How to Block Pop-Up Ads in Your Web Browser

Block pop-ups in Chrome, Edge, Safari, and more

By
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.
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Updated on February 19, 2021

What to Know

  • Chrome: Go to Settings > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Toggle Blocked (recommended) to the On position.
  • Safari: Go to Preferences > Security. Select the Block pop-up windows check box.
  • Firefox: Go to Options/Preferences and choose Content (Windows) or Privacy and Security (macOS) > Block pop-up windows.

Most major web browsers include features that block unwanted pop-up ads. Here's how to block pop-up ads in Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, and Firefox using any Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile device.

Block Pop-Up Ads in Google Chrome

The process for blocking pop-up ads in the Google Chrome web browser is similar on Chrome on a Mac, PC, iOS device, or Android device.

Block Pop-Ups in Chrome on a Mac or PC

  1. Open Chrome on a Mac or PC.

  2. Select More (the three vertical dots located in the upper-right corner), then select Settings.

    Chrome with the Settings command highlighted

  3. Under Privacy and security, select Site Settings.

    Chrome settings with the Site Settings option highlighted

  4. Select Pop-ups and redirects.

    Chrome settings with the Pop-ups and redirects option highlighted

  5. Turn on the Blocked (recommended) toggle switch.

    Since some pop-ups are legitimate, under Allow, add any sites for which you want to accept pop-ups. If you only want to block pop-ups from specific sites, add those sites under Block.

    Chrome settings with the pop-up block switch highlighted

Block Pop-Ups in Chrome on iOS Devices

  1. Open the Chrome app, tap More (the three dots), then tap Settings.

  2. Tap Content Settings > Block Pop-ups.

  3. Turn off the Block Pop-ups option.

Block Pop-Ups in Chrome on Android Devices

  1. Open the Chrome app on the Android device.

  2. On the right of the address bar, tap More (the three dots), then tap Settings.

  3. Tap Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.

  4. Turn off Pop-ups and redirects.

Block Pop-Up Ads in Microsoft Edge

These instructions apply only to the new Microsoft Edge Chromium-based browser on Windows.

For Edge on a Mac, go to Settings, select Site Permissions > Pop-ups and redirects, then turn on the Block toggle.

  1. Open Edge and go to Settings and more (the three dots).

    Microsoft Edge with the More icon highlighted

  2. Select Settings (the gear icon).

    Microsoft Edge with the Settings option highlighted

  3. Go to Site Permissions.

    Settings in Edge with the Site Permissions heading highlighted

  4. Select Pop-ups and redirects.

    Edge Site Permissions settings with the Pop-ups and redirects option highlighted

  5. Move the Block toggle to On.

    The Edge Site Permissions settings with the Block toggle switch highlighted

Block Pop-Up Ads in Internet Explorer 11

These instructions apply only to Internet Explorer 11 in Windows.

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

  1. Open Internet Explorer 11, select Tools (the gear icon), then select Internet Options.

  2. On the Privacy tab, under Pop-up Blocker, select the Turn on Pop-up Blocker check box, then select OK.

  3. Select Settings.

  4. In the Pop-up Blocker settings dialog box, under Blocking level, set the blocking level to High: Block all pop-ups (Ctrl + Alt to override).

  5. Select Close, then select OK.

Block Pop-Up Ads in Safari

For Macs with OS X El Capitan and higher OS X and macOS versions:

For Safari on iOS devices, tap Settings, then select Safari. Under General, turn on Block Pop-ups.

  1. Go to the Safari menu, then select Preferences.

    Safari with the Preferences menu item highlighted

  2. Select Security at the top of the window.

  3. Select the Block pop-up windows check box to enable this feature.

Block Pop-Up Ads in Opera

These instructions apply to the Opera web browser.

  1. In Opera, press Alt+P to open Settings.

  2. Turn on Block Ads.

  3. Alternatively, select the shield icon at the right side of the Opera address bar and turn on Block ads.

Block Pop-Up Ads in Mozilla Firefox

These instructions apply to Firefox on Macs or PCs.

For Firefox on an iOS device, tap the Firefox menu button and select the Settings icon. You may have to swipe left to locate this option. Turn on the Block Pop-up Windows option.

  1. Open Firefox and select the Firefox button near the upper-left corner of the window.

  2. Select Options (Windows) or Preferences (macOS).

  3. In Windows, select Content in the left sidebar. In macOS, select Privacy and Security.

  4. Scroll down and select the Block pop-up windows check box.

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