5 Easy Steps to Disable Pop-Up Blocker on MacBook

Pop-up blockers are a common feature on Mac computers, and they can be a helpful way to reduce the number of unwanted advertisements and other distractions that you see while browsing the web. However, there may be times when you want to disable the pop-up blocker in order to allow a specific website to display pop-ups. This can be useful if you are trying to access a website that requires pop-ups to function properly, such as a banking website or a shopping website.

There are several different ways to disable the pop-up blocker on a Mac computer. One way is to use the Safari browser’s built-in settings. To do this, open Safari and click on the “Safari” menu. Then, select “Preferences” and click on the “Security” tab. In the “Pop-up Windows” section, you can select the option to “Always allow pop-ups from websites.” This will disable the pop-up blocker for all websites that you visit in Safari.

Another way to disable the pop-up blocker on a Mac computer is to use a third-party extension. There are several different extensions available that allow you to control the pop-up blocker, such as the “Popup Control” extension and the “AdBlock” extension. To install an extension, open the Safari browser and click on the “Safari” menu. Then, select “Preferences” and click on the “Extensions” tab. In the “Extensions” section, you can click on the “Install Extension” button to install a new extension. Once the extension is installed, you can use it to control the pop-up blocker on a website-by-website basis.

Identifying the Pop-Up Blocker Setting

To navigate to the pop-up blocker settings in Safari, follow these detailed steps:

Open the Safari menu. Click on the Safari menu located in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Select "Preferences." From the drop-down menu, hover over the "Preferences" option and click on it. This will open up a new window with the preferences settings.
Navigate to the "Security" tab. Once the preferences window opens, click on the "Security" tab located near the top of the window. This tab contains settings related to privacy, browsing history, and pop-ups.
Locate the "Block pop-up windows" checkbox. Under the "Website Privacy" section, you will find the "Block pop-up windows" checkbox. This checkbox is used to enable or disable the pop-up blocker in Safari.
Check the status of the checkbox. The checkbox will be ticked if the pop-up blocker is enabled. To disable it, simply click on the checkbox to untick it.
Close the preferences window. Once you have made your changes, you can close the preferences window by clicking on the "Close" button located in the top-right corner of the window.

After following these steps, you will have successfully navigated to the pop-up blocker settings in Safari and understand how to enable or disable it.

Disabling the Pop-Up Blocker via Safari Preferences

To disable the pop-up blocker in Safari via its preferences, follow these detailed steps:

1. Launch Safari:

Click on the Safari icon in your Dock or Applications folder to open the Safari browser.

2. Access Safari Preferences:

Click on the “Safari” menu in the menu bar.
Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Command + , (comma)” to quickly open Preferences.

3. Locate the Content Blocker Settings:

Safari Version	Content Blocker Location
Safari 14 and later	Security tab > Pop-ups
Safari 13 and earlier	Websites tab > Pop-up Windows

Within the Preferences window, navigate to either the “Security” or “Websites” tab, depending on your Safari version.
Locate the section titled “Pop-ups” or “Pop-up Windows”.

4. Disable Pop-Up Blocking:

Uncheck the box next to “Block pop-ups” or “Pop-up windows”.
Alternatively, you can click the “Manage Exceptions” button to create specific websites that are allowed to display pop-ups.

5. Confirm the Change:

Close the Preferences window to save your changes.
Safari will now allow pop-ups to be displayed as intended on websites.

Turning Off Pop-Up Blocking in Chrome

To turn off pop-up blocking in Chrome, follow these steps:

Open Chrome.
Click the three dots in the top right corner of the window.
Select "Settings."
Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section.
Click "Site settings."
Click "Pop-ups and redirects."
Select "Allow all sites to show pop-ups and redirects."

Additional Information

Setting	Description
Allow all sites to show pop-ups and redirects	All websites will be allowed to show pop-ups and redirects.
Block pop-ups from all sites	No websites will be allowed to show pop-ups or redirects.
Customise permissions for specific sites	You can choose which websites are allowed to show pop-ups and redirects.

Adjusting the Blocker in Firefox

Firefox offers comprehensive pop-up blocking capabilities that can be customized to your preferences. To disable or adjust the blocker, follow these steps:

1. Open Firefox & Access Settings:

Launch Firefox and click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of the window. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.

2. Navigate to Privacy & Security:

From the left-hand sidebar, select “Privacy & Security.” This section contains the options for adjusting the pop-up blocker settings.

3. Manage Pop-ups & Redirects:

Scroll down to the “Permissions” section and click on “Pop-ups and redirects.” This is where you can configure the pop-up blocking behavior.

