The fastest way to stop pop-ups on Mac

Most pop-ups on Mac are blocked automatically by Safari, Chrome, and Firefox — you likely have protection already turned on. If you still see them, the problem is usually a website you've visited before that has permission to show them, or a browser extension that isn't blocking them. The real solution is almost always to check your browser settings first, then add a dedicated pop-up blocker extension if the built-in one isn't working.

Pop-ups fall into two categories: ones your browser stops before they load, and ones a website has permission to show because you visited it. The second type is harder to block because the website earned that permission legitimately — you may have clicked "allow notifications" without realizing it also meant pop-ups. Turning off that permission is faster than installing new software.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari, Chrome, and Firefox all have built-in pop-up blockers that are on by default, so most pop-ups never reach your screen.
  • If pop-ups still appear, check whether the website has permission to show them — this permission lives in your browser settings, not in the website itself.
  • Removing a website's notification permission will stop most pop-ups from that site without needing a new extension.
  • If your browser's built-in blocker isn't working, a dedicated extension like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus will catch what slips through.
  • Never install a pop-up blocker from a pop-up — these are often malware disguised as helpful tools.

Check your Safari pop-up blocker settings

Safari blocks pop-ups by default, but the setting can be turned off. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar at the top, then select Settings. Click the Websites tab, then find Pop-ups in the left sidebar. Make sure the dropdown at the bottom right says Block or Block and Notify. If it says Allow, click it and change it back to Block.

If pop-ups are still getting through after you've confirmed this setting, the website has permission to show them. In the same Pop-ups section, look for the website name in the list. Click it, then change the dropdown from Allow to Block. This removes that site's permission without affecting other websites.

Check your Chrome pop-up blocker settings

Chrome also blocks pop-ups by default. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings. Click Privacy and security on the left, then Site settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure the toggle at the top is set to Blocked. If it's already blocked but pop-ups still appear, scroll down to the Allow section and look for the website causing them.

Click the three dots next to the website name and select Remove. This takes away its permission to show pop-ups. If you want to block pop-ups from that site but still allow other notifications, you can also click the site name and change only the Pop-ups and redirects setting to Blocked while leaving others as they are.

Check your Firefox pop-up blocker settings

Firefox blocks pop-ups by default as well. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select Settings. Click Privacy & Security on the left. Under the Permissions section, find Pop-ups and make sure the checkbox next to Block pop-up windows is checked. If it's already checked but pop-ups are still appearing, scroll down to Permissions and look for Notifications — websites often use notification permission to send pop-ups.

Click the Settings button next to Notifications. Look for the website in the list and click the X next to it to remove its permission. This is often the fastest fix because many websites ask for notification permission, which includes the ability to show pop-ups, and users click allow without realizing what they're permitting.

Remove notification permissions that allow pop-ups

Websites often use notification permission as a backdoor to show pop-ups. When you visit a site and see a prompt asking "Allow notifications?", clicking yes gives that site permission to send you messages — which can include pop-ups. Removing this permission stops most pop-ups from that site without needing any new software.

In Safari, go to Settings > Websites and click Notifications in the left sidebar. Look for the website causing pop-ups and click it, then change the dropdown to Deny. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, find the website, and click the three dots next to it to remove it. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions > Notifications, find the website, and click the X to remove it.

Add a dedicated pop-up blocker extension if needed

If your browser's built-in blocker isn't catching everything, a dedicated extension will. The most reliable options are uBlock Origin (free, open-source, and very lightweight) and Adblock Plus (free, widely used). Both work on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. Go to your browser's extension store — the App Store for Safari, the Chrome Web Store for Chrome, or Firefox Add-ons for Firefox — search for the extension by name, and click the button to add it to your browser.

uBlock Origin is the better choice if you want maximum blocking power with minimal slowdown. Adblock Plus is simpler and shows you what it's blocking. Both are free and don't require any setup beyond installation. Once installed, they work in the background — you don't need to do anything else. If pop-ups still appear after installing one of these, the issue is usually a website permission that needs to be removed, not a problem with the extension itself.

What to do if a pop-up won't close

Some pop-ups are designed to be hard to close — they hide the close button or make it tiny. If you see a pop-up with no obvious way to close it, look for a small X in the top right or top left corner of the pop-up window itself (not the browser window). If there's no X, try pressing the Escape key on your keyboard — this closes most pop-ups. If that doesn't work, close the entire browser tab by clicking the X next to the tab name at the top.

If a pop-up keeps returning to the same website, the issue is that site's notification permission. Remove it using the steps above for your browser. Never click anything inside a pop-up that promises to "close ads" or "install a blocker" — these are often malware. The safest action is always to close the tab or press Escape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some websites still show pop-ups even though my blocker is on?

The website has permission to show them. This permission is separate from the pop-up blocker setting — it's usually granted when you click "allow" on a notification request. Remove the website from your notification permissions in your browser settings, and the pop-ups will stop.

Will a pop-up blocker slow down my Mac?

No. Built-in blockers have no noticeable impact. uBlock Origin is extremely lightweight and actually speeds up browsing by blocking ads and trackers. Adblock Plus uses slightly more memory but still has minimal impact on most Macs.

Can I block pop-ups from just one website without blocking them everywhere?

Yes. In your browser settings, find the website in your pop-up or notification permissions list and change its setting to "Block" while leaving the default setting as "Block" for all other sites. This way, that one site can't show pop-ups, but you haven't changed your settings for anywhere else.

Is it safe to install a pop-up blocker from a pop-up?

No. Never install anything from a pop-up. These are almost always malware or scams. Install extensions only from your browser's official store — the App Store for Safari, Chrome Web Store for Chrome, or Firefox Add-ons for Firefox.

What if I want to allow pop-ups from one specific website?

In your browser settings, find the website in your pop-up permissions list and change it from "Block" to "Allow". This gives only that site permission to show pop-ups while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else.