What Is Cookie Restriction Mode in Magento 2?

Cookie Restriction Mode is a built-in feature in Magento 2 that helps businesses comply with privacy regulations such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) by ensuring that cookies are only set after the user’s explicit consent. This is crucial for maintaining transparency and trust with customers, while also preventing unnecessary tracking or data collection before user consent.

Key Features of Cookie Restriction Mode:

How Cookie Restriction Mode Works:

When enabled, Magento 2 will prevent non-essential cookies from being set in the user’s browser until they have given consent. Essential cookies that are necessary for the basic functioning of the site, such as session cookies, will still be placed. The system provides an option for users to accept or reject cookies through a visible notification (usually in the form of a banner).

• When a user visits a site: They are shown a notification asking for consent to use cookies.
• If consent is given: Cookies are stored in the browser as per the defined policies (e.g., session cookies, tracking cookies, etc.).
• If consent is denied: Only essential cookies, which are needed for basic functionality, are allowed. Non-essential cookies, such as tracking or analytics cookies, are not set.

Benefits of Cookie Restriction Mode in Magento 2:

Compliance with Privacy Laws:

• Ensures businesses comply with global data privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, by restricting the use of cookies without user consent.

Improved User Trust:

• Transparent cookie usage helps build trust with customers who are concerned about their privacy and data security.

Customizable User Consent Mechanism:

• Magento 2 allows customization of the cookie consent message and banner, providing flexibility in how consent is requested and displayed to users.

Control Over Cookie Usage:

• Magento 2’s configuration allows store owners to control which cookies are essential and which ones require user consent, reducing unnecessary data collection.

SEO Benefits:

• By controlling cookies and user tracking, the website remains compliant with privacy regulations, avoiding potential penalties or loss of rankings due to non-compliance.

How to Enable Cookie Restriction Mode in Magento 2:

1. Step 1: Go to the Magento Admin Panel.
2. Step 2: Navigate to Stores > Configuration.
3. Step 3: Under General, select Web.
4. Step 4: Scroll down to Default Cookie Settings.
5. Step 5: Set the Cookie Restriction Mode option to Yes.
6. Step 6: Customize the message shown to users about cookies (optional).
7. Step 7: Save the configuration.

Once enabled, Magento will take care of displaying the cookie consent prompt on the frontend of the site, ensuring you are compliant with cookie usage regulations.

Considerations:

• SEO Impact: While cookie consent banners can impact user experience, they generally do not have a significant negative impact on SEO as long as the banner is implemented without affecting the site’s loading time or functionality.
• Cache and Session Management: Be mindful of how cookies are handled during sessions when cookie restriction mode is enabled, as this could affect functionality like user logins, cart data, and personalized content until consent is given.

Checking Cookie Restriction Mode Programmatically

Magento offers multiple ways to check whether Cookie Restriction Mode is enabled. This is particularly useful for developers who need to control cookie behavior dynamically in custom modules, extensions, or frontend implementations. By programmatically verifying this setting, you can ensure compliance with data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA, optimize user experience, and manage session handling effectively.

Below are the different approaches to check the Cookie Restriction Mode in Magento 2:

Method 1: Using Magento Cookie Helper Class

Magento provides a built-in helper class to check whether Cookie Restriction Mode is enabled. This approach is efficient and ensures compliance with cookie consent policies without requiring direct database queries.

How It Works

The Magento\Cookie\Helper\Cookie class includes the function isCookieRestrictionModeEnabled(), which returns a boolean value (true or false) depending on the configuration setting.

Step 1: Create a Custom Model Class

The following PHP class demonstrates how to inject the Cookie Helper and check if Cookie Restriction Mode is enabled.

PHP Code

Step 2: Use the Function in a Block or Controller

Now, you can use this function in a block, helper, or controller to check the cookie restriction mode before executing any cookie-dependent logic.

Example Code in Controller or Block

Method 2: Fetch Value from Magento’s Configuration

In addition to using the Cookie Helper class, you can also programmatically fetch the cookie restriction mode value directly from Magento’s configuration using ScopeConfigInterface. This approach is useful when you want to retrieve configuration settings dynamically from the store’s configuration.

