safari block ads extension

Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari

Learn how to block pop-up windows and handle persistent ads on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Pop-ups can be ads, notices, offers, or alerts that open in your current browser window, in a new window, or in another tab. 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.

Use these tips to help manage pop-ups and other unwanted interruptions.

Avoid interacting with 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.

If you see an annoying pop-up ad in Safari, you can go to the Search field and enter a new URL or search term to browse to a new site. If you don’t see the Search field on your iPhone or iPad, tap the top of the screen to make it appear.

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 window or tab.

On your Mac, you can quit Safari, then press and hold the Shift key while opening Safari. This prevents Safari from automatically reopening any windows or tabs that were open.

Update your software

Always install the latest software updates for all of your Apple products. Many software releases have important security updates and may include improvements that help control pop-ups.

The safest way to download apps for your Mac is from the App Store. If you need software that isn’t available from the App Store, get it directly from the developer or another reliable source, rather than through an ad or link.

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.

If adware or other unwanted software is installed on Mac

If you see pop-ups on your Mac that just won’t go away, you might have unintentionally downloaded and installed adware (advertising-supported software) or other unwanted software. Certain third-party download sites might include software that you don’t want along with the software that you do.

If you think that you might have malware or adware on your Mac:

Update to the latest version of macOS. If your Mac is already using the latest version, restart your Mac. macOS includes a built-in tool that removes known malware when restarting.

Check your Applications folder to see if you have any apps that you don't expect. You can uninstall those apps .

Check the Extensions tab in Safari settings to see if you installed any unnecessary extensions. You can turn extensions off .

If you continue to see advertising or other unwanted programs on your Mac, contact Apple.

How to safely open software on your Mac

How to recognize and avoid phishing and other scams

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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Adblock browser app.

From the team behind Adblock Plus, the most popular ad blocker for desktop browsers, Adblock Browser is now available for your Android devices.

What is Adblock Plus?

Adblock Plus is a free extension that allows you to customize and control your web experience. Block annoying ads, disable tracking, block sites known to spread malware and lots more. Available for all major desktop browsers and mobile devices.

Adblock Plus is an open source project licensed under GPLv3 and subject to its Terms of Use .

• Participants cannot pay to avoid the criteria . Every ad must comply.
• For transparency, we add all Acceptable Ads to our forum so that our community of users can provide feedback.
• We listen to our users. If an Acceptable Ads proposal is flagged by our community for a legitimate reason, we will remove it from the whitelist.
• We are able to keep our open source product free by charging large entities a fee for whitelisting services. For the other roughly 90 percent of our partners, these services are offered free of charge.

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Adblock Plus for Safari ABP 4+

Block bad, disruptive ads.

• 4.4 • 4.8K Ratings

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Description.

The easy way to block ads on your Mac. Annoying ads like pop-ups, video ads, banners and ads disguised as content are things of the past thanks to Adblock Plus (ABP)! Safari users enjoy a peaceful and delightful web experience when using Adblock Plus, the world’s number 1 ad blocker. No disruptive ads. No tracking. No nasty viruses. REPUTABLE Adblock Plus has been the most downloaded, free ad blocker on the market since 2006. Its unique Acceptable Ads feature, turned on by default, shows occasional ads that aren’t disruptive in order to help support great content creators. You can choose to block these ads by simply turning off the Acceptable Ads feature in the ABP settings. SAFE AND PRIVATE Browse more safely and securely. CONSCIOUS BROWSING Ads can cause pages to load slower, thus eating up your data plan and consuming your battery. By using Adblock Plus for Safari you: - Save data - Save battery life Download Adblock Plus for Safari on macOS - it’s FREE! By downloading and installing the application, you agree to our Terms of Use. https://adblockplus.org/terms ------ About the people behind Adblock Plus for Safari on macOS We are a globally distributed, yet tight-knit group of developers, designers, writers, researchers, and testers. By supporting a fair and profitable Internet, we remain optimistic about the future of the web. Our mission is to create a sustainable product that makes your everyday life a little easier. ------ Enjoying the app? Please leave us a 5-star review! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adblockplus Twitter: https://twitter.com/adblockplus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdblockPlusOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adblockplus

Version 2.2.14

We've listened to your feedback and the team has been spending a lot of time on optimising our filter lists to bring you the best content blocking experience possible! **Please open ABP after updating so that the new filter lists are immediately synced!** Questions or feedback? Send us a message at [email protected]. Like the app? Write a review :)

Ratings and Reviews

4.8K Ratings

Good / Neccesary Safari Extension

I primarily use Firefox on my MacBook Pro laptop - however, there are times for which an application will either open Safari or I need to use it, so it's good that this extension exists for Safari and I am glad at how frequently it is updated, but ABP alone isn't enough to get me to use Safari full time when I cannot add other things that ABP is apparently not able to add to a Safari extension; however, recommended.

it only worked a while

It seems the spam club now has a way around adblock. The addvertisers now can recogize ad block is installed and deny access th their content. Before, I did not mind a "few" ads, and I sometimes visited some advertiser's sites. Now, it seems the sites I am interested in want to sell me membership to their sites for a price more than I am paying an internet supplier. If I subscribed to the sites I am in terested in my total subscription cost is more money than I take in, leaving nothing for food. Where quanties of poor ads used to slow down my computer to a crawll, now I can not see anything. My rerason to try adblock was that I was spendingmuch more time waiting for ads to load and then dismissing them, than I was in reading content.

Ads no more

I am astounded because I have tried several other ad blocking sites and found them to be adequate but not free from ads. This is another level. I am free from constant pop-up ads which had caused me to turn off my computer and not touch it for a week or two. Now, I can surf to my hearts content reaching exactly what I want with no interference. There are several web pages that will block me due to it, but they are few and you can always turn it off for a time.

App Privacy

The developer, Eyeo GmbH , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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How to adblock Safari and Chrome on a Mac

Annoyed by online adverts and want to get rid of them? You’ve come to the right place. In this article we explain how to easily block adverts, popups, trackers and more on your Mac, using a variety of free and paid-for tools in the Safari and Chrome web browsers.

We have a separate guide if you specifically wish to block autoplay videos on Mac . And another for those who wish to block ads on iPhone or iPad .

Before we proceed, please bear in mind that the site whose adverts you’re blocking probably relies on revenue from advertising. That may not worry you, and we know that some of the online advertising out there really does cross a line in terms of intrusiveness. Just don’t complain if a site you love suddenly closes, or starts to charge visitors, because people refused to view its adverts.

Adblock in Safari

We’ll start with how to block adverts using Apple’s web browser, Safari. IN this article we have details of some third-party ad blockers that work with Safari but you don’t actually have to install a third party ad blocker to not see adverts in Safari – you can just set up Safari to block ads for you, here’s how:

Block ads in Safari using Reader mode

Strictly speaking, if you want to block adverts in Safari on the Mac you’ll need to install third-party ad-blocking software – and we’ll talk about that in a moment. But a far simpler approach is to use Safari’s built-in Reader mode, which is practically as good.

Reader isn’t quite an ad blocker, because it blocks a bunch of other visual distractions too: sidebars, mastheads, comments, social elements, videos. (It’s the same principle as the ‘Read later’ services we discuss at the end of this article.) You just get the text and the pictures, which can be a far calmer experience than some of the more visually ‘busy’ sites.

As a general rule, you can activate Reader mode at any time, although it’s not really possible on Home pages of sites that feature multiple stories and links.

There are a few different ways to enable the Reader mode. Here’s how to enable Reader mode in Safari: 

• Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen and select View > Show Reader
• Hit Shift-Command-R.
• Click the Reader button (the one with three and a half horizontal lines) next to the URL bar.

This will then strip the page down to its bare bones, leaving only the content behind.

From Safari 11 onwards it’s been possible to be more sophisticated and tell the browser to always open article pages from particular domains in Reader mode – or even to use Reader by default all the time.

Here’s how to set reader mode up for certain websites:

When you’re on a site you want to give this treatment, go to Safari > Settings for This Website (or you can right-click the URL box and choose Settings for This Website).

