Where to find the cookie setting on your Samsung phone
Cookies are small files that websites store on your phone to remember your login information, preferences, and browsing history. Most Samsung phones come with two browsers: Samsung Internet and Google Chrome. Both have cookies turned on by default, but if you've turned them off or need to turn them back on, the steps differ slightly between the two.
The setting lives in your browser's privacy or security menu, not in your phone's main settings. You'll need to open the browser itself and dig into its preferences to find it.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Internet stores its cookie setting under Settings > Privacy, while Chrome uses Settings > Site settings > Cookies.
- Cookies are turned on by default on most Samsung phones, so you only need to change this if a website told you to or if you deliberately turned them off.
- Turning cookies off will log you out of most websites and prevent them from remembering your preferences.
- You can delete old cookies without turning off the feature entirely — this clears your browsing history without breaking website logins.
Enable cookies in Samsung Internet
Open the Samsung Internet app on your phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings.
Tap Privacy. Look for the toggle next to Cookies or Accept cookies. If it is gray or off, tap it to turn it on. The toggle will turn blue or show as active. Close the menu and return to browsing — the change takes effect when ready.
Enable cookies in Chrome on Samsung
Open the Chrome app. Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) at the top right. Tap Settings.
Tap Site settings. Tap Cookies. Make sure the toggle next to Cookies is turned on (it will be blue or show as active). If you see an option that says Block third-party cookies, you can leave that on or off depending on your preference — third-party cookies are used for ads and tracking, while first-party cookies are what most websites need to work. Close the menu and return to browsing.
What to do if a website says cookies are disabled
If you visit a website and it tells you that cookies are disabled, first check that you've turned them on using the steps above. Wait a few seconds, then refresh the page by pulling down from the top of the screen or tapping the refresh icon.
If the message persists, try clearing your browser cache. In Samsung Internet, go to Settings > Privacy > Delete browsing data and check the box for Cookies and site data. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data, make sure Cookies and cached images is checked, and tap Clear data. This removes old cookies but does not turn off the feature — new cookies will be created when you visit websites.
The difference between clearing cookies and disabling them
Disabling cookies turns off the feature entirely, which means websites cannot store any information on your phone. Clearing cookies deletes the files that are already stored but leaves the feature on, so new cookies can be created.
Most of the time, you want to clear cookies, not disable them. Clearing them can fix login problems or slow websites without breaking the browsing experience. Disabling them will log you out of email, social media, and shopping sites, and many websites will not work properly.
When you might want cookies off
Some people turn off cookies to reduce tracking or for privacy reasons. If you do this, understand that you will need to log in to every website every time you visit, and sites will not remember your preferences, shopping cart, or search history.
A middle ground is to use Incognito mode (in Chrome) or Secret mode (in Samsung Internet). These modes do not store cookies or browsing history after you close them, but cookies work normally while you are browsing. This is useful if you are using a shared phone or a public device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung phone have cookies turned on by default?
Cookies are necessary for most websites to work. They store your login information, shopping cart contents, and preferences. Without them, you would have to log in and reset your preferences every single time you visit a website. Samsung and Google turn them on by default because the web depends on them.
Will turning on cookies slow down my phone?
No. Cookies are tiny files — usually a few kilobytes each — and do not noticeably affect phone speed or storage. If your phone is slow, cookies are not the cause. Clearing your cache or restarting your browser is more likely to help.
Can I turn cookies on for some websites and off for others?
Not easily on Samsung phones. The cookie setting applies to all websites in that browser. However, you can use Incognito or Secret mode for websites where you do not want cookies stored, and use normal browsing for sites where you do.
What if I see a message about third-party cookies?
Third-party cookies are used by advertisers and analytics companies to track you across multiple websites. You can block them without breaking most websites. First-party cookies, which websites use for login and preferences, will still work. Blocking third-party cookies is a privacy choice and will not affect website functionality.
Do I need to restart my phone after turning cookies on?
No. The change takes effect when ready in the browser. You do not need to restart your phone or close and reopen the app. straightforward refresh the page you are on, and the website should now be able to store cookies.