Popbye

How to block ads in Safari on iPhone

Safari on iPhone has no ad blocker of its own, but it supports content blockers: apps that give Safari a list of what to hide. You install one from the App Store and switch it on once in Settings.

1. Install a content blocker

Search the App Store for an ad blocker for Safari, or use Popbye. A content blocker is not a VPN: it doesn't route your traffic. Safari applies its rules on your iPhone, and the blocker never sees the pages you visit.

2. Switch it on in Settings

  1. Open Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions. On iOS 17: Settings → Safari → Extensions.
  2. Tap the blocker — for Popbye, Popbye — Ad Blocker.
  3. Turn on Allow Extension.
  4. Open any website in Safari — ads, pop-ups and cookie banners are gone.

On iOS 26.2 and later, Popbye opens this screen for you and shows when blocking is on.

3. Check that it works

Open the Popbye test page in Safari. It has test ads, pop-ups and trackers, and counts how many of them were removed.

What a Safari ad blocker can't do

If a site stops working

Now and then a site needs something a blocker stops. Read A site won't open with an ad blocker on? — the fix takes two taps.

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