You can also remove domains from, and add them to, the Reader list in Safari’s Preferences page. Click on Safari > Preferences.

Click on the Websites pane.

Select Reader in the left-hand column.

You’ll see a list of all the websites currently open and any you have configured to use Reader. Select the website you want to default to Reader mode and click the menu to the right of it and select On (or Off if you don’t want it to use Reader mode).

How to use Reader mode all the time on Safari

You can actually set Reader mode to be the default option on any website that supports it! Here’s how:

• As above go to Safari > Preferences and choose Reader.
• At the bottom of this page you’ll see the option: ‘When visiting other websites’. Set this to On and Reader will be activated by default on all compatible web pages.

Note that if you have a website that is already defaulting to Off then you won’t see it in Reader mode.

How to block popup adverts in Safari

If popup ads are driving you mad then you can quickly put a stop to them. Since Safari 11 it’s been possible to block pop-up windows via Safari Preferences.

In Safari 12 and 13 here’s what you need to do:

• Go to Preferences.
• Select the Websites tab.
• Click on the Pop-up Windows option in the left-hand column.
• Now you can either make a rule for the website you’re currently visiting by clicking on the drop down menu to the right of its name, or go to the bottom of the window and click on the drop-down menu next to ‘When visiting other websites’.
• Then select either Block and Notify, Block, or Allow.

Best ad blocker for Safari

Reader mode is a great solution, but if you want to block the adverts but leave the rest of the visual elements intact, you need to install a third-party ad blocker. There are lots of them out there, plenty of which are free, but tread carefully.

Our top recommendation is be the donation-ware Safari extension AdBlock, which deals with graphical ads, text ads and even ads in YouTube videos.

AdBlock also lets you whitelist pages on sites whose adverts you do want to see, to support them or because the ads may be useful. To whitelist the whole site you’ll need to upgrade to the AdBlock Gold level that costs £4.99/$4.99.

You can download AdBlock here .

If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, we recommend AdGuard . It comes in two forms: a free-to-use Safari extension and a £29/$30 app with a 14-day free trial. While the Safari extension is decent and acts in a similar way to AdBlock, the desktop app provides advanced features across macOS, not dependent on a particular browser.

As well as blocking ads and pop-ups from websites, you’re able to block tracking from most online sources and even be warned of malicious websites that you might stumble across online. It provides granular control over your ad blocking settings, allowing you to whitelist sites and self-promoting ads, and is incredibly simple to use.

You can download AdGuard here .

Best ad tracker blockers

Another pest online: trackers that follow your movements around the web to serve up ads. This is why you’ll be looking at a product on one site, then an ad for it magically appears when you visit another site.

To stop this intrusive (and frankly creepy) behaviour follow these steps:

Open up Safari and go to Preferences > Privacy and enable the ‘Prevent cross-site tracking’ option.

Block ads in Chrome on the Mac

Google’s Chrome browser is a popular alternative for Mac users, and even though Google is a full paid-up member of the advertising fan club, it allows plenty of scope for ad-blocking.

How to block Popups in Chrome

Let’s start by disabling popups, something which can be done from Chrome’s own settings – no need to install any extensions.

• In Chrome select Chrome > Preferences.
• Scroll down and click Advanced.
• Below the heading ‘Privacy and security’, click the option Content settings.

Best Chrome ad blockers on the Mac

As with Safari, Chrome won’t actually block adverts for you – and there isn’t an easily accessed equivalent of Reader mode. (Google has publicly discussed something similar called Distill Mode, but there’s no straightforward way for Mac users to turn this on without recourse to extensions.)

Many well known ad blockers are browser-agnostic, fortunately. The two suggested above – AdBlock and AdGuard – are both able to deal with adverts in Chrome.

‘Read later’ services

If you decide you don’t want to install an ad blocker, an alternative solution is to use a read-later service. These are simple systems that let you easily save an article in a form that strips out the adverts; you can then read if later (or right away, for that matter) without being troubled by all the visual tomfoolery.

Our favourite such service is Pocket . Sign up to the service and you’ll be able to create a ‘Read later’ button as a bookmark in Safari, Chrome or whichever other browser you like.

Open an article, click the button and it’ll save to your account. You can then read the ad-free version online (from any machine) or, best of all in our experience, offline using the iPhone app .

Author: David Price , Editor

David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.

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How to Block Ads in Safari on the iPhone

There are some built-in tools, but you'll likely need a content blocker plug-in

• Ithaca College

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Block Ads on iPhone
• Install Content Blocking Apps
• Choose an Ad-Blocking Plug-In
• Block Pop-Ups

Why You Should Block Ads

• Why You Shouldn't Block Ads

What to Know

• Download and set up an ad blocker app. Then, on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Content Blockers ( on ).
• Suggested ad blockers: 1Blocker, Crystal Adblock, Norton Ad Blocker, Purify.
• Natively block Safari pop-ups on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups ( on ).

This article explains how to use content blockers to block ads in Safari on iPhones with iOS 9 or higher.

Your phone must have iOS 9 or higher to use content blockers. Update the iPhone OS to ensure it has the most up-to-date version with current security patches.

How to Block Ads on iPhone With Safari

Using an ad blocker for your iPhone means your browser won't download ads. This usually means faster page loads, a longer-lasting battery, and less wireless data usage. If you don't want to see pop-up ads, there is a way to block these ads. Here's how to do so using the Safari web browser for iPhone.

Content blockers are apps that add new features that your default web browser doesn't have. These are like third-party keyboards —separate apps that work inside other apps that support them. This means that to block ads, you need to install at least one of these apps.

Most iPhone content blockers work the same way. When you go to a website, the app checks a list of ad services and servers. If it finds these on the site you're visiting, the app blocks the website from loading those ads on the page. Some apps take a comprehensive approach by blocking the ads and tracking the cookies used by advertisers based on those cookies' URLs .

How to Install Content Blocking Apps

To block ads with Safari content blocker apps, install the app, and then enable it from the iPhone Settings app.

Go to the App Store and download a content-blocking app to your iPhone. The example here is Norton Ad Blocker, but all ad-blocking apps work similarly. See the list below for other suggested apps.

Open the ad blocker app and follow the instructions to set it up. Every app is different, but each offers instructions to turn on the ad-blocking abilities.

On the iPhone home screen, open the Settings app.

Select Safari > Content Blockers .

Move the toggle switch next to the ad-blocker app you installed to On (green).

Choose an Ad-Blocking Plug-In for Safari

There is a sizable market for ad-blocking Safari plug-ins. The following options can get you started:

• 1Blocker : Free, with in-app purchases. In addition to more than 50,000 built-in blocker rules, this app supports custom rules to block sites and cookies and to hide other elements.
• Crystal Adblock : At $0.99, the developer claims that this ad blocker loads pages four times faster and uses 50 percent less data. This app also lets you opt to view ads on some sites to support those sites.
• Norton Ad Blocker : This free ad-blocking app from the company behind the popular and long-running antivirus software also lets you add exceptions.
• Purify : Grab this content blocker for $1.99 to block ads and tracking software. It includes a list (typically called a whitelist) to allow you to see ads on some sites if you like. According to the developer, after blocking Safari ads with this app, you can expect a fourfold increase in page load speeds and your web browsing data usage to be cut in half.

How to Block Pop-Ups on the iPhone Using Built-In Tools

Ad-blocking apps can block all kinds of ads and trackers used by advertisers. If you only want to block intrusive pop-ups, you don't need to download an app because pop-up blocking is a built-in feature in Safari. Here's what you need to do:

On the iPhone home screen, select Settings > Safari .

Toggle the Block Pop-ups switch to On (green), if it isn't already.

You can enable the Safari pop-up blocker on your computer, too.

The main benefit of blocking ads is that you don't see advertising. However, there are other key benefits to using these anti-advertisement apps:

• Websites load faster : Ads are extra elements on the page that have to load, and ads often stream video or play animations. It takes time for the page to fully download and often causes other things like non-ad images and videos to take longer to display.
• You'll be more secure : Many ads are vectors for malware. Infected ads hit a network, even a legitimate one, to disrupt your device.
• You use less data : When you no longer see ads, you won't use your monthly data allowances to load ads. Some ad-blocking apps claim to save you lots of data. While their numbers may be inflated, you'll reduce your data usage to some degree because ad images and videos don't download to your phone.
• A longer-lasting battery : Downloading ads, just like downloading anything in Safari, requires energy. One way to have a longer-lasting battery is to stop downloading so much data, which is what happens when you use an ad blocker.

