How to Block Pop-up Ads on PCs, Mobile, and Browsers

Last Updated on August 14, 2025 by Editorial

Pop-up ads can turn a simple browsing session into a frustrating mess. They interrupt your screen, slow things down, and sometimes carry unsafe links. Knowing how to block pop-up ads is the key to regaining a clean browsing experience.

The biggest issue is that pop-ups appear on every kind of device: Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones, iPhones, and all major browsers. They can be triggered by websites, apps, or even malware. 

If left unchecked, they don’t just waste your time; they can trick you into clicking on risky links.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to block pop-up ads through built-in browser settings, security software, and simple device tweaks that can keep these interruptions away. So keep reading to the end for more.

QUICK TAKEAWAY
Turn on your browser’s pop-up blocker, disable site notifications, update the browser, and scan for adware. If pop-ups persist, reset the browser, use a reputable ad blocker, and check for malicious apps or extensions.

What Counts as a “Pop-Up”? (And What Doesn’t)

Before you learn how to block pop-up ads, you first need to understand what pop-up ads are. Pop-ups are specific types of ads that appear on top of the content you’re viewing, usually in a separate window or box. 

They’re designed to grab your attention immediately, and they can be triggered by clicking a link or opening a webpage. Sometimes, even just being on a site for a few seconds causes them to appear.

Pop-ups are different from banners or static ads. They interrupt your current activity by forcing themselves into your viewing area, sometimes covering the entire screen. This is what makes them so disruptive and why many people want to know how to stop pop ups in the first place.

Common Types of Pop-Ups

Here are some of the most common types of pop-up ads.

• Traditional Pop-Up Windows: These are the classic style—new browser windows that open on top of the one you’re using. They often promote products, surveys, or suspicious offers.

• Pop-Under Ads: Instead of showing up right away, these hide behind your current browser window. You might only notice them when you close or minimize your main window.

• Overlay or Modal Pop-Ups: These appear in the middle of your screen, dimming the background. Many sites use them for newsletter sign-ups or promotions, and while they’re sometimes legitimate, they can still be intrusive.

• Timed or Scroll-Triggered Pop-Ups: These activate after you’ve spent a certain amount of time on a page or scrolled to a specific point. They’re common on blogs and online stores.

What Doesn’t Count as a Pop-Up

It’s worth pointing out that not all ads you see are considered pop-ups, even if they’re annoying. The following are not considered pop-ups.

• Static Banner Ads: These stay in fixed positions on a webpage and don’t interrupt your browsing flow. They might be distracting, but they’re not pop-ups.

• Sidebar Ads: Similar to banners, these live on the sides of a webpage. They don’t force you to take action before continuing.

• In-Content Ads: These appear within the text or images of the content you’re viewing. They might blend into the page design, but they’re not technically pop-ups.

Why Knowing This Matters Before Blocking Ads

Knowing the difference between true pop-ups and other types of ads helps you choose the right method for blocking them. 

For example, if you’re searching for how to stop pop-up ads on an Android phone, you’ll need tools or settings that specifically target pop-ups.

In the next sections, I’ll cover how to block pop-ups on Chrome, Safari, Android, iPhone, and more, so you can decide which method works best for your device and browsing habits.

How to Block Pop-up Ads on Windows

Pop-up ads in Windows can appear in browsers, apps, or even system notifications. The good news is that you can stop most of them by adjusting a few settings. Here’s how I handle it:

1. Open the Start Menu and click on Settings (gear icon).

2. Go to Privacy & Security and select Windows Security.

3. Open App & Browser Control.

4. Under Reputation-based protection, turn on Potentially Unwanted App blocking. This can stop certain pop up triggering software.

How to Block Pop-up Ads on Mac

Mac users aren’t immune to pop-ups—they can appear in Safari or other browsers, and sometimes via background apps. I recommend using both system and browser settings to stop them.

1. Open Safari.

2. Click Safari in the top menu bar, then choose Settings.

3. Go to the Websites tab and click Pop-up Windows in the left sidebar.

4. Set the option for “When visiting other websites” to Block and Notify or Block.

5. Check for suspicious apps in Applications and uninstall anything unfamiliar.

6. Use a reliable browser extension to block ads if you want to add an extra layer.

How to Block Pop-up Ads on Android

Pop-up ads on Android can show up inside apps, browsers, or even on the home screen if an app is pushing them. If you’re searching for how to stop pop-up ads on an Android phone, these steps will help:

1. Check Chrome Settings (if you use Chrome):
   • Open Chrome.
   • Tap the three dots (menu) → Settings → Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects → toggle to Blocked.
   • While here, also turn on Ad blocking under Site settings.

