How to enable pop-ups in Safari

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To enable pop-ups in Safari, navigate to the Safari menu, select Preferences, and adjust the settings under the Websites tab. This allows you to control pop-up behavior for specific websites or all sites.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before enabling pop-ups in Safari, ensure you have the following:
  • •A Mac or iOS device running Safari (version 12 or later recommended).
  • •Administrator access to change browser settings.
  • •Basic understanding of navigating browser settings.
  • •Backup important data if necessary, especially if using extensions that may conflict.

Method 1: Using Safari Preferences

This method is the primary way to enable pop-ups for all websites or specific sites.
  • •Step 1: Open Safari and click on 'Safari' in the top menu bar.
  • •Step 2: Select 'Preferences...' (or press Command + ,).
  • •Step 3: Click on the 'Websites' tab.
  • •Step 4: In the left sidebar, select 'Pop-up Windows'.
  • •Step 5: Choose 'Allow' from the dropdown menu next to the website you want to enable pop-ups for, or select 'Allow' for all websites at the bottom.
  • •Step 6: Close the Preferences window to save your changes.
  • •Step 7: To verify, visit a site that previously had pop-ups blocked and check if they now appear.
  • •Step 8: If pop-ups still do not appear, try refreshing the page or restarting Safari.

For macOS Monterey and later

Ensure you are using the latest version of Safari for optimal performance.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: Check for any additional privacy settings that may affect pop-ups.

For macOS Big Sur and earlier

The steps remain largely the same, but the interface may look slightly different.
  • •Step 1: Access Preferences as described.
  • •Step 2: The layout may differ, but the 'Websites' tab will still contain the pop-up settings.

Method 2: Using the Smart Search Field

This method allows you to enable pop-ups for a specific site quickly.
  • •Step 1: Visit the website where you want to enable pop-ups.
  • •Step 2: If a pop-up is blocked, you will see a small icon in the address bar indicating a blocked pop-up.
  • •Step 3: Click on the icon (it may look like a small window with an 'X').
  • •Step 4: A dropdown will appear; select 'Allow' to enable pop-ups for this site.
  • •Step 5: Refresh the page to see if the pop-ups are now functioning.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If enabling pop-ups does not work as expected, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Pop-ups are still blocked' - Solution: Ensure that you have selected 'Allow' for the specific site in the Websites tab.
  • •Issue: 'Pop-ups not appearing after enabling' - Fix: Clear your browser cache by going to Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data, then remove data for the site.
  • •Problem: 'Pop-ups blocked by extensions' - Workaround: Disable any ad-blocking extensions temporarily to see if they are causing the issue.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users, here are some additional tips:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Command + Option + I - Opens the Web Inspector, useful for debugging pop-up issues.
  • •Command line: Use Terminal commands to reset Safari settings if necessary.
  • •Hidden feature: Enable 'Develop' menu in Preferences > Advanced to access more web development tools.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

For the best experience, regularly review your pop-up settings and browser extensions.