safari iphone block pop ups

Easily Block or Allow Pop-Ups in Safari on iPhone

Is the pop-up blocker for Safari stopping pop-ups you actually need? Conversely, if you've been having trouble with pop-ups on your iPhone whenever you try to browse online, you're probably hoping for a way to block pop-ups on Safari. In this tip, we'll show you how to do both. Let's go over how to use the pop-up blocker on iPhone.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

• Temporarily disable your pop-up blocker if a website relies on them to function.
• Block intrusive pop-ups if you are having trouble browsing the web.

How to Turn Off the Pop-Up Blocker on iPhone

System requirements.

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 16 or later. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS .

The Safari pop-up blocker on iPhone is turned on by default, meaning that pop-ups will be blocked in Safari unless you turn your pop-up blocker off. Note that this article doesn't cover how to disable in-app rating pop-ups  on the iPhone; you will need to do that in the App Store settings. If you're looking to learn more about browsing settings on your iPhone or other devices, our free Tip of the Day newsletter can help. If you find that pop-ups you actually want are being blocked, you can simply allow pop-ups in Safari while you browse that site and then switch it back on! Here's how to allow pop-ups on iPhone:

That's how to disable the pop-up blocker on iPhone. For one of Apple's simpler settings, it can make quite a difference in your experience while browsing on Safari. If you want to turn your pop-up blocker back on, you can follow the same steps above. Have you ever come across an image you loved on Safari, but were unsure how to save it properly? If so, you might want to learn these two easy ways to save images from Safari on your iPhone.

Author Details

Rich Hall has written about Handheld and Pocket computers for the last 13 years. He is the Editor of Pocket PC magazine and former editor of The HP Palmtop Paper, the NEC Ultralite Connection and the HP Portable Paper. He began his career as a high school Math and English teacher. Rich lives in Fairfield, Iowa, with his wife, Lucinda, and their children, Robert and Ella. You can contact him at [email protected] .

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How to block pop-ups on Safari for iOS and iPadOS

Here's how to block pop-ups on Safari's mobile and tablet app

It's important you learn how to block pop-ups on Safari when you're using the iPhone or iPad version of the browser. Despite being some of the best phones and best tablets around, iPhones and iPads are not immune to pop-ups.

As you may already know, pop-ups are a menace. Not only do they get in the way of the content you're trying to read or watch, they can also present security concerns, directing you to nefarious websites. Needless to say, then, blocking them is pretty much a necessity.

But how do you block pop-ups on your iPhone? You'd be forgiven for thinking you have to sign up for or purchase one of the best ad blockers . But although those are great, luckily, you don't need them — your iPhone comes pre-loaded with a Safari pop-up blocker. All you need to do is make sure it's turned on, and this guide is here to show you how. 

Read on to see how to block pop-ups on Safari for iOS and iPadOS.

1. Open the Settings app , then scroll down and tap Safari .

2. Toggle on Block Pop-ups .

That's really all there is to it. Safari will now block pop-ups for you, meaning you don't have to think about them again. Unfortunately, there's no option for blocking ads too, but we've got a guide on how to block ads on iPhone using Opera browser which, if you haven't already tried it, may tempt you away from using Safari for good thanks to free a built-in ad blocker, pop-up blocker and other cool features. 

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If you'd like to read more iPhone guides, we've got you covered with our range of tutorials. Just got a new iPhone? Learn how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone and get everything transferred over smoothly. Is your iPhone being a little sluggish? Find out how to clear RAM on iPhone , as this can usually help speed things up. You may also want to check out how to hard reset an iPhone , which could also help kick your iPhone back into gear. Dropped your iPhone in water? Learn how to eject water from an iPhone . Got a load of Live Photos? Here's how to turn Live Photos into video on iPhone . Want to end your TikTok addiction? Here's how to set time limits on iPhone apps with Screen Time . Going skiing? Learn how to disable Crash Detection on iPhone so your phone doesn't call the ambulance when it shouldn't.

Peter is Reviews Editor at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots. 

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How to Allow or Block Browser Pop-Ups on Your iPhone

Is your browser not opening a pop-up window that you need to access a site's content? Follow this guide to disable the pop-up blocking feature.

Almost all modern web browsers block pop-ups by default to prevent websites from spamming you with advertisements and hampering your browsing experience.

That said, some websites still rely on pop-ups for their core functionalities. For instance, many websites use pop-up windows to serve login forms, newsletter sign-ups, and chat support, among other things.

If you're on an iPhone and stuck in a situation where a website needs to show content in a pop-up window, but your browser can't open it, here's how you can enable pop-ups across different browsers on the iPhone and access its content.