Step 1: Create a Model Class Using ScopeConfigInterface

To implement this method, you'll need to inject the ScopeConfigInterface into your custom model. Then, you can use it to fetch the value of the cookie_restriction setting from the configuration.

Here’s the updated code for 2025, with a more detailed explanation:

Explanation:

• ScopeConfigInterface: This interface provides a way to retrieve configuration values from Magento’s database. It's often used to fetch system configuration settings.
• ScopeInterface::SCOPE_STORE: The second parameter specifies the scope of the configuration value. In this case, SCOPE_STORE ensures that the setting is retrieved at the store level, which allows you to manage different configurations per store view if necessary.
• Return Type: The function returns a bool value, where true means the cookie restriction mode is enabled, and false means it is not.

Step 2: Use the Function in a Controller or Helper

Now that you have created the CookieRestrictionChecker model, you can use the function isCookieRestrictionEnabled() in your controllers, helpers, or anywhere you need to check if cookie restriction mode is enabled.

Here’s an example of using it in a controller:

Table: Overview of the Method

Expected Output

When checking the cookie restriction mode programmatically, you can expect the following output depending on whether the mode is enabled or disabled:

Output Examples:

or

Comparison of Methods for Checking Cookie Restriction Mode

There are different ways to check the cookie restriction mode in Magento 2, each with its strengths and trade-offs. Below is a comparison of the three most common methods:

Method Breakdown

1. Using Cookie Helper Class

• Performance: Fast, as it directly uses Magento's helper class to check cookie restriction.
• Best Practice: Ideal for most use cases, especially when checking the cookie restriction mode programmatically in custom code. It abstracts away complexity and provides a straightforward solution.
• Ease of Use: Extremely easy, with minimal code required. The helper class provides a simple method to call that returns the required status.

2. Using ScopeConfigInterface

• Performance: Fast, as it retrieves the configuration value directly from Magento's configuration system.
• Best Practice: This method is excellent when you need to fetch configuration settings dynamically, especially in scenarios where the cookie restriction mode might differ across different stores.
• Ease of Use: Slightly more complex, as it requires the setup of ScopeConfigInterface and some configuration handling.

3. Checking Admin Panel

• Performance: Manual check, so it doesn’t apply to programmatic implementations but is useful for one-time checks or troubleshooting.
• Best Practice: Useful for quick verification of cookie restriction mode without needing to dig into the code. It provides a straightforward user interface to confirm the status.
• Ease of Use: Extremely easy for admin users but not automated, which makes it unsuitable for programmatic checks in production environments.

4. Using Dependency Injection (DI)

• Performance: Fast, as DI allows Magento to inject the necessary dependencies at runtime, minimizing overhead.
• Best Practice: Ideal for complex projects or when managing large codebases where dependencies need to be handled flexibly. DI ensures that the right class or helper is available where needed.
• Ease of Use: Moderate, as it involves setting up DI configuration and handling Magento's dependency injection framework.

5. Using Custom Observer

• Performance: Moderate, as it requires registering an observer and subscribing to the specific event to check the cookie restriction mode.
• Best Practice: Suitable for scenarios where you need to react to events and check the cookie restriction mode as part of the event-driven workflow in Magento.
• Ease of Use: Complex, as it requires setting up observers, events, and subscribing to them appropriately. This method is best used in more complex implementations.

Additional Considerations:

• Performance: All methods, except manual checks in the Admin Panel, offer fast performance, so performance concerns should not be the main deciding factor in your choice of method.
• Best Practice: The Cookie Helper Class is the recommended approach for most use cases because it's fast, easy, and fits well into Magento's ecosystem for checking cookie restriction mode.
• Ease of Use: Checking the Admin Panel is the simplest way for non-developers to verify the mode, but for automated or code-based solutions, using Cookie Helper Class or ScopeConfigInterface is the easiest and most efficient.
• Advanced Configurations: For more complex needs, such as handling different cookie settings for different stores or events, you may need to rely on ScopeConfigInterface or Custom Observers.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting in Magento 2 Cookie Restriction Mode

Even though checking the cookie restriction mode in Magento 2 is straightforward, developers often encounter issues due to misconfigurations, caching, or dependency injection problems. Below is a detailed troubleshooting guide to help resolve common problems efficiently.

