cookie by the browser is not enabled, since today websites need to know who you are and what you are looking for., information that is stored on the computer through cookies.
- If you have the ability to configure your browser to only accept cookies from websites you visit, you are simply enabling "first-party" cookies.
Step 3. What are third party cookies?
These are all those cookies that are downloaded to your computer from websites other than the one you are actually visiting. Normally the purpose of these cookies is to collect and store data relating to the habits and tastes of the user to make advertisements more effective, so that companies can better sell their products.
- These are the cookies that deserve special attention, since they have the sole purpose of providing information on users' habits and tastes to commercial companies with the aim of increasing their profits.
- Unless you can specify which type of cookie is allowed and which one to block, by enabling the use of cookies, the browser will store both the main cookies and third-party cookies on the computer.
Step 4. How can I know if the browser is already using cookies?
Unless you have changed the settings of your device or internet browser, it is very likely that the use of cookies within Safari is already allowed by default. If you have any doubts, you can visit a specific website to check if your browser is using cookies or not.
To verify cookies, visit the following website:
Method 2 of 4: Mac
Step 1. Launch Safari
Click on the program icon with a blue compass. It is normally visible on the Mac Dock.
Step 2. Click on the Safari menu
It is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 3. Click on Preferences…
It is listed at the top of the appeared menu. The Safari configuration settings window will appear.
Step 4. Click on the Privacy tab
It is displayed at the top of the "Preferences" window.
Step 5. Uncheck "Block all cookies"
It is listed in the "Cookies and website data" section. In this way you will have enabled the use of cookies by Safari.
You can also customize the use of cookies by selecting the "Allow from websites I visit" option to limit third-party cookies that will be stored on your computer
Method 3 of 4: iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch)
Step 1. Launch the Settings app
of the device.
It features a gear icon on a gray background.
The procedure to follow to enable cookies is the same for all iOS devices, but the appearance of the menus may vary slightly depending on the model of smartphone or tablet in use
Step 2. Scroll down the menu to select the Safari item
It should be located approximately in the middle of the "Settings" menu.
If you can't find it, type the keyword "safari" into the search bar located at the top of the screen
Step 3. Tap the green slider "Block all cookies"
It is located in the "Privacy and Security" section. The cursor will turn white
to indicate that the Safari browser can use cookies.
If the "Block all cookies" slider is already white, it means that Safari is already able to use cookies while the user is browsing the web
Method 4 of 4: Troubleshoot Cookies
Step 1. Try disabling incognito browsing if cookies don't work
If the use of cookies is enabled on your Mac, but you have the feeling that they are not working correctly, it is likely that you are using a browsing window privately. In this mode, the websites you visit cannot access the data stored by the browser on your computer. To disable this browsing mode, click on the Safari menu, select the General tab, then click on the "a new window" option. This solution should be useful for enabling the use of cookies.
If Safari is configured to always use windows for private browsing, you have most likely never realized this
Step 2. Try using a browser other than Safari if you are having trouble browsing the web normally
If you have tried to enable cookies, but it seems that something is not working correctly, try using a different browser, for example Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer.
You can try using various different browsers, until you find the one that works for your specific case
Step 3. Disable the use of cookies if necessary
If for any reason you do not want to use cookies, follow the steps indicated in the article to disable the use of cookies on Mac or iOS devices. You can choose the "Block all cookies" option to completely disable the use of cookies or you can only enable the use of "first-party" cookies by choosing "Allow from websites I visit".
If you think your personal information is used by advertising companies or social network platforms for commercial purposes, you can choose to completely disable the use of cookies
Advice
- Nowadays, enabling the use of cookies allows you to have full and functional access to a large number of websites that would not work properly without these tools.
- Despite their reputation, cookies by their nature are absolutely harmless.
