How To Disable Ad & Pop-up Blockers on a Mac (Safari, Chrome & Firefox)

Using an ad blocker on a Mac is a useful way to prevent intrusive pop-up ads, improve browsing speed, and even block malicious trackers.

In fact many many of the best browsers such as Safari now have their own ad-blocking or content-blocking features so that you don’t have to use a third party ad-blocker extension.

However, there are times when disabling your browser’s default pop-up blocking feature is necessary, especially if a site won’t function properly or you want to support content creators and small publishers.

Here we show you how to disable the default blocking features using the Mac versions of Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

1. Safari (macOS Ventura and Later)

Safari is arguably the most secure browser on macOS, with ready-made tools for managing content blockers.

Here’s how to disable ad blockers on a specific website in Safari for Mac:

1. Navigate to the website where you want to disable the ad blocker and in the top-left corner of your Safari window, click on Safari > Settings.
2. In the panel that click on Websites along the top and then on the left, select the option labeled Content Blockers.
3. If the site you want to enable ads for is in the list of Content Blockers select it and click Remove to delete it from the list. This will disable all content blocking, including ads, trackers, and scripts.

You should also ensure that pop-ups are not blocked on the site you want to whitelist too.

To do this, scroll down the panel on the left to Pop-up Windows, select the website you want to allow pop-ups on and click on Allow.

2. Chrome

Google Chrome doesn’t block ads by default but it does block pop-ups.

Here’s how to disable the pop-up blocker on a specific website in Chrome for Mac:

1. Open Chrome and navigate to the website where you want to disable the ad blocker.
2. Click the three-dot More menu (upper-right corner of the browser).
3. Go to Settings and then click on Privacy & Security.
4. Search for “pop-ups” and then click on Add under the Customized Behaviors section.
5. Add the site you want to whitelists.
6. Refresh the webpage, and ads should now be displayed.

This setting ensures you maintain control of ad/pop-up blocking, only disabling them on the sites you choose.

If you want to block-ads in Chrome, then I recommend searching the Chrome Extension store for an specific ad-blocker.

3. Firefox

Firefox is well-known for its customizable browsing experience and privacy controls, making it a favorite for those who want strict control over ad blockers.

Here’s how to disable ad blockers on a specific website in Firefox for Mac:

1. Open Firefox and go to the website where you want to disable your ad blocker.
2. In the upper-right corner, click the shield icon to the left of the URL bar (if the website is using tracking protection).
3. A menu will drop down with an option to Turn off Enhanced Tracking Protection for this site.
4. If you’re using a specific ad-blocking extension, like uBlock or AdGuard, click on the extension icon next to the URL bar.
5. Toggle the switch to disable the ad blocker for the current website.

This not only disables ads but also provides insights into how the browser handles tracking on a per-site basis. If Firefox doesn’t detect any trackers or pop-up ads it will report that no trackers are known.

You should also enable pop-ups for the site you want to allow ads for. To do this, go to Firefox > Settings and then search for “Pop-ups” in the settings search box.

Click on “Exceptions” next to Block Pop-up Windows and then add the site you want to allow ads for to the whitelist.

Why Disable an Ad Blocker on Certain Websites?

Ads can be pesky, especially those annoying, noisy video ads that auto-play the minute you land on a page.

However, some of the reasons you might want to disable an ad-blocker are:

• Supporting Websites You Trust: Many content creators and businesses rely on ads for revenue. If you frequent a site and want to support their work, you might choose to allow ads on their platform.
• Improving Site Functionality: Some websites, especially those offering streaming or media-rich content, may not load properly with ad blockers enabled. You may experience missing images, videos, or functionality that prevents you from accessing content.
• Bypassing Ad Blocker Detection: Many websites now detect when an ad blocker is in use and restrict access until the ad blocker is disabled. This is becoming increasingly common, especially for free news sites and media platforms.

Managing Ad Blocker Extensions To Allow Ads

If you use a third party ad blocker, most now offer customization options, such as whitelisting specific ad networks or types of ads.

If you frequently find yourself needing to disable ad blockers on certain websites, you can consider adjusting the blocker’s settings rather than turning it off completely.

Here are some tips:

• Custom Filter Lists: Most modern ad blockers allow you to set up custom filter lists. You can allow certain ad types (such as non-intrusive or ethical ads) or add websites to a whitelist without fully disabling the blocker.
• Privacy Mode: Many ad blockers offer a “privacy mode” where trackers are blocked but non-intrusive ads are allowed. This is particularly useful for maintaining site functionality while still protecting your privacy.
• Balancing Performance and Ads: Browsers like Safari optimize how they handle content blocking to ensure minimal impact on performance. Make sure you are using the latest version of your browser and ad blocker to benefit from these optimizations.

Ad Blocking Privacy & VPNs

While managing ad blockers, it’s also a good time to think about online privacy.

Using a VPN on your Mac, especially when combined with an ad blocker, can improve your browsing experience by keeping your data safe and providing anonymity online.

Many Mac users find it useful to use a VPN service or a Safari-compatible VPN with an ad blocker to secure their data while browsing, even on ad-heavy sites.

For more options, check out our look at the best VPNs for Mac.

FAQ

Why do some websites ask me to disable my ad blocker?

Many websites rely on advertising revenue. With an ad blocker enabled, these sites can’t generate revenue from ad impressions. As a result, many websites now implement ad blocker detection technology, asking users to disable their ad blocker in order to access content. This is especially common on media-heavy websites and free-to-access platforms.

Will disabling my ad blocker slow down my Mac’s performance?

Generally, disabling an ad blocker won’t affect your Mac’s overall performance. However, websites with many ads or heavy trackers could load more slowly, causing the browsing experience to feel less snappy. Ads and trackers can increase data usage and page load times, but this mainly affects the browsing speed, not the Mac itself.

Can I disable my ad blocker temporarily without losing all my settings?

Yes, most ad blockers offer an option to pause or temporarily disable the extension without losing your filter lists or settings. Once you leave the site or refresh the page, you can re-enable the blocker with just a click.

How can I whitelist multiple websites in my ad blocker?

Most ad blockers, like uBlock Origin or AdGuard, offer the ability to whitelist specific sites. You can typically find this option in the ad blocker’s settings or by clicking the extension icon while visiting a website. Add websites to the allowlist one by one, or input multiple URLs directly into your ad blocker’s settings for quicker whitelisting.

Can I customize which ads are blocked and which aren’t?

Yes, most modern ad blockers provide customization options. You can choose which types of ads to block (e.g., pop-ups, banner ads, video ads) or allow certain ad networks that you decide are acceptable. This is particularly useful if you want to block only intrusive ads but allow non-intrusive ones that don’t interfere with your browsing experience.

Will disabling an ad blocker on certain websites make me vulnerable to malware?

While ads themselves aren’t inherently dangerous, some websites may host malicious ads that could expose you to malware. To minimize this risk, only disable your ad blocker on trusted websites. Additionally, consider running a reliable antivirus or malware protection program on your Mac for added security.

How can I disable ad blockers on YouTube?

To disable ad blockers for YouTube, you’ll need to use a specific ad-blocking extension such as Ghostery. However, YouTube is constantly battling these ad-blocking services as it relies on advertisement revenue to support creators, so you may find videos either won’t play or the blocking extensions stops working with it.