Advertising on the Internet has become so intrusive that it interferes with comfortable surfing even in Safari - a browser that Apple positions as “the fastest and most private.” Banners, pop-ups, auto-playing videos are not only annoying, but also slow down page loading, eat up traffic, and sometimes even intercept clicks on mobile devices, redirecting to dubious sites. Unlike Chrome or Firefox, where ad blockers are installed in two clicks, in Safari the process has nuances - especially on iPhone And iPad with their closed ecosystem.
This article will not just list ways to block ads, but will help choose the optimal method depending on your device (macOS or iOS), technical level, and goals. We'll look at:
- 🔧 Built-in tools Safari, which only a few people know about
- 🛡️ The best ad blocking extensions (including those that bypass restrictions App Store)
- 🌐 Configuring DNS filters for system blocking at the network level
- ⚠️ Risks and pitfalls of each method (from slowdowns to problems with websites)
We will pay special attention current restrictions in 2026: for example, why some popular extensions stopped working after an update iOS 17.4, and how to get around it.
Safari's Built-in Tools: What You Can Block Without Extensions
Many users are unaware that Safari out of the box it already knows how to block some advertising - albeit very selectively. These functions will not replace a full-fledged ad blocker, but will help reduce the number of annoying elements.
On Mac And iPhone The following options are available:
- 🚫 Disable pop-ups: blocks new tabs with advertising, but does not affect banners on the page. Activated in
Settings → Safari → Block pop-ups. - 🔒 Tracking protection: limits the collection of data about you by advertising networks (enabled there, in the settings Safari). This doesn't block the ads themselves, but makes them less personalized.
- 📱 Readable view (only on iOS): removes some advertising blocks when viewing articles. Turned on by button
AAin the address bar.
The main disadvantage of built-in tools is that they do not block major advertising formats: banners in the text, videos before videos on YouTube, or “native” advertising on social networks. This requires extensions or system solutions.
⚠️ Attention: B iOS 17.4+ Apple has tightened its rules for web extensions. Now they cannot modify page content (for example, hiding elements using CSS selectors), which negates the work of many ad blockers. More on this in the next section.
Ad blocking extensions: what works in 2026
Before update iOS 17.4 users iPhone And iPad could install extensions for Safari from App Store, which effectively blocked advertising. Now the situation has changed: Apple has banned extensions make changes to the DOM of pages, which makes most ad blockers useless. However, there are workarounds.
Current solutions for iOS:
- 🛡️ 1Blocker: one of the few extensions that still works, but now blocks ads only at the network request level (does not hide page elements). Requires manual configuration of rules.
- 🌍 AdGuard Pro: The app creates a local VPN that filters traffic. It works systemically (in all browsers), but may conflict with other VPN services.
- 🔧 NextDNS: Cloud DNS filter with support for custom rules. Blocks advertising at the network level, but requires setting up a configuration profile.
On Mac restrictions are softer. The classic extensions still work here:
- 🦁 uBlock Origin (via Safari Web Extensions): the most effective solution, but requires manual installation via GitHub (in App Store it doesn't exist).
- 🛡️ AdBlock Plus: easier to set up, but blocks ads less aggressively (many sites bypass its filters).
| Expansion | Platform | Lock type | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Blocker | iOS | Network requests | Does not hide page elements, requires configuration |
| AdGuard Pro | iOS/macOS | DNS + VPN | Paid, may slow down your connection |
| uBlock Origin | macOS | Full (DOM + queries) | Difficult installation, not in the App Store |
| NextDNS | iOS/macOS | DNS filtering | The free plan is limited to 300k requests/month |
To install uBlock Origin on Mac follow the steps:
Download the latest version from [GitHub](https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBlock-Origin-safari)
Unzip the archive and drag the file uBlock Origin.safariextz to a folder Extensions
Open Settings → Safari → Extensions and enable uBlock Origin
Update the filter lists in the extension settings (button Update now)
-->
⚠️ Attention: Externally installed extensions App Store (For example, uBlock Origin), require permissions in macOS security settings. After the first installation, go to System Settings → Privacy and Security and allow the application to be downloaded from the developer Raymond Hill.
