Setting Safari's Pop-Up Settings

There are pros and cons to using pop-ups. Pop-ups can be helpful if they prompt you to sign up for newsletters, offer coupons that are applicable to your current purchase, or provide a safe download window. It's much more common to encounter malicious or annoying pop-ups, which can infect your device with bloatware, adware, and other forms of malware.

In addition, some ad-supported websites won't let you view their content unless you agree to view their advertisements. Learn the ins and outs of Safari's pop-up settings for a more streamlined browsing experience.

If you want your Mac to display any and all pop-ups, you can disable the pop-up blocker. Keep in mind that enabling all web browser ads will also disable the Mac's pop-up blocker. If you decide you'd like to block pop-ups again, re-enabling the extension is as simple as it was before.

Here's how to disable your Mac's pop-up blocker:

1. Launch Safari and head to Safari > Preferences in the menu bar.

   

2. Uncheck the box labeled Block pop-up windows in the Security section of the main menu.

   

This will completely disable the Safari pop-up blocker. Repeat these steps, but this time leave the box for Block pop-up windows checked to restore Safari's pop-up blocker.

Macintosh Safari pop-ups: how to disable them

When using Safari, you can prevent pop-ups by going into the settings and disabling "Pop-up windows." Safari's pop-up blocker can obfuscate advertisements and safeguard your Mac from malicious software.  

Here's how to get rid of annoying Mac pop-ups:

1. Fire up Safari.

2. In the top left, select Safari. Select Preferences from the menu that appears. The command comma (,) can also be used to access Safari's settings.

   

3. To do this, go to the top menu bar and select the Websites option. Choose Pop-up Windows on the left. Under Currently Open Websites on the right, you'll find the addresses of the pages you're currently viewing. To activate Block and Notify, click the blue arrows. If that's the case, pick Block.

   

That's all there is to it to avoid unwanted pop-ups in Safari. Find out how to organize your Mac to make it run even smoother. View our speeding up your Mac tutorial if you prefer.

Allowing Pop-Up Windows in Safari for Mac

Safari's pop-up blocker needs to be bypassed for some sites. Sign-up forms, download consent forms, and time-sensitive offers may pop up on websites you trust. It's also possible to be asked by a website to disable ad blocking software before gaining access to its content. Safari's pop-up settings are identical for enabling and disabling the feature.

Follow these steps to enable pop-ups on your Mac:

1. Release Safari.

2. In the top left, select Safari. Select Options > Preferences from the main menu. Alternately, you can use the keyboard shortcut "command comma" (,).

   

3. Select the Websites button from the main menu. Select Pop-up Windows on the left. Under Currently Open Websites on the right, you'll find the addresses of the pages you're currently viewing. To activate Block and Notify, click the blue arrows. Select Permit

   

To enable pop-ups in Safari, just do that. Change your browser. For help with managing pop-ups in other browsers, please see our guides:

Concerned about missing out on content? Just turn off pop-up blocking on your Mac.

Safari pop-up blocker for iOS devices

The mobile Safari pop-up blocker is useful for dealing with annoying pop-ups when using an iPhone or iPad. See our best ad blocker apps for iPhone guide or our best ad blocker apps for Android guide for more advanced ad-blocking features.  

Here's how to avoid intrusive ads on your iOS device:

1. To enable Safari, go to Preferences.

   

2. Toggle the switch next to Block Pop-ups to "on."

   

Pop-ups can be easily blocked in Safari on iOS devices. However, it's important to keep in mind that disabling pop-ups in Safari won't stop ads from displaying in other browsers. If you're looking for a more thorough ad blocking solution, check out our guides to the best ad blockers for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.

Methods for enabling pop-ups in Safari on iOS devices

Safari's pop-up blocker can be disabled if necessary. As we've seen, pop-ups on websites can serve a useful purpose, such as allowing you to sign up for a newsletter. Pop-ups in Safari can be unblocked in the same way they were blocked.

Here's how to enable pop-ups on your iOS device:

1. Release the app's settings Tap Safari

   

2. Turn off Block Pop-ups by toggling its switch next to it.

   

You should now receive any and all desired pop-ups. However, Safari may experience delays when pop-ups are present. If you're not satisfied with Safari's speed, try out one of the other top browsers right now.

Are Safari's intrusive pop-ups risky?

Although viruses are currently not spread via Safari pop-ups, other forms of malware such as adware and bloatware are. Similarly, hackers can get Safari users to tap or click on malicious items by superimposing a malicious pop-up window over a seemingly harmless one, like a browser game.

Adware can activate ad tracking, allowing businesses to monitor your online activities. And if you don't get rid of bloatware, it can load your browser up with useless add-ons. However, malware may not be the cause of a sluggish browser.

Macs benefit greatly from having their cache cleared out on a regular basis. To avoid leaving a digital footprint while browsing, it's preferable to use a privacy-focused browser.

Even if you're using an iPhone, you're still at risk from hackers. Safari pop-ups aren't just an annoyance; they could also be a security risk. Safe browsing is possible with the help of a browser that automatically blocks annoying pop-up ads.

How can I tell which pop-ups it's safe to disable?

When giving out personal information online, only use reputable sites. Check the site's legitimacy with a search engine or these warning signs if you have any doubts.  

Even reputable sites may occasionally annoy you with pop-up ads. If a website you visit causes your browser to run slowly, you may want to try blocking its pop-ups. More than one or two pop-ups on a given website is also unusual.

Also, be wary of Safari add-ons; some of them may contain spyware. If you find that the extension is causing problems in Safari, you should uninstall it immediately. For more information on protecting your Mac, check out our security guide.

To avoid annoying pop-ups, learn how to browse in private mode in Safari. Pop-up windows from many sites require you to either allow advertisements or provide personal information before you can access the site's content. Sometimes you can get around adblockers by changing your user ID.

The problem is that incognito mode won't save your login or form information from the sites you visit. Read our tutorial on how to unblock websites using a virtual private network (VPN) to access content that may be blocked in your country.

Use the ad-free Avast Secure Browser to surf the web.

Changing your browser's settings can be a pain. The good news is that a private browsing application can save you the trouble. Avast Secure Browser protects you from annoying pop-ups while you browse, allowing you to concentrate on more important matters.  

Ad blocking, privacy safeguards, and anti-malware scanning are all included. In addition, Avast Secure Browser hides your online activity by constantly wiping away identifying information left by your browser. Download Avast Secure Browser today — completely free — to keep your web journeys brisk and clear