How to Enable or Disable Pop-Ups in Your iPhone's Browser

Safari is the default web browser on the iPhone , but you can install and use several other browsers from the App Store too. Almost all of these browsers come with a built-in pop-up blocking feature that blocks all pop-up windows by default.

However, this feature is optional, and you can disable it to allow websites to display their content in pop-up windows. So, depending on which browser you use on your iPhone, the steps you need to follow may vary, but we've covered the instructions for the most popular browsers.

Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Safari on iPhone

Enabling pop-ups in Safari on the iPhone is easy, and you can do it right from the iPhone's Settings app. Here's what you need to do:

• Open Settings.
• Scroll down and select Safari .
• Under General , you'll find the toggle switch for Block Pop-ups . Use it to enable or disable pop-up blocking.

Go back to Safari and reload the website that requested pop-up access. It should now be able to open a new pop-up window in Safari and display the content.

Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Chrome on iPhone

Similar to Safari, Chrome also blocks pop-ups by default. But you can enable them using these steps:

Launch Chrome and tap the ellipsis button in the bottom-right corner of the screen, followed by select Settings . If it isn't visible, swipe left on the quick-access tabs at the top.

Scroll down and select Content Settings . Tap on Block Pop-ups ; on the next screen and use the toggle next to Block Pop-ups to enable or disable them.

Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Brave on iPhone

Brave is a popular browser among those who take their privacy more seriously. If you use it on your iPhone and wish to turn on pop-ups in it, here's how to do it.

Open Brave on your iPhone. Hit the ellipsis button at the bottom and select Settings .

Select Brave Shields & Privacy under Features and scroll to the Other Privacy Settings section. Toggle off the Block Popups button. Or, toggle it on to disable pop-ups when you change your mind.

Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Firefox on iPhone

If you're a Firefox user, you can allow it to display pop-ups on the iPhone using these steps:

• Open Firefox.
• Tap the hamburger menu in the lower-right corner and select Settings .
• Under General , use the toggle switch for Block Pop-up Windows to enable or disable them.

Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Edge on iPhone

Microsoft's Edge browser is quite popular among Windows users who own an iPhone, and it, too, blocks all pop-ups by default. Here's how to prevent it from doing so on the iPhone:

Launch Edge on your iPhone. Hit the ellipsis button at the bottom of the page and select Settings from the menu.

Tap on Privacy & Security and select Block pop-ups on the following screen. Finally, use the toggle for Block Pop-ups to enable or disable them.

Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Opera on iPhone

Last but not least, if you're an Opera user, follow these steps to unblock pop-ups on it and allow websites to display contents in the pop-up windows:

Open Opera. Tap the hamburger menu and select Settings .

Go to Ad Blocking and use the toggle next to Block Pop-ups to enable or disable them.

Regardless of what browser you use, you can follow the same set of instructions and toggle on the switch to allow pop-ups when you're done accessing the required content.

Not All Browser Pop-Ups Are Useless

Browser pop-ups generally have a bad reputation among internet users, mostly because of how most websites use them. However, not all pop-ups are bad—like we mentioned earlier—and you'll find many legitimate websites using them to show important content.

Of course, that doesn't take away from the fact that pop-ups can be equally annoying at the same time. Hence, as a middle ground, it's wise to keep pop-ups on your iPhone blocked unless a website requests its access to display content.

Similarly, you can also disable the pop-up blocker on your Mac to allow websites to launch pop-up windows when required.

How to stop pop-ups from appearing on your iPhone's Safari browser

• The iPhone has a built-in pop-up blocker that should stop most, if not all, pop-ups from ever appearing on your Safari browser or screen.
• If you see pop ups, your iPhone's pop-up blocker might be turned off. You can find it in the Safari section of the Settings app. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Pop-ups are common annoyances on the web. In addition to pop-up ads, there are also pop-up windows that ask you to subscribe to newsletters or sign up for other site services. 

While there are some legitimate uses for pop-ups, most of the ones you'll encounter online are ads, spam, or just annoying. 

Thankfully, your iPhone includes pop-up blocking technology that can stop most pop-ups before you see them. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Iphone xs (from $999.99 at best buy), how to stop pop-ups on your iphone using its built-in pop-up blocker.

The iPhone's pop-up blocker should be on by default, but it's possible you have, at some point, disabled it. Here's how to make sure you are blocking pop-ups on your iPhone .

