Decoding the iOS Ad Blocking Shortcut: A Clever Solution?

I recently came across an intriguing question online: Someone was trying to recreate a specific iOS setup that allowed them to bypass ads with a simple tap within their browser. Apparently, this setup provided quick access to alternative versions of articles, potentially stripping away the ads and trackers in the process. It got me thinking about clever ways to enhance ad blocking and content accessibility on mobile devices.

Let's break down what this mysterious shortcut might involve and explore some alternative approaches to achieve a similar outcome.

Understanding the iOS Ad Blocking Shortcut

Based on the description, it seems like this user had configured a custom action within their browser (likely Safari) to quickly access different versions of the current webpage. This action would ideally involve sending the URL of the current page to services that archive or extract the core content, effectively bypassing the ad-heavy original.

Possible Components of the Shortcut:

• A Browser Extension or Shortcut: The "bottom right circles" likely refer to a custom action configured within a browser extension (if they were using a third-party browser) or a native iOS shortcut interacting with Safari.
• URL Manipulation: The core function involves taking the URL of the current page and passing it to different services.
• Content Extraction Services: The mentioned "11ft, Wayback, and some archive site" are key. These services are used to retrieve either a clean, paywall-free version of the article or an archived snapshot of the page.

How It Likely Worked:

1. User Taps the Shortcut: The user taps the configured action within their browser.
2. Current URL is Captured: The shortcut captures the URL of the currently open webpage.
3. URL is Sent to Multiple Services: The shortcut sends the captured URL to a series of services (e.g., 11ft, Wayback Machine, Archive.is) in sequence.
4. Alternative Pages Open: Each service attempts to retrieve the content. If successful, a new tab or window opens displaying the content from that service.

Deconstructing the Services

Let's examine the services mentioned and why they are relevant to ad blocking and content access:

1. 11ft

• Purpose: 11ft is a service designed to bypass paywalls and access articles without subscriptions. It often involves stripping away ads and trackers in the process.
• Functionality: It attempts to fetch the article content through various methods, often relying on open-source intelligence and bypassing techniques.
• Relevance: Ideal for accessing premium content without ads or subscriptions.

2. Wayback Machine

• Purpose: The Wayback Machine is a digital archive of the World Wide Web. It takes snapshots of websites at different points in time.
• Functionality: By submitting a URL, you can view previous versions of the page. This can be useful if the current version is laden with ads or has changed significantly.
• Relevance: Can access older, potentially cleaner versions of a webpage, especially if the current version is heavily monetized.

3. Archive.is

• Purpose: Similar to the Wayback Machine, Archive.is allows users to create and access archived snapshots of web pages.
• Functionality: It captures a static version of the page, preserving its content and layout at a specific moment.
• Relevance: Another way to access historical versions of a page, potentially bypassing current ad implementations.

Why This Approach is Interesting

This shortcut approach presents several advantages for mobile users:

• Ad Bypassing: By accessing content through alternative services, users can often bypass intrusive ads and trackers.
• Paywall Circumvention: Services like 11ft can unlock premium content that would otherwise require a subscription.
• Content Preservation: The Wayback Machine and Archive.is ensure that content remains accessible even if the original website changes or disappears.
• Speed and Convenience: A single tap provides access to multiple alternative versions of the page, saving time and effort.

Recreating the Ad Blocking Shortcut

While the original user's exact setup remains a bit of a mystery, we can explore ways to recreate a similar functionality on iOS.

Option 1: Using iOS Shortcuts

iOS Shortcuts allows you to create custom workflows that automate tasks. We can create a shortcut that takes the current URL from Safari and sends it to the services mentioned above.

1. Create a New Shortcut: Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut.
2. Get Current Webpage URL: Add an action to "Get Current Webpage URL" from Safari.
3. Open URLs: Add multiple "Open URLs" actions. For each action, input the URL of one of the services, appending the captured webpage URL as a parameter. For example:
   • https://11ft.io/https://example.com (replace https://example.com with the shortcut variable containing the current URL)
   • https://web.archive.org/save/https://example.com
   • https://archive.is/https://example.com
4. Add to Share Sheet: Configure the shortcut to appear in the Safari share sheet. This allows you to access the shortcut directly from the browser.

