To block pop-up ads in Safari on iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Apps > Safari and turn on Block Pop-ups. On a Mac, open Safari > Settings > Websites > Pop-up Windows and set “When visiting other websites” to Block or Block and Notify. Turn on the fraudulent website warning too, and add a content blocker from the App Store if ads still get through.
Key Takeaways
- Safari has a free built-in pop-up blocker on iPhone, iPad and Mac; on current iOS it sits under Settings > Apps > Safari.
- On a Mac, “Block and Notify” blocks pop-ups but shows a Show button in the Smart Search field, so you can still open a pop-up a site genuinely needs.
- According to Apple Support, some pop-ups are third-party ads that use phishing tactics such as fake warnings or prizes; do not tap them.
- Safari ad-blocking extensions work within Apple’s content-blocking rules, which limit how many blocking rules they can apply; uBlock Origin has not worked in Safari since Safari 13.
- AdGuard for Safari is now called AdGuard Mini for Mac; AdGuard says its core features are free.
Pop-ups are not only annoying, but they can actually have dangerous implications to security and privacy. According to Apple Support, some pop-ups are third-party ads that use phishing tactics, such as fake warnings or prizes, to make you believe they come from Apple or another trusted company. Apple also notes that pop-ups which keep appearing even with blocking turned on can be a sign of unwanted software on a Mac.
Simple Ways to Block Pop-ups in Safari
Fortunately there are several ways that you can block pop-up ads in Safari – though their effectiveness can vary.
Built-in Pop-up Blocker in Safari
Both the macOS and iOS versions of Safari have a built-in pop-up blocker. As of September 2026, it can be found here:
- macOS: Safari > Settings (called Preferences in older versions of macOS) > Websites > Pop-up Windows, then set “When visiting other websites” to Block or Block and Notify.
- iOS: Settings > Apps > Safari > Block Pop-ups (on older iOS versions, Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups). The same switch appears on iPad.
Additionally on the macOS Safari you should open the Security tab in Safari Settings (Preferences on older macOS) and turn on the fraudulent website warning. On iPhone and iPad, the matching switch is Fraudulent Website Warning in Settings > Apps > Safari.
It should be noted that although this is a convenient option – it is not always effective against all pop-ups. To add extra security, ensure you have an up to date antivirus and malware protection in place as well as a Mac VPN to encrypt the network traffic to and from your device. Apple’s own advice is to keep your software updated and download apps only from the App Store or from developers you trust. Note that a VPN protects your connection; it is not a pop-up blocker in itself.
Ad-Blocking Browser Extensions
One of the more popular ways to block pop-ups is to install one of the many browser extensions designed to block ads on Safari. However, Apple changed how Safari extensions work beginning in 2018: Safari 12 dropped support for classic developer-signed extensions, and Apple’s content-blocking system limits the number of blocking rules a third-party blocker can apply. Since Safari 13, well-known blockers such as uBlock Origin no longer work in Safari.
Overall, the changes made Safari ad blockers more restricted than blockers in some other browsers, and several developers discontinued their Safari versions. That being said they still offer a bit more protection than the built-in pop-up blocker in Safari, which makes it worth trying them out.
One widely used option is AdGuard for Safari, which AdGuard has since reworked and renamed AdGuard Mini for Mac. AdGuard says its core features are free, while a license adds extras such as real-time filter updates and AdGuard Extra. Like every Safari content blocker, it works within Apple’s rule limits.
Keep in mind that browser extensions will only work to block pop-ups within Safari itself – and not other browsers, or apps.
AdGuard’s Ad-Blocking Apps
Compared to a Safari-only extension, AdGuard’s standalone apps reach further: AdGuard says AdGuard for Mac filters traffic in all browsers and apps, while its iOS apps block ads in Safari and add DNS-level protection across apps. The trade-off is that a system-level app handles more of your traffic than a simple extension, so install it only from the App Store or the developer’s official site.
In particular you’ll be able to choose between.
- AdGuard for Mac that will block all ads and pop-ups as well as help to improve your browsing security, and privacy. It can be customized and further extensions added to it if necessary, such as AdGuard Assistant.
- AdGuard for iOS Pro blocks ads in Safari and, according to AdGuard, protects privacy across apps at the DNS level by using DNS servers that also block ads, trackers and malicious websites. AdGuard also offers a standard AdGuard for iOS app with free and premium features.
In short, these two apps cover more than a Safari-only extension on macOS and iOS respectively, including other browsers on a Mac. No blocker stops every pop-up, so Safari’s built-in blocker and fraudulent website warning remain the free first line of defense. AdGuard says blocking ads and trackers can also make pages load faster.
“Which to Choose?”
If you want to know more you can read the full article about how to get-rid of Safari pop-up scams.
