Where to find pop-up blocker settings on your Mac browser
Pop-up blockers are turned on by default in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, but you can turn them off in each browser's settings. The exact steps depend on which browser you use, and the settings stay in place until you change them again. Most people keep the blocker on and turn it off only for specific websites where pop-ups are legitimate — like online banking or video conferencing tools.
If a website you trust is blocked from showing pop-ups, you have two choices: disable the blocker entirely for that browser, or add the website to an exception list so only that site can show pop-ups. The exception list approach is safer because it keeps the blocker active everywhere else.
Key Takeaways
- Safari, Chrome, and Firefox all have pop-up blockers on by default, and each one has its settings in a different place.
- You can turn off the blocker completely, or add specific websites to an exception list so they can show pop-ups while the blocker stays on for other sites.
- In Safari, the pop-up blocker setting is under Preferences > Security; in Chrome and Firefox, it is under Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Some websites need pop-ups to work properly — online banking, video calls, and document uploads often rely on them.
How to disable pop-up blocking in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Mac versions). Click the Security tab. You will see a checkbox that says Block pop-ups. Uncheck it to turn off the blocker completely.
If you want to keep the blocker on but allow pop-ups from one website, do not uncheck the box. Instead, visit the website, let it try to show a pop-up, and Safari will show a notification at the top of the page saying a pop-up was blocked. Click Allow on that notification, and Safari will remember that site.
How to disable pop-up blocking 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, toggle the switch to Off to disable the blocker for all websites.
To allow pop-ups only on specific sites, keep the toggle On and scroll down to the Allowed section. Click Add and type the website address. Chrome will then let that site show pop-ups while blocking them everywhere else.
How to disable pop-up blocking in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Permissions section and find Block pop-up windows. Uncheck the box to turn off the blocker completely.
To add a website to the exception list instead, keep the box checked. Visit the website, and when Firefox blocks a pop-up, a notification will appear in the address bar. Click the notification and select Allow for that site. Firefox will remember your choice the next time you visit.
When you might need to turn off pop-up blocking
Some websites use pop-ups for features that are not ads. Online banking sites often open login windows or security alerts in pop-ups. Video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet may open participant lists or chat windows as pop-ups. Document upload forms sometimes use pop-up windows to let you select files from your computer.
If a website is not working the way it should, a blocked pop-up might be the reason. Before you disable the blocker entirely, try adding just that website to your exception list. This keeps the blocker active on other sites where you probably do not want pop-ups.
How to re-enable pop-up blocking if you change your mind
Turning the blocker back on is the reverse of turning it off. In Safari, go back to Settings > Security and check the Block pop-ups box. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects and toggle it back On. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and check Block pop-up windows again.
If you added websites to an exception list, you can remove them one at a time. In Chrome, go to Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, find the site under Allowed, click it, and select Remove. In Safari and Firefox, visit the site, let it try to show a pop-up, and click Block on the notification instead of Allow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see a message that a pop-up was blocked?
Your browser is telling you that a website tried to open a pop-up window and the blocker stopped it. You can click the notification to allow that pop-up, or ignore it if you do not need it. The message disappears after a few seconds.
Will disabling the pop-up blocker let ads through?
Yes. Most pop-ups are ads, so turning off the blocker means you will see more advertising. This is why adding specific websites to an exception list is usually better than disabling the blocker completely.
Do I need to restart my browser after changing pop-up blocker settings?
No. The changes take effect immediately. If you are already on a website and you change the setting, reload the page to see the difference.
Can I set different pop-up blocker settings for different user accounts on my Mac?
Yes. Each user account on your Mac has its own browser settings. If you log in as a different user, the pop-up blocker settings will be whatever that user configured.