If you're seeing ads, a web page isn't working, or something else isn't quite right, the following information should help. If you're new to AdBlock for Safari & VPN Mac app, don't forget to check out our user guide.
I don't see the AdBlock icon on the Safari toolbar
If you don't see AdBlock on your toolbar, be sure it's enabled to appear in the Safari toolbar.
I'm seeing ads on every site I visit
If you are seeing ads on every site you visit, first try these steps, as they are the most common reasons ads show:
-
In the AdBlock app, go to the Safari Blocking tab and confirm Block Ads is toggled ON (blue).
-
In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Content Blockers and make sure the option "When visiting other websites" is set to ON.
-
In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Extensions and make sure the AdBlock Engine is selected.
If those steps don't help, check for these other possible causes:
Is AdBlock paused?
If you're seeing ads, check whether AdBlock has been paused. Open the AdBlock Mac app and look for a "Resume Ad Blocking" button at the bottom of the sidebar — if it's there, ad blocking is currently paused. Click it to resume blocking, then refresh any pages where ads were appearing.
I'm only seeing ads on one site
Is the site on your allowlist?
Ad blocking may be turned off for that specific site. You can allowlist sites in two places: in AdBlock itself, or in Safari's settings.
Note that unlike other browsers, the AdBlock icon in the Safari toolbar looks the same whether or not a site is allowlisted — so you won't get a visual cue. You'll need to check in one of two places:
1) Check your AdBlock settings
Start by clicking the AdBlock icon in the Safari toolbar. If the site was allowlisted in AdBlock, the “Block ads on” option will be toggled off (gray). To remove it from your allowlist, toggle it back on (blue).
If you’ve paused AdBlock, it won’t be possible to toggle the “Block ads on” option.
2) Check your Content Blocker settings in Safari
If the ads are still there, check that content blocking is turned on for the site in Safari's settings. Right-click the address bar and select Settings for [this website]. If Enable content blockers is not selected, select it. Reload the page.
You can also review and manage content blocker settings for all websites directly in Safari. Go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Content Blockers. Here you'll see all sites with custom settings — if a site shows Off, that's why ads are appearing. To reset a site to default blocking, select it and click Remove.
Is the site using aggressive ad tech?
If the site isn't allowlisted in either AdBlock or Safari, it may be using an aggressive form of ad technology that's particularly difficult to block. We see this used most often on free video and audio streaming sites and news sites. For some suggestions, see this article.
If nothing else has helped, you're welcome to open a support ticket. Please include a link to a page where you're seeing ads, a screenshot of the ads (please capture the entire screen, including the URL/address bar), and what troubleshooting steps you've already tried.
A web page isn't working or doesn't look right
First try pausing AdBlock. If that fixes the problem, the culprit is most likely an overzealous filter list blocking something it shouldn't. Go ahead and do what you need to do while AdBlock is paused, and remember to unpause when you're done. (If you want to be a good web citizen, you can also report the issue to the filter list authors so that it can be fixed for everyone.)
If pausing AdBlock doesn't change anything, then something else is breaking the site. For more suggestions, see this article.
A site is telling me to disable AdBlock
Instead of disabling AdBlock, the better solution is to pause AdBlock or add the site to your allowlist: Allowlisting, Pausing, and Disabling AdBlock for Safari.
I need help with something else
Feel free to open a support ticket. If applicable, please include a link to a page where you're seeing the issue, a screenshot of the issue if possible (please capture the entire screen), and what troubleshooting steps, if any, you've already tried.