How to Turn Off Ad Blockers on Browsers and Devices? [A Comprehensive Walkthrough]

Ad-blocking tools protect the 4.3 billion browser users from the potential security risks of ads. Ad blockers have even taken the form of extensions to filter ads more efficiently. 

However, as convenient as ad blockers are, there are circumstances where users have to access ads. This means ad blockers must be disabled. 

In this article, you will learn the simple ways to turn off ad blockers on various platforms. Read on.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera have built-in ad blockers that prevent you from viewing ads on certain websites.
• Users turn off ad blockers to access specific sites. Some people support sites through ads, so they allow temporary ad-blocking suspension.
• Exercising caution when deactivating ad blockers is important to avoid exposure to potential risks like spyware, adware, and viruses.

Disabling Ad Blockers on Browsers and Devices

42.7% of users utilize ad-blocking tools for a better streaming or browsing experience. However, some users are willing to remove ad blockers for various reasons. 

58% of users disable ad blockers to view a particular website, while 26% of users will turn off ad blockers if the website needs support from sponsored ads. 

Whatever reason you have, the methods below will help you temporarily disable ad blockers on various devices, browsers, and OS. 

Google Chrome

Holding 64% of the market share, Google Chrome uses built-in ad-blocker tools to give users a better browsing experience. These ad blockers help limit the ads shown on the web pages opened in the browser.

Below are steps to turn off Google Chrome’s pre-installed ad limiters on desktop and mobile devices.

A. Disable Chrome Ad Blockers on PC

See the step-by-step guide below to switch off Chrome’s ad-blocker system on your computer: 

Step 1: Open Google Chrome. 

Step 2: Click the three vertically stacked dots at the far upper right of the browser homepage. 

Step 3: From the drop-down menu, click Settings. 

Step 4: In the sidebar, click Privacy and Security.

Step 5: Select Site Settings. 

Step 6: Scroll down and click Additional content settings. 

Step 7: Choose Intrusive ads in the dropdown.  

Step 8: Select “Any site you visit can show any ad to you.”

B. Switch Off Chrome Ad Blockers on Mobile Devices

Below are guides on disabling Chrome’s ad blocker on Android and iOS devices. Check it out.

Android

Google Chrome for Android uses native ad blockers. To turn it off, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Chrome browser.

Step 2: Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the homepage. Select Settings in the dropdown. 

Step 3: Click Site Settings.

Step 4: Select Ads and turn it off. 

iOS

iPhone and iPad users turn off ad blockers within Chrome apps by customizing pop-ups. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Chrome app. 
2. Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
3. Select Settings. Find and click Content Settings.
4. Tap on the Block Pop-ups.
5. Toggle the button off to disable blocking pop-ups. 

Firefox

Mozilla Firefox has its Enhanced Tracking Protectionfeature. The ETP feature blocks trackers that record users’ online activity, and it is also the browser’s built-in ad blocker. 

Users can also install ad-blocker extensions like AdBlock Plus for a better ad-free browsing experience. Whether built-in or extension, check out the methods below to turn off ad blockers in Firefox. 

A. Disable Firefox Ad-Blocker Extensions

There are over 9,000 ad-blocker extensions in Mozilla Firefox. Here’s how you can disable it if you’re using one: 

Step 1: Launch Firefox.

Step 2: Select the icon with three horizontal lines in the upper right corner. 

Step 3: Click Settings. 

Step 4: Select Extensions and themes. 

Step 5: Within Manage your extensions, toggle any ad-blocker extension to off. 

B. Customize the Enhanced Tracking Protection 

If you do not have any ad-blocker extensions on your Firefox browser, you can also enable ads by tweaking the Enhanced Tracking Protection settings. Here’s how you can do that: 

Step 1: Click the shield image on the left side of the address bar of any webpage you want to view. 

Step 2: The “Enhanced Tracking Protection” feature is likely ON for the website by default, so switch it off.

C. Switch Off Firefox Ad-Blocker Extensions on Android 

If you’re also using Firefox as your mobile browser, you can turn off ad-blocker extensions with the steps below. 

1. Launch the Firefox app.
2. Tap the three-dotted icon in the lower right of the homepage. 
3. Select Add ons. 
4. Tap all ad-blocker extensions and switch them off.

iOS does not support plug-ins or extensions on Firefox browsers, so ad-blocking methods do not apply to iPhones or iPads.

Opera

Users no longer need to install extensions to block ads and improve performance in Opera as its most recent version (102.0.4871.0) already includes a built-in ad blocker. 

Learn how to disable Opera’s built-in ad blocker with the steps below: 

Step 1: Launch the Opera browser. 

Step 2: Click the icon in the photo below. A menu tab will appear on the side. 

Step 3: Look for the Privacy and Security section.

Step 4: Go to the Block ads option and turn it off.

Microsoft Edge

The Microsoft Edge browser has a built-in anti-tracking system called Tracking Prevention. Edge users can also install ad-blocker extensions of their choice. 

Here’s how you can control ad blockers in Microsoft Edge: 

A. Customize Edge’s Tracking Prevention for PCs

Follow the steps to exempt some sites from the ad-tracking system of Edge on computers. 

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge.

Step 2: Click the three dots on the far right corner.

Step 3: Select Settings. 

Step 4: Go to Privacy, search, and services. 

Step 5: Under Tracking prevention, click Exceptions. 

Step 6: Click Add a Site to exempt selected sites from the ad tracking system.

B. Disable Ad-Blocker Extensions for Edge

If you added an ad-blocker extension but want to disable it temporarily, the steps below will teach you how to do that. 

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge

Step 2: Click the Extensions button beside the search bar. It is the icon shaped like a puzzle piece. 

Step 3: Select Manage Extensions.

Step 4: Find the ad-blocker extension in the list and switch it off. 

Safari

Safari is Apple’s official internet browser on iOS, macOS, and iPadOS devices. Learn how to disable Safari’s ad blocker across Apple devices with this guide:

A. Disable Safari’s Ad Blocker on iOS 

Step 1: Go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and look for Safari. Tap it to open. 

Step 3: In the General section, tap the toggle switch next to Block pop-ups to gray. 

If you have any ad-blocker extensions, you can also do the following:

1. Tap Extensions under Safari. 
2. Look for third-party ad-blocker extensions. 
3. Toggle the switch to grey to turn the extension off.

B. Switch Off Safari’s Ad Blockers on Mac

For Mac users, you can turn off your Safari ad blocker by following these steps: 

Step 1: Open the Safari browser.

Step 2: Click Safari inthe menu bar at the top left corner. Select Settings in the dropdown. 

Step 3: Go to the Websites tab. Click Content Blockers. 

Step 4: Disable all content-blocking services listed. 

Conclusion

Turning off ad blockers, whether built-in or an extension, is easy. Depending on the type of device you’re using, steps to disable ad blockers may vary. 

However, ensure that switching off your ad blocker is only temporary. Pop-ups and browser redirects pose a threat to your online security. 

Ads can bring all sorts of malware to your device, causing minor to severe damage. Some malware can even steal pieces of your personal data to commit identity theft.

FAQs

By Jalluri Sirisha

Sirisha is a networking enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering. She has developed a keen interest in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has gone the extra mile to gain firsthand experience and knowledge.