4. Adjust the Blocker’s Behavior:

Multiple options are available to customize the pop-up blocker:

Option	Description
Block Pop-up Windows	Disables all pop-ups without any exceptions.
Block Pop-up Windows Except From Specific Websites	Allows pop-ups from specific websites that you add to the exception list.
Don’t Block Pop-ups	Completely disables the pop-up blocker, allowing all pop-ups to appear.

To disable the pop-up blocker, select “Don’t Block Pop-ups.” To customize the pop-up blocking behavior, select one of the other options and configure the exceptions as per your requirements.

Managing Pop-Up Exceptions

To manage exceptions to the pop-up blocker in Safari on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari and click on the “Safari” menu in the top left corner of the screen.

2. Select “Preferences” from the menu.

3. Click on the “Websites” tab.

4. In the “Pop-up windows” section, you can choose to allow or block pop-ups for specific websites.

5. To add an exception, click on the “Add Exception” button.


Website:	Enter the URL of the website you want to allow pop-ups for
When visiting this website:	Select “Allow” or “Block”
Allow all pop-ups from this website	Allows all pop-ups from the specified website
Block all pop-ups from this website	Blocks all pop-ups from the specified website
Allow pop-ups for this domain only	Allows pop-ups only from the specified domain, and not from any subdomains
Allow pop-ups from this website only	Allows pop-ups only from the specified URL, and not from any other pages on the website

6. Click on the “Add” button to add the exception.

Using Terminal to Disable the Blocker

For a more advanced approach, you can use the Terminal application to disable pop-up blocking in Safari. Terminal is a command-line interface that allows you to execute system commands. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Terminal

Click on the Spotlight search icon in the top right corner of your screen and type “Terminal”. Click on the Terminal icon to open it.

2. Type the Command

In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:

“`
defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true
“`

3. Reload Safari

Close Safari if it’s already open. Then, relaunch Safari to apply the changes.

4. Enable the Developer Menu

Click on the “Safari” menu in the top left corner and select “Preferences”.

Go to the “Advanced” tab and check the box labeled “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.

5. Disable Pop-up Blocking Using Developer Menu

Click on the “Develop” menu in the menu bar and uncheck the option labeled “Block Pop-up Windows”.

6. Access Additional Pop-up Controls

The Developer Menu also provides additional controls for managing pop-ups. You can specify specific websites to allow or block pop-ups from, or disable pop-up blocking only for specific browsing sessions.

Here are some of the additional options available in the Developer Menu:

Option	Description
Block New Pop-ups	Blocks all new pop-ups.
Block All Pop-ups	Blocks all pop-ups, even those that are allowed by exceptions.
Allow Pop-ups for This Website	Allows pop-ups from the current website.
Always Allow Pop-ups for This Website	Permanently allows pop-ups from the current website.
Disable Pop-up Blocking for Session	Temporarily disables pop-up blocking for the current browsing session.

Modifying the Preferences File

The most comprehensive method of disabling the pop-up blocker is by modifying the preferences file. This file stores your browser’s settings, including those related to pop-ups. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Open the Terminal application on your Mac.
Type the following command into the Terminal window:

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitJavaScriptEnabled -bool false

Press the "Enter" key.
Restart Safari.
Check if the pop-up blocker is disabled by visiting a website that typically triggers pop-ups.
To re-enable the pop-up blocker, open the Terminal again and type the following command:

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitJavaScriptEnabled -bool true

Press the "Enter" key and restart Safari.

Method	Steps
Terminal Method	1. Open Terminal 2. Type command 3. Press Enter 4. Restart Safari
Modify Preferences File	1. Open Terminal 2. Type command 3. Press Enter 4. Restart Safari

Customizing Pop-Up Blocking in Third-Party Browsers

Google Chrome

1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window.
2. Select “Settings.”
3. Scroll down to the “Privacy and security” section.
4. Click on “Site settings.”
5. Under “Pop-ups and redirects,” click on “Exceptions.”
6. Enter the URL of the website you want to allow pop-ups from.
7. Click on “Add.”

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of the browser window.
2. Select “Options.”
3. Click on the “Privacy & Security” tab.
4. Scroll down to the “Permissions” section.
5. Under “Pop-ups,” click on “Exceptions.”
6. Enter the URL of the website you want to allow pop-ups from.
7. Click on “Allow.”

Other Third-Party Browsers

The steps for customizing pop-up blocking in other third-party browsers may vary slightly. Consult the browser’s help documentation for specific instructions.

Browser	Settings Location	Exceptions Configuration
Microsoft Edge	Settings > Privacy & security > Site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects > Exceptions	Enter URL, add exception
Safari	Preferences > Websites > Pop-up windows > Manage exceptions	Enter URL, add exception
Opera	Settings > Privacy & security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Allow exceptions	Enter URL, add exception

How to Disable Pop-Up Blocker on MacBook

1. Via Safari’s Settings

Launch Safari and navigate to “Preferences” > “Websites” > “Pop-up Windows.”