DNS filters: system ad blocking without extensions
If extensions are not suitable (for example, due to restrictions iOS), alternative - setting up DNS servers, which filter advertising domains at the network level. This method works in all browsers and applications, but has its own nuances.
Popular DNS services for ad blocking:
- 🌍 AdGuard DNS: free, with customizable filtering levels (basic blocks ads, strict also blocks trackers). Addresses:
176.103.130.130 (обычный)94.140.14.14 (семейный) - 🛡️ NextDNS: allows you to create custom rules (for example, block YouTube-advertising). Free up to 300k requests/month.
- 🔒 Cloudflare Family: Blocks ads and malicious sites, but is less aggressive than AdGuard. Addresses:
1.1.1.31.0.0.3
To configure DNS to iPhone:
- Go to
Settings → Wi-Fi(click on the "i" symbol next to your network). - Scroll down and select
Configure DNS → Manually. - Remove the current servers and add the selected DNS addresses (for example,
176.103.130.130). - Save the settings and reboot the device.
On Mac the way is: System Settings → Network → Advanced → DNS. Add server addresses to the list and click OK.
- Built-in Safari Tools
- Extensions (uBlock, AdGuard)
- DNS filters (AdGuard DNS, NextDNS)
- VPN with ad blocking
- I don't block
⚠️ Attention: Some DNS services (for example, NextDNS) can slow down page loading due to the geographical location of the servers. If, after changing the DNS, sites take longer to open, try a different provider or return to the default settings (usually your ISP's DNS).
Block YouTube ads in Safari
YouTube - one of the most problematic resources from an advertising point of view: neither the built-in tools help here Safari, nor most extensions. To block clips before videos and banners inside the player, specialized solutions are needed.
Ways to iOS:
- 📱 YouTube Premium app: official way to remove ads, but paid (from 139 ₽/month). The subscription is also valid in Safari, if you are logged in to your account Google.
- 🛡️ AdGuard Pro: Blocks ads at the VPN level, but may break some features YouTube (for example, browsing history).
- 🌐 Alternative clients: apps like uYou+ (requires jailbreak or installation via AltStore) block ads and allow you to download videos.
On Mac extensions work:
- 🦁 uBlock Origin with custom filters (add a list
||youtube.com/ads*to the rules). - 🎵 SponsorBlock: skips not only advertising, but also “sponsored inserts” inside the video (installed as a user script in Tampermonkey).
To block ads in YouTube Music these methods will not work - only it helps here YouTube Premium or system solutions like AdGuard Pro.
How to update filters in uBlock Origin?
Open the extension panel (click on the uBlock icon in the address bar) → Go to the tab Settings → Click Update now in section Filter lists. It is recommended to update filters once a week, as advertising networks constantly change domains.
Problems and risks of ad blocking in Safari
Ad blocking isn't all about its benefits. Some methods may break website functionality, slow down your browser, or even create security vulnerabilities. Here are the main risks:
- ⚠️ Sites ask you to disable ad blocker: many resources (eg Forbes or The New York Times) detect blockers and do not show content until you disable them. B uBlock Origin There is an “allow for this site” function, but it doesn’t always work.
- 🐢 Slow page loading: DNS filters and VPN solutions (e.g. AdGuard Pro) add latency as traffic passes through intermediate servers.
- 🔓 Data leak: Some free VPN and DNS services collect information about your queries. Always check the provider's privacy policy.
- 💥 Conflicts with other programs: for example, NextDNS may not work simultaneously with corporate VPN or parental controls.
You need to be especially careful with:
- 📱 Applications from third party sources (For example, uYou+ or Cercube). They require installation via AltStore or jailbreak what violates terms of use iOS and may lead to account blocking Apple ID.
- 🔗 User scripts (for example, in Tampermonkey). Incorrect code can break the display of sites or generate JavaScript errors.
If the site does not work with the ad blocker enabled, try disabling it cosmetic filtration (hiding elements using CSS) in the extension settings. Often the problem is solved without completely disabling the blocker.
