Why your Mac is blocking pop-ups and how to change it
Your Mac blocks pop-ups by default in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. This happens automatically — you don't turn it on, and the browser doesn't ask permission. When a website tries to open a pop-up window, the browser stops it silently. Most of the time this is useful. Sometimes it's not: a pop-up might contain a form you need to fill, a document to read, or a login screen for a service you're using.
Disabling the blocker means allowing pop-ups from a specific website, or turning off the blocker entirely. The steps differ by browser, and you can usually choose to block pop-ups everywhere except one site — you don't have to choose between "all blocked" and "all allowed".
Key Takeaways
- Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all block pop-ups by default, and each has a different menu to change this setting.
- Most browsers let you allow pop-ups from one website while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else.
- If a pop-up is blocked, your browser usually shows a small notification or icon you can click to allow it just once.
- Turning off the blocker entirely is simpler than allowing individual sites, but leaves you exposed to unwanted pop-ups from any website.
Disable pop-ups in Safari
Open Safari and go to the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click Safari, then scroll down and click Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). A window will open with tabs across the top. Click the Security tab.
Look for the checkbox that says Block pop-ups. If it has a checkmark, pop-ups are blocked. Uncheck it to turn off the blocker entirely. If you want to keep the blocker on but allow pop-ups from one website, leave this box checked. Instead, visit the website, try to open the pop-up, and look for a notification at the top of the page. Click Allow when you see it, and Safari will remember that site.
Disable pop-ups in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings.
Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects and click it. At the top, you'll see a toggle switch next to Blocked. Click the toggle to turn off blocking entirely. If you want to allow pop-ups from just one site, scroll down to the section labeled Allow and click Add. Type the website address and click Add again. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that site only.
Disable pop-ups in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy & Security.
Scroll down to the section labeled Permissions and find Pop-ups. You'll see a checkbox next to Block pop-up windows. Uncheck it to turn off the blocker. To allow pop-ups from one website instead, leave the box checked. Visit the website, attempt to open a pop-up, and look for a notification bar at the top of the page. Click the option to allow pop-ups from that site.
Disable pop-ups in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to Site permissions and click Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, toggle the switch to Off to disable blocking entirely. To allow pop-ups from a single website, leave the toggle On. Visit the site, try to open the pop-up, and click Allow when Edge shows a notification at the top of the page.
Allow a pop-up just once without changing settings
If you see a notification that a pop-up was blocked, you don't have to change any settings. Most browsers show a small message or icon near the address bar saying something like "Pop-up blocked" or showing a blocked-window symbol. Click that notification or icon, and you'll see an option to Allow or Show the pop-up. Click it, and the pop-up will open when ready.
This method is useful when you need a pop-up just once and don't want to change your browser settings permanently. The next time you visit that website, the pop-up will be blocked again unless you click allow again.
When to turn off blocking versus allowing one site
Turning off the blocker entirely is the fastest choice if you use pop-ups regularly or if a website's pop-ups keep getting blocked. The downside is that you'll see unwanted pop-ups from other websites too. Allowing pop-ups from one site keeps you protected everywhere else while solving the problem for that one place.
If you find yourself allowing the same website repeatedly, that's a sign to change the setting permanently for that site. If you're only using a pop-up once, just click allow when the notification appears — you don't need to change settings at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't see a notification that a pop-up was blocked?
Some websites hide their pop-up attempts so well that your browser doesn't catch them, or the pop-up opens in a way the blocker doesn't recognize. If a website says a pop-up should have opened but you didn't see it, try disabling the blocker for that site specifically rather than turning it off entirely.
Can I allow pop-ups from one website but not others?
Yes. Every browser lets you create an allow list. Visit the site, try to open the pop-up, and click allow when your browser shows a notification. The browser will remember that site and allow its pop-ups from then on, while blocking pop-ups everywhere else.
Will turning off the pop-up blocker expose me to malware?
Pop-up blockers don't stop malware — they only stop windows from opening. Malware comes from clicking links or downloading files, not from pop-ups themselves. Turning off the blocker means you'll see more annoying advertisements, but it doesn't create a security risk by itself.
How do I turn the pop-up blocker back on?
Follow the same steps you used to turn it off, but check the box (Safari, Firefox) or toggle the switch back on (Chrome, Edge). If you allowed pop-ups from a specific site and want to block them again, go back to that site's settings in your browser and remove it from the allow list.