Updated at: Feb 19, 2022
Traditionally, web browsers have always allowed users to enable or disable accepting cookies from websites that they visit. However with recent versions of Chrome, Google have decided that on mobile devices (ie. the Android and iOS platforms), that they won't allow cookies to be disabled.
As such, if you use Chrome on iOS (iPhone/iPad) or Android, you have no way of refusing to accept either First-Party or Third-Party cookies; Chrome will always accept them.
Cookies can't be disabled in Chrome on Mobile devices
Since it's not possible to enable or disable cookies in Chrome on Android or iOS, we can't make a guide for it! Sorry about that.
No cookie control
While cookies are admittedly very important for using most modern websites, a lot of people still want to be able to disable them or at least control their options regarding cookies. In particular, how third-party cookies are handled by their browsers.
These options are no longer available in Chrome on Android or iOS.
We can't quite pinpoint the exact version of Chrome on Android where this option was removed, but we know that it was at least still available in Chrome 42. It has been removed sometime since then. (If anyone can confirm the release that removed this option, we'd love to know!)
Clear your cookies...
At least you can still clear cookies and history in Chrome on mobile. If you're concerned about being tracked by companies online, this will at least give you some control. You could also try a different web browser.
OverDrive websites require the use of cookies for better performance and functionality. If you block cookies in your browser, you may have trouble borrowing titles and using other core features while browsing your library's OverDrive website. You can enable cookies in your mobile browser by using the steps below.
If you need to enable cookies on your computer, please see this help article instead.
Enabling cookies in Chrome for Android
- Open Chrome.
- Go to More menu > Settings > Site settings > Cookies.
You'll find the More menu icon in the top-right corner. - Make sure cookies are turned on. Once this is set, you can browse OverDrive websites normally.
Enabling cookies in Safari for iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch)
- From your home screen, go to Settings > Safari.
- Make sure "Block All Cookies" is turned off.Once this is set, you can browse OverDrive websites normally.
Enabling cookies in Silk
- Open Silk.
- Tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Go to Advanced > Site settings.
- Make sure cookies are allowed. If they aren't, tap Cookies, then tap Cookies again to allow them. Once this is set, you can browse OverDrive websites normally.
You can choose to delete existing cookies, allow or block all cookies, and set preferences for certain websites. Cookies are files created by websites you visit. They make your online experience easier by saving browsing information. With cookies, sites can keep you signed in, remember your site preferences, and give you locally relevant content.What cookies are
There are two types of cookies:
- First-party cookies are created by the site you visit. The site is shown in the address bar.
- Third-party cookies are created by other sites. These sites own some of the content, like ads or images, that you see on the webpage you visit.
Clear all cookies
If you remove cookies, you'll be signed out of websites and your saved preferences could be deleted.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome .
- Tap More Settings .
- Tap Privacy and Security Clear Browsing Data.
- Check Cookies, Site Data.
- Uncheck the other items.
- Tap Clear Browsing Data Clear Browsing Data.
- Tap Done.
Related articles
- Adjust website content settings
- Clear browsing data
- Clear cache and cookies
To use your Google Account on a browser (like Chrome or Safari), turn on cookies if you haven't already.
Important: If you get a message that cookies are turned off, you need to turn them on to use your account.
In the Chrome app
Cookies are automatically turned on and stay on. Learn how to clear cookies.
In the Safari app
In other browser apps
For instructions, check the support website for your browser.
Why cookies are helpful
Cookies are files created by sites you visit. They make your online experience easier by saving browsing information. With cookies, sites can:
- Keep you signed in
- Remember your site preferences
- Give you locally relevant content
We use cookies to improve our services. To learn more, read our Privacy Policy.
Fix problems
If you can't use your Google Account and get a message that cookies are turned off:
- Follow the steps above to turn on cookies.
- Try signing in again.
If you still get the error message, here are some possible solutions. Try each one, then try signing in.