1. Start the Settings app.

2. Tap "Safari."

3. In the General section, turn on "Block Pop-ups" by swiping the switch to the right. 

How to stop pop-ups on an iPhone in other ways

The pop-up blocker should eliminate virtually all pop-ups on your phone, but if you still have trouble, you might need to clear your iPhone's cache to flush out a problem with the browser. Here's how to do that:

1. Open the Settings app and tap "Safari."

2. Tap "Clear History and Website Data."

3. Confirm your choice by tapping "Clear History and Data" in the pop-up window. 

You might also consider using a content blocker. Content blockers prevent ads from displaying on web pages. 

There are a number of content blockers available in the App Store (you can search for "content blockers" or "ad blockers"). You can manage your installed ad blockers in the Safari section of the Settings app, by tapping "Content Blockers."

Read more coverage from   How To Do Everything: Tech :

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Watch: How to use the iPhone's new spam-call-blocking feature

• Main content

How to allow pop-ups in Safari on iPhone, iPad and Mac

It seems like we put so much effort into blocking things like pop-ups and ads when we’re browsing the web that we forget about sites that actually use pop-ups for good reasons. It could be a shopping site where you get a confirmation, a CMS where you can use tools, or a social site where you log in.

In Safari on iPhone or iPad, you can allow pop-ups globally; and on Mac, you can even allow them just for the specific sites you want. Here’s how to do both.

Allow pop-ups in Safari on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, you cannot currently specify which sites you want to allow pop-ups for. It’s a global setting that you can enable or disable. The best option to allow pop-ups for a particular site is to turn off the setting, visit the website you want to see the pop-ups for, and then turn the setting back on.

Open Settings and select Safari . Turn off the toggle for Block Pop-ups .

When you finish visiting the site whose pop-ups you want to see, you should strongly consider turning the Block Pop-ups setting back on. Otherwise, you could end up inundated with ads or even unsafe pop-ups on your device.

Related: How to increase privacy in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Allow pop-ups in Safari on Mac

You have a couple of ways to allow pop-ups in Safari on Mac for the sites you trust. You can do this in the Preferences or with the site active in Safari. By taking a few moments to configure certain sites, you’ll save some aggravation later, waiting for that pop-up that never comes.

Allow when on the website

Suppose you clicked a link that triggered a new pop-up window. But if you have restricted pop-up windows in Preferences, the pop-up window won’t open and display a message temporarily in the Safari address bar. Besides that, it will show a tiny pop-up icon . Simply click that icon in the address bar, and it will open the blocked pop-up window.

When starting a live chat with Apple Support or downloading booked train tickets, I always use this method to allow the website to open the requested pop-up window.

Allow pop-ups in Preferences

• Open Safari and click Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.
• Select the Websites tab.
• On the left, scroll down to and pick Pop-Up Windows .
• To the right, you have your Currently Open Websites at the top with any Configured Websites at the bottom. Next to each, select the drop-down box and pick Allow for those you want to allow pop-ups.

For any sites that you don’t want to allow or that you want to be notified, select either Block or Block and Notify in that drop-down box.

At the bottom, next to When visiting other websites , you have a drop-down box with those three options as well. This is a global setting that covers all other sites you visit that you have not yet configured.

Allow pop-ups in the Safari window

• Right-click the address bar for the site you’re viewing and select Settings for site name or Settings For This Website .
• In the small window that appears, go down to Pop-up Windows .
• Use the drop-down box to choose Allow to see pop-ups for that website. Obviously, you can choose Block or Block and Notify for those you don’t want to see pop-ups.

When you use this method to adjust pop-ups for particular websites, these sites will then be added to the Configured Websites list in your Preferences, as explained above.

Hopefully, Apple will offer the ability to configure pop-ups for specific sites in Safari on iPhone and iPad at some point, just like on Mac. But in the meantime, you do have a way to allow pop-ups for the sites you want on all your devices.

Which types of websites do you want or need to see pop-ups for? And will you take the time to make sure you can? Let us know!

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How to Enable the Safari Pop-up Blocker

Block pop-ups on Mac, Windows, and iOS

What to Know

• To enable the pop-up blocker, go to Safari > Preferences > Websites > Pop-up Windows > choose how to handle pop-ups.
• To block pop-ups on iOS, go to Settings > Safari > General > Block Pop-ups .
• Another way to enable or disable pop-up blocker in Safari, select Preferences > Security > Block pop-up windows .

This article explains how to enable or disable the pop-up blocker within Safari. Instructions apply to macOS, iOS, and Windows.

You might need to disable the pop-up blocker for access to some sites. Alternatively, install plug-ins that suppress tracking and pop-ups for individual sites and browsing sessions.