Why You Shouldn't Block Ads

One downside you might encounter when you block ads on your iPhone is that some websites don't load properly. Some sites detect whether their ads load, and if ads don't load, you can't use the site until you unblock their ads.

Almost every site on the internet makes the majority of its money by showing advertising to its readers. If the ads are blocked, the site doesn't get paid. The money made from advertising pays writers and editors, funds server and bandwidth costs, buys equipment, pays for photography and travel, and more. Without that income, it's possible that a site you visit every day could go out of business. Consider supporting your favorite sites by whitelisting them, so ads on those sites still display.

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The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to intrusive online advertising with the best ad blockers

Best in-browser ad blockers

Best ad-blocking apps, best ad-blocking mobile apps, other privacy-focused extensions and apps.

The best ad blockers are crucial to survive on the modern internet. Not matter where you go, you're at risk of being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and countless other digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your online experience. Even if all your browsing is above board, you're still at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. Combined with the best antivirus software and the best VPNs , a good ad-blocker gives you a perfect arsenal of tools to offer as much protection as possible. Even the FBI recommends using an ad-blocker for protection.

The only thing you need to figure out is which ad-blocker is right for you. There are so many to choose from, and whether you are willing to live with the downsides. Most free sites rely on advertising revenue to survive, including Tom's Guide. But if you're happy with the trade-off, we've got a thorough list of the best ad blockers and privacy tools — with options for every browser and platform.

The best ad blockers you can get today

1. adblock plus (chrome, edge, firefox, opera, safari, android, ios).

AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera. ABP features a quick setup, loading preset filter lists that allow users to quickly block most ads, as well as the option to filter malware and social media buttons. 

Savvy users can chose additional block lists as well as set custom filters or whitelist their favorite sites to keep their ad revenue in the black. AdBlock Plus allows what it calls "non-intrusive advertising" through filters; that may irk some users, though this feature can be disabled in settings. 

On Android, the AdBlock Browser provides a Firefox-based browser that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the AdBlock Plus app integrates with the content blocker system to seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

Download AdBlock Plus: Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , Edge

2. AdBlock (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

AdBlock (no relation to AdBlock Plus) is the other best ad-blocking browser extension of note, available for users of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. AdBlock uses a series of filter lists to automatically block ad content coming from known ad servers and providers. Users can stick with the default block lists, subscribe to additional ones, or even create their own, as well as whitelist their favorite websites. 

As one of the most downloaded Chrome and Safari extensions, AdBlock has the trust of many users worldwide.

Download AdBlock: Chrome , Firefox , Safari , Edge

3. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

Ublock Origin is a browser-based ad blocker that focuses on simple, efficient blocking with a low resource overhead. The extension comes loaded with a number of filter lists for known advertising and malware sources, with extra filter lists available and the option to read and create your own custom filters from hosts files.

Download Ublock Origin: Chrome , Firefox

4. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

Rather than be an all-in one blocking solution, Poper Blocker (aka Pop Up Blocker For Chrome), is designed to complement other adblockers. 

In this case, Poper Blocker focuses on blocking pop-ups, pop-unders, overlays, timed and scroll pop-ups, and other varieties that might slip past other ad-blocking extensions. Small notifications tell you when pop-ups are blocked. You also can view your blocking stats, but otherwise, you can generally just keep Poper Blocker running in the background with minimal impact alongside other adblocker extensions.

Download Poper Blocker: Chrome

5. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

For a fast and light ad-blocking plugin, Chrome users can turn to Stands Fair AdBlocker. The extension does precisely what it promises, blocking ads and pop-ups from cluttering up your browser view while also preventing any tracking from going on. 

Stand's Fair AdBlocker gives you control over the type of ads you can block, specifying everything from autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads and more. It can even block Facebook ads if you want.

The "Fair" part of AdBlocker comes into play by giving you the ability to allow certain types of ads or even whitelist ad-supported websites you don't want to shortchange of badly needed revenue. This is one ad blocker that doesn't take a scorched earth approach to its stated purpose.

Download Stands Fair AdBlocker: Chrome

6. Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge)

Like the other extensions on our list of the best ad blockers, Ghostery can remove ads from webpages, so you can focus on content and browse more efficiently. But the real value in Ghostery lies in its privacy protection features. You can use Ghostery to view trackers, which lets you see who's trying to collect data on you. With Ghostery, you can also stop that tracking from taking place. If you really want to safeguard your privacy, you can turn to Ghostery's Enhanced Anti Tracking to anonymize your data.

Ghostery's a free download that offers basic web protection. More advanced protection starts at $4.99 a month and the $11.99 monthly tier comes with a built-in VPN. There are also versions of Ghostery that work with Android and iOS devices.

Download Ghostery: Chrome , Firefox , Opera , Safari , Edge

7. Adblocker for YouTube (Chrome, Firefox)

YouTube has gotten more aggressive with ads, so the makers of ad-blocking extensions have followed suit. Adblocker for YouTube is a Chrome extension that promises to automatically block YouTube ads, whether we're talking about the pre-roll ad appearing before your video or any text and banner ads that appear on the video itself.

If you prefer Firefox to Chrome, there's also an AdBlocker for YouTube extension that works on that browser. Same name, different developer apparently, but the functionality of stripping out video and display ads remains. This version works on Android devices too.

Download Adblocker for YouTube: Chrome , Firefox

1. AdGuard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

Uses looking for a more robust experience can try out the subscription-based AdGuard, which provides desktop and mobile options to reduce the ads you see when surfing online. 

AdGuard on Windows and Mac covers popular browsers, with highly configurable options for ads, content, and tracker blocking, as well as a parental controls module for restricting adult content. AdGuard for Android is a no-root ad-blocker that blocks advertising on apps and games, though you’ll have to install it from AdGuard’s site instead of through Google Play. AdGuard for iOS works with Safari to effectively filter ads on the default browser.

Download AdGuard: Windows , Mac , Android , iOS

2. AdLock ($33 per year)

AdLock avoids the browser-based route, instead opting to run as a separate program to be able to block not only browser-based ads, but also advertising in other programs like Skype or games. 

The app runs in the background, using filters to block ads, popups, and autoplaying videos, speeding up loading times and applying Safe Browsing features to automatically block sites that are known to be unsafe. 

For obvious reasons, the mobile version is unavailable on the Google Play Store, so you'll need to sideload the app if you want to get AdLock into your Android device. iOS users can download AdLock directly from Apple's App Store.

Download AdLock: Windows , Chrome ,  Android , Mac , iOS

3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

If you’re a Safari fan, Wipr may be the best ad blocker for both your Mac and iPhone. The app is available for both iOS and macOS — costing $1.99 from either Apple App Store — and it promises to work with Safari as well as apps that use Safari for displaying web pages.

You’ll find a full array of features with Wipr, which not only blocks apps and trackers, but cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices and anything else that gets in your way of surfing the web. Its blocklist gets updated twice a week, and there’s little configuration; the idea is that you load Wipr and forget that it’s there while it does its job in the background.

With Wipr, pages should load faster in Safari, which will be particularly welcome if you’re surfing from an iPhone, where ads and trackers can bog down your browser’s speed.

Download Wipr: macOS , iOS

1. 1Blocker (iOS)

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up that functionality on iPhones and iPads; the apps has since been optimized for Safari. 

The app is designed to make browsing faster and more secure by blocking ads, popups, trackers and other online cruft. Rather than blocking content of a downloaded page, 1Blocker works with Safari's content blocker API to tell the browser what to block in advance, saving time and resources. 

1Blocker features more than 115,000 blocker rules, custom regional adblocking settings, and easy-to-use custom rules settings. The app is a free download, with premium features available as in-app purchases.

