Safari has a built-in pop-up blocker that works automatically
Safari blocks most pop-ups by default without you doing anything. When you open Safari, the pop-up blocker is already turned on. This means you will see fewer unwanted windows trying to sell you things, trick you into clicking, or collect information about your browsing.
The blocker is not perfect. Some pop-ups still get through because they are technically not "pop-ups" — they are windows that open when you click something on the page, or ads that load inside the page itself. If you are seeing pop-ups in Safari, the blocker may already be stopping dozens more that you never notice.
Key Takeaways
- Safari's pop-up blocker is on by default and stops most unwanted windows without any action from you.
- You can check whether the blocker is on by going to Safari menu > Settings > Security and looking for the "Block pop-ups" checkbox.
- If a pop-up appears, it usually means the site triggered it in a way the blocker does not catch, not that your blocker is broken.
- Websites you trust can be added to an exception list so they can open pop-ups if they need to, though most legitimate sites do not require this.
- Pop-up blockers work alongside other Safari privacy features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which limits how much advertisers can follow you across sites.
Check whether pop-up blocking is turned on
Open Safari and click the Safari menu at the top left of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Security tab.
Look for a checkbox that says Block pop-ups. If the box is checked, the blocker is on. If it is empty, click it to turn the blocker on. Close the Settings window when you are done.
On iPhone or iPad, the process is slightly different. Go to Settings (the system settings, not Safari settings), scroll down and tap Safari, then look for Block Pop-ups and make sure the toggle is green and switched on.
Why some pop-ups still appear even with the blocker on
A pop-up blocker stops windows that a website tries to open without your action. It does not stop windows that open because you clicked something — even if you did not mean to click it. This is intentional. Websites need to be able to open windows when you click a button, otherwise legitimate features like "open in new tab" would not work.
Some ads and unwanted windows are not technically pop-ups at all. They are content that loads inside the page, or they open because you hovered over something, or they appear as notifications. The pop-up blocker does not catch these because they are not pop-up windows.
If you see a pop-up, close it by clicking the X button or pressing Escape on your keyboard. Do not click anywhere else on the pop-up, because that may take you to a website you do not want to visit.
Add a website to the pop-up exception list
Occasionally a website you trust needs to open pop-ups to work properly — for example, a banking site that opens a security window, or a calendar app that opens event details in a new window. You can tell Safari to allow pop-ups from that specific site.
Visit the website. If it tries to open a pop-up and Safari blocks it, you will see a notification at the top of the page that says "Pop-up Blocked" with an option to allow pop-ups. Click Allow if you trust the site.
If you want to add a site to the exception list without waiting for a blocked pop-up, open Safari Settings, click Security, and look for Pop-up windows. Click the + button and type the website address (for example, www.yourbank.com). Click Add. Now that site can open pop-ups whenever it needs to.
The difference between pop-ups and other unwanted content
Pop-up blockers only stop pop-up windows. They do not stop ads that appear inside a webpage, notifications that slide in from the corner of your screen, or auto-playing videos. If you want to block those, you need different tools.
Intelligent Tracking Prevention is a Safari feature that limits how much advertisers can follow you across different websites. It is on by default. You can see what it is blocking by clicking Safari menu > Settings > Privacy, where you will see a list of trackers Safari has blocked.
For ads that load inside webpages, Safari does not have a built-in blocker. Some people use content blockers, which are apps you can read from the App Store that filter out ads and tracking. These are optional — Safari works fine without them, but some people prefer the cleaner browsing experience.
What to do if pop-ups keep appearing from one website
If a particular website keeps showing you pop-ups even though your blocker is on, the site is probably triggering them in a way the blocker does not catch. This is common on sites with aggressive advertising.
You have a few options. You can straightforward close each pop-up when it appears. You can stop visiting that website. Or you can use a content blocker app, though this is more aggressive and may break some features on websites that rely on ads to work.
Do not assume the pop-ups mean your computer has a virus or that you have been hacked. Pop-ups are annoying, but they are a normal part of how the web works. If you are worried about your security for other reasons — like unusual behavior, unexpected charges, or messages asking for passwords — that is a different concern worth investigating separately.
How pop-up blockers fit into your overall browser safety
A pop-up blocker is one piece of browser security, not the whole picture. It stops one specific type of unwanted content, but it does not protect you from phishing emails, malicious websites, or downloads that contain malware.
Safari also includes other protections: it warns you when you visit a website that is known to be fraudulent or to distribute malware, it does not store passwords in plain text, and it offers two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. These work together to make browsing safer, but no single tool catches everything.
Your own behavior matters most. Do not click links in emails from people you do not know. Do not read files from websites you do not trust. Do not enter your password on a website unless you are sure it is real. A pop-up blocker handles the automated annoyances, but you are still the best defense against deliberate attempts to trick you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off the pop-up blocker for just one website?
Yes. Visit the website, wait for Safari to block a pop-up, and click Allow in the notification that appears at the top of the page. That site will be added to your exception list. If you want to remove it later, go to Safari Settings > Security > Pop-up windows, find the site in the list, and click the minus sign next to it.
Does the pop-up blocker slow down Safari?
No. The blocker runs in the background and does not noticeably affect how fast Safari loads pages or responds to your clicks. It is a lightweight feature that has been part of Safari for many years.
What is the difference between a pop-up blocker and an ad blocker?
A pop-up blocker stops windows that try to open on top of the page you are reading. An ad blocker stops ads that load inside the page itself. Safari has a built-in pop-up blocker but not a built-in ad blocker. You can read ad blockers from the App Store if you want one.
If I allow pop-ups from a website, can it track me?
Allowing pop-ups from a website does not give it special tracking powers. Intelligent Tracking Prevention still limits how much it can follow you across other sites. The only difference is that the site can now open new windows when it needs to.
Why do some websites ask me to disable my pop-up blocker?
Some websites ask this because they use pop-ups for legitimate features — like opening a larger version of an image, or displaying a form in a separate window. If you trust the site, you can allow pop-ups from it. If you do not trust it, you can usually use the site without allowing pop-ups, though some features may not work.