How to Disable Cookies

Cookies are typically stored on your computer's Internet browser by default. The purpose of cookies is to store settings and information for web pages that you have accessed. Sometimes cookies can be used to track users and for targeted ads. Some people like to disable cookies for privacy purposes. This wikiHow teaches you how to block cookies on different web browsers.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Chrome (Desktop)

1. Click the Chrome menu button . It's the icon with three dots. You can find this in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window.
   
2. Click the option. It's near the bottom of the Chrome menu.
   
3. Click or . It's at the bottom of the Settings menu. This expands the Settings menu.
   
4. Click or . This is in the "Privacy and security" section.
   
5. Click . It's near the top of the Site Settings menu.
   
6. Click the toggle switch next "Allow sites to save and read cookie data." It's the the right of "Allow sites to save and read cookies (recommended)" at the top of the "Cookies and site data" menu.
   
   • In older versions, select "Block sites from setting any data."
7. Click the toggle switch next to "Block third-party cookies". It's to the right of "Block third-party cookies" in the "Cookies and site data" menu.
   
   • Alternatively, you can block cookies from individual websites. To do so, click Add next to "Block" and enter the website address that you want to block cookies on. Then click Add.
8. Click the toggle switch next to "Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome". This settings deletes existing cookies every time your close Chrome. This will delete all your existing cookies the next time you close Chrome.^[1]
   
   • If you don't want to delete cookies every time Chrome closes, you will need to deactivate this setting next time you open Google Chrome.
9. Quit Chrome. To quit Chrome, click the "X" icon in the upper-right corner on Windows, or the red "x" icon in the upper-left corner on Mac.
   

[Edit]Safari (iOS)

1. Tap your Settings app . You can change your Safari browser's cookie settings in your iOS device's Settings app.
   
   • It is not possible to block cookies in Chrome for iPhone or iPad due to restrictions placed on third-party browsers by Apple. If you use Chrome on iOS and want to block cookies, you'll need to either browse in Incognito Mode or switch to Safari.^[2]
2. Tap . It's next to an icon that resembles a blue compass in the Settings menu.
   
3. Tap the toggle switch next to "Block All Cookies". This is in the "Privacy & Security" section. The toggle switch is to the right.
   
4. Tap . It's the red text in the pop-up alert. Safari will no longer save cookies for sites you visit.
   

[Edit]Chrome (Android)

1. Tap the Chrome menu button . It's the icon with three dots in the upper-right corner of the Chrome mobile browser.
   
   • It is not possible to block cookies in Chrome for iPhone or iPad due to restrictions placed on third-party browsers by Apple. If you use Chrome on iOS and want to block cookies, you'll need to either browse in Incognito Mode or switch to Safari.
2. Tap . It's near the bottom of the Chrome menu.
   
3. Tap . It's the third option below "Advanced" in the Settings menu.
   
4. Tap . It's next to an icon that resembles a Cookie in the "Site settings" menu.
   
5. Tap the toggle switch next to "Cookies". It's at the top of the Cookies menu to the right.
   
   • Alternatively, you can block cookies from individual sites. You can do so by tapping Add Site Exception at the bottom of the Cookies menu. Then enter the website you want to block below "Site URL" and tap Add in the lower-right corner.
6. Tap the checkbox next to "Block third-party cookies." Its the last option in the Cookies menu. This blocks third-party cookies from sites.
   

[Edit]Firefox

1. Click the Firefox menu button . It's the icon with three horizontal lines. You'll find this in the upper-right corner of the window.
   
2. Click . It's next to an icon that resembles a gear in the Firefox window.
   
3. Click . It's next to an icon that resembles a lock in the sidebar menu to the left.
   
4. Click the radio button next to "Custom". It's the last option below "Enhanced Tracking Protection".
   
5. Click the drop-down menu next to "Cookies". It's the first option in the list of "Custom" box below "Enhanced Tracking Protection".
   
6. Click . It's the last option in the drop-down menu next to "Cookies" in the "Custom" box.
   
   • You can also select "Block Third-Party Cookies" in the drop-down menu to allow some cookies.
   • Alternatively, you can block individual websites. To do so, click Manage Permissions below "Cookies and Site Data". Enter the website address you want to block in the bar labeled "Address of Website" and click Block.
7. Click the checkbox next to "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed". This tells Firefox to delete all existing cookies when it is shut down.
   
8. Close Firefox. To close Firefox, click the "X" icon in the upper-right corner on Windows, or the red "x" icon in the upper-left corner on Mac.
   

[Edit]Microsoft Edge

1. Click or tap the button. It's the button with three dots in the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge. This displays the menu to the right
   
2. Click or tap . It's near the bottom of the menu. It's next to an icon that resembles a gear.
   
3. Click or tap . It's next to an icon that resembles a lock in the sidebar to the left of the Microsoft Edge menu.
   
4. Click the drop-down menu below "Cookies". It's about halfway down the "Privacy & security" menu.
   
5. Click . It's the last option in the "Cookies" drop-down menu.
   
   • You can also select "Block third-party cookies" to block some cookies.

[Edit]Safari (Desktop)

1. Click the menu. It's in the upper-left corner in the menu bar at the top. You'll see this in the menu bar when a Safari window is open and active.
   
2. Click . It's the third option in the Safari menu.
   
3. Click the tab. It has a blue icon with a hand.
   
4. Click the checkbox next to "Block all cookies." It's the second option in the Privacy menu. Safari will stop saving cookies from sites you visit.
   

[Edit]Internet Explorer

1. Click the menu or the Gear button. It's in the upper-right corner of the web browser.
   
   • If you don't see either, press
2. Click . It's the near the bottom of the Tools menu.
   
3. Click the tab. It's the third tab at the top of the Internet options window.
   
4. Click the button. It's below "Settings" and to the right.
   
5. Click for First-party Cookies and Third-party Cookies. There are three options below both "First-party Cookies" and "Third-party Cookies". Click "Block" below both to block all
   
6. Click the "Always allow session cookies"" checkbox. It's at the bottom of the Cookies menu
   
7. Click to save your changes. It's in the lower-right corner of the menu. Internet Explorer will no longer save cookies.
   

[Edit]Tips

• Disabling cookies entirely will prevent you from staying logged in at sites you visit frequently.
• If you don't want cookies saved for your current browsing session, turn on Incognito or Private mode on your browser. No cookies will be saved when this mode is enabled.

[Edit]Warnings

• Keep in mind that cookies are the only way that most websites can store information about you. If you completely disable cookies, you may not be able to sign in to important services, like your bank account or email client. Deleting old cookies every now and then is a better idea than disabling cookies altogether.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?source=gsearch&hl=en
2. ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/3027952/ios/safaris-now-the-only-major-browser-supporting-do-not-track-on-ios.html