Download 1Blocker: iOS

2. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

Firefox Focus is another addition to Mozilla's family of browsers. This one's a privacy-oriented version of Firefox that bakes in ad-blocking and anti-tracking into a light and functional package. Firefox Focus blocks ads and speeds up browsing, while also working in privacy-friendly features like automatic history and cookie clearing. 

Users can selectively block ads, analytics, content and social trackers with easy toggles, turn on a "stealth" mode, and set a default search engine.

Our look at the best Android browsers has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

Download Firefox Focus: Android , iOS

3. AdClear (Android, iOS)

AdClear — or AdClear Plus if you're searching for the iOS version — offers the kind of mobile ad blocking in browsers that similar apps provide. But AdClear takes it one step farther by also blocking ads in apps. 

AdClear achieves this through a DNS changer feature that routes traffic through a VPN. AdClear doesn't catch everything in all apps, and in our experience, some apps ran a little slower. But this free download can put a stop to ads interrupting what you're trying to do whether in an app or a browser.

Download AdClear: Android , iOS

1. Decentraleyes (Chrome, Firefox)

Some times, blocking ads can also prevent websites fromn pulling needed resoruces and libraries from third-party sources, breaking web pages in the process. Decentraleyes tries to stop that from happening by acting as a local content delivery network emulator to serve up the files that websites need. By doing so, this extension can stop websites from sending out requests to the likes of Google Hosted Libraries.

Think of Decentraleyes as a complement to ad blockers. In fact, the extension specifically says it can work with uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, both of which we recommend up above.

Download Decentraleyes: Chrome , Firefox

2. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

The Opera browser bakes in ad-blocking features into the browser without the need for an extra add-on, while also offering privacy-friendly tools such as an unlimited, built-in VPN service, incognito mode, fraud and malware warnings for suspicious links and pages, and more. In addition, you can further customize Opera's capabilities with a wide array of extensions. 

Mobile users need not fret, as the Android version comes with just about everything the desktop version has but built for touch-screen interfaces. On iOS, the mobile version of Opera is listed in Apple's App Store as Opera Touch. (Incidentally, we've got a guide on how you can use Opera to block ads on the iPhone .)

Download Opera: Mac or Windows , Android , iOS

3. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy Badger browser extension was born from the EFF's concerns about the business models of some privacy tools and ad blockers. 

Privacy Badger functions similarly to extensions like AdBlock Plus (on which it was based), observing the various tracking tools that advertisers and other third parties might use to track your online activities and selectively blocking them from executing. Built-in learning algorithms adapt to the sites you visit and take any new tracking tools discovered into account. 

While not explicitly an ad blocker, Privacy Badger does also block some advertising, depending on how aggressively the ads track you across websites.

Download Privacy Badger: Chrome , Firefox , Opera

4. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

The Tor network helps anonymize your internet activity by bouncing the data you send and receive through a distributed anonymous network of routers to foil a common online surveillance technique called traffic analysis, which can reveal the sites you visit or who you're communicating with. 

The Tor Browser is an all-in-one package that includes everything you need to surf the net through the Tor network in an easy-to-install portable package. The package includes a modified version of Firefox with privacy aids such as NoScript baked in, and an automatic setup aid that makes it easy to connect to and create new Tor circuits. 

On the desktop, you can grab a version of Tor Browser for Windows, macOS or Linux. There's also a version of Tor Browser for Android, which replaces the previous OrBot + OrFox combination recommended for browsing Tor on Android.

Download Tor Browser: Desktop , Android

5. Onion Browser (iOS)

iOS users aren’t left out when it comes to browsing the Tor anonymizer network, with the Onion Browser among the more popular options on Apple’s mobile OS. 

Previously a premium app, Onion Browser has since moved to a donation model, opening up access to everyone who wants to download the app, without compromising security or features. The usual caveats apply: Browsing through Tor will slow down the web experience, and some features, like video streams and video files won’t work in order to preserve anonymity.

Download Onion Browser: iOS

How to choose the best ad blocker for you

Many of the best ad blockers are available for free, either as extensions or as standalone apps, though a few, like AdLock, charge a fee. Determine if the free services provide enough ad-blocking to meet your needs or whether a paid app delivers more for your money. You should also figure out if a browser extension will take care of your ad-blocking needs or whether you should consider switching browsers to one with more built-in privacy features.

You can narrow down your choice in ad blockers by deciding specifically what you're looking to accomplish with such an app or extension. Do you just want to stop annoying pop-up ads from appearing or do you want the full range of services, including privacy features and an end to ad-tracking? Grab the ad blocker that ticks off all the boxes on your wishlist.

Some ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus include filters and the ability to let in non-obtrusive advertising. Others, like AdBlocker Ultimate, take a more aggressive approach. Find out which one best suits your needs and comfort level.

As we noted at the outset, there's also an ethical component to ad blockers. Do you feel comfortable keeping ad revenue out of the hands of sites you enjoy and use for free? As good as the best ad blockers are, that's still a trade-off you need to consider when deciding whether to install one as a browser extension or as a standalone app. 

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• kep55 I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use. Reply

kep55 said: I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use.

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• VPN & Privacy
• Ad-blocker for Safari

Best ad-blockers for Safari

Whether it’s an autoplay video covering the button you’re about to click, or a banner ad obscuring the content you’re trying to read – everyone hates adverts. Happily, the best ad-blocker for Safari will stop adverts and other annoyances from ever bothering you again.

Sophisticated ad-blockers remove a whole host of stubborn adverts, as well as trackers and fingerprinting scripts. They’ll also help prevent you from connecting to malicious websites and will neutralize threatening adware code.

Choosing from one of the multitude of ad-blockers available for Safari on the App Store can be daunting, which is why we’ve done the work for you. If you’re in a rush, our findings are summarized below:

• Total Adblock : Our first choice for a Safari ad-blocker. Strong ad-blocking ability and can prevent social media trackers and access to malicious websites.
• AdLock : Best budget option for a Safari ad-blocker. Able to stop ads on video and audio streaming sites. Blocks all ads by default.
• AdGuard : Open-source ad-blocker able to stop all types of ads as well as trackers, malware and phishing websites.
• 1Blocker : Simple to use and great for quickly creating custom rules. Stops trackers, cookies and fingerprinting scripts as well as ads.
• Wipr : Easy installation and great at blocking ads, trackers, and cryptocurrency miners. Can also prevent EU cookie and GDPR notices.

We used the criteria below to help us narrow down the Safari ad-blocker options. If you’re interested, we have a comprehensive section on our testing process later in this article.

• Comprehensive and reliable ad-blocking
• Good value for money
• No acceptable ads
• Plenty of customization
• Security features

Here’s a list of the best ad-blockers for safari:

1. Total Adblock

Total Adblock is a powerful ad-blocker that removes banners, video ads and pop-ups by default from Safari – but only on iPhone and iPad. Mac users will need to use a different browser if they wish to employ Total Adblock.

The software can be configured to block websites known to distribute malware, and can also remove cookie and privacy warnings on trusted websites – thus speeding up page loading times. Alternatively, adding websites to a whitelist enables them to automatically display without any filters.

Using Total Adblock’s custom filters allows you to block any elements on a web page that you’d prefer not to see. A social media tracking blocking filter stops “like” and “share” buttons from appearing on websites.

The basic Total Adblock app is free, but will not block ads on the top 15,000 websites ranked on Alexa – thus making it fairly useless. You will also get access to TotalAV virus protection and PC Tune-Up software.

• Robust ad-blocking with subscription
• Stops ads on streaming sites
• Enables element blocking
• Subscription includes TotalAV antivirus
• Prevents social media tracking
• Annual subscription required for usable app

BEST AD-BLOCKER: Total Adblock is our top  ad-blocker for Safari. It offers rigorous blocking of ads and malware, and the subscription includes TotalAV antivirus.

AdLock for Safari is a free extension that blocks pop-ups, autoplay videos, and banner ads; while also protecting you against trackers, bugs, analytical systems, and scammers.

