All about Cookies in the Chrome browser

Cookies are used by website owners to run the online services, manage the websites, and track users for delivering targeted ads. If you are using the Chrome browser, you can manage cookies through Chrome settings. Read the article to learn how to see cookies in Chrome, how to clear cookies in Chrome, and how to enable or disable cookies in Chrome.

Chrome cookies

Cookies, also called HTTP cookies or browser cookies, are small, often encrypted files that are stored on your device whenever you visit a website. Cookies are saved on your device by a browser. If you are using a Chrome browser to browse the internet, the Chrome browser saves cookies on your computer, mobile phone, or tablet.

There are different types of cookies. Some Chrome cookies, called strictly necessary cookies, are vital for a website to function properly, such as using online shopping. Other Chrome cookies can give you internet browsing convenience and personalize your internet activity by remembering the website users' login details, username, website preferences, and other changes, made during the last visit. 

You can see cookies in Chrome browser through your browser settings. In Chrome browser you could check cookies, clear cookies, enable or disable them through Chrome browser settings. Chrome cookie manager can show how to view cookies in Chrome and where they are stored.

Read the guides on how to check Chrome cookies and how to use a Chrome cookie manager, so you can view, enable, disable, or delete Chrome cookies.  

How to View Cookies in Chrome?

There are several reasons you would want to see cookies in Chrome. First, some website-building services install third-party cookies even without your knowledge. Second, you should know what type of cookies are present on your website to comply with GDPR, CCPA, ePR, LGPD, and other privacy laws. Third, users value when their personal data is treated seriously. By providing the list of cookies and third-party service providers on your cookie declaration, you increase users' trust in your website, which could lead to bigger sales. So, how to check cookies in Chrome? 

To view cookies in Chrome, perform the following steps:

1. Open Chrome settings. Right-click on your browser window, if you are running Windows; or make a two-finger click with the Magic Trackpad or press the control+click if you are running Apple Mac.
2.  Choose Inspect to enter the Chrome Developer Tools:
   
3. Choose the Applications tab. Depending on the size of your screen, you may need to expand your tab options at the top by clicking on the >> symbol:
   
4.  Under the Storage tab, select Cookies:
   
5. Select the website. Click the triangle icon, found on the left side of Cookies. You will see all the available websites. Select the website you want to see cookies in Chrome:
   
6. View cookies in Chrome. Here you can check cookies in Chrome:
   

You can see different fields of cookies, if Chrome cookies are secure, whether Third-Party Cookies are running on the site, and other data about cookies: 

• Name. The cookie's name.
• Value. The cookie's value.
• Domain. If the domain name corresponds with the website you are browsing, it means that these cookies are first-party cookies. If the domain name is different- these cookies are third-party cookies.
• Path. The URL that must exist in the requested URL in order to send the Cookie header.
• Expires / Max-Age. The cookie's expiration date or maximum age. This field shows which are session cookies and which are persistent cookies, that operate for a certain duration of time.
• Size. The cookie's size, in bytes.
• HttpOnly. If true, this means that it is a HTTP cookie. JavaScript modification is not allowed.
• Secure. If true, this means that the cookie is sent to the server only over a secure, HTTPS connection.
• SameSite. The SameSite cookie attribute is used by browsers to allow or block cookies based on attribute. It could contain Strict or Lax SameSite attributes. 
• Partition Key. A cookie's partition key is the scheme and registrable domain of the top-level URL the browser was visiting at the start of the request to the endpoint that set the cookie.  
• Priority. It is used with deprecated cookie priority attribute. Could contain Low, Medium (default), or High priority.

Here you can edit or delete cookies.

All the fields are editable except Size that updates automatically. Double-click a field to edit it.

To delete a cookie, select it and click Delete selected (X) in the top action bar.

You can also delete all cookies here. Click Delete all in the top action bar:

You have learned how to view cookies in Chrome using developer tools.

You can also read the following articles:

• Google Chrome for developers. Here you can find an information on how to view cookies in Chrome, add, edit, or delete them.
• How to view cookies in Mozilla?

Scan your website for free with CookieScript Cookie Scanner and see what cookies, including Third-Party Cookies, your website uses:

How to Delete Cookies in Chrome?

It is a good practice to periodically clear cookies, which are already saved to your computer. Read the guide below on how to remove cookies in Chrome.

