AdBlock for Safari is a fast and powerful ad blocking Mac app that speeds up web browsing by removing ads and reducing loading times of web pages. AdBlock starts blocking annoying ads on millions of websites from the moment you install it.
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Interacting with the AdBlock for Safari Mac app
- AdBlock menu icon - located on the top menu bar - which has app information (version information & debug data), the ability to manage filter lists and quick access to allowlisted sites in AdBlock’s Settings window. This only displays when the AdBlock app is open.
- AdBlock browser icon - located on the Safari toolbar - where AdBlock can be paused, sites or pages can be allowlisted (i.e. “Allow ads”), quick access to the AdBlock Settings window and a link to AdBlock Help. This will appear even if the AdBlock app is closed.
- The AdBlock app icon - located in the Applications folder and/or on the Dock - this opens the AdBlock Settings window where AdBlock can be upgraded, filter lists can be managed and allowlisted sites (sites where ads are allowed to appear) can be added or removed.
Filter lists in the AdBlock for Safari Mac app
The Mac app uses Apple's Safari content blocking to block ads. In this respect, it's the same as our iOS app. Apple's content blocking mechanism doesn't understand the standard syntax that is used in standard filter lists. Instead, it uses a special content blocking syntax. Before a filter list can be used with the AdBlock app, it needs to be converted to the content blocking format. EasyList, Acceptable Ads, and Anti-Circumvention have all been converted.
You may find that AdBlock for Safari blocks fewer ads than AdBlock on Chrome, Firefox or Edge. This is because Apple imposes a 50,000 rule limit on the number of filter rules a content blocker can use at one time. While 50,000 sounds like a large number, in reality, it’s easy to run up against that limit with just a few filter lists. EasyList, for example, has more than 40,000 rules by itself. We could add more content blockers to the app, each with its own 50,000-rule limit but that adds significantly more complexity. Moreover, content blockers don't work well with each other, particularly when allowlisting rules are also being used.
There are three options for filter lists in the Mac app:
- Advanced ad blocking (i.e. Anti-circumvention filter list) -- available with the Gold upgrade
- Block annoying ads, pop-ups (i.e. EasyList filter list)
- Allow some non-intrusive ads (i.e. Acceptable Ads filter list)
To learn more about each filter list and how to subscribe to each, please see this article: Introduction to Filter Lists.
Manually updating AdBlock's filter lists
AdBlock's filter lists update themselves automatically when the app is open. Websites change their ads often, however, and it can be a day or so before the filter lists catch up.
If you start seeing ads that should be blocked, a good first step is to manually update, especially if you see that the last update was more than a day ago.
How to update filter lists in the AdBlock app via the Mac menu bar icon:
Click the AdBlock icon in the MacOS menu bar and select Update Filter Lists. This will open the app window and automatically check for any updates.
How to update filter lists in the AdBlock app via the app window:
Click the AdBlock icon on the Safari toolbar. Select Settings to open the AdBlock app window, select the Filter Lists tab and click on Update Filter Lists.
OR
Click the AdBlock icon in the Dock or Applications folder to open the AdBlock app window, then select the Filter Lists tab and click on Update Filter Lists.
Managing AdBlock in the Dock
If an app is open on your Mac it will appear on the Dock. To keep an icon in the Dock, right-click (or Ctrl + click) on the icon in the Dock and go to Options > Keep in Dock.
To ensure the app icon does not appear on the Dock when closed, first make sure to uncheck System Preferences > Dock > Show recent applications in Dock. Unchecking this setting will prevent any closed apps from appearing on the Dock.
To remove an AdBlock icon that had previously been added to the Dock, right-click (or Ctrl + click) on the icon in the Dock and go to Options > Remove from Dock.
For additional tips, please see Apple’s article: Use the Dock on Mac.
Managing the AdBlock icon on the Safari toolbar
If the AdBlock icon does not appear on the Safari toolbar, go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions and make sure the option for the AdBlock Icon is selected.
If the AdBlock Icon is selected and still does not appear in the toolbar, in Safari go to View > Customize Toolbar… and drag the AdBlock icon to the toolbar.
If you need troubleshooting assistance with the AdBlock for Safari Mac app, please see this article: Troubleshooting the AdBlock for Safari Mac App or reach out to us at help@getadblock.com.