Option 2: Using a Third-Party Browser with Extensions

Some third-party browsers on iOS support extensions, which can provide more advanced customization options.

1. Install a Browser with Extension Support: Consider using browsers like iCab Mobile or Orion Browser.
2. Install a URL Router Extension: Look for extensions that allow you to route URLs to different services based on custom rules.
3. Configure the Extension: Set up rules to send URLs to 11ft, Wayback Machine, or Archive.is when a specific action is triggered.

Option 3: Using a Bookmarklet

A bookmarklet is a small piece of JavaScript code that can be saved as a bookmark in your browser. When you click the bookmark, the code is executed on the current page.

1. Create Bookmarklets: Create bookmarklets for each service (11ft, Wayback Machine, Archive.is) that take the current URL and open it in the respective service.
   • For 11ft: javascript:window.location.href='https://11ft.io/'+window.location.href;
   • For Wayback Machine: javascript:window.location.href='https://web.archive.org/save/'+window.location.href;
   • For Archive.is: javascript:window.location.href='https://archive.is/'+window.location.href;
2. Save as Bookmarks: Save these code snippets as bookmarks in your browser.
3. Access from Bookmarks Bar: When you want to bypass ads, simply click the corresponding bookmarklet.

Combining with Existing Ad Blocking Solutions

This shortcut approach can be used in conjunction with other ad blocking methods to provide a more comprehensive solution.

1. DNS-Based Blocking

As we often recommend, using a DNS-based ad blocker like NextDNS or AdGuard DNS can block ads at the network level, providing system-wide protection. This reduces the number of ads that even reach the browser.

2. Safari Content Blockers

Safari content blockers like 1Blocker or AdGuard for Safari can block ads and trackers within the browser itself. This provides an additional layer of protection.

3. VPN-Based Ad Blocking

VPN-based ad blockers like AdGuard Pro can block ads in all apps and browsers by routing traffic through a VPN server. However, this can impact battery life and performance.

Potential Drawbacks

While this shortcut approach is clever, it's essential to consider potential drawbacks:

• Website Compatibility: Not all websites will work correctly with these services. Some websites may block access or render incorrectly.
• Service Reliability: The availability and performance of these services can vary. They may be temporarily unavailable or experience slowdowns.
• Privacy Concerns: While these services aim to bypass ads and trackers, they may have their own privacy policies. It's essential to review their terms of service before using them.
• Maintenance: The shortcut may require occasional maintenance as websites and services change over time.

Alternatives to Consider

If the shortcut approach seems too complex, consider these alternatives:

1. Brave Browser

Brave Browser has built-in ad blocking and privacy features. It automatically blocks ads and trackers, providing a clean browsing experience.

2. Firefox with uBlock Origin

Firefox supports extensions, allowing you to install uBlock Origin, a powerful and customizable ad blocker.

3. AdGuard for iOS

AdGuard for iOS provides system-wide ad blocking through a local VPN. It blocks ads in all apps and browsers.

My Recommendations

If you're looking for a comprehensive ad blocking solution on iOS, I recommend combining a DNS-based ad blocker with a Safari content blocker or Brave Browser.

• For system-wide protection: Use NextDNS or AdGuard DNS.
• For Safari-specific blocking: Use 1Blocker or AdGuard for Safari.
• For a browser with built-in ad blocking: Use Brave Browser.

The iOS shortcut approach is an interesting way to bypass ads and access content through alternative services. While it may require some initial setup and maintenance, it can provide a convenient and effective solution for ad-free browsing. However, it's essential to consider the potential drawbacks and explore alternative solutions before committing to this approach.

Ultimately, the best ad blocking solution is the one that works best for your needs and preferences. Experiment with different methods and find the combination that provides the optimal balance of ad blocking, privacy, and performance. Remember, a clean and ad-free mobile browsing experience is within reach.

Ready to explore further? Check out our setup guides for detailed instructions on configuring DNS-based ad blocking and Safari content blockers.