Overall however you should have a good idea of the options that you can use to block pop-ups on Safari – whether it is on a Mac or iOS device. It may help to try several options just to see how convenient and effective each one of them really is.
How to Block Pop-ups in Safari on iPhone and iPad
Safari’s pop-up blocker on iPhone and iPad is a single switch in the Settings app. Apple Support lists these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then Safari (on older iOS versions, Safari appears directly in Settings).
- Turn on Block Pop-ups.
- On the same screen, turn on Fraudulent Website Warning.
To add an ad blocker on iPhone or iPad, install a content-blocking app from the App Store, then turn it on under Extensions in Safari’s settings. The switch only appears after at least one content blocker is installed. For video ads, see our guide on how to block YouTube ads on iPhone and iPad.
How to Block Pop-ups in Safari on Mac
On a Mac, the setting lives in Safari itself, not in System Settings. Apple’s Safari User Guide gives these steps:
- Open Safari and choose Safari > Settings from the menu bar (Safari > Preferences on older macOS).
- Click the Websites tab.
- Click Pop-up Windows in the left sidebar.
- Next to “When visiting other websites”, choose Block and Notify or Block.
- Click the Security tab and turn on the fraudulent website warning.
Block and Notify blocks pop-ups but shows a Show button in the Smart Search field, so you can open a blocked window if you need it. Block stops pop-ups silently.
How do you allow pop-ups for one website in Safari?
To allow pop-ups on one website on a Mac, go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Pop-up Windows, select the site in the list and choose Allow. Apple notes that blocking pop-ups might also block some content you want to see, so a per-site exception is safer than turning the blocker off everywhere.
Built-in Blocker vs. Content Blocker vs. System-wide App
| Option | What it covers | Cost | Where to set it up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari pop-up blocker | Pop-up windows in Safari only | Free, built in | Settings > Apps > Safari (iPhone, iPad); Safari > Settings > Websites (Mac) |
| Safari content blocker extension (for example AdGuard Mini for Mac) | Ads, trackers and pop-up ads in Safari, within Apple’s rule limits | Varies; AdGuard Mini’s core features are free | App Store, then Safari’s Extensions settings |
| System-level app (for example AdGuard for Mac or AdGuard for iOS) | Safari plus other browsers and apps (Mac) or DNS-level filtering across apps (iOS), according to AdGuard | Varies; check the developer’s current pricing | App Store or the developer’s official site |
What to Do If a Pop-up Scam Appears in Safari
A pop-up scam is a fake alert, such as a virus warning or a prize, designed to trick you into trusting it. Apple Support recommends these steps:
- Do not interact with the pop-up unless you are sure it is legitimate.
- Use the Smart Search field to go to a different website instead.
- Be careful with close buttons, which can be fake.
- On a Mac, quit Safari, then hold the Shift key while reopening it so the previous windows do not reopen.
- Keep your software updated and install apps only from the App Store or trusted developers.
If pop-ups keep appearing on a Mac even with blocking on, Apple says this may indicate unwanted software. For background on encrypted connections, see our guide to using free VPNs safely and our summary of the pros and cons of using a VPN.
Common Mistakes When Blocking Pop-ups in Safari
- Turning the blocker off for good because one site needs a pop-up; allow that single site instead.
- Installing a blocker and never enabling it: content blockers do nothing until you switch them on in Safari’s Extensions settings.
- Expecting an old extension to work: classic extensions dropped in Safari 12, and uBlock Origin since Safari 13, do not run in current Safari.
- Trusting a pop-up’s close button: Apple warns that close buttons on scam pop-ups can be fake.
If Safari feels slow with several extensions installed, our comparison of browsers with low memory usage covers lighter alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Block Pop-ups setting on iPhone?
The Block Pop-ups setting on iPhone is in Settings > Apps > Safari on current iOS versions. On older iOS versions it is in Settings > Safari. The same switch exists on iPad.
How do I block pop-ups in Safari on a Mac?
On a Mac, open Safari > Settings > Websites > Pop-up Windows and set “When visiting other websites” to Block or Block and Notify. Block and Notify shows a Show button in the Smart Search field when a pop-up is stopped.
Is a pop-up saying my iPhone has a virus real?
Treat it as a likely scam. Apple Support says some pop-ups are third-party ads that use phishing tactics, such as warnings or prizes, to trick you into believing they come from Apple or another trusted company. Do not tap it; go to another site using the search field.
Does uBlock Origin work in Safari?
No. Popular extensions such as uBlock Origin stopped working in Safari with Safari 13, after Apple limited the number of blocking rules third-party content blockers can apply. Safari users need a blocker built for Apple’s content-blocking system instead.
Is AdGuard for Safari still available?
AdGuard for Safari has been reworked and renamed AdGuard Mini for Mac. It is a Safari-only ad blocker available from the Mac App Store, and AdGuard says its core features are free.
