How to Block Ads on iPhone Safari: Complete Guide 2025

If you're tired of intrusive ads interrupting your browsing experience on Safari, you're not alone. Millions of iPhone users search for ways to block ads on Safari every month. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through every effective method to block ads on iPhone Safari in 2025.

Why Block Ads on iPhone Safari?

Before diving into the how-to, let's understand why blocking ads on Safari is worth your time:

1. Faster Page Loading

Ads can account for 50-70% of a webpage's data. By blocking them, pages load significantly faster, especially on cellular connections.

2. Reduced Data Usage

If you're on a limited data plan, blocking ads can save you hundreds of megabytes per month. That's real money saved.

3. Better Battery Life

Ads, especially video ads, consume significant processing power and drain your battery faster. Blocking them extends your iPhone's battery life.

4. Enhanced Privacy

Many ads come with tracking scripts that follow your browsing behavior. Blocking ads also blocks these trackers, protecting your privacy.

5. Improved Security

Malicious ads (malvertising) can redirect you to harmful websites or attempt to install malware. Ad blocking adds an extra layer of security.

Method 1: Use Safari Content Blockers (Recommended)

Safari on iOS has built-in support for content blockers. These are apps you download from the App Store that integrate directly with Safari to block ads.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Download a content blocker from the App Store. Popular options include:

   • AdGuard for Safari (Free + Premium)
   • 1Blocker (Free + Premium)
   • BlockBear (Paid)
   • Wipr (Paid)

2. Open Settings on your iPhone

3. Scroll down and tap Safari

4. Under "General," tap Extensions

5. Enable your content blocker by toggling it on

6. Open Safari and browse ad-free!

Pros of Content Blockers

• Native integration with Safari
• Low battery impact
• Works without a VPN
• Easy to enable/disable
• Regular filter updates

Cons of Content Blockers

• Only works in Safari browser
• Doesn't block ads in apps
• Some sites may detect and ask you to disable

Method 2: Configure DNS-Based Ad Blocking

DNS-based ad blocking works at the network level, blocking ads before they even reach your device. This method works across all browsers and many apps.

Option A: Using AdGuard DNS

1. Open Settings on your iPhone

2. Tap General > VPN & Device Management

3. Tap DNS at the bottom

4. Select Manual and enter:

   • Primary: 94.140.14.14
   • Secondary: 94.140.15.15

5. Tap Save

Option B: Using NextDNS

NextDNS offers a more customizable approach with analytics:

1. Visit nextdns.io and create a free account

2. Get your custom DNS configuration

3. Download the NextDNS profile for iOS

4. Install the profile via Settings > Profile Downloaded

5. Enable NextDNS in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management

Option C: Using iOS 14+ Private Relay Alternative

For iOS 14 and later, you can set DNS over HTTPS (DoH):

1. Download a DNS profile from your preferred provider (AdGuard, NextDNS, etc.)

2. Open the downloaded profile in Settings

3. Install and trust the profile

4. Verify it's active in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > DNS

Pros of DNS Blocking

• Works across all browsers
• Blocks some in-app ads
• No app installation required
• System-wide protection

Cons of DNS Blocking

• Cannot block ads served from same domain as content
• Limited effectiveness against YouTube ads
• Requires configuration

Method 3: Use a Privacy-Focused Browser with Built-in Ad Blocking

Some browsers come with ad blocking built right in. While not Safari, they offer an alternative for ad-free browsing.

Popular Options

Brave Browser

• Built-in ad and tracker blocking
• Fast performance
• Privacy-focused
• Free to use

Firefox Focus

• Automatic tracker blocking
• One-tap history erasing
• Lightweight and fast

DuckDuckGo Browser

• Privacy-first approach
• Built-in tracker blocking
• Simple interface

How to Use Brave as Your Safari Alternative

1. Download Brave from the App Store

2. Open Brave and start browsing

3. Ads are blocked by default - no configuration needed

4. Tap the shield icon to see blocked items and adjust settings

Method 4: Safari Reader Mode for Clean Reading

Safari has a built-in Reader mode that strips away ads and formatting, giving you a clean reading experience.

