Where to find pop-up blocker controls on your Mac
Pop-up blocker settings live in your web browser, not in macOS itself. Each browser—Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge—stores these controls in a different place. The most common route is through the browser's preferences or settings menu, then a section labeled Privacy, Security, or Sites.
You cannot change pop-up blocking at the system level on a Mac. If a website is blocked, you are dealing with your browser's rules, not Apple's. This means you may need to adjust settings in multiple browsers if you use more than one.
Key Takeaways
- Pop-up blocker settings are inside your web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge), not in macOS system settings.
- Safari stores pop-up controls under Preferences > Privacy; Chrome and Firefox use Settings > Privacy & Security; Edge uses Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- You can allow pop-ups from specific websites without turning off blocking everywhere, which keeps you protected from unwanted ads.
- If a website says pop-ups are blocked, look for a notification banner at the top of the browser window or in the address bar.
How to change pop-up blocker in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top left of your screen. Select Preferences (or Settings on newer Macs). Click the Privacy tab.
Look for the checkbox that says Block pop-ups. If it is checked, pop-ups are blocked. Uncheck it to turn off blocking entirely. If you want to keep blocking on but allow pop-ups from a specific site, leave this box checked—Safari will show you a notification when a pop-up is blocked, and you can choose to allow it for that website only.
How to change pop-up blocker in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy and security in the left sidebar, then click Site settings.
Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, you will see a toggle or dropdown. If it says Blocked, pop-ups are blocked. Click it to change to Allowed if you want to turn off blocking. To allow pop-ups from one website only, scroll to the Allow section and click Add, then type the website address.
How to change pop-up blocker in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
Scroll down to the Permissions section. Find Pop-ups and look at the checkbox next to Block pop-up windows. If it is checked, blocking is on. Uncheck it to turn off blocking. To allow pop-ups from a specific site, leave blocking on and click the Exceptions button next to Pop-ups, then type the website address and click Allow.
How to change pop-up blocker in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.
Scroll down to Tracking prevention and then to Site permissions. Click Pop-ups and redirects. Toggle the switch at the top to Off to turn off blocking, or leave it On and add exceptions. To allow pop-ups from one site, click Add under the Allow section and type the website address.
What to do if a website says pop-ups are blocked
When you visit a website that wants to show you a pop-up, your browser will usually display a notification. In Safari, you will see a message at the top of the page. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, look for a small icon in the address bar or a banner that says pop-ups were blocked.
Click the notification or icon and you will see options to allow pop-ups from that site. Choose Allow once if you only want to see that single pop-up, or Always allow on this site if you want the website to show pop-ups every time you visit. This approach is safer than turning off blocking everywhere, because it keeps you protected from unwanted ads on other sites.
When to call for help
If you change your pop-up blocker settings and nothing changes, or if pop-ups appear even though blocking is on, the problem may be a browser extension or malware rather than the built-in blocker. Try disabling extensions one at a time to see if one of them is the culprit.
If you are not sure whether a pop-up is legitimate, do not click it. Malicious pop-ups often pretend to be system warnings or software updates. A real macOS or browser update will come through the browser's own menu or System Settings, not through a pop-up on a website. If you suspect malware, restart your Mac in Safe Mode and run a full scan with your antivirus software, or contact an Apple Genius Bar or local computer repair shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off pop-up blocking affect my security?
Turning off blocking everywhere exposes you to ads and potentially malicious pop-ups. A safer approach is to leave blocking on and add exceptions only for websites you trust. Most legitimate sites do not rely on pop-ups for core features.
Can I block pop-ups on one website but not another?
Yes. In every browser, you can add specific websites to an allow list. Leave the global blocker on and use the Add exception or Allow button to permit pop-ups only from sites you choose.
Why do some websites say they need pop-ups to work?
Some older websites or specialized tools (like online banking portals or document signers) open forms or confirmations in pop-ups. If a site genuinely needs a pop-up to function, add it to your allow list. If you are unsure, contact the website's support team before allowing pop-ups.
Do I need to change pop-up blocker settings in every browser?
Yes. Each browser has its own settings. If you use Safari for some sites and Chrome for others, you will need to adjust the blocker in both. Your changes in one browser do not affect the others.
What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups and want to block them again?
Go back to the same settings menu where you added the exception, find the website in the allow list, and click the remove or delete button next to it. The site will be blocked again the next time you visit.