What is the frontend cookie?
„frontend” is the standard session cookie of the Magento platform (Adobe Commerce / Magento Open Source), used on the public-facing side of the store (the storefront, as opposed to the admin area).
It is set automatically by the Magento server on a visitor's first visit, regardless of whether they interact with the cookie banner, because it supports core session functionality.
What data it stores
The cookie's value is a PHP-generated session identifier (session ID) — an alphanumeric string with no meaning on its own — used only to link successive requests from the same visitor to a session stored on the server.
The actual data (cart contents, login state, temporary messages) is stored server-side; the browser cookie only holds the session key, sent to the store's domain with each request.
What it is used for
The cookie lets the Magento server recognize a visitor throughout their navigation: it keeps track of products added to the cart, checkout progress, account login state, and one-time system messages (e.g. confirmations or errors).
Without this cookie, the online store could not function properly — every page load would be treated as a brand-new visit, with no cart or user session.
Does it require consent?
Under CookieFix's classification, „frontend” falls into the strictly necessary category. Under Romania's Law 506/2004 (transposing the ePrivacy Directive) and ANSPDCP guidance — consistent with GDPR-aligned ePrivacy rules across the EU — cookies strictly necessary for a service explicitly requested by the user (here: the shopping cart, login) do not require prior consent.
- The site owner must still list it in the cookie policy, with its actual purpose and duration.
- It should not be presented in a consent banner as a toggleable option.
How to block or delete frontend
A visitor can delete or block this cookie from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — per-site cookie management), but blocking it will break the shopping cart and login functionality on that store.
Because it is strictly necessary, the site owner should not — and generally cannot — block it via a CMP pending consent, as that would break the store's core functionality. A platform like CookieFix focuses on auto-blocking scripts from categories that actually require consent (statistics, marketing), leaving strictly necessary cookies like „frontend” active from the start.
Frequently asked questions
No, it's a technical session cookie used only to maintain the shopping cart and login state during a visit. It does not track behavior for marketing purposes.
It's a session cookie, so it expires automatically when the browser is closed; some Magento configurations can extend this, but by default it lasts only for the session.
No, since it is strictly necessary for cart and login functionality, it does not require prior consent, but it must be disclosed in the site's cookie policy.
The shopping cart may empty between pages, account login may fail, and the checkout process may not work correctly.