Safari's pop-up blocker is on by default, and you turn it off in Settings

Safari blocks most pop-ups automatically. If a website you trust needs pop-ups to work — for example, to open a document, show a video player, or display a login window — you can turn off the blocker entirely, or you can allow pop-ups only from that specific site. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

The fastest route is usually to allow pop-ups from one website only, rather than disabling the blocker everywhere. This keeps you protected from unwanted pop-ups on other sites while letting the site you need work properly.

Key Takeaways

  • On Mac, go to Safari menu > Settings > Security, then uncheck "Block pop-ups" to disable the blocker entirely.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups and toggle it off.
  • To allow pop-ups from only one website, visit that site, click the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar, and select "Allow Pop-ups for This Website".
  • Some websites require pop-ups to function, but disabling the blocker site-wide exposes you to unwanted pop-ups elsewhere.

Disable the pop-up blocker on Mac

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Security tab.

You will see a checkbox labeled Block pop-ups. Uncheck it. The pop-up blocker is now off, and Safari will allow all pop-ups from all websites. Close the Settings window when you are done.

If you want to turn the blocker back on later, follow the same steps and check the box again.

Disable the pop-up blocker on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app on your device. Scroll down and tap Safari. Look for the option labeled Block Pop-ups and toggle it off. The switch will turn gray when it is disabled.

You can turn it back on the same way by toggling the switch again. This setting applies to Safari across your entire device.

Allow pop-ups from a single website instead

If you only need pop-ups to work on one specific website, you can allow them just for that site without disabling the blocker everywhere. Visit the website in Safari. When a pop-up is blocked, you will see a small icon in the address bar — usually a circle with a line through it, or a pop-up window symbol.

Click that icon. A menu will appear with the option Allow Pop-ups for This Website (on Mac) or Allow Pop-ups (on iPhone and iPad). Tap or click it. Safari will now allow pop-ups from that website while continuing to block them on all others.

This approach is safer than disabling the blocker entirely, because you remain protected from unexpected pop-ups on other sites. If you change your mind, return to that website, click the icon again, and select the option to block pop-ups once more.

Why websites need pop-ups to work

Some legitimate websites use pop-ups for important functions. A bank might open a security window in a pop-up. A document viewer might display files in a separate window. A video player might need a pop-up to go fullscreen or to show captions. When Safari blocks these, the website may appear broken or incomplete.

The pop-up blocker cannot tell the difference between a pop-up the website needs and an unwanted advertisement. That is why Safari gives you the choice to allow them on a per-site basis.

What to do if a website still does not work

If you have allowed pop-ups for a website and it still does not work, the problem may not be the pop-up blocker. Try these steps: refresh the page by pressing Command-R (Mac) or pulling down to refresh (iPhone and iPad). Close Safari completely and open it again. Clear your Safari history and cache by going to History > Clear History (Mac) or Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data (iPhone and iPad).

If the website still does not function, contact the website's support team. They can tell you whether the issue is related to pop-ups or something else, and whether your browser settings are the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling the pop-up blocker make my device less safe?

Disabling it entirely exposes you to more unwanted pop-ups and advertisements, some of which may be malicious. Allowing pop-ups only from websites you trust is a safer middle ground. If you disable the blocker, consider turning it back on once you are done with the website that needs it.

Can I allow pop-ups on some websites but not others?

Yes. Visit each website, click the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar, and select "Allow Pop-ups for This Website". Safari remembers your choice for that site. You can change it anytime by returning to the site and toggling the setting off.

Where is the pop-up blocker icon if I do not see it?

The icon only appears when Safari actually blocks a pop-up. If you do not see it, no pop-ups were blocked on that page. If a website claims it is showing a pop-up but you see nothing, the blocker may not be the issue — the website itself may have a problem.

Does Safari block all pop-ups, or just some?

Safari blocks most unsolicited pop-ups, but not all. Some pop-ups that are triggered by user actions (like clicking a button) may still appear even with the blocker on. The blocker is most effective against pop-ups that open automatically when you visit a page.