This article explains how you can turn off the pop-up blocker in Safari on your iPhone and iPad. Please note, when you turn this off, you will be enabling pop-ups.
What are Pop-ups?
According to Apple, pop-ups can be ads, notices, offers, or alerts that open in your current browser tab, or in another tab.
There are several reasons you may want to disable your iPhone or iPad’s built-in pop-up blocker and configure Safari to show pop-ups. Here are some of them:
- Some websites require you to allow pop-ups. For example, a bank website might show your monthly statements in pop-ups.
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Many companies, especially online stores and eCommerce websites use pop ups to display exclusive discounts and offers on their products.
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Some websites use pop ups to allow visitors check out additional info without having to leave their current page.
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You can enter your email address on some pop-ups and subscribe to a website newsletters to get the latest news and updates.
If you are not allowing pop ups in Safari, you’ll surely miss out on these benefits.
Having said that, pop-ups can still lead to bad things happening. For example, some pop-ups are third-party ads that use phishing tactics such as warnings or prizes to trick you into believing they’re from Apple or another trusted company, so that you’ll share personal or financial information. Or they might claim to offer free downloads, software updates, or plug-ins to try to trick you into installing unwanted software.
Enable or disable the Pop-up blocker for Safari on iPhone or iPad
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari.
- Turn off Block Pop-ups.
When the switch is green, this means the blocker is active. You will need to see the gray color indicating the blocker is disabled. Now pop-ups are enabled. If you want to disable it, follow the same steps and turn the switch on.
If you want to keep the Block Pop-ups option off, ensure that Fraudulent Website Warning is on. When Fraudulent Website Warning is enabled, Safari will display a warning if the website you are visiting is a suspected phishing website.
Things to consider when enabling pop-ups
- Unless you’re confident that they are a legitimate ad, avoid interacting with pop-ups or webpages that seem to take over your screen.
- Avoid interacting with pop-ups that include information such as: “You won an iPhone,” “You won an Apple Gift card,” “Your iPhone or iPad is infected with viruses,” “Congratulations, you won,” etc.
- Some pop-ups and ads have fake buttons that resemble a close button, so use caution if you try to close a pop-up or ad. If you’re not sure, avoid interacting with it and close the Safari tab.
- Always install the latest software updates on your iPhone or iPad. Many software releases have important security updates and may include improvements that help control pop-ups.
See also: What is Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement? Turn Off or On?