Tighten your browser's tracking protection, one setting at a time.

Safari · Mac

Prevent cross-site tracking in Safari on a Mac

One checkbox stops trackers from following you across websites.

1. 01

   Open Safari settings

   Do this

   In Safari, choose Safari > Settings from the menu bar (older macOS: Preferences).

   You should see

   The settings window opens.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   Close the window; nothing has changed yet.

   I have done this step
2. 02

   Open the Privacy tab

   Do this

   Click Privacy.

   You should see

   You see Prevent cross-site tracking.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.

   I have done this step
3. 03

   Turn on Prevent cross-site tracking

   Do this

   Tick Prevent cross-site tracking. While you are in Security, keep fraudulent website warnings switched on.

   You should see

   The box is ticked.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   Untick the box to return to how it was.

   I have done this step
4. 04

   Test the sites you rely on

   Do this

   Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.

   You should see

   Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere.

   I have done this step