How to Enable Pop-Ups on Your Mac in Safari and Chrome

It’s a hasty generalization that all pop-ups should be avoided like the plague. Some pop-ups are dangerous indeed. On the other hand, some are actually useful. In the same vein, the knowledge of how to allow pop-ups on Mac can come in handy on many occasions.

You might want to unblock pop-ups in Safari or Chrome to download an app or enable a customer support chat. In a word, there’s always a place for occasional pop-ups in your life. So let’s learn how to let them in.

How to allow pop-ups on Mac

You may need to enable pop-ups to complete specific tasks online, such as verifying a payment, signing in through a third-party service, or accessing customer support chat tools. In most cases, allowing pop-ups for a single trusted website is safer than disabling the blocker entirely.

Some pop-ups are integral to the user experience. Block them and you won’t be able to sign up for an email digest or complete an online purchase. Is that why you are here? Well, you are in luck because this article has been written with a simple aim: to teach you how to disable a pop-up blocker on Mac in as little time as possible.  

How to allow pop-ups on Safari for one website

Allowing pop-ups for a single website in Safari is the safest option, as it lets trusted sites open necessary windows without disabling pop-up protection across the browser. Here is how to do it:

1. Open Safari.
2. In the Safari menu, select Preferences.
3. In the Websites tab, click Pop-up Windows.
4. In the drop-down menu next to the target website, click Allow.

Once this setting is enabled, Safari will allow pop-ups only for the selected website while continuing to block them on all other sites.

How to allow pop-ups on Safari for all websites

Enabling pop-ups for all websites removes Safari’s built-in protection and may expose you to malicious or misleading pop-ups from untrusted sources. Here is how to do it:

1. Open Safari.
2. In the Safari menu, select Preferences.
3. In the Websites tab, click Pop-up Windows.
4. Set the When visiting other websites option to Allow.

How to allow pop-ups on Mac in Chrome for one website

Allowing pop-ups for all websites in Chrome disables the browser’s default pop-up protection and should only be used if you fully trust the sites you visit.

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to the website where you want to allow pop-ups.
3. Click the lock icon at the top left corner of the browser.
4. In the drop-down menu, click Site settings.
5. Set the Pop-ups and redirects option to Allow.

How to allow pop-ups on Mac in Chrome for all websites

Before enabling pop-ups, quickly review the following safety checks to reduce the risk of scams, malware, or data theft.

1. Open Chrome.
2. In the Chrome menu, select Preferences.
3. In the Privacy and security tab, click Site Settings.
4. In the Content section, click Pop-ups and redirects.
5. Set the Default behavior option to Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects.

Precautions to take before enabling pop-ups

Pop-ups can be useful, but not all of them are safe. Before enabling them, take a few steps to protect your data on your laptop:

• Only allow pop-ups on trusted sites. If a site looks suspicious or asks for unnecessary information, avoid allowing pop-ups.
• Check website security. Look for HTTPS in the address bar to ensure the site encrypts your data.
• Be wary of pop-ups asking for downloads. Some pop-ups may trick you into installing malware disguised as software updates.
• Never enter personal details in a pop-up. Legitimate sites won’t ask for sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers through pop-ups.
• Keep your browser and device updated. Updates often fix security loopholes that malware can exploit.
• Watch out for fake CAPTCHA or “Allow to continue” pop-ups. These are often used to trick users into enabling browser notifications or granting permissions that lead to spam, phishing, or malware.

How to secure your phone after enabling pop-ups

Asides the precautions for your Mac above, you should definitely take extra steps to protect other devices that can sync with your Mac—like your phone. The data ther is just as vulnerable, and hackers can gain access to your laptop through your phone.

Clario Anti Spy’s Anti-spy setup helps you check for vulnerabilities and shows you how to properly secure your phone.

Follow these steps to enable Anti-spy setup on your phone:

1. Download Clario Anti Spy and create an account.
2. Open the app.
3. Tap Anti-spy setup from the dashboard.
4. Follow the checklist to secure your device.
5. Complete each step to reduce the risk of spyware.

Wrapping up

Disabling a pop-up blocker is easy. The hard part is knowing which pop-ups are harmless and which ones could put your data at risk. When browsing without a pop-up blocker, always stay cautious and avoid clicking on anything suspicious. When enabling pop-ups, it’s best to allow them only on trusted websites, review browser permissions regularly, and pair these changes with basic device security practices.

And don’t forget—your phone can be a target too. So, download Clario Anti Spy now, and protect your personal data from spyware and hackers.