Alternative browsers with built-in ad blocking
If the setting Safari seems too complicated, you can switch to browsers where the ad blocker is built in by default. They are not as fast as Safari, but easier to use.
Best options for iOS:
- 🦁 Brave: blocks ads and trackers out of the box, supports Tor-mode for anonymity. The downside is that it sometimes conflicts with sites that require you to disable the ad blocker.
- 🛡️ Firefox Focus: minimalistic browser with ad blocking and automatic history clearing. Suitable for quick surfing, but inconvenient for constant use.
- 🌐 DuckDuckGo: private browser with tracker blocking. Blocks ads worse than Brave, but works more stable.
On Mac wider choice:
- 🦊 Firefox with extension uBlock Origin: almost the same functionality as in Safari, but with better addon support.
- 🌍 Vivaldi: A browser with a built-in blocker and additional features (such as notes and page screenshots).
| Browser | Platform | Ad blocking | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brave | iOS/macOS | Built-in (adblock + anti-tracker) | Some sites won't open |
| Firefox Focus | iOS | Basic (trackers + part of advertising) | No synchronization with desktop |
| DuckDuckGo | iOS/macOS | Trackers (advertising is partially blocked) | No extensions |
| Vivaldi | macOS | Built-in + extensions | Heavy for weak Macs |
The main disadvantage of alternative browsers on iOS - they use the WebKit engine (as well as Safari), therefore they are practically the same in terms of speed and optimization. The main advantage is built-in ad blockers that do not require separate configuration.
If maximum ad blocking without compromise is important to you, combine methods: for example, use AdGuard DNS at network level + extension uBlock Origin in Safari (on Mac).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about ad blocking in Safari
❓ Why did ad blockers stop working after updating iOS?
B iOS 17.4 Apple has introduced new restrictions for web extensions: now they cannot modify the content of pages (for example, hiding elements using CSS). This broke the work of most ad blockers that relied on such methods. Solutions:
- Use DNS filters (For example, AdGuard DNS)
- Install AdGuard Pro (works like a VPN)
- Switch to a browser with a built-in ad blocker (for example, Brave)
❓ Is it possible to block ads in Safari without installing applications?
Yes, but the efficiency will be low. Options:
- Turn on built-in pop-up blocker in settings Safari.
- Use "Reading" mode (button
AAin the address bar at iOS) to hide part of the advertisement. - Set up DNS servers (For example, AdGuard DNS) in Wi-Fi settings.
These methods will block only part of the advertising (pop-ups, some banners), but will not cope with video on YouTube or native advertising on social networks.
❓ Why do some sites not open with the ad blocker enabled?
Many resources (especially news and entertainment) use scripts to detect ad blockers. If the site asks you to disable the ad blocker, try:
- Add site to whitelist in the extension settings (for example, in uBlock Origin).
- Disable cosmetic filtration (hiding elements) in the ad blocker, leaving only the blocking of network requests.
- Use alternative browser (For example, Firefox Focus), where the blocking is less aggressive.
If the site is critically important (for example, a bank or government services), it is better to temporarily disable the ad blocker completely.
❓ How to block ads in applications (not only Safari)?
For system ad blocking all applications (including games and social networks) solutions are needed at the network level:
- AdGuard Pro (iOS/macOS): Creates a local VPN that filters traffic.
- NextDNS: Configured via a configuration profile and blocks ads at the DNS level.
- Pi-hole (for advanced users): a self-hosting solution that filters the traffic of the entire device through the local network.
Please note: these methods may slow down the internet and conflict with other VPN services.
❓ Is it legal to use ad blockers?
From a legal point of view the use of ad blockers is not prohibited neither in Russia nor in most countries. However:
- Some sites in their user agreements prohibit ad blocking (technically they can block your access).
- Bypassing paid subscriptions (for example, blocking ads in YouTube without Premium) may be considered a violation terms of use of the service.
- B App Store And Google Play Adblockers that modify other people's applications (for example, patches for YouTube).
For personal use, the risks are minimal, but in a corporate environment, ad blocking may violate company security policies.