The debate over internet cookies rages on. Now the issue is whether they are supported by mobile devices and how they affect your mobile experience.

What are Cookies?

Sorry Cookie Monster, but the cookies we are talking about are small encrypted text files. They are created when you visit a website. The site stores some user information, typically to keep you from having to reenter your login details when you visit a site. Cookies also help sites to remember your custom site settings (that includes themes, language settings and other personal preferences).

First part cookies are cookies whose domain is the same as the domain of the visited website. Third-party cookies are cookies whose domain is different from the visited website.

Cookies are a huge benefit for advertisers, helping with ad cost efficiency, and they play a big role in audience targeting.  

How Do Cookies Affect Me?

Cookies track personal detials, so some people find cookies intrusive, akin to cyber-stalking. Cookies are a security concern especially when accessing wifi in public places. Most browsers allow you to block third party cookies (some even have this as the default setting). Naturally ad networks now have tricks to get around such blocking.

Do Cookies Work on Mobile Devices?

Yes, mobile cookies, whether on a phone or tablet, basically work the same way they do on laptops and desktops. However cookies don’t work within mobile apps. Most mobile web browsers accept first party-cookies. Safari only allows 1st party cookies, Chrome allows all cookies by default.

How to Disable Mobile Cookies

Safari on Apple Devices

• Tap Safari
• Go to Privacy & Security
• Tap Block Cookies
• Tap Always Block

Chrome on Android Devices

• Open Chrome
• Tap the Chrome menu button (?)
• Tap Settings
• Tap Site Settings
• Tap Cookies
• Tap the slider to toggle Cookies off

Click here for more details.