The UI is immediately approachable, making it easy to get started. Toggle switches help you set preferences, and there’s a whitelist where you can add any sites that you’d rather see unfiltered. There are no acceptable ads, so you don’t need to dig around trying to turn them off. You also don’t need to worry about your data being sold to third parties.

There’s scope for more comprehensive tinkering via the ad filters – AdLock recommends using a maximum of five for peak performance. These filters are mostly drawn from EasyList, which is the most popular option for ad-blockers. You can create custom rules and AdLock also allows the removal of any element from a page, including non-ad-related callback forms and online chat boxes.

AdLock is great for streaming sites. It can remove all pre-rolls, mid-rolls, post-rolls, and otherwise unskippable video commercials. You just need to engage a special one-click script or use the AdLock player. AdLock also stops social media widgets following you from site to site.

• Rigorous blocking
• Good for streaming sites
• Protects privacy
• Extension is free
• Extension not as powerful as app

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION: AdLock’s free Safari browser  extension is a reliable ad-blocker that stops ads in streaming sites.

AdGuard for Safari is a free browser extension that stops all ads, trackers and widgets. You can create custom filtering rules and manually remove any web page element. The software helps with security by issuing warnings if you unintentionally visit malicious or phishing websites.

The AdGuard home screen allows you to set up the basics: notification preferences, update intervals, and which content blockers you’d like to use. Content blockers are thematic clusters of filters. For example, the AdGuard Security Blocker contains filters that stop browser-based cryptominers, domains known to spread malware and spyware, and sites associated with fraudsters.

Alternatively, you can add filters of your choosing in the custom area, or create custom rules that apply specific filtering criteria. For example, you might want a particular element removed when visiting such-and-such website. AdGuard provides instructions on how to master rule syntax.

AdGuard doesn’t collect any user data or allow “acceptable ads”. The software is open-source, with the repository on GitHub available via the AdGuard “About” page.

• Intercepts malicious website connections
• Allows custom rule creation
• Stops social media widgets
• Doesn’t block as much as its app

CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS: AdGuard is a powerful, open-source ad-blocker that encourages the creation of custom filters and rules.

4. 1Blocker

1Blocker uses filters to tell Safari what to stop in advance. It’s effective at removing a range of ads, trackers and fingerprinting scripts. Setup is simple and the app automatically receives cloud updates to the built-in filters.

There is plenty of scope for customization. For example, you can create rules for a defined URL or hide a particular element with a CSS selector. You can also block cookies, or allow ads for a particular site while still blocking trackers and social buttons.

1Blocker doesn’t have access to the pages you visit and doesn’t track you in any way. There are no “acceptable ads,” as funding for the app comes from subscriptions. These cost either $2.99 a month, or $14.99 for a year. There is a free version of the app, but it’s limited in what it can do. For example, you can only block either trackers or ads – not both.

1Blocker is compatible with iPhones running iOS 14.2 or later, iPads running iPadOS 14.2 or later, iPod Touches running iOS 14.2 or later, and Macbooks running macOS 10.15 or later. Any preferences and custom rules are kept in sync across all devices via iCloud.

• Easy to use
• Blocks fingerprinting scripts
• Easy to create custom rules
• Doesn’t block all types of ads
• Best features require subscription

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS: 1Blocker is simple  to set up, with a straightforward interface that makes creating custom rules easy.

Wipr is a relatively simple ad-blocker that can nevertheless block a wide range of trackers and ads, as well as cryptocurrency miners and EU cookie notices. Its blocklist is automatically updated twice a week, ensuring not much gets past it.

If you want to block ads from the likes of YouTube and other streaming sites , you can enable Wipr Extra. This requires full website access, so consider any privacy implications in leaving it turned on long-term.

Wipr is able to block ads in apps that display websites using the Safari View Controller. Note that it is not able to help with blocking scam, phishing or other malicious sites.

If purchased in the App Store, you’ll be able to install Wipr on all the iPhone and iPads with the same Apple ID. If purchased on a Mac, you’ll be able to install it on all the Macs with the same Apple ID. Wipr costs $1.99 in each store, so you’ll have to pay $3.98 if you wish to use it on both an iPhone and a Mac, for example.

The app is compatible with iPhones running iOS 12.0 or later, iPads running iPadOS 12.0 or later, and Macs running macOS 10.15 or later.

• Straightforward ad-blocker
• Doesn’t protect against malicious code
• One purchase won’t cover all devices
• No custom rules

EASY SETUP: Wipr is a straightforward  ad-blocker that keeps itself updated and blocks a decent number of ads and trackers.

Can I use a free ad-blocker for Safari?

You can, and there are many decent free ad-blockers available. However, as with most products that seem free, there’s often a hidden cost. Some ad-blockers make money by allowing some ads through – what are sometimes called “acceptable ads.” Other, less scrupulous, apps may even sell your data to third parties.

More commonly, ad-blocking developers create a free version of the subscription-only service – typically a browser extension. This has less features than the paid-for version, but allows people to become familiar with the service and pay out when they find that they can’t live without a particular feature.

How to install a Safari ad-blocker:

If you want to use a Safari browser extension ad-blocker, follow these instructions:

• Launch the Settings app.
• Scroll down and tap Safari .
• Under General , tap Content Blockers .
• Activate your chosen content blocker by toggling the switch next to it to the green ON position.

If you’ve downloaded an ad-blocker app for Safari, follow these instructions to enable it:

• Click on Safari in the top left-hand corner.
• Select Safari Extensions from the drop-down menu.
• Wait for the App Store to automatically open on the extensions page.
• Search for the ad-blocker you’d like to add.
• Click Get underneath the ad-blocker extension.
• Sign in with your Apple ID if required and start downloading.
• Click install to get the app up and running.
• Open the extension and follow the instructions.
• Click on Safari in the top right corner once more.
• Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
• Tick the checkbox next to the ad-blocker you downloaded.

Methodology: Finding the best Safari ad-blocker

Most Safari ad-blocking extensions are capable of preventing certain cookies, images, pop-ups and other unwanted content from being downloaded. So what makes one better than the other? The best Safari ad-blockers will perform notably well when tested against the criteria below:

• Comprehensive blocking: We expect ad-blockers to be able to block most types of advert that appears on a web page. This includes pop-ups , banners, and interstitial ads. We also require the removal of autoplay video and audio, as well as the option to stop chat boxes and pre-roll ads.
• Good value: An expensive ad-blocker doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth your money. We only include ad-blockers that can justify what they charge. This normally means they provide superior blocking ability with other privacy and security features.
• No acceptable ads: We know that developers need to make money, but allowing ads on an ad-blocker doesn’t seem like the right way to do it. For this reason, we don’t recommend ad-blockers that allow paid advertising to be displayed.
• Plenty of customization: Ruthless blocking seems great… until it isn’t. Being able to whitelist sites is a good starting point. However, a good ad-blocker allows you to create custom rules for everything from ads to trackers, cookies and notices. We also like to be able to customize blocking on an element-by-element basis.
• Security features: It’s not just ads we want to see blocked, it’s trackers, fingerprinting script and any malicious code whatsoever. Ad-blockers that intercept connections to untrusted sites score points too.
• Compatibility: Safari is available on all Apple devices, including Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Although all of the ad-blockers we looked at worked with Safari, they didn’t all work great across all devices. The mobile Safari app is different to the macOS Safari app, and so we only recommend ad-blockers that have been specifically designed to work across all Apple devices.

FAQs: Best ad-blocker for Safari

Does apple allow ad-blockers.

Apple began allowing ad-blockers on the iPhone and iPad versions of Safari in 2015. Devices running iOS 9 were – for the first time – permitted to add content blocking extensions to Safari. 

Prior to this, the only way to block adverts was to “jailbreak” the devices, which involved replacing – or modifying – key components of the operating system with custom applications. Where subsequent security measures weren’t instigated, this resulted in their becoming easier for attackers to infiltrate. 

Apple allowing ad-blocking Safari extensions negated the need to do this. At the same time, it ensured that the company could still make money from allowing advertising in apps.

Are ad-blockers legal?

