Safari blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off in Settings

Safari's pop-up blocker is on automatically. If a website you trust isn't working because pop-ups are blocked, you can turn the blocker off entirely, or you can allow pop-ups just for that one site. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using Safari on Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Most of the time, the pop-up blocker protects you — it stops ads and malicious windows from opening without your permission. But some legitimate websites (banking sites, ticketing systems, document viewers) use pop-ups as part of how they work. If you're on one of those sites and something isn't loading, the blocker might be the reason.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's pop-up blocker is turned on by default in all versions, and you control it through Settings on Mac or iPhone/iPad.
  • You can disable the blocker entirely, or you can allow pop-ups for just one website while keeping the blocker on everywhere else.
  • If you allow pop-ups for a site, Safari remembers that choice and won't block them the next time you visit.
  • Turning off the blocker for a site you don't fully trust exposes you to unwanted ads and potentially harmful windows — only do this for sites you recognize.

How to turn off pop-up blocking on Mac

On a Mac, you control the pop-up blocker through Safari's main settings. Open Safari, then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences if you're using an older version). Click the Security tab.

You'll see a checkbox that says Block pop-ups. Uncheck it to turn off pop-up blocking entirely. If you want to keep the blocker on globally but allow pop-ups for just one site, don't uncheck this box. Instead, go to that website, click Safari in the menu bar, and look for an option that says something like Allow Pop-ups on This Website or Pop-ups Blocked on This Page. Click it, and Safari will remember to allow pop-ups the next time you visit that domain.

How to turn off pop-up blocking on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app (not Safari's settings — the device's main Settings). Scroll down and tap Safari. Look for the section labeled General and find the toggle next to Block Pop-ups. Tap it to turn the blocker off.

If you want to allow pop-ups for just one site instead, you'll need to visit that site in Safari first. When you're on the page, tap the address bar at the top, then look for a small icon or notification about blocked pop-ups. Tap it and select the option to allow pop-ups on that domain. Safari will remember this choice.

Why Safari blocks pop-ups and what you're trading off

Pop-ups were originally designed as a way for websites to show you information you asked for — a login window, a map, a document preview. But advertisers and scammers learned to abuse them, opening unwanted windows that slow your browser, distract you, or try to trick you into clicking something harmful. Safari's blocker stops most of these automatically.

When you turn off the blocker, you're accepting that risk in exchange for letting legitimate pop-ups work. The trade-off is worth it for a banking site or a ticketing system you use regularly. It's usually not worth it for a random website you found in a search result. If you're unsure whether a site is trustworthy, keep the blocker on and look for another way to do what you need — most modern websites have redesigned their workflows to avoid pop-ups altogether.

How to allow pop-ups for one site without disabling the blocker everywhere

This is the safest approach if you only need pop-ups for a few specific websites. Visit the site where you need pop-ups to work. If Safari is blocking them, you'll usually see a small notification or icon near the address bar indicating that pop-ups were blocked.

On Mac, click Safari in the menu bar and look for Pop-ups Blocked on This Page or similar text. Click it and choose to allow pop-ups for that website. On iPhone or iPad, tap the address bar, then tap the notification about blocked pop-ups and select allow. After you do this once, Safari will remember the setting and won't block pop-ups from that domain in the future — even if you close and reopen the browser.

What to do if you allow pop-ups but they still don't appear

Sometimes turning off the pop-up blocker isn't enough. The website might be using a pop-up method that Safari doesn't recognize, or there might be a different setting in the way. Try these steps: first, make sure you've actually disabled the blocker for that site (go back to Settings and confirm). Second, try closing Safari completely and opening it again — sometimes the setting doesn't take effect until you restart the browser.

Third, check whether the website works in a different browser. If it does, the problem is specific to Safari, and you may need to contact the website's support team to ask if they have a Safari-compatible version. If the pop-up still doesn't work after you've disabled blocking, the site itself may have an issue, not your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I allow pop-ups for one website, will Safari allow pop-ups on other sites too?

No. Safari remembers your choice for each domain separately. If you allow pop-ups on your bank's website, that doesn't affect pop-up blocking on any other site. You have to make the choice individually for each domain you want to allow.

Can I undo allowing pop-ups for a site?

Yes. On Mac, go to Safari > Settings > Websites tab, then find Pop-ups in the left sidebar. You'll see a list of sites you've allowed pop-ups for. Click any site and change the setting back to Block. On iPhone or iPad, there's no direct way to see the list, but you can turn the pop-up blocker back on globally in Settings, which will block pop-ups everywhere again.

Is it safe to turn off the pop-up blocker completely?

It's not recommended. Turning off the blocker globally exposes you to unwanted ads, fake warnings, and potentially malicious windows. If you need pop-ups for a specific site, allow them just for that site instead. If you find yourself needing to disable the blocker often, that's a sign you might want to use a different browser or contact the website to ask if they offer a pop-up-free version.

Why does Safari block pop-ups when other browsers don't?

All major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) block pop-ups by default. Safari is not unusual in this. The difference is that some websites are designed to work better with Chrome, so they may open pop-ups in ways that Safari's blocker catches. This is usually a problem with the website's design, not with Safari's blocker being too aggressive.