How to Disable Pop-Up Blocker in Safari? [Easy Steps]
Safari’s pop-up blocking system is designed to prevent websites from opening unexpected windows. When the feature is enabled, Safari automatically stops any pop-up requests unless they are allowed manually.
Disabling the pop-up blocker means that Safari will allow websites to open new pop-up windows without restriction. While this can help certain websites function correctly, it also means that unwanted advertisements may appear more frequently. Therefore, it is recommended to disable pop-ups only when necessary or allow them only for trusted websites.
Safari provides two main ways to control pop-ups. The first method allows you to completely disable the pop-up blocker for all websites. The second method lets you allow pop-ups only for specific websites while keeping the blocker active for others.
In this detailed guide, I will explain to you both methods in detail, so that you can learn easily how to disable the pop-up blocker in the Safari browser!
How to Disable Pop-Up Blocker in Safari?
To disable the pop-up blocker in Safari, open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings or Preferences, then go to the Websites tab. Click Pop-up Windows from the left panel and change the option to Allow for all websites or specific sites. You can also disable the pop-up blocker by unchecking Block pop-up windows in the Security section of Safari settings.
The steps below explain the most common and effective method to disable the pop-up blocker in Safari on a Mac computer.
Step 1: Open the Safari Browser
The first step is to open the Safari web browser on your Mac device.
Click the Safari icon from the Dock at the bottom of the screen. If the icon is not visible in the Dock, you can open Safari through the Applications folder. Simply open Finder, select Applications, and double-click Safari to launch the browser.
Once Safari opens, you will see the main browsing window where you can access websites, bookmarks, and settings.
Step 2: Access the Safari Menu
After opening Safari, look at the top menu bar located at the upper edge of the screen.
You will see several options such as Safari, File, Edit, View, History, Bookmarks, Window, and Help. Click on the Safari option to open the main Safari menu.
This menu contains important settings that allow you to customize browser behavior, privacy options, and website permissions.
Step 3: Open Safari Settings or Preferences
From the Safari menu, select Settings. In older versions of macOS, this option may appear as Preferences.
Clicking this option will open a new window containing several configuration tabs. These tabs control different features of Safari, such as General settings, tabs, autofill, passwords, privacy, security, and website permissions.
The settings window is where you can manage Safari’s pop-up blocking feature.
Step 4: Navigate to the Websites Tab
Inside the settings window, locate the Websites tab at the top.
Click on Websites to access all permissions related to websites. This section allows you to manage how different websites interact with your browser. For example, you can control camera access, microphone access, location permissions, notifications, and pop-up windows.
After opening the Websites tab, look at the left sidebar, which contains a list of different website permissions.
Step 5: Select the Pop-Up Windows Option
Scroll through the list in the left sidebar until you find Pop-up Windows.
Click on Pop-up Windows to view all pop-up settings. On the right side of the window, Safari will display a list of websites that have previously requested permission to show pop-ups.
Each website has a drop-down menu that determines whether pop-ups are allowed, blocked, or automatically controlled.
At the bottom of this window, you will also see a setting called When visiting other websites.
Step 6: Change the Pop-Up Setting to Allow
To disable the pop-up blocker completely, locate the option When visiting other websites.
Click the drop-down menu next to this option and select Allow.
Once this setting is changed, Safari will stop blocking pop-ups and will allow websites to open pop-up windows automatically.
If you prefer a safer approach, you can allow pop-ups only for specific websites by selecting Allow next to those websites while leaving the default option set to Block.
This method provides better security while still enabling necessary pop-ups.
Step 7: Close the Settings Window
After adjusting the pop-up settings, close the Safari Settings or Preferences window.
The changes are applied automatically, so you do not need to save anything manually.
You can now return to your browsing session and refresh the website where the pop-up was previously blocked. The pop-up window should now appear normally.
Alternative Method to Disable Pop-Up Blocker in Safari
Safari also includes a quick method to disable pop-up blocking through the Security settings.
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Then select Settings or Preferences and open the Security tab.
Inside the Security tab, locate the option Block pop-up windows. Simply uncheck this option to disable the pop-up blocker.
Once unchecked, Safari will allow pop-up windows from websites.
When Should You Disable Safari Pop-Up Blocker?
Disabling the pop-up blocker can be useful in several situations.
Some online banking systems use pop-ups for secure verification windows. Certain educational platforms and government portals also open forms or downloads in new pop-up windows.
Many online tools, payment gateways, and web-based software applications rely on pop-ups to display login pages or authentication screens.
If Safari blocks these windows, the website may appear broken or unresponsive. In such cases, disabling the pop-up blocker temporarily can solve the problem.
FAQs
Why is Safari blocking pop-ups?
Safari blocks pop-ups to protect users from malicious advertisements, scams, and unwanted windows. The pop-up blocker helps maintain a safe browsing experience by preventing websites from opening automatic windows.
Is it safe to disable the pop-up blocker in Safari?
Disabling the pop-up blocker can expose your browser to advertisements and potentially unsafe pop-ups. It is generally safer to allow pop-ups only for trusted websites rather than disabling the feature completely.
Can I allow pop-ups for specific websites in Safari?
Yes. Safari allows users to enable pop-ups for individual websites while keeping the pop-up blocker active for all other sites. This option is available in the Websites tab under Pop-up Windows.
How do I re-enable the pop-up blocker in Safari?
To turn the pop-up blocker back on, open Safari Settings, go to Websites, select Pop-up Windows, and change the setting to Block or Block and Notify.
Does Safari block pop-ups on iPhone and iPad?
Yes. Safari also includes a pop-up blocker on iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad. Users can disable it by opening Settings, selecting Safari, and turning off the Block Pop-ups option.