Troubleshooting:

Debugging Tips :

Check Config via CLI:
Run this command to directly check the value from Magento’s configuration:

If the output is 1, it means enabled; if 0, it’s disabled.

Manually Verify in Database:
Run the following SQL query to check the configuration directly in the database:

If the value is 1, the cookie restriction mode is enabled.

Best Practices for Handling Cookie Restriction Mode in Magento 2

1. Use Dependency Injection for Better Code Maintainability

• Always use dependency injection (DI) instead of direct ObjectManager calls.
• Define dependencies in the constructor and let Magento’s DI container handle them.
• Avoid calling ObjectManager directly, as it violates Magento’s coding standards.

2. Ensure GDPR and Privacy Compliance

• Enable cookie consent in Magento 2 to comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations.
• Display clear and transparent cookie policies to users before setting non-essential cookies.
• Regularly review legal compliance requirements based on the target audience’s region.

3. Verify Cookie Settings Across Store Views

• If you run a multi-store Magento setup, verify that cookie restriction mode is enabled across all store views.
• Configuration path: Stores > Configuration > General > Web > Default< Cookie Settings.
• Use ScopeConfigInterface to retrieve store-specific configurations.

4. Use Magento’s Built-in Cookie Consent Banner

• Magento provides a default cookie consent banner to manage user consent properly.
• Customize the banner’s appearance and behavior to match your branding.
• Ensure JavaScript files related to cookie banners are not blocked or overridden by third-party themes.

5. Regularly Clear Cache After Updating Settings

• If cookie settings do not reflect immediately, run:

bin/magento cache:flush && bin/magento cache:clean

• Also, clear browser cache and test in an incognito window.

6. Use Logging for Debugging Cookie Issues

• Enable Magento logging to track potential cookie-related issues:

<?php

$writer = new \Zend\Log\Writer\Stream(BP . '/var/log/cookie_restriction.log');

$logger = new \Zend\Log\Logger();

$logger->addWriter($writer);

$logger->info('Cookie restriction mode status: ' . $status);

<?php

• This helps in debugging cases where cookie settings are inconsistent.

7. Test in Different Browsers and Devices

• Some browsers handle third-party cookies differently (e.g., Safari blocks third-party cookies by default).
• Test in multiple browsers and devices to ensure smooth operation.

8. Monitor Third-Party Modules That Affect Cookies

• Some third-party extensions might override or interfere with Magento’s default cookie handling.
• Disable extensions one by one and check if they impact cookie restriction behavior.

9. Keep Magento and Extensions Updated

• Outdated versions might introduce security risks and compliance issues.
• Always update Magento and third-party modules to ensure compatibility with the latest cookie policies.

10. Implement Server-Side Cookie Checks for Enhanced Security

• Validate cookies on the server-side for better security against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
• Ensure sensitive user data is not stored in client-side cookies.

Conclusion

Managing cookie restriction mode in Magento 2 is essential for GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy law compliance. Whether you're checking the status programmatically, configuring it via the admin panel, or troubleshooting common issues, following best practices ensures a seamless and legally compliant user experience

By leveraging Magento’s built-in cookie helper, ScopeConfigInterface, and admin settings, you can efficiently control cookie behavior while maintaining site performance. Regularly clearing cache, testing across multiple store views, and monitoring third-party extensions can help prevent unexpected issues.

Security and compliance go hand in hand, so always ensure proper server-side validation, dependency injection, and user consent mechanisms. Keeping Magento updated and following a structured approach will help you maintain a secure, fast, and legally compliant online store.

With the right strategies in place, your Magento 2 store will be fully optimized to handle cookie restrictions efficiently, offering both performance and user trust.