The pop-up blocker for Mac computers is accessible through the Web content section of Safari's settings.

From the menu along the top of the Safari window, choose Safari > Preferences .

The keyboard shortcut to Safari's Preferences page is Command+, .

Select Websites .

Click Pop-up Windows .

Select the desired action for the current website. Block and Notify blocks pop-ups on the site and notifies you when it happens. Block blocks pop-ups without notifying you. Allow allows pop-ups.

To do the same when visiting other websites, select When visiting other websites in the lower-right corner of the window. If this checkbox is selected, Safari's integrated pop-up blocker is enabled.

In older OS X versions, select Windows > Preferences , then check the Block pop-up windows box.

Block Pop-ups on iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod touch)

You can turn the Safari pop-up blocker on and off on an iOS device too.

From the home screen, open Settings .

Scroll down the list and tap Safari .

In the Safari screen, locate the General section.

Tap the Block Pop-ups toggle switch to turn it on or off. It turns green to indicate that Safari is blocking pop-ups.

Another way to enable or disable the pop-up blocker in Safari is to select Preferences > Security > Block pop-up windows .

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How to Allow Pop-Ups in Safari for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Parth Shah is an evergreen freelance writer covering how-tos, app guides, comparisons, listicles, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and smart TV platforms. He has over five years of experience and has covered 1,500+ articles on GuidingTech and Android Police. In his free time, you will see him binge-watching Netflix shows, reading books, and traveling.

The Safari browser on Apple devices delivers fast performance and excellent security features. It blocks harmful pop-ups by default and offers a private browsing experience with a Private Relay add-on. But sometimes, you may need to enable pop-ups for a specific website to check the content. Whether it’s a banking website or a university login page, the website might ask you to enable pop-ups temporarily.

Most websites throw unwanted ads via pop-ups. It’s one of the reasons why Safari blocks pop-ups by default on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. But, you’ll need to allow pop-ups for banks and other important websites. For example, when you try to download a monthly statement from your bank’s website, it may open the document in a pop-up. Luckily, Safari let’s you enable pop-ups for such exceptions and here’s how you can do that on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Allow Pop-Ups in Safari for iPhone and iPad

You can allow pop-ups for all websites in Safari for iPhone and iPad. Unlike the Safari macOS version, there is no way to allow pop-ups for specific websites. Follow the steps below to make changes.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll to Safari.

Step 2: Disable the Block Pop-ups toggle.

Allow Pop-Ups for All Websites in Safari for Mac

Safari on macOS offers better control over pop-ups. You have the option to enable pop-ups for all websites or specific ones. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Open Safari on your Mac. Click Safari menu at the top-left corner on the menu bar.

Step 2: Select Settings from the context menu.

Step 3: Click on the Websites tab at the top and select Pop-up Windows from the left sidebar.

Step 4: Open the menu beside ‘When visiting other websites.’

Step 5: You have three options to choose from.

Block and Notify: It’s the default option and blocks pop-ups on all websites. Safari also notifies you when it blocks pop-ups.

Block: It will simply block pop-ups on all websites in the background and won’t notify you about it. We don’t recommend using this option as you may miss important information

Allow: As the name suggests, the option allows pop-ups on all websites.

Step 6: Select Allow.

You’ll need to be careful when you allow pop-ups for all websites. You may end up seeing unnecessary pop-ups on harmful websites. Thankfully, there is an option to allow pop-ups for specific websites only.

Allow Safari Pop-Ups for Selected Websites on Mac

You don’t need to head to Safari settings to allow pop-ups for a specific website. Once Safari notifies you of blocking a pop-up, allow permission from the address bar only.

Step 1: Open Safari on your Mac.

Step 2: Visit a website. If you see Safari blocking a pop-up, right-click (or two-finger click on the Mac trackpad) on the address bar at the top.

Step 3: Open the ‘Settings for a website’ option.

Step 4: Expand the Pop-up widows and select Allow.

You can also hit the Safari option in the menu bar and open Settings for a website.

Manage Pop-up Permission for Websites in Safari

If you have allowed pop-up permission for several websites in Safari for Mac, you may get a below-average web-browsing experience . You can check which websites have pop-up permission and disable it for irrelevant ones. Here’s how.

Step 1: Click on the Safari menu at the top-left corner on the menu bar. Select Settings from the context menu.

Step 2: Select the Websites menu.

Step 3: Check which websites have permission to show pop-ups.

Step 4: Click the website and hit Remove to disable the permission. You can also open the side menu and select Block.

How Do I Know Which Pop-Ups to Block in Safari?