2. Through macOS’s System Preferences

Go to “System Preferences” > “Security & Privacy” > “Firewall” > “Firewall Options.” Uncheck “Block all incoming connections.”

3. Using the Menu Bar

Click the Safari icon in the menu bar and select “Block Pop-ups.” Ensure it’s unchecked.

4. In Private Browsing Mode

Launch a Private Browsing session by pressing `Command` + `N`. Pop-ups will be temporarily allowed.

5. For Specific Websites

Navigate to the website, click the address bar, and select “Settings for This Website.” Uncheck “Block Pop-ups and Redirects.”

6. Reset Safari

Close Safari. Go to “Finder” > “Applications” > “Safari” and hold down the “Shift” key while launching Safari.

7. Clear Caches and History

Go to “History” > “Clear History and Website Data.” Select “All History.”

8. Disable Extensions

Go to “Preferences” > “Extensions.” Disable any extensions that may be blocking pop-ups.

Troubleshooting Pop-Up Blocker Issues

9. Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Ensure that antivirus software or firewalls aren’t blocking pop-ups. Check your firewall settings and make sure Safari is allowed to receive incoming connections.

Antivirus	Firewall
Norton McAfee	Little Snitch Lulu

10. Update Safari

Check the App Store for any pending Safari updates. Install them to resolve any bugs or security vulnerabilities.

11. Use Different Browsers

Try using other browsers like Firefox or Chrome to see if the issue persists. It can help identify if the problem is browser-specific.

12. Contact Apple Support

If none of the above steps solve the issue, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Safari Pop-Up Blocker Settings

To disable the pop-up blocker in Safari, follow these steps:

Open Safari on your Mac.
Click on the “Safari” menu in the menu bar.
Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
Click on the “Websites” tab in the Preferences window.
Click on the “Pop-up Windows” tab in the left sidebar.
Uncheck the box next to “Block pop-up windows”.
Click on the “Close” button to save your changes.

Chrome Pop-Up Blocker Settings

To disable the pop-up blocker in Chrome, follow these steps:

Open Chrome on your Mac.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the window.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Click on the “Privacy and security” tab in the left sidebar.
Click on the “Site settings” button.
Click on the “Pop-ups and redirects” tab in the left sidebar.
Uncheck the box next to “Blocked”.
Click on the “Close” button to save your changes.

Firefox Pop-Up Blocker Settings

To disable the pop-up blocker in Firefox, follow these steps:

Open Firefox on your Mac.
Click on the three lines in the upper right corner of the window.
Select “Options” from the dropdown menu.
Click on the “Privacy & Security” tab in the left sidebar.
Click on the “Permissions” button.
Click on the “Pop-ups” tab in the left sidebar.
Uncheck the box next to “Block pop-up windows”.
Click on the “Close” button to save your changes.

Tips for Managing Pop-Ups Effectively

1. Use a pop-up blocker extension

There are many different pop-up blocker extensions available for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. These extensions can help you to block pop-ups from specific websites or from all websites.

2. Enable the pop-up blocker in your browser

Most browsers have a built-in pop-up blocker that can be enabled in the settings. This is a good way to block pop-ups from all websites.

3. Use a privacy-focused browser

There are a few browsers that are designed to protect your privacy, such as Brave and Firefox. These browsers have built-in pop-up blockers that can be enabled in the settings.

4. Use a firewall

A firewall can help to block pop-ups from malicious websites. Firewalls are available for both Macs and Windows computers.

5. Be careful when clicking on links

One of the most common ways to get a pop-up is by clicking on a link. Be careful when clicking on links, especially if you don’t know where they lead.

6. Use a VPN

A VPN can help to protect your privacy and security by encrypting your traffic. This can help to block pop-ups from malicious websites.

7. Keep your software up to date

Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect you from pop-ups. Make sure to keep your software up to date, including your browser, operating system, and antivirus software.

8. Be aware of the signs of a malicious pop-up

Malicious pop-ups often have a sense of urgency or try to trick you into clicking on a link. They may also contain phishing scams or malware. Be aware of the signs of a malicious pop-up and don’t click on any links or buttons.

9. Report malicious pop-ups

If you see a malicious pop-up, you can report it to the website owner or to the browser developer. This can help to get the pop-up removed and protect other users.

10. Educate yourself about pop-ups

The more you know about pop-ups, the better equipped you’ll be to protect yourself from them. There are many resources available online that can help you to learn more about pop-ups, including how to block them and how to avoid malicious pop-ups.

How To Disable Pop Up Blocker On Macbook

To disable the pop-up blocker on your Macbook, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click on the Safari menu in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click on the Websites tab.
5. Select Pop-up Windows from the sidebar.
6. Uncheck the box next to “Block pop-up windows.”
7. Close the Preferences window.