Cookies not being accessed

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 107 views

Introduction

In the world of web development, cookies play a crucial role in storing user data and preferences. When it comes to Next.js, a popular React-based framework for building server-side rendered (SSR) and statically generated websites, accessing cookies client-side can be a bit tricky. However, with the help of the cookies-next package, developers can easily access cookies client-side using a simple function. In this article, we will explore how to access cookies client-side with Next.js using the cookies-next package.

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on a user's device by a web browser. They contain information such as user preferences, session IDs, and other data that can be used to personalize the user experience. Cookies are sent by the server to the client's browser and are stored locally on the client's device.

Why Access Cookies Client-Side?

There are several reasons why you might want to access cookies client-side in your Next.js application. Here are a few examples:

User authentication: Cookies can be used to store user authentication tokens, which can be used to authenticate the user on subsequent requests.
Personalization: Cookies can be used to store user preferences, such as language or theme settings, which can be used to personalize the user experience.
Analytics: Cookies can be used to store analytics data, such as page views or click-through rates, which can be used to track user behavior.

Using the `cookies-next` Package

The cookies-next package provides a simple way to access cookies client-side in your Next.js application. To use the package, you will need to install it using npm or yarn:

npm install cookies-next

Once installed, you can use the getCookie function to access cookies client-side. Here is an example of how to use the function:

import { getCookie } from 'cookies-next';
const cookieValue = getCookie('key');
console.log(cookieValue);

In this example, the getCookie function is used to access a cookie with the key key. The value of the cookie is then logged to the console.

Creating a Cookie

To create a cookie, you will need to use the setCookie function provided by the cookies-next package. Here is an example of how to create a cookie:

import { setCookie } from 'cookies-next';
setCookie('key', 'value', 
maxAge 30 * 24 * 60 * 60, // 30 days
path: '/',
domain: 'example.com',
secure: true,
);

In this example, a cookie with the key key and value value is created. The cookie is set to expire in 30 days and is secure.

Using Cookies in Next.js Pages

To use cookies in your Next.js pages, you will need to import the getCookie function and use it to access the cookie value. Here is an example of how to use cookies in a Next.js page:

import { getCookie } from 'cookies-next';
function HomePage() 
const cookieValue = getCookie('key');
return (
<div>
<h1>Home Page</h1>
<p>Cookie value {cookieValue</p>
</div>
);
}
export default HomePage;

In this example, the getCookie function is used to access a cookie with the key key. The value of the cookie is then displayed on the page.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to access cookies client-side with Next.js using the cookies-next package. We have covered the basics of cookies, including what they are and why they are used. We have also shown how to use the getCookie function to access cookies client-side and how to create cookies using the setCookie function. Finally, we have demonstrated how to use cookies in Next.js pages.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using cookies in your Next.js application:

Use secure cookies: Make sure to set the secure option to true when creating cookies to ensure that they are transmitted securely over HTTPS.
Use HTTP-only cookies: Set the httpOnly option to true when creating cookies to prevent JavaScript from accessing them.
Use a secure key: Use a secure key when creating cookies to prevent unauthorized access.
Use a maxAge: Set a maxAge when creating cookies to ensure that they expire after a certain period of time.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your cookies are secure and properly configured.

Common Issues

Here are some common issues that you may encounter when using cookies in your Next.js application:

Cookies not being set: Make sure that you are setting the cookies correctly and that the secure and httpOnly options are set to true.
Cookies not being accessed: Make sure that you are accessing the cookies correctly using the getCookie function.
Cookies not being expired: Make sure that you are setting the maxAge option correctly when creating cookies.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve common issues and ensure that your cookies are working correctly.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to access cookies client-side with Next.js using the cookies-next package. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about accessing cookies client-side with Next.js.

Q: What is the `cookies-next` package?

A: The cookies-next package is a popular package for Next.js that provides a simple way to access cookies client-side. It allows you to easily access and manipulate cookies in your Next.js application.

Q: How do I install the `cookies-next` package?

A: To install the cookies-next package, you can run the following command in your terminal:

npm install cookies-next

Q: How do I access a cookie client-side with Next.js?

A: To access a cookie client-side with Next.js, you can use the getCookie function provided by the cookies-next package. Here is an example of how to use the function:

import { getCookie } from 'cookies-next';
const cookieValue = getCookie('key');
console.log(cookieValue);

Q: How do I create a cookie with Next.js?

A: To create a cookie with Next.js, you can use the setCookie function provided by the cookies-next package. Here is an example of how to create a cookie:

import { setCookie } from 'cookies-next';
setCookie('key', 'value', 
maxAge 30 * 24 * 60 * 60, // 30 days
path: '/',
domain: 'example.com',
secure: true,
);

Q: What is the difference between `getCookie` and `setCookie`?

A: The getCookie function is used to access a cookie client-side, while the setCookie function is used to create a cookie.

Q: Can I use cookies with Next.js and React?

A: Yes, you can use cookies with Next.js and React. The cookies-next package is compatible with both Next.js and React.

Q: Are cookies secure with Next.js?

A: Yes, cookies are secure with Next.js. The cookies-next package provides a secure way to access and manipulate cookies in your Next.js application.

Q: Can I use cookies with Next.js and server-side rendering?

A: Yes, you can use cookies with Next.js and server-side rendering. The cookies-next package is compatible with both client-side and server-side rendering.

Q: How do I handle cookie expiration with Next.js?

A: To handle cookie expiration with Next.js, you can use the maxAge option when creating a cookie. This option specifies the number of seconds until the cookie expires.

Q: Can I use cookies with Next.js and authentication?

A: Yes, you can use cookies with Next.js and authentication. Cookies can be used to store authentication tokens, which can be used to authenticate the user on subsequent requests.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about accessing cookies client-side with Next.js. We have covered topics such as installing the cookies-next package, accessing and creating cookies, and handling cookie expiration. By following the best practices and troubleshooting tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your cookies are secure and properly configured.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using cookies in your Next.js application:

Use secure cookies: Make sure to set the secure option to true when creating cookies to ensure that they are transmitted securely over HTTPS.
Use HTTP-only cookies: Set the httpOnly option to true when creating cookies to prevent JavaScript from accessing them.
Use a secure key: Use a secure key when creating cookies to prevent unauthorized access.
Use a maxAge: Set a maxAge when creating cookies to ensure that they expire after a certain period of time.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your cookies are secure and properly configured.

Common Issues

Here are some common issues that you may encounter when using cookies in your Next.js application:

Cookies not being set: Make sure that you are setting the cookies correctly and that the secure and httpOnly options are set to true.
Cookies not being accessed: Make sure that you are accessing the cookies correctly using the getCookie function.
Cookies not being expired: Make sure that you are setting the maxAge option correctly when creating cookies.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve common issues and ensure that your cookies are working correctly.