To delete cookies in Chrome on your Windows or Mac computer, perform the following steps:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More, marked as three dots, and then Settings:
   
3. Click Privacy and Security:
   
4. Click Delete browsing data:
   
   
   
5. Check the checkbox Cookies and other site data, and press Delete to delete all cookies in Chrome:
   

Done, you have removed cookies from a Google browser Chrome.

See also how to disable cookies in Chrome.

Removing cookies should be a preferred option over disabling them entirely since during the internet session you could use all the functionality of the websites, and eliminate the potential risks of using cookies after you finished your session.

CookieScript can help you to manage cookies at your website and to be privacy laws compliant.

How to Disable or Enable Third-Party Cookies in Chrome on a Computer?

 You can allow or block Third-Party Cookies as you browse. The user usually has three general options regarding cookie permission:

• Allow all Third-Party Cookies.
• Block all Third-Party Cookies.
• Block Third-Party Cookies just in Incognito mode.

You can disable just some Third-Party Cookies or block third-party cookies completely in your settings. In general, each website user could choose between the convenient internet experience and the security risks based on his preferences. 

Cookies that are located under the current domain are considered first-party cookies. All cookies from other domains are third-party cookies in Chrome or any other browser.

To disable or enable cookies in Chrome on your Windows computer, perform the following steps:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More, marked as three dots, and then Settings:
   
3. Click Privacy and Security:
   
4. Click Third-party cookies:
   
   
5. Make your choice. Here you have three options: Allow third-party cookies, Block Third-Party Cookies in Incognito mode, and Block third-party cookies:
   

Done, you have made your choice to disable or allow third-party cookies in Chrome on your computer.

How to Disable or Enable First-Party Cookies in Chrome on a Computer?

In the past it was more straightforward and easier to enable or disable first-party cookies in chrome on a Windows computer. Recently it became more difficult: this action includes more steps and even the term first-party cookies was replaced with the term on-device site data. However, it is still possible to manage first-party cookies in Chrome.

To enable or disable first-party cookies in Chrome browser on a Windows computer, perform the following steps:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More, marked as three dots, and then Settings:
   
3. Click Privacy and Security:
   
4. Click Site settings:
   
   
5. There are three groups of site settings: Recent activity, Permissions, and Content. Go to Content and press Additional content settings:
   
6. Press On-device site data:
   
7. At least, you can allow or block first-party cookies by default. There are three choices: Allow sites to save data on your device, Delete data sites have saved to your device when you close all windows, and Don't allow sites to save data on your device (not recommended):
   
   Select Allow sites to save data on your device to allow first-party cookies or Don't allow sites to save data on your device (not recommended) to block first-party cookies. If you select Delete data sites have saved to your device when you close all windows, your browser will allow first-party cookies when it is open but will remove cookies after you close all Chrome windows.
   
   
8. In addition, you can always customize settings after you allow or block first-party cookies. Below the current settings of the On-device site data, you can add websites where you Always allow to save data on your device (Always allow first-party cookies), Always delete site data from your device when you close Chrome, or Always block to save data on your device (Always block first-party cookies). After you add a webste, press Add:
   

Done, you have made your choice to disable or allow third-party cookies in Chrome on your computer.

How to Disable or Enable Cookies in Chrome on an Android Phone or Tablet?

To disable or enable third-party cookies in Chrome on your Android phone, perform the following steps:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app.
2. At the top right, tap More button, marked as three dots, and then Settings..
3. Tap Site settings and then Third-party cookies.
4. Select an option:
   Allow third-party cookies.
   Block third-party cookies in Incognito.
   Block third-party cookies.
   

If you are part of the Tracking Protection test group, perform the following steps:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app.
2. At the top right, tap More button, marked as three dots, and then Settings.
3. Click Privacy and security and then Tracking Protection.
4. Select an option:
   Block all third-party cookies.
   Send “Do not track” request with your browsing traffic.
   Choose which sites you allow to use third-party cookies.

Done, you have made your choice to turn cookies on or off in Chrome on your phone or tablet.

How to Enable or Disable Cookies in Chrome on Mac?

Read this step-by-step guide on how to block or allow first-party and third-party cookies in Chrome for Mac users on a computer, phone, or tablet.