You’ll need to only allow pop-ups for websites you trust. You can enable pop-ups for banks, stock trading, and other frequently visited websites. If you encounter unfamiliar questionable websites during web browsing, block pop-ups on them.

Are Safari Pop-Ups Harmful?

It depends on the type of website you are visiting on Safari. If it’s a spammy content website or a streaming service with unlicensed content, they may send an unbearable number of pop-ups to trick you into clicking on them. Such unintentional and accidental clicks may show irrelevant ads and download unverified programs on your Mac. That’s why we recommend enabling pop-up permission for selected trusted sources only.

Customize Your Safari Experience

Allowing pop-ups in Safari is a double-edged sword. If you allow pop-ups for all websites, you may end up with unnecessary ads. Did you enable pop-ups for all websites or selected ones? Share your preference in the comments below.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 13 March, 2023

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How to block pop-ups on iPhone

Be gone, pesky pop-ups.

• Block pop-ups on Safari
• Block pop-ups on Google Chrome

Pop-ups can be the most annoying thing on the internet as they bombard your attempts to browse the web. iOS 16 does an excellent job of blocking pop-ups out of the gate, but sometimes you need to ensure the settings are correct to block pop-ups rather than allow them .

Luckily, it's easy to block pop-ups on iPhone in just a few simple steps, regardless of what web browser you choose to use on your device. 

How to block pop-ups on iPhone with Safari

Safari is currently the fastest way to browse the internet on your iPhone, and luckily it's super easy to allow pop-ups with just a few simple steps.

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Safari

3. Scroll down and toggle On Block Pop-ups under the General section

Just like that, you won't have any pop-ups on your iPhone using Apple's first-party web browser. It's an easy toggle to find, so you can decide on the fly if you want to block or allow pop-ups while browsing the web on your iPhone. 

How to block pop-ups on iPhone with Google Chrome

If you use Google Chrome on iPhone, the world's most used web browser with over 3.3 billion users, then blocking pop-ups isn't any more difficult. You can allow block pop-ups on your iPhone with just a couple of simple steps. 

• Open Chrome

• Tap the three dots icon in the bottom right corner

• Swipe on the menu bar at the top and select Settings

• Tap Content Settings

• Toggle On Block Pop-Ups

Pop-ups be gone!

I hate pop-ups. They cause my web browsing to feel like a chore, and they're just plain annoying. Luckily iOS 16 blocks pop-ups straight out the gate, but you might need to double-check your settings occasionally if you're noticing a lot of annoying pop-ups on your iPhone.

If you own the best iPhone at the moment, the iPhone 14 Pro, you don't want pop-ups slowing down your browsing experience, so make sure they're blocked and out of sight. 

If, for whatever reason, you want to allow pop-ups, we have a How to guide that will help you out . You can always switch between both options depending on your scenario.

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John-Anthony Disotto is the How To Editor of iMore, ensuring you can get the most from your Apple products and helping fix things when your technology isn’t behaving itself. Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself in his ability to complete his Apple Watch activity rings. John-Anthony has previously worked in editorial for collectable TCG websites and graduated from The University of Strathclyde where he won the Scottish Student Journalism Award for Website of the Year as Editor-in-Chief of his university paper. He is also an avid film geek, having previously written film reviews and received the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019.  John-Anthony also loves to tinker with other non-Apple technology and enjoys playing around with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.

In his spare time, John-Anthony can be found watching any sport under the sun from football to darts, taking the term “Lego house” far too literally as he runs out of space to display any more plastic bricks, or chilling on the couch with his French Bulldog, Kermit. 

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How-To Geek

How to allow pop-ups on iphone.

Allowing pop-up windows in your favorite browser is simple.

Quick Links

Allow pop-ups in safari on iphone, allow pop-ups in chrome on iphone, allow pop-ups in firefox on iphone, key takeaways.

Open the Settings app, tap "Safari," and turn off "Block Pop-ups" to allow pop-ups in Safari on iPhone. You can also allow pop-ups in other browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Open your browser app's settings to find this option.

Are pop-up windows not working on your iPhone? No worries---there's an easy fix. Keep reading to learn how to allow websites to launch pop-up windows in Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Related: How to Allow Pop-Ups in Safari on Mac

To allow sites to open pop-up windows in your Safari browser, open the Settings app on your iPhone.

In Settings, scroll down and select "Safari."

On the "Safari" page, scroll down and toggle off "Block Pop-Ups."

To turn on Safari's pop-up blocker in the future, re-enable the "Block Pop-Ups" option.

To enable pop-up windows in Chrome, launch the browser on your iPhone.

