Fed up with being constantly bombarded with ads while using your iPhone? Don’t worry – we all are. The good news is there are some excellent free ad-blockers for the iPhone to help you reclaim your sanity (not to mention your privacy!).
But with so many to choose from, picking out the ones that offer legitimate free plans and actually work can feel like a futile act. Try to do it yourself, and you’ll probably give up.
To save you all that time and frustration, we’ve tested countless free iPhone ad-blockers – and picked out the five best. In this quick guide, we’ll show you how each one works, so you can decide if it’s right for you, install it on your iPhone, and carry on with your day.
What’s the best free ad-blocker for iPhone? Our top 5 picks
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Why are these the best ad-blockers for iPhone in 2023?
Every free ad-blocker on this list passed a series of strict tests before we recommended it. You can use the same criteria when choosing one for your iPhone.
Here’s a sample of the features we looked for:
Comprehensive and feature-rich free plans Blocks every kind of ad (including banners, pop-ups, video ads, and more) Stops intrusive tracking by social media and websites Compatible with iPhone browsers Doesn’t drain your phone’s battery Plenty of customization
Best free ad-blockers for iPhone: a closer look
No two ad-blockers are the same. While each one on this list meets the minimum requirement – blocking ads on your iPhone – they also offer a wide range of additional features, tools, and (let’s be honest) limitations.
Let’s review each one quickly so you can make the most informed choice for your needs.
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How we chose the best free ad-blockers for iPhone
We put every ad-blocker on this list through rigorous testing before recommending it. You can use our criteria when deciding which one to use. Here’s what to look for from each ad-blocker:
Comprehensive free plans: We’ve only included ad-blockers that don’t limit their free users too much, so you can enjoy ad-free internet without paying anything. Block every kind of ad: The ad-blockers on this list stop banners, pop-ups, pre- and mid-roll video ads, and much more. Block intrusive trackers: They also stop trackers and analytics tools from following you around the internet and harvesting your data. Customization: You can leave these ad-blockers on the default settings or manually set your own filters, rules, and blocklists. Won’t drain your battery: We only recommend ad-blockers built with lightweight code, so there’s little to no impact on your iPhone’s battery. In fact, by blocking ads, it might even last longer. Won’t constantly upsell you: The best ad-blockers respect your decision to use the free version, and trust it will impress you enough without bombarding you with ads to upgrade.
FAQs about free iPhone ad-blockers
Does Apple allow ad-blockers on iPhones?
Yes, Apple has allowed ad-blockers on iPhones since 2015. You can install third-party ad-blockers on your iPhone as a browser extension for Safari, Chrome, and other popular browsers, or as a standalone app.
We recommend using a standalone app as it offers the most comprehensive solution. Ads will be blocked from your browser, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and any other app that usually hosts them.
Is it possible to block ads in iPhone apps?
Yes, it’s possible to block ads in iPhone apps using an ad-blocker. You can install an ad-blocker on your iPhone as a standalone app, and it will stop every kind of ad from appearing on your browser and every other app that hosts ads, such as TikTok, YouTube, and social media platforms.
To install an ad-blocker on your iPhone, open the App Store and search for one to download. We recommend Total Adblock – it’s the most effective ad-blocker we’ve used and provides a host of other features that boost your privacy and security online.
How do I block ads manually on my iPhone?
The best way to block ads manually on your iPhone is by using an ad-blocker with customizable settings and filters. An ad-blocker stops ads at a network level, blocking them from loading on any browser or app the moment you connect to the web. The ads are blocked before they can even load.
You can download an ad-blocker as an extension for Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and other popular iPhone browsers or as a standalone app. We recommend a standalone app, as that will block ads on your browser and any other app that connects to the internet and hosts ads (i.e., YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram).
Once you’ve installed the ad-blocker on your iPhone, you can manually configure it to block specific ads or leave it on the default setting, so it blocks every type – including banners, pop-ups, pre-roll video ads, and much more.
How to install a free ad-blocker on your iPhone
1. Adblocker browser extensions
Every popular iPhone browser allows you to install extensions – including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. Follow these steps to install an ad-blocking browser extension on your iPhone:
Download the browser extension from the App Store. We recommend Total Adblock. Install it on your iPhone. Open your browser and configure it so the ad-blocker extension is turned on. Close and restart your browser to ensure the ad-blocker is running on any pages you already had open.
2. Ad-blocker iPhone Apps
If you want to block ads on your browser and apps, a standalone ad-blocker app is the best way to go. Here’s what to do:
Download the app from the App Store. We recommend Total Adblock. Open the app and configure it for your device. Restart your browser and any apps that are running. You’re finished!
The ad-blocker app will run in the background, blocking any ad or tracking programs from running on your iPhone.
3. Adblocker VPNs
The best VPNs for iPhone have built-in ad-blockers that you can set up in a few minutes. Follow these steps:
Sign up to a VPN with a built-in ad-blocker. We recommend NordVPN. Install the VPN on your iPhone. Set your configurations, including turning the ad-blocker on. Connect to the VPN’s secure servers. You’re done!
With a VPN ad-blocker combo, you get more than just ad-free browsing. Your data is encrypted, your IP address is hidden, everything you do online is private, and much more.
4. Ad-blocker antiviruses
Our favorite antiviruses include built-in ad-blockers as part of their cybersecurity package.
Sign up to an iPhone antivirus that includes a built-in ad-blocker. We recommend Intego. Install the antivirus on your iPhone. Turn on the ad-blocker and other cybersecurity settings. Finished!
The antivirus will block more than annoying ads and pop-ups: you’ll be protected from malware, phishing, online attacks, hacks, and every other common danger on the internet.
Conclusion
The best free ad-blockers for iPhone won’t just block annoying ads from your browser and apps. They’ll also stop websites, advertisers, and other nefarious parties from tracking your every move online, harvesting your data, and using it to sell you things you don’t want.
We’ve tested countless iPhone ad-blockers and found the five with the best free plans. Try them out, and if you like them, consider upgrading to a premium package to get everything from a complete antivirus package to DNS filters and other cool privacy tools.
Total Adblock: The best ad-blocker for iPhone. The free version blocks every kind of ad – and many other annoyances. The premium plan includes free award-winning antivirus.
Adlock: Comprehensive free plan blocks ads, trackers, and more. The premium plan is the most budget-friendly available.
AdGuard: The most customizable free ad-blocker for iPhone. Open-source, easy to use, and adds protection against malware, phishing, and other threats.
1Blocker: Free browser extension built for Safari that blocks 13,000+ types of ads, as well as trackers, crypto miners, and much more.
Adblock Plus: One of the most popular ad-blockers for over 15 years. Effective against most ads and trackers, and it’s completely open-source.