Yes, though there were a slew of court cases when Apple first began allowing ad-blockers. These were brought by media companies that were heavily reliant on advertising money. None of them were successful, and the use of ad-blockers has been steadily increasing since – much to the chagrin of the ad industry. 

The problem is that ads are becoming ever more invasive. Many actively prevent us from enjoying a particular website’s content until we’ve interacted with the advert. Meanwhile, ad-blockers are getting more powerful and easier to install. 

Of course, the people who run that website might say that ad-blockers are morally questionable. After all, advertising revenue effectively pays for the website. There is ultimately no easy solution. Some sites try using a paywall to stay ad-free, while others incorporate adverts into their content. A short-term solution involves site owners asking users to whitelist their sites if they like them.  

How do ad-blockers work?

Ad-blockers detect scripts designed to make your browser load content from the servers of ad networks. By blocking these scripts, the adverts aren’t requested or displayed. Ad-blockers can also block scripts that monitor your online behavior or contain malicious code. Ad-blockers are able to detect scripts by comparing them with huge lists of offending domains – often created by the online community. 

Without these additional advertising requests playing out, pages tend to require less bandwidth and are quicker to download. Indeed, research suggests that the execution of third-party scripts can account for more than half of a page’s loading time.

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Roundup - best VPNs for

Privacy alert: websites you visit can find out who you are.

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

Using a VPN will hide these details and protect your privacy.

We recommend using NordVPN - #1 of 72 VPNs in our tests. It offers outstanding privacy features and is currently available at a discounted rate.

How to Block Youtube Ads on Safari

Key points:.

• YouTube ads can be annoying and intrusive, and some users may want to block them on Safari.
• There are different methods to block YouTube ads on Safari, such as subscribing to YouTube Premium, ad blocker extensions, and browsers with ad block.
• Ghostery is a YouTube ad blocker extension for Safari that’s free and powerful, and lets you block ads and trackers on YouTube and other websites.

Block Youtube Ads on Safari

YouTube is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in the world.

By June 2022, more than 500 hours of video were uploaded to YouTube every minute, which is about 30,000 hours of uploaded content per hour .

However, videos are interrupted often by ads, and they’re often irrelevant to your interests.

And while Safari comes with some built-in tracking protection , it does not block ads without using a browser extension.

We’ll explain different ways to block YouTube ads, including subscribing to YouTube Premium, using an ad blocker, or downloading a browser with ad blocking built-in.

Why Block YouTube Ads

YouTube ads are a way for the platform to generate revenue and support its creators, but some ads are more intrusive than others.

The main form of YouTube ads are:

• Pre-roll ads: Play before the video starts. They can be skippable or non-skippable, and they can last from 5 seconds to 20 seconds or more.
• Mid-roll ads: Play during the video, usually at a predetermined time. They can also be skippable or non-skippable, and they can interrupt the flow of the video.
• Post-roll ads: Play after the video ends. They are usually skippable, but they can still be annoying if you want to watch another video right away.

These types of ads can negatively affect your YouTube experience in several ways.

For example, YouTube ads:

• Waste your time and bandwidth by forcing you to watch something you are not interested in.
• Interrupt your concentration and enjoyment by breaking the continuity of the video.
• Expose you to unwanted or inappropriate content that may not match your preferences or values.
• Track your online activity and collect your personal data for advertising purposes.

So you may wonder, “Can you block ads on YouTube?”

Here’s how to automatically skip ads on YouTube.

Methods to block YouTube ads on Safari

There are different ways to block YouTube ads for Safari.

YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers several benefits for YouTube users. You can:

• Videos without ads: Watch any video on YouTube ad free.
• Offline videos: Download videos to watch them later without an internet connection.
• Background play: Play videos in the background while using other apps or when your screen is off.
• YouTube Music: Access a music streaming service with millions of songs and playlists.
• YouTube Originals: Watch exclusive shows produced by YouTube.

YouTube Premium includes a one-month free trial for new users.

Ad blocker Extensions for Safari

Another way to block YouTube ads on Safari is to use an ad blocker extension for Mac , iPhone , and iPad . An ad blocker extension is a software that blocks or filters out unwanted ads from websites.

There are many ad blocker extensions available for Safari, and one of the best ones is Ghostery Ad Blocker . Ghostery’s Safari YouTube ad blocker is a powerful tool that blocks ads on YouTube and other websites.

With Ghostery’s ad blocker extension, you can:

• Block ads on YouTube, including pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll ads.
• Stop trackers that may slow down your browser or compromise your privacy.
• Whitelist specific websites that you want to support or see ads from.

Ghostery’s ad blocker extension is free and easy to install.

How to Install Ghostery's Ad Blocker Extension on Safari

To install Ghostery’s Safari ad block extension:

• Go to our website and click on Get Ghostery .
• Follow the on-screen instructions to add the extension to your browser.
• Enjoy an ad-free browsing experience with Ghostery!

Never installed a browser extension on Safari? Check out our instructions on how to get started or watch our YouTube video guide .

Once you’re finished, you can block YouTube ads on Safari on almost any website you visit.

Browsers with Ad Block

If you do not want to add an extension to Safari, then another option to block YouTube ads is to use a browser with ad block. An ad-blocking browser is a web browser that has a built-in ad blocker that automatically blocks ads from websites.

One of the best ad-blocking browsers is the Ghostery Private Browser .

Ghostery Private Browser is a fast, private browser that offers a smooth and ad-free browsing experience. With it, you can:

• Block ads on YouTube and other websites without installing any extensions or making further configurations.
• Protect your privacy and security with features such as private browsing windows and anti-phishing protection .
• Browse faster and save data by reducing page loading time and bandwidth consumption.

Ghostery’s Private Browser is free and easy to use. You can download it here .

TIP: Click here for ways to protect your privacy on Safari.

Final Thoughts

YouTube ads can be a nuisance for many users who want to enjoy their favorite videos without interruptions or distractions. Fortunately, you can block ads on YouTube using Safari by:

• Signing up for YouTube Premium and getting ad-free videos and other benefits.
• Installing Ghostery’s ad blocker extension to stop ads and trackers on YouTube and other websites.
• Downloading Ghostery Private Browser with a built-in ad blocker feature.

Whichever way you choose, you can start blocking ads on most websites.

Get in touch if you have any questions. We’re always happy to help.

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Safari Extensions Worth Downloading - 1Blocker, Browser Note, Keyword Search iOS Today (Audio)

Listen on Apple Podcasts Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

In this episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive into the world of Safari extensions, discussing a variety of handy tools that can enhance your browsing experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. From content blockers to custom search engines, the duo explores the benefits and potential drawbacks of these powerful add-ons. Additionally, Rosemary tackles a Shortcuts Corner question about switching Apple Watch faces using Siri. Safari Extensions: Browser Note: A simple extension that allows you to stick virtual post-it notes on websites, reminding you of important information when you revisit the page. Keyword Search: An extension that enables custom search engines for various websites, allowing you to quickly search Amazon, DuckDuckGo, and even TWiT.tv right from Safari's address bar. 1Blocker: A powerful content blocker that prevents ads and trackers from loading on web pages, potentially speeding up your browsing experience and protecting your privacy. Redirect Web for Safari: An extension that lets you create custom redirect rules for websites, ensuring you always end up on the correct version of a site (e.g., old.reddit.com instead of www.reddit.com). PayPal Honey: A controversial but money-saving extension that automatically finds and applies coupons and deals as you shop online. Vinegar and Baking Soda: Two extensions that work together to improve your video watching experience by replacing the native video player controls on YouTube and other video sites with iOS's native controls. Opener: While not technically a Safari extension, this app allows you to choose which app opens when you click on a link, giving you more control over your browsing experience. Shortcuts Corner: Doug asks how to switch Apple Watch faces using Siri without having to confirm the action on his watch when his iPhone is locked. Rosemary walks through the process of ensuring the shortcut has the necessary permissions to run when the device is locked and troubleshoots potential issues Doug may be facing. If the "Allow Running When Locked" option is missing, Rosemary suggests resetting the shortcut's privacy settings or recreating the shortcut from scratch. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to [email protected].

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• This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License - Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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uBlock Origin - Free, open-source ad content blocker.