When Chrome launches, in the bottom-right corner, tap the three-dot menu and choose "Settings."

In "Settings," scroll down and select "Content Settings."

Choose "Block Pop-Ups."

Toggle off the "Block Pop-Ups" option. Then, in the top-right corner, tap "Done."

To disable pop-ups in Google Chrome in the future, activate the "Block Pop-Ups" option.

Like other web browsers, Firefox allows you to unblock pop-ups from its Settings menu.

To start, open Firefox on your iPhone. In the browser's bottom-right corner, tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) and choose "Settings."

In "Settings," toggle off the "Block Pop-Up Windows" option. Then, in the top-right corner, tap "Done."

And that's it! While you're at it, check out some of the awesome features that Safari has to offer to its users. You might find a useful feature (or two) you weren't aware of.

Related: 12 Awesome Safari Features You Should Be Using on iPhone

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How to Turn Off Pop-up Blocker in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Learn how you can allow pop-ups in safari by turning off the pop-up blocker in settings on iphone and ipad.

This article explains how you can turn off the pop-up blocker in Safari on your iPhone and iPad. Please note, when you turn this off, you will be enabling pop-ups.

What are Pop-ups?

According to Apple , pop-ups can be ads, notices, offers, or alerts that open in your current browser tab, or in another tab.

There are several reasons you may want to disable your iPhone or iPad’s built-in pop-up blocker and configure Safari to show pop-ups. Here are some of them:

• Some websites require you to allow pop-ups. For example, a bank website might show your monthly statements in pop-ups.

Many companies, especially online stores and eCommerce websites use pop ups to display exclusive discounts and offers on their products.

Some websites use pop ups to allow visitors check out additional info without having to leave their current page.

You can enter your email address on some pop-ups and subscribe to a website newsletters to get the latest news and updates.

If you are not allowing pop ups in Safari, you’ll surely miss out on these benefits.

Having said that, pop-ups can still lead to bad things happening. For example, some pop-ups are third-party ads that use phishing tactics such as warnings or prizes to trick you into believing they’re from Apple or another trusted company, so that you’ll share personal or financial information. Or they might claim to offer free downloads, software updates, or plug-ins to try to trick you into installing unwanted software.

Enable or disable the Pop-up blocker for Safari on iPhone or iPad

• On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari .
• Turn off Block Pop-ups .

When the switch is green, this means the blocker is active. You will need to see the gray color indicating the blocker is disabled. Now pop-ups are enabled. If you want to disable it, follow the same steps and turn the switch on.

If you want to keep the Block Pop-ups option off, ensure that Fraudulent Website Warning is on. When Fraudulent Website Warning is enabled, Safari will display a warning if the website you are visiting is a suspected phishing website.

Things to consider when enabling pop-ups

• Unless you’re confident that they are a legitimate ad, avoid interacting with pop-ups or webpages that seem to take over your screen.
• Avoid interacting with pop-ups that include information such as: “You won an iPhone,” “You won an Apple Gift card,” “Your iPhone or iPad is infected with viruses,” “Congratulations, you won,” etc.
• Some pop-ups and ads have fake buttons that resemble a close button, so use caution if you try to close a pop-up or ad. If you’re not sure, avoid interacting with it and close the Safari tab.
• Always install the latest software updates on your iPhone or iPad. Many software releases have important security updates and may include improvements that help control pop-ups.

See also: What is Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement? Turn Off or On?

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Safari block pop up ads not working after iOS17

Before iOS17, I was using block pop up ads in Safari settings and it worked surprisingly well. But after the update, it doesn't seem to work anymore. Is there a fix to this?

iPhone XR, iOS 15

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 11:46 PM

Posted on Nov 20, 2023 8:37 PM

This is not a real response. They stated they have it on. It cant even block things opening up a new window anymore.

Because of your pointless response and lack of responsibility, the problem will not be shared with developers who want to know if something is wrong. Thats the whole point of having a human support team.

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Nov 20, 2023 8:37 PM in response to J_Johnnyboy

Dec 13, 2023 6:33 AM in response to J_Johnnyboy

i Have my phone set to block pop ups and alert re fraudulent sites. It doesn’t make a difference.

i did not have this problem before the latest update.

Dec 31, 2023 12:53 AM in response to HiddenAccName

I’m having the same problem, also have all of my setting correct, also only having this problem since the last update. Also everyone in my family having this same issue, since the update, despite settings. APPLE: FIX THIS. I literally have to turn my phone off, once the videos start popping up. The second I close out the video, another one pops up, before I can even close out the tab. Turning off my phone is the only thing that stops it.

