Pop-ups are blocked by default on Mac browsers, but you can turn them back on for specific websites

Your Mac browser blocks most pop-ups automatically to protect you from ads and malicious content. But some websites you trust — like your bank, email, or online tools — use pop-ups for legitimate reasons. You can allow pop-ups for those sites while keeping the default block in place for everything else.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Each browser stores pop-up settings in a different place, and each one lets you allow pop-ups site by site rather than turning off the block entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all block pop-ups by default on Mac, but each has its own settings menu to change this.
  • The safest approach is to allow pop-ups only for the specific websites that need them, not for all websites at once.
  • If a website asks you to allow pop-ups, your browser will usually show a notification bar at the top of the page with an option to permit them.
  • Clearing your browser cache or using private browsing mode can sometimes reset pop-up permissions, so you may need to allow them again.

Allow pop-ups in Safari

Safari's pop-up blocker is turned on by default. When a website tries to open a pop-up, Safari stops it silently — you won't see a notification unless the site has already asked permission.

To allow pop-ups for a specific website in Safari, open the site and look for a notification at the top of the page. If the site has requested permission, you'll see a message saying "This website is trying to open a pop-up." Click Allow next to that message. Safari will remember this choice for that website going forward.

If you don't see a notification, you can change the setting manually. Click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select Settings. Go to the Websites tab, then click Pop-ups in the left sidebar. You'll see a list of websites you've visited. Find the one you want to allow pop-ups for and change the dropdown menu from Block to Allow.

Allow pop-ups in Chrome

Chrome blocks pop-ups by default. When a website tries to open a pop-up, Chrome shows a small icon in the address bar on the right side — it looks like a box with an arrow pointing outward.

Click that icon to see the pop-ups Chrome blocked. You'll see a list of the pop-up URLs. At the bottom of that list, click Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]. Chrome will now permit pop-ups from that site.

You can also change pop-up settings manually. Click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner of Chrome, then select Settings. Click Privacy and security on the left, then Site settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allowed," you'll see all sites you've permitted pop-ups for. To remove a site from this list, click the X next to its name.

Allow pop-ups in Firefox

Firefox blocks pop-ups automatically. When a website tries to open a pop-up, Firefox shows a notification bar at the top of the page saying "Firefox prevented this site from opening a pop-up window."

Click Preferences on that notification bar to allow pop-ups for that site just once, or click the dropdown arrow next to it and select Allow Pop-ups for This Site to allow them permanently. Firefox will remember your choice.

To manage pop-up permissions manually, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select Settings. Go to Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and find Pop-ups. Click Exceptions next to it to see which sites you've allowed pop-ups for. You can remove any site by clicking the X next to its name.

Allow pop-ups in Edge

Edge blocks pop-ups by default. When a website tries to open a pop-up, Edge shows a notification in the address bar — it looks like a small icon on the right side.

Click that icon to see the pop-ups Edge blocked. You'll see a message asking if you want to allow pop-ups from this site. Click Allow to permit them from now on, or Allow once if you only want to allow it this time.

To change pop-up settings manually, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to "Site permissions" and click Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allow," you'll see all sites you've permitted pop-ups for. Click the X next to any site to remove it from the list.

What to do if pop-ups still don't work after you allow them

Sometimes a website's pop-ups won't open even after you've allowed them. This usually happens because the site uses a different method to open pop-ups than your browser expects, or because the pop-up is blocked by an extension.

First, try reloading the page. Press Command + R on your keyboard to refresh. If that doesn't work, check whether you have any browser extensions installed that might be blocking pop-ups. Go to your browser's extension or add-on settings and temporarily disable any that sound like they block ads or pop-ups, then reload the page.

If you're using private browsing mode (also called Incognito mode in Chrome), your browser may not remember that you allowed pop-ups for that site. Switch to regular browsing mode and allow pop-ups again. If the website still doesn't work, contact the website's support team — they may be using a pop-up method that your browser doesn't support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I allow pop-ups for one website but block them for everything else?

Yes. All Mac browsers let you allow pop-ups site by site. You don't have to turn off the pop-up blocker entirely. Just allow pop-ups for the specific websites that need them, and the blocker will stay on for all other sites.

Why does my browser keep blocking pop-ups even after I allowed them?

Your browser may have forgotten the permission if you cleared your cache or browsing history. Go back to the website and allow pop-ups again. If you use private browsing mode, permissions don't carry over between sessions, so you'll need to allow them each time.

Is it safe to allow pop-ups?

It's safe to allow pop-ups for websites you trust, like your bank or email. Avoid allowing pop-ups for random websites or sites you don't recognize. If a pop-up seems suspicious or asks you to download something, close it immediately.

How do I know if a website is asking for pop-up permission?

Your browser will show a notification at the top of the page or an icon in the address bar. Safari shows a message bar, Chrome and Edge show an icon on the right side of the address bar, and Firefox shows a notification bar. Click the notification or icon to see what the website is asking for.

What if I accidentally blocked pop-ups for a website I need them for?

Go to your browser's pop-up settings and find the website in the blocked list. Remove it from the list, then reload the page and allow pop-ups again when your browser asks.