PRIVACY
How to block third-party cookies without breaking every website
Use current Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge protections, then make narrow exceptions when a trusted site needs them.
The short answer
Use your browser’s built-in cross-site tracking or third-party-cookie protection. Keep ordinary first-party cookies available for useful site functions, and add a narrow exception only when a trusted feature fails.
A balanced default
Turn on the browser’s cross-site or third-party-cookie protection. Leave ordinary first-party storage available so sign-ins, carts, and preferences can work. If one trusted site breaks, use a temporary or site-specific exception and remove it when it is no longer needed.
Blocking third-party cookies reduces one common tracking method. It does not make you anonymous, block every advertisement, or prevent tracking tied to an account you use.
Chrome
On desktop, open Chrome settings, then Privacy and security → Third-party cookies, and choose the blocking option. Chrome also provides site exceptions and a temporary permission through the address-bar site controls.
On Android, open Chrome settings, then Site settings → Third-party cookies. Google documents allow, incognito-only blocking, and blocking options.
Source: Google Chrome Help.
Safari
Safari includes cross-site tracking prevention. On Mac, open Safari → Settings → Privacy and review Prevent cross-site tracking. On iPhone and iPad, Safari privacy controls are in Settings → Apps → Safari.
Avoid using “Block All Cookies” as the normal privacy setting. Apple warns that sign-in and other website features may stop working.
Source: Apple’s Safari privacy guide.
Firefox
Firefox enables Enhanced Tracking Protection in Standard mode and isolates many cookies by top-level site through Total Cookie Protection. Open Settings → Privacy & Security to review Standard, Strict, or Custom protection.
Strict protection blocks more content and may break some websites. Use the shield beside the address bar to diagnose a site before weakening protection everywhere.
Source: Mozilla’s tracking-protection guide.
Microsoft Edge
Open Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies, then enable the control to block third-party cookies. Microsoft warns that some pages may not display correctly.
Source: Microsoft’s Edge cookie guide.
When a website breaks
- Confirm the problem occurs only with protection enabled.
- Check the browser’s site panel for blocked third-party content.
- Allow the narrowest available exception for the site you trust.
- Reload and test the exact feature.
- Remove the exception later if the feature is no longer needed.
Clearing cookies and allowing cookies solve different problems. Clear stored data to reset a broken state; change protection settings only when the site needs future access.