Where to find the pop-up blocker setting on your Mac

Your Mac's web browser has a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most windows from opening without your permission. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — like a banking site that opens a security window, or a tool that displays information in a new tab — you can turn the blocker off for that site or disable it entirely.

The steps differ depending on which browser you use. Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all have pop-up blockers, and each one stores the setting in a different place. The good news is that once you know where to look in your browser, the process takes about 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's pop-up blocker lives in Preferences under the Security tab, where you can uncheck "Block pop-ups" to turn it off completely.
  • Chrome and Edge let you manage pop-ups site-by-site through Settings, so you can allow them only where you need them.
  • Firefox stores its pop-up setting in Preferences under the Privacy & Security section.
  • If you turn off the blocker for one website only, you keep protection on everywhere else.

Disable pop-ups in Safari

Safari is the default browser on Mac, and its pop-up blocker is straightforward to control. Open Safari, then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Click Settings (or Preferences if you are using an older version of macOS).

A new window will open. Click the Security tab at the top. You will see a checkbox next to "Block pop-ups." If the box is checked, pop-ups are blocked. Uncheck it to allow all pop-ups. If you want to keep the blocker on but allow pop-ups from a specific website, leave this setting checked — Safari will ask you each time a site tries to open a pop-up, and you can choose to allow it just that once.

Disable pop-ups in Chrome

Google Chrome also blocks pop-ups by default. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. A menu will drop down. Click Settings.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security. Then click Site settings. Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects and click it. At the top of this section, you will see a toggle next to "Blocked (recommended)." Click the toggle to turn it off and allow all pop-ups, or scroll down to the "Allow" section and add specific websites where you want pop-ups to work.

Disable pop-ups in Firefox

Firefox's pop-up blocker is found in a similar location to Safari's. Click Firefox in the menu bar at the top, then select Settings. The Settings page will open in a new tab.

On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section labeled "Permissions." You will see a checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows." Uncheck it to allow all pop-ups. If you want to block pop-ups everywhere except on one site, leave this checked and click the Exceptions button to add websites where pop-ups should be allowed.

Disable pop-ups in Microsoft Edge

Edge works similarly to Chrome because both browsers use the same underlying technology. Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Settings.

On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to "Site permissions" and click Pop-ups and redirects. Toggle the switch at the top from "Block" to "Allow," or scroll to the "Allow" section to add individual websites where you want pop-ups to open.

Allow pop-ups from one website only

You do not have to turn off your pop-up blocker everywhere. Most browsers let you allow pop-ups from specific websites while keeping the blocker active on all others. This is the safest approach if only one or two sites need pop-ups to work properly.

In Safari, simply visit the website and try to open a pop-up. A notification will appear asking if you want to allow pop-ups from that site. Click Allow. In Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, go to the pop-up settings (following the steps above) and add the website's address to the "Allow" list. You only need to do this once per site.

What to do if pop-ups still do not work

Sometimes a website's pop-ups are blocked by something other than your browser's built-in blocker. Your Mac might have a third-party ad blocker extension installed, or the website itself might have a setting that needs to be changed. If you have turned off your browser's pop-up blocker and pop-ups still are not appearing, check whether you have any browser extensions that block ads or pop-ups.

To see your extensions in Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then Settings, then the Extensions tab. In Chrome, click the three dots, then More tools, then Extensions. Look for anything labeled as an ad blocker or pop-up blocker and disable it temporarily to test. If pop-ups work after you disable the extension, you have found the culprit. You can then add the website to that extension's allowlist instead of disabling the whole thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would a website need pop-ups if they are usually blocked?

Some legitimate websites use pop-ups for important functions like security verification, file downloads, or displaying required information. Banks, for example, sometimes open a pop-up window for two-factor authentication. Blocking these pop-ups can prevent you from completing necessary tasks on the site.

Is it safe to turn off my pop-up blocker completely?

Turning off the blocker everywhere exposes you to unwanted pop-ups and potentially malicious content. It is safer to allow pop-ups only on websites you trust. Most browsers let you do this site-by-site, so you can keep protection on everywhere else.

Do I need to restart my browser after changing the pop-up setting?

No. Changes to pop-up blocker settings take effect immediately. You can refresh the website you are on and the new setting will apply right away.

What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups and want to block them again?

Go back to the pop-up settings in your browser and either turn the blocker back on globally or remove the website from your allow list. The process is the same as turning it off — just reverse the steps.