Apr 19, 2024 10:25 AM in response to J_Johnnyboy

The above recommendations in Safari for blocking pop-ups do not work since Apple’s update of 17.4.1.

Also having trouble typing on the keyboard as it wants to delete words, change the alphabetical bar to letters during mid-stream of a sentence, mojitos are gone…

Jan 28, 2024 9:34 AM in response to HiddenAccName

Having pop up issues with my Mac OS Sonoma. Pop up blocker is on.

Feb 1, 2024 11:18 AM in response to J_Johnnyboy

same as before

Feb 19, 2024 7:24 PM in response to J_Johnnyboy

This is so frustrating After ALLOWING pop ups we still don't see popups since updating to Sonoma IOS 14.3.1 on my brand new MacBook. I need the pop up to login after VPN connection to work server. It worked prior to the Sonoma IOS update. I have tried setting the pop up to allow the wanted pop up. Still nothing. HELP !!! I can't work remote any longer.

Feb 12, 2024 2:17 AM in response to jpaprika

So annoying, I can’t get total ad block to work either.

I have iPhone 11 Pro Max 😥😥😥😥

Mar 10, 2024 7:16 AM in response to J_Johnnyboy

Safari block pop up ads not working on Sonoma 14.3.1 despite following all instructions.

Mar 11, 2024 3:36 PM in response to HiddenAccName

pop Ups not being blocked.

Mar 24, 2024 12:19 PM in response to J_Johnnyboy

Still does not work.

Mar 27, 2024 5:36 AM in response to HiddenAccName

Why aren’t you responding Apple? Brand deteriorating ?

Dec 31, 2023 12:54 AM in response to jpaprika

Sep 25, 2023 4:49 PM in response to HiddenAccName

Hi HiddenAccName,

To block pop-up ads and windows in Safari, we recommend that you try the steps here: Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari - Apple Support

To perform the recommended troubleshooting steps via the link above, complete the steps in the section titled "Check Safari settings."

On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari.

* Turn on Block Pop-ups.

* Turn on Fraudulent Website Warning.

On your Mac, open Safari and choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences) from the menu bar.

* In the  Websites tab , you can configure options to  allow or block some or all pop-ups .

* In the  Security tab , turn on the setting to warn when visiting a fraudulent website.

We recommend the steps above because they will show you how to block pop-up ads and windows in Safari.

Please let us know the outcome after giving the above steps a try.

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

May 11, 2024 4:52 PM in response to HiddenAccName

@ Mamayoda4

Apple does not reply here. It's a place for the community to help each other. You're never going to get Apple to engage an individual one-to-one about such a thing. The best we can do is file a bug report.

How to Allow Pop Ups in Safari on iPhone 12: A Step-by-Step Guide

Allowing pop-ups in Safari on your iPhone 12 can be a breeze if you know where to look. Just head into the Settings app, tap Safari, and toggle the switch next to Block Pop-ups to off. This quick action will enable pop-ups for all websites you visit using Safari.

Step by Step Tutorial: Allowing Pop-Ups in Safari on iPhone 12

Before we dive into the steps, let’s clarify why you might want to allow pop-ups. Maybe there’s a site you trust that uses pop-ups for essential functions, or perhaps you’re trying to access gated content that requires a pop-up. Whatever the reason, following these steps will let those pop-ups through on your iPhone 12.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.

The Settings app is where all the magic happens for customizing your iPhone experience. Think of it as the control center for your device.

Step 2: Scroll Down and Tap Safari

Navigate through the list and tap on the Safari option.

Safari is the default web browser for all Apple devices, so all the settings related to web browsing are tucked away here.

Step 3: Toggle Off the Block Pop-ups Option

Find the Block Pop-ups option and switch the toggle to the off position.

By default, Safari blocks pop-ups to provide a smoother browsing experience. However, toggling this off will allow pop-ups to show up on your browser.

After completing these steps, pop-ups will be allowed on websites when using Safari on your iPhone 12. This means that the next time you visit a site that uses pop-ups, they should appear without any issues.

Tips: Enhancing Your Safari Experience on iPhone 12

• Make sure that the website you are allowing pop-ups for is trustworthy. Pop-ups can sometimes be used maliciously.
• If you only need to allow pop-ups temporarily, remember to turn the Block Pop-ups option back on once you’re done.
• Consider using the ‘Reader’ view in Safari for a clutter-free reading experience, which can be accessed by tapping the AA icon on the left side of the address bar.
• Keep your iOS updated to ensure you have the latest security features for Safari.
• Use Content Blockers from the App Store to control what content gets loaded on the web pages you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i do if pop-ups still don’t appear after following the steps.