2. Check App Permissions:
   • Go to Settings → Apps.
   • Look for any unfamiliar apps and uninstall them.

3. Use Play Protect:
   • Open the Google Play Store.
   • Tap your profile icon → Play Protect → Scan to detect harmful apps.

4. Install an Ad Blocker:
   • If pop-ups persist, consider installing a trusted ad-blocking app from the Play Store.

How to Block Pop-up Ads on iPhone

If you’re seeing pop-ups on Safari or other browsers on iPhone, it’s often because the blocker settings aren’t enabled. Here’s how to stop pop-ups on iPhone:

1. Open Settings.

2. Scroll down and tap Safari.

3. Toggle Block Pop-ups to ON.

4. Turn on Fraudulent Website Warning for added protection.

5. If using another browser like Chrome:
   • Open Chrome.
   • Tap the three dots → Settings → Content Settings → Block Pop-ups → toggle to ON.

6. Install a reputable content blocker from the App Store for stronger ad filtering.

How to Block Pop-up Ads on Browsers

While every browser has built-in settings to block popups, the most effective way to keep them away is by using ad blockers. 

These tools work across multiple sites, filter different types of ads, and often stop trackers too. The best part is that most ad blockers are available as extensions for all the major browsers.

Some of the top ad blockers include:

• uBlock Origin – Known for being lightweight and highly effective at blocking ads and pop-ups without slowing your browser.

• AdBlock Plus – One of the most widely used, with customizable filters and support for whitelisting sites you trust.

• Ghostery – Blocks ads, trackers, and analytics scripts, giving you more privacy while browsing.

• AdGuard – Offers browser extensions and standalone apps, with strong popup and ad-blocking capabilities.

To set one up, go to your browser’s extension store (such as Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons), search for the ad blocker you want, and click Add to Browser. 

Once installed, these tools work in the background, blocking pop-ups and other ads automatically. You can also adjust settings to fine-tune what gets blocked.

Responsible Blocking (Support the Sites You Love)

Blocking popup ads can make browsing smoother and safer. However, it’s worth remembering that many sites (like ours) depend on ad revenue to survive.

If you’re learning how to block pop-up ads, it’s also good to learn how to block them in a way that doesn’t completely cut off support for the creators. This is called responsible blocking.

“Allow Acceptable Ads” vs. Strict Blocking

Most popular ad blockers give you two main approaches:

• Strict Blocking – Blocks every ad and popup it detects, leaving pages completely ad-free. This can be great for removing distractions, but it also means the sites you enjoy won’t get any ad revenue.

• Allow Acceptable Ads – Let certain non-intrusive ads show while still blocking annoying pop-ups, autoplay videos, and misleading banners. These “acceptable” ads are usually static, don’t flash or move, and stay out of the way.

Choosing the “allow acceptable ads” setting means you still get protection from aggressive pop-ups while giving legitimate sites a chance to earn income. 

I’ve found this to be a good balance for keeping my browsing clean without hurting the platforms I use daily.

How to Whitelist a Site and Why It Matters

Whitelisting a site means telling your ad blocker to allow all ads on that specific domain. It’s a way of saying, “I trust this site and want to support it.” 

To whitelist a site in most ad blockers:

1. Visit the site you want to support.

2. Click on your ad blocker’s icon in the browser toolbar.

3. Look for an option like “Pause on this site” or “Whitelist this site” and click it.

4. Refresh the page to see the changes.

If you’re looking up how to stop pop-up ads on Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, remember that adding whitelists is usually just as quick as blocking them. 

By mixing strict blocking for spammy, intrusive pages and whitelisting for trustworthy sites, you can take control of your browsing without accidentally harming creators.

Here’s a quick table showing the best blocking approach depending on the type of site:

Type of Site	Recommended Blocking Style	Reason
News websites you read daily	Allow Acceptable Ads or Whitelist	Helps support journalists and maintain free access to content.
Blogs or niche content creators	Whitelist	Ad revenue may be their main source of income.
Video streaming platforms	Allow Acceptable Ads	Keeps them funded while still blocking intrusive pop-ups.
Banking or financial sites	Strict Blocking	Focuses on security and stops potential phishing pop-ups.
Unknown or suspicious sites	Strict Blocking	Reduces risk from aggressive ads or harmful redirects.
E-commerce stores you trust	Allow Acceptable Ads	Lets them display offers while still filtering out pushy pop ups.
E-commerce stores you don’t know	Strict Blocking	Avoids misleading offers or scam-like promotions.

Wrapping Up

As we’ve established, pop up ads aren’t just annoying; they can waste your time, slow down your browsing, and even put you at risk. Once you know how to block pop-up ads, you take back control of your screen.

The right setup can stop intrusive ads before they even appear on any device. Plus, you can whitelist the sites you trust to keep your browsing clean while helping the creators and platforms normally use.

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