For a while now, iOS has supported the option to block ads while browsing. We show you how it works and highlight the best adblock apps.
Block ads on your iPhone and iPad
Adblockers for PC and Mac have been around for years, but on mobile we had to wait until 2015 and the release of iOS 9 for the option to block annoying ads while browsing. If you are using Safari on iOS, activating an adblocker is very easy. If you have found a good app (we will discuss four below) then it is a matter of diving into the settings and clicking on ‘Safari’. Then scroll to the option ‘Material blocks’ and set the slider behind the relevant app to green. After that, you basically don’t have to worry about it anymore.
Setting up an ad blocker is very easy
As an example we take Purify, a relatively inexpensive ad blocker that blocks not only ads, but also tracking cookies. With these types of cookies, advertisers collect information about your surfing behavior and preferences, and then adjust the content of advertisements accordingly. If you have searched for a new iPhone on website A, you may then see an advertisement on website B for an iPhone offer from provider X. By blocking trackers, you can better guarantee your privacy on the web. As of iOS 11, Safari has built in this option.
Whitelisting websites
Ad blocking remains a hot topic. Many online publishers and websites – including iPhoned – offer information for free and desperately need ad revenue for website maintenance and paying editors. Without that income, many parties simply cannot survive.
Sites that you love to read and that you have a warm heart are best added to a whitelist of pages whose ads are not blocked. This will do the people who work with a lot of passion on the site every day a great pleasure and ensure that your favorite websites continue to exist.
A website can usually be whitelisted via the settings of the adblocker. At Purify it works a little differently. Within Safari, press the Share button (square with up arrow) at the bottom and swipe to ‘More’. Add the option ‘Purify Actions’ under ‘Activities’. This allows you to whitelist the site or report it if it exhibits strange behavior.
IPhone Adblocker: These are your best options
If you’re looking for an adblocker for the iPhone or iPad, you have several options. Below we highlight four apps with which we have had the best experiences so far.
1. Purify
We took a closer look at Purify before. This iOS ad blocker is especially notable for its ease of use and speed. Browsing without ads and trackers is even faster with Purify than with the competition. Furthermore, the adblocker offers the possibility to block images, executed scripts and external fonts, in order to improve your browsing experience. A website is then loaded more smoothly and you use less data, but of course little is left of the layout. Finally, Purify lets you whitelist websites you like to read.
→ Download Purify from the App Store (2.29 euros)
2.1Blocker
Another great option is 1Blocker, which can basically block everything and is free to try. Only unlimited blocking requires an in-app purchase of a few euros. 1Blocker lets you block thousands of ads, scripts and trackers that have been executed and easily adjust your preferences. The makers promise regular updates and give users the option to build blockers themselves with an extensive built-in editor. Using the app can save you about 50 percent in data; useful if you have a small data bundle.
→ Download 1Blocker from the App Store (free / 5.49 euros)
3. Crystal Adblock
Crystal is an effective ad blocker that only offers a limited number of options. The idea is therefore that you enable the application and then do not have to worry about it anymore. Crystal, like the ad blockers above, can block ads, trackers and scripts. This should save data and ensure that you can use the battery of your iOS device for longer. Crystal also works with Safari again and works flawlessly. This adblocker for iPhone and iPad costs 99 cents.
→ Download Crystal Adblock from the App Store (0.99 euros)
4. AdBlock Browser
If you prefer not to use Safari, consider AdBlock Browser as an alternative. This browser was developed by the makers of the popular Adblock Plus extension for PC and Mac. AdBlock Browser has all the features you would expect from a modern browser, such as tabs and bookmarks. The app can block advertisements and trackers and thus saves up to 50 percent data and 23 percent battery. You choose what you want to block and you can add sites to a whitelist. Adblock Browser also promises to limit malware infections by not loading rogue ads.
→ Download AdBlock Browser from the App Store (free)
Conclusion
As you can see, the basic functionality of most ad blockers is comparable, although 1Blocker stands out for the customization options that you have. The app is free to try, although you cannot filter all advertisements and trackers. Crystal includes fewer options than 1Blocker, making the app more suitable for novice users. For those who don’t like Safari, AdBlock Browser is a good alternative. Ultimately, however, our preference is for Purify. This adblocker works smoothly, blocks almost everything and that way saves you data and battery.
Do you have an addition to the list above? Let us know in the comments!