Ensure that the website you’re trying to view pop-ups from does not have its own pop-up blocker enabled. Some websites have built-in blockers that you might need to disable separately.

Can I allow pop-ups for specific websites only?

Yes, you can manage website settings individually in Safari. Simply visit the website, tap the AA icon on the left side of the address bar, and adjust the settings as needed.

Will allowing pop-ups affect my browsing speed?

It might, as pop-ups can increase page loading times. However, if it’s a trusted site, the impact should be minimal.

Is it safe to allow pop-ups on my iPhone 12?

It can be, as long as you trust the sites you’re allowing. Be cautious of pop-ups from unknown or suspicious websites.

Can pop-ups contain malware?

It’s possible, which is why it’s important only to allow pop-ups from websites you trust completely.

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Safari.
• Toggle off Block Pop-ups.

Allowing pop-ups in Safari on your iPhone 12 is a simple process that can be done in just a few taps. Whether you need pop-ups for work, school, or personal use, being able to control this feature allows you to customize your browsing experience to fit your needs. Just remember to exercise caution and only enable pop-ups from sites you trust, as they can sometimes be a source of unwanted ads or malware.

At the end of the day, the iPhone 12 and Safari offer a plethora of features and settings to explore and tailor to your preferences. Pop-ups may just be a small part of your overall browsing experience, but having the ability to manage them puts you in the driver’s seat. Keep experimenting with different settings, stay updated with the latest iOS versions, and you’ll be mastering your iPhone 12 in no time. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the full potential of your device and Safari’s capabilities.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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New iOS App Blocks Those Annoying 'Open in App' Pop-Ups in Safari

You've probably experienced visiting a website like Reddit or LinkedIn on your iPhone only to be greeted with an annoying, almost full-screen pop-up urging you to view the content in their app instead of on the website.

Thankfully, there is a new way to block these pop-ups within Safari on ‌iPhone‌ and iPad . Developer Alex Zamoshchin has created a new Safari extension called "Banish" (via Daring Fireball ) that can run on iOS and iPadOS and is designed to specifically get rid of those pop-ups. The app, which costs $2, helps eliminate a majority of those pop-ups in popular web versions of apps, but it doesn’t get rid of similar banners that show up at the top of Safari to recommend opening the current page in an installed app.

The banner at the top of Safari is built into Safari and WebKit itself, so to get rid of those, you'll have to uninstall the respective app from your device. Banish, instead, gets rid of pop-ups implemented in the websites themselves.

To use Banish, download it from the App Store and follow the on-screen instructions to give the app the needed permission within Settings, Safari, and Extensions. You can learn more about Banish here .

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Safari User Guide

• Get started
• Go to a website
• Bookmark webpages to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Import bookmarks and passwords
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• View links from friends
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Interact with text in a picture
• Change your homepage
• Customize a start page
• Create a profile
• Block pop-ups
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Hide your email address
• Manage cookies
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• See who tried to track you
• Change Safari settings
• Keyboard and other shortcuts

Allow or block pop-ups in Safari on Mac

Pop-up windows can be helpful or distracting. Some websites require you to allow pop-ups. For example, a bank website might show your monthly statements in pop-ups. Other websites might fill your screen with pop-up ads.

You can allow or block pop-ups on individual websites or all websites. If you’re not sure whether you want to block pop-ups on a website, you can choose to block and be notified when the site wants to display a pop-up, then decide if you want to show the pop-up.

Open Safari for me

Allow or block pop-ups on one website

Choose Safari > Settings, then click Websites.

Click Pop-up Windows on the left.

If you don’t see Pop-up Windows, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the list.

In the pop-up menu for the website, choose one of the following:

Allow: Pop-ups for the website appear.

Block: Pop-ups for the website don’t appear.

Allow or block pop-ups on all websites

If there are websites listed below Configured Websites, and you want to change the settings for these sites (for example, they’re set to Allow, but you want to change them to Block), select each website, then click Remove.

If you don’t see Configured Websites, either you haven’t set pop-up blocking for any sites yet, or you’ve cleared the list.

Click the “When visiting other websites” pop-up menu, then choose one of the following:

Allow: Pop-ups for the websites appear.

Block: Pop-ups for the websites don’t appear.

If you block pop-ups on a website, but you continue to see pop-ups on the website, you might have unwanted software on your Mac. See the Apple Support article Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari .

Note: Blocking pop-ups might also block some content you want to see.