Easy on cpu and memory..

Github (gorhill/uBlock)

uBlock Origin is not just an “ad blocker“, it's a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature.

Open-source ad blocker

The uBlock Origin is a free and open-source, cross-platform browser extension for content filtering—primarily aimed at neutralizing privacy invasion in an efficient, user-friendly method.

CPU and memory efficiency

Globally, uBlock Origin could save consumers more than $1.8 billion/year( study ). Open source ad blockers are a potentially effective technology for energy conservation.

Various browsers support

uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, MS Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

About uBlock Origin

In 2014 uBlock Origin’s founder, original author and lead developer, Raymond Hill, created the original uBlock extension, with its development initiated by forking the codebase of HTTP Switchboard with a separate blocking extension, uMatrix, which had been previously designed for advanced users. The initial uBlock was developed by Raymond Hill in order to enable community-maintained block lists while simultaneously adding additional features and upgrading the code quality to proper release standards. First released in June 2014 as an exclusive Chrome and Opera extension, in late 2015 the initial uBlock extension expanded to other browsers under its current name – uBlock Origin. (occasionally represented globally as – uBlock₀).

Following this 2015 introduction, a collaborative comsource and Sourcepoint industry research survey reported an 833% growth rate over a 10-month period ending in August 2016, the most rapid growth among any industry software publicly listed at that time. This report attributed this enormous surge to collective user demand for “pure” blockers with the capacity to operate outside the “acceptable advertising” program used by AdBlock, and other industry extensions.

Quickly gaining traction throughout the entire ad-blocking industry, the uBlock Origin Firefox version collected over 5 million active users, with its Chrome extension subsequently compiling over 10 million active users. Developer Nik Rolls then officially released uBlock Origin for the Microsoft Edge browser in December 2016.

In January 2017, uBlock Origin was added to the repositories for Debian 9 , and Ubuntu (16.04), and the uBlock Origin extension was awarded the prestigious IoT honor of “Pick of the Month” by Mozilla.

As of 2024, uBlock Origin continues to be maintained and actively developed by founder and lead developer Raymond Hill.

The uBlock Origin extension remains an industry leading, open-source, cross-platform browser extension with software developed specifically for multiple platform use, and as of 2024, uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

The uBlock Origin project still specifically refuses donations at this time, and instead advises all of its clients, users and supporters to donate to block list maintainers.

What Can I Do With My AdBlock Extension?

AdBlock’s Blog

I’ve just downloaded the AdBlock extension and so far, so good. I can tell I’m seeing fewer ads and that pop-ups are gone. But I’m wondering if there’s anything else I can do with AdBlock. Do you block other things? Is it just ads?

Thanks for helping me figure this out!

Wondering Wally

Dear Wally,

We’re excited to tell you that you can block more than ads with AdBlock . You can block trackers and use our manual hiding tool to hide parts of web pages that you don’t want to see. And you can be a part of a balanced internet when you support the content creators you love with our allowlist feature. Not to mention, you can take even more control over your browsing experience when you become an AdBlock Premium user.

Prevent Unwanted Tracking

Ad trackers are all around the web, as many advertisers use them to collect data from internet users. They collect information like age, location, career, browsing history, online purchase history, and more. The result of this data collection is targeted advertising. While targeted advertising can be helpful for some users, it can feel a bit invasive to others. That’s why we give you the option of blocking many of these third-party trackers while you browse.

With AdBlock, you can prevent unwanted tracking by using the Easy Privacy filter list. This filter list blocks the trackers advertisers use to know what sites you visit. (Using this filter list may cause issues on sites that rely on third-party trackers, like many banking sites do. You can typically work around that by adding those sites to your allowlist . Keep in mind that allowlisting a site will unblock ads on the site as well.)

Personalize How You Browse

What if there are parts of websites you’d like to block, but these parts aren’t ads? Have no fear! AdBlock has you covered with our manual hiding tool. This tool allows you to block parts of web pages you’d rather not see, even if it’s not an ad. For instance, maybe you’re not interested in “Who to follow” on X (formerly Twitter). Or perhaps the recommended stories on a news site are distracting for you.

When you see something you want to hide on a page, follow these steps:

• Open the AdBlock Menu by clicking on the red stop sign in the upper right of your browser’s toolbar. (If you haven’t pinned AdBlock to your browser , open your browser’s extension list to find it.)

2. On the AdBlock menu, click Hide something on this page.

3. Click on the item you want to hide, and use the slider to make sure that you hide everything you want. As you move the slider, it blocks more of the page.

4. If the item is successfully blocked, click Looks good.

5. Click Confirm to confirm and save.

The next time you visit the page, AdBlock will remember what you’ve hidden. That means you can block an item once, and every time you visit that page, it will stay hidden.

Support a Balanced Web

At AdBlock, we understand that a fair internet starts with a healthy balance between advertisers, content creators, and users. Many content creators rely on ad revenue to continue to make content for all of us to enjoy. That’s why we give you the power to choose whether you’d like to support the creators you love by allowing ads on their sites and channels. Of course, we continue to block ads everywhere else! All you have to do is add a site to your allowlist . And if you change your mind, you can always remove sites from this list, too.

Get More with AdBlock Premium

If you’re serious about enjoying a better browsing experience across the web, AdBlock Premium is for you. That’s because our suite of Premium features allows you to enjoy even greater control over how you browse the web. You can access enhanced pop-up blocking when you block distractions like auto-play videos that follow you as you browse, newsletter pop-ups, survey requests, and more.

You can also block cookie banners when you’re a Premium user. Say goodbye to those pesky pop-ups that ask you whether or not you’d like to accept the cookies on their site. With Premium, we’ll automatically hide cookie banners and automatically reject any of the unnecessary cookies that we can on your behalf.

So, there you have it, Wally! Now you know that the AdBlock extension can block more than just ads. Enjoy a better web when you block ad trackers, customize web pages with our manual hiding tool, support your favorite content creators, and sign up for AdBlock Premium . And if you have any more questions for our team, you can always reach out to us at [email protected] . We’re here for you!

Keep up with the goings on at AdBlock and across the web. Sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Written by AdBlock

AdBlock is the #1 extension for Chrome, and is also on Safari, Edge, Firefox & mobile. Block ads and more! Get help any time at https://help.getadblock.com .

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May 16th 2024

iOS Today 703

Safari extensions worth downloading.

1Blocker, Browser Note, Keyword Search

In this episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive into the world of Safari extensions, discussing a variety of handy tools that can enhance your browsing experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. From content blockers to custom search engines, the duo explores the benefits and potential drawbacks of these powerful add-ons. Additionally, Rosemary tackles a Shortcuts Corner question about switching Apple Watch faces using Siri.

Safari Extensions:

• Browser Note: A simple extension that allows you to stick virtual post-it notes on websites, reminding you of important information when you revisit the page.
• Keyword Search: An extension that enables custom search engines for various websites, allowing you to quickly search Amazon, DuckDuckGo, and even TWiT.tv right from Safari's address bar.
• 1Blocker: A powerful content blocker that prevents ads and trackers from loading on web pages, potentially speeding up your browsing experience and protecting your privacy.
• Redirect Web for Safari: An extension that lets you create custom redirect rules for websites, ensuring you always end up on the correct version of a site (e.g., old.reddit.com instead of www.reddit.com).
• PayPal Honey: A controversial but money-saving extension that automatically finds and applies coupons and deals as you shop online.
• Vinegar and Baking Soda: Two extensions that work together to improve your video watching experience by replacing the native video player controls on YouTube and other video sites with iOS's native controls.
• Opener: While not technically a Safari extension, this app allows you to choose which app opens when you click on a link, giving you more control over your browsing experience.

Shortcuts Corner:

• Doug asks how to switch Apple Watch faces using Siri without having to confirm the action on his watch when his iPhone is locked.
• Rosemary walks through the process of ensuring the shortcut has the necessary permissions to run when the device is locked and troubleshoots potential issues Doug may be facing.
• If the "Allow Running When Locked" option is missing, Rosemary suggests resetting the shortcut's privacy settings or recreating the shortcut from scratch.

Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord .

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to [email protected] .

• Browser Note
• Keyword Search
• Redirect Web for Safari
• Userscripts
• PayPal Honey: Coupons, Rewards
• Baking Soda - Tube Cleaner
• Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
• Opener ‒ open links in apps

Contact iOS Today at [email protected] .

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Breaking the news: publishers beg Apple not to block ads in Safari

P ublishers in the UK have urged Apple to rethink the so-called ‘web eraser' tool that can block advertisements, as they believe the financial sustainability of journalism will be at risk.

Apple Insider was the first to uncover details about a new feature to the iPhone web browser Safari which is expected to be released as part of iOS 18. The AI addition will allow users to selectively turn off online ads and automatically remove certain parts of web pages.

According to the Financial Times , this upcoming feature has prompted the UK News Media Association to write a letter to Apple to urge them to reconsider its plans.

The News Media Association represents 900 national, regional, and local publishers throughout the United Kingdom. This includes the Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Sun, and more.

The letter says professional journalism requires funding "and advertising is a key revenue stream for many publishers."

Online ads could be blocked with new Apple Safari feature

They also argue that online platforms, like web browsers and social networks, are go-to routes for the public to access journalism but also for publishers to "monetize their content in the digital marketplace."

The prospect of ad blocking has caused concern amongst the publishers, as the Association's letter continues: "Ad-blocking is a blunt instrument, which frustrates the ability of content creators to sustainably fund their work and could lead to consumers missing important information which would otherwise have been very useful to them."

Apple are yet to make a comment or response to the organization's concern and they've remained very tight-lipped about the possible feature and the others that will be unveiled in future updates.

Unless any changes take place, the feature is expected to be announced at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Again, there isn't a lot known about what will be spoken about at the event, but a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence has been suggested through rumors and insiders for some time.

The conference will take place at Apple Park from June 10 to June 14, 2024.

Featured Image: Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash

The post Breaking the news: publishers beg Apple not to block ads in Safari appeared first on ReadWrite .

Bye Bye, AI: How to block Google's annoying AI overviews and just get search results

You can configure your browser to return only web page results.

Google 's "AI Overviews" feature, also known as SGE (Search Generative Experience), is a raging trash fire that threatens to choke the open web with its stench. Instead of directing you to expert insights from reputable sources, Google is now putting plagiarized and often incorrect AI summaries above its search results. So when you search for medical advice, for example, the AI may tell you to drink urine to get rid of kidney stones, and you'll have to scroll past that "advice" to find links to articles from human doctors.

Unfortunately, Google does not provide a way to turn off AI Overviews in its settings, but there are a few ways to avoid these atrocities and go straight to search results. In perhaps a tacit admission that its default results page is now a junk yard, the search giant has added a "web" tab to the site so, just like you can narrow your search to "images" or "videos" or "news," you can now get a plain old list of web pages without AI, answer boxes or other cruft.

Below, I'll show you how to send your searches directly to the web tab from Chrome's address bar or filter AI overviews from the main search results tab. Unfortunately, at the moment, neither of these methods works for Chrome on Android or iOS. However, you can use a different mobile browser, such as Firefox.

How to block AI overviews when searching from Chrome's address bar

If, like me, you initiate most of your web searches from the Chrome browser's address bar, you can make a simple change that will direct all of your queries to Google's web search tab.

1. Navigate to chrome://settings/searchEngines in Chrome or click Settings->Search Engine->Manage search engines and site search.

2. Click the Add button next to Site search.

A dialog box appears, allowing you to create a new "site search" entry.

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3. Fill in the fields in the dialog box as follows then click Add .

• Name: Google (Web)
• Shortcut: google.com
• URL: {google:baseURL}/search?udm=14&q=%s

4. Select "Make default" from the three-dot menu next to your new entry.

The Google (Web) engine will now appear on the Search engines list. When you enter a query in the address bar, it will direct you straight to the Web tab on Google. The real secret is that the search engine we created adds the parameter ?udm=14 to the search query.

How to block Google AI overviews using a Chrome Extension

If you like to go straight to the Google home page (google.com) to initiate your search or perhaps you like all the other items on the default search result page—videos, answer snippets, and ecomm blocks—you can download an extension that hides the AI results. The appropriately named Hide Google AI Overview s gets the job done. You just install it, and it modifies the CSS on the results page, so the AI Overviews are no longer visible. 

I wish I'd thought of this. The only potential problem is that Google could easily change its code and prevent the extension from working. However, as of publication time, it works!

Of course, if you don't mind wasting an extra click, you don't need an extension. After you enter your query , just click on the Web tab . It may be buried in the "More" menu. Unfortunately, by that point, you will have already been exposed to the AI overview and other cruft. 

How to block Google AI overviews on Android / iOS

While Google Chrome for the desktop makes it easy to change your address bar search or install extensions, Chrome for the phone is a different story. On Chrome for Android and iOS, you can't use extensions at all, and you can only choose from a limited group of search engines. Yes, you can select a custom search engine, but it has to be an existing engine on the Internet you've visited; you can't manually type in a search URL and, therefore, can't add the all-important ?udm=14 to the query string. 

Unfortunately, neither mobile Safari nor mobile Edge allows you to manually add a search engine. However, mobile Firefox, available for iOS and Android , does have this capability. Here's how to use it.

1. Install Firefox on your phone if you don't have it already.

2. Navigate to Settings .

3. Tap Search .

4. Tap Default Search Engine 

5. Tap Add search engine .

6. Fill out the fields as follows and then click Save .

• Search string URL: google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s

7. Select Google (Web) from the menu. 

Now, when you search from Firefox's address bar, you'll get the Google web tab.  

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• parkerthon The entire premise that this is a misleading feature is because people don’t understand that AI can be wrong. So let’s remove useful features so dumb people aren’t so easily misled before they even understand what genAI is? Lowest common denominator in humanity wins again I guess. Why not out a warning label that nobody reads? That’s what we do for literally everything because people are too lazy to research things before using them. As it stands the web and google results are a polluted mess of AI generated content that is often wrong, I’d much rather google used AI to sniff out the genAI sites and deprioritize them. It can’t get good at that unless it is getting feedback from humans. The concern about content creators not being compensated is very real. There needs to be some laws/standards created that specifies what is publicly reusable content for AI systems to ingest/reuse separate from publicly available information for humans to view on a site or indexing agents to crawl. I think many sites run by organizations that simply aim to provide information to consumers would not object to being ingested by google’s AI. Just today I found a technical knowledge base answer and of course still clicked down to the source where it highlighted how it summarized its answer. It saved me time and google stole nothing. So this isn’t a bad thing, its just the laws haven’t caught up yet to protect content creators that don’t want their info being published by google because then they don’t get clicks and ad revenue. Reply
• mac_angel people still use Chrome? Reply

parkerthon said: The entire premise that this is a misleading feature is because people don’t understand that AI can be wrong.

parkerthon said: I think many sites run by organizations that simply aim to provide information to consumers would not object to being ingested by google’s AI.

mac_angel said: people still use Chrome?

• JamesJones44 Is it really that big of a deal? I get that it's wrong a lot (at least in my experience), but I'm assuming it will eventually be good enough to use and for the few times it is right, it does save time. Reply
• Alvar "Miles" Udell I use Edge and Bing so no problems with that here. Reply
• voyteck It seems they removed hit count recently before this. Yesterday, I had to use Bing to find out how many results there were after typing in a phrase in quotes, to know if that weird phrasing (in my native language) is commonly used in a specific domain or not (I work as a copy editor.) Reply
• salgado18 I'll give another hint: use a different search engine, especially one with privacy features like DuckDuckGo. People need to know that there are alternatives to almost anything, including to Windows. Reply

JamesJones44 said: Is it really that big of a deal? I get that it's wrong a lot (at least in my experience), but I'm assuming it will eventually be good enough to use and for the few times it is right, it does save time.

• Air2004 'How to block Google's annoying AI overviews and just get search results' The correct answer is , just don't use Google search. Problem solved. Reply

hotaru251 said: and thats the issue.

• View All 21 Comments

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