How to Enable Reader Mode

1. Open Safari and navigate to an article

2. Tap the "aA" button in the address bar

3. Select "Show Reader" (or tap the lines icon)

4. Enjoy clean, ad-free reading

Enable Automatic Reader Mode

1. Go to Settings > Safari

2. Under "Settings for Websites," tap Reader

3. Toggle on "All Websites" for automatic Reader mode

Method 5: VPN-Based Ad Blocking

Some VPN apps include ad-blocking features that filter traffic at the network level.

Popular VPN Ad Blockers for iOS

• AdGuard VPN (includes DNS filtering)
• Surfshark (CleanWeb feature)
• NordVPN (Threat Protection)
• ProtonVPN (NetShield)

Setup Example with AdGuard VPN

1. Download AdGuard VPN from the App Store

2. Create an account or sign in

3. Enable the VPN and DNS filtering

4. Browse with ads blocked

Pros of VPN Ad Blocking

• Works system-wide
• Encrypts your traffic
• Additional privacy benefits

Cons of VPN Ad Blocking

• Uses more battery
• May slow down connection
• Usually requires subscription

Comparing All Methods

| Method | Safari Only | System-Wide | Battery Impact | Cost | |--------|-------------|-------------|----------------|------| | Content Blockers | Yes | No | Low | Free/Paid | | DNS Blocking | No | Yes | None | Free | | Alternative Browsers | N/A | No | Low | Free | | Reader Mode | Yes | No | None | Free | | VPN Ad Blocking | No | Yes | Medium | Paid |

My Recommended Setup for Maximum Protection

For the best ad-blocking experience on iPhone, I recommend combining multiple methods:

1. Install a content blocker (AdGuard or 1Blocker) for Safari

2. Configure DNS-based blocking (NextDNS or AdGuard DNS) for system-wide protection

3. Use Reader Mode for articles when you want distraction-free reading

This combination gives you layered protection that catches most ads across Safari and other apps.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Ads Still Appearing?

• Make sure your content blocker is enabled in Settings > Safari > Extensions
• Try updating your content blocker's filter lists
• Some sites use anti-ad-block detection - try Reader Mode

Website Not Loading Correctly?

• Temporarily disable your content blocker for that site
• In AdGuard, tap the shield icon and whitelist the site
• Check if the site requires disabling ad blockers

Content Blocker Not Showing in Settings?

• Close and reopen Settings
• Reinstall the content blocker app
• Restart your iPhone

Frequently Asked Questions

Is blocking ads on iPhone legal?

Yes, ad blocking is completely legal. You have the right to control what content loads on your device.

Will blocking ads break websites?

Most websites work fine with ad blockers. Some may ask you to disable your ad blocker, but this is usually optional.

Does Apple allow ad blockers?

Yes! Apple introduced content blocker support in iOS 9. There are many ad-blocking apps available on the App Store.

Can I block YouTube ads in Safari?

Yes, content blockers can block some YouTube ads when watching in Safari browser (not the YouTube app). DNS blocking has limited effectiveness with YouTube due to how they serve ads.

Do I need to pay for an ad blocker?

No, there are excellent free options available. Paid versions usually offer additional features like custom filters or no limits on blocked items.

Conclusion

Blocking ads on iPhone Safari is easier than ever in 2025. Whether you choose content blockers, DNS-based blocking, or a combination of methods, you can dramatically improve your browsing experience.

My top recommendation is to start with a free content blocker like AdGuard for Safari, then layer DNS-based blocking for system-wide protection. This combination gives you the best of both worlds without any subscription costs.

Ready to start browsing ad-free? Pick a method above and get started in just a few minutes. Your eyes, battery, and data plan will thank you!