To turn cookies on or off in your Chrome browser on Mac, perform the following steps:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. Click the Chrome menu button, found at the top-left corner of the web page, and then press Settings.
3. Scroll down and click on Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
4. Choose an option:
   Allow third-party cookies.
   Block third-party cookies in Incognito mode.
   Block third-party cookies.
5. To enable cookies in Chrome browser on Mac, select Allow third-party cookies.
6. To disable cookies in Chrome browser on Mac, select either Block third-party cookies in Incognito mode or Block third-party cookies. These options block third-party cookies but still allow first-party cookies in Incognito mode or in all cases, accordingly.

Done, you have made your choice to disable or allow first-party and third-party cookies in Chrome on your Mac.

Please keep in mind that disabling cookies entirely is not recommended since many websites will not function normally. Disabling cookies in Chrome, as in other browsers, will log you out of all your accounts and could prevent you from using online services, such as online shopping.

Read the article on how and why to enable cookies in different browsers and devices.

CookieScript Consent Management Platform can help you to manage cookies at your website and to be privacy laws compliant.

Third-party Cookies in Chrome

Instead of enabling or blocking all cookies in your browser, you could choose a moderate option: enable first-party cookies, and disable third-party cookies.

First-party cookies are directly stored by the website you visit, and allow website owners to run websites, collect analytics data, remember location or language settings, and perform other useful functions that increase user experience.

Third-Party cookies are stored on another website that you are currently visiting, and they track users' movements from website to website and later collect the data for ad optimization purposes. Such tracking across the internet is also called cross-website tracking.

In 2020, Google first announced its plans to phase out Third-Party Cookies within two years. In 2022, the decision to phase out cookies was delayed for another two years. On July 22, 2024, Google dropped its plan to remove cookies from the Chrome browser. This decision was made after pushback from advertisers.

Enabling first-party cookies and disabling third-party cookies is a good option for protecting your privacy and using the website's services normally. You will not receive personalized ads, less your personal data will be collected and shared but you could still use websites' services.

Conclusion

Cookies increase user website experience and serve other useful functions. The blog provides a detailed guide on how to see cookies in Chrome. You can check cookies in Chrome and edit or delete them. You can also change your Chrome settings to delete first-party cookies or third-party cookies by default. However, if you decide to block cookies, it is recommended to block just third-party cookies instead of blocking all cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome?

To clear cache and cookies in Chrome, open Chrome, click More at the top right, and then navigate: Settings > Privacy and Security > Delete browsing data > Cookies and other site data, and press Delete to delete all cookies in Chrome. CookieScript CMP can also help you to manage cookies and get cookie consent.

How to disable third-party cookies in Chrome on a Windows computer?

Third-party cookies could be turned off or on through Chrome settings. Open Chrome, click More, marked as three dots, and then navigate: Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies, and make your choice. Select an options: Allow third-party cookies, Block Third-Party Cookies in Incognito mode, or Block third-party cookies. CookieScript Consent Management Platform can help you to manage cookies, get cookie consent and to be privacy laws compliant.

How to disable first-party cookies in Chrome on a Windows computer?

To turn first-party cookies on or off in Chrome on a Windows computer, perform the following steps: click More > Settings > Privacy and Security > Site settings > Content > Additional content settings > On-device site data, and select an option to allow or block first-party cookies by default. CookieScript CMP can also help you to manage cookies and get cookie consent.

How to enable cookies in Chrome? 

You can allow or block cookies in Chrome through Chrome settings. To enable all cookies in Chrome, open Chrome, click More, marked as three dots, and then navigate: Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies, and check Allow third-party cookies. First-party cookies in Chrome are enable by default. You can also use CookieScript to manage cookies at your website and to be privacy laws compliant.

How to view cookies in Chrome? 

To view cookies in Chrome, open Chrome Settings (right-click on your browser window) > Inspect > Applications > Storage > Cookies, and select the website you want to see cookies in Chrome. Here you can see, edit, or delete cookies in Chrome. You can also scan your website for free with CookieScript Cookie Scanner to see what cookies, including Third-Party Cookies, your website uses.

How to disable third-party cookies in Chrome on Android phone?

To disable third-party cookies in Chrome on your Android phone, perform the following steps: open the Chrome app, and then tap More button > Settings > Site settings > Third-party cookies, and select an option. You can allow third-party cookies, block third-party cookies, or block third-party cookies just in Incognito. CookieScript CMP can also help you to manage cookies and get cookie consent, which is needed for the GDPR compliance.