Unlike the software developed for Windows system, most of the applications installed in Mac OS X generally can be removed with relative ease. Adblock Plus for Safari is a third party application that provides additional functionality to OS X system and enjoys a popularity among Mac users. However, instead of installing it by dragging its icon to the Application folder, uninstalling Adblock Plus for Safari may need you to do more than a simple drag-and-drop to the Trash.
Download Mac App RemoverWhen installed, Adblock Plus for Safari creates files in several locations. Generally, its additional files, such as preference files and application support files, still remains on the hard drive after you delete Adblock Plus for Safari from the Application folder, in case that the next time you decide to reinstall it, the settings of this program still be kept. But if you are trying to uninstall Adblock Plus for Safari in full and free up your disk space, removing all its components is highly necessary. Continue reading this article to learn about the proper methods for uninstalling Adblock Plus for Safari.
Manually uninstall Adblock Plus for Safari step by step:
Most applications in Mac OS X are bundles that contain all, or at least most, of the files needed to run the application, that is to say, they are self-contained. Thus, different from the program uninstall method of using the control panel in Windows, Mac users can easily drag any unwanted application to the Trash and then the removal process is started. Despite that, you should also be aware that removing an unbundled application by moving it into the Trash leave behind some of its components on your Mac. To fully get rid of Adblock Plus for Safari from your Mac, you can manually follow these steps:
1. Terminate Adblock Plus for Safari process(es) via Activity Monitor
Before uninstalling Adblock Plus for Safari, you’d better quit this application and end all its processes. If Adblock Plus for Safari is frozen, you can press Cmd +Opt + Esc, select Adblock Plus for Safari in the pop-up windows and click Force Quit to quit this program (this shortcut for force quit works for the application that appears but not for its hidden processes).
Open Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder in Launchpad, and select All Processes on the drop-down menu at the top of the window. Select the process(es) associated with Adblock Plus for Safari in the list, click Quit Process icon in the left corner of the window, and click Quit in the pop-up dialog box (if that doesn’t work, then try Force Quit).
2. Delete Adblock Plus for Safari application using the Trash
First of all, make sure to log into your Mac with an administrator account, or you will be asked for a password when you try to delete something.
Open the Applications folder in the Finder (if it doesn’t appear in the sidebar, go to the Menu Bar, open the “Go” menu, and select Applications in the list), search for Adblock Plus for Safari application by typing its name in the search field, and then drag it to the Trash (in the dock) to begin the uninstall process. Alternatively you can also click on the Adblock Plus for Safari icon/folder and move it to the Trash by pressing Cmd + Del or choosing the File and Move to Trash commands.
For the applications that are installed from the App Store, you can simply go to the Launchpad, search for the application, click and hold its icon with your mouse button (or hold down the Option key), then the icon will wiggle and show the “X” in its left upper corner. Click the “X” and click Delete in the confirmation dialog.
Download Mac App Remover3. Remove all components related to Adblock Plus for Safari in Finder
Adblock Vs Adblock Plus Edge
Though Adblock Plus for Safari has been deleted to the Trash, its lingering files, logs, caches and other miscellaneous contents may stay on the hard disk. For complete removal of Adblock Plus for Safari, you can manually detect and clean out all components associated with this application. You can search for the relevant names using Spotlight. Those preference files of Adblock Plus for Safari can be found in the Preferences folder within your user’s library folder (~/Library/Preferences) or the system-wide Library located at the root of the system volume (/Library/Preferences/), while the support files are located in '~/Library/Application Support/' or '/Library/Application Support/'.
Open the Finder, go to the Menu Bar, open the “Go” menu, select the entry:|Go to Folder... and then enter the path of the Application Support folder:~/Library
Search for any files or folders with the program’s name or developer’s name in the ~/Library/Preferences/, ~/Library/Application Support/ and ~/Library/Caches/ folders. Right click on those items and click Move to Trash to delete them.
Meanwhile, search for the following locations to delete associated items:
- /Library/Preferences/
- /Library/Application Support/
- /Library/Caches/
Besides, there may be some kernel extensions or hidden files that are not obvious to find. In that case, you can do a Google search about the components for Adblock Plus for Safari. Usually kernel extensions are located in in /System/Library/Extensions and end with the extension .kext, while hidden files are mostly located in your home folder. You can use Terminal (inside Applications/Utilities) to list the contents of the directory in question and delete the offending item.
4. Empty the Trash to fully remove Adblock Plus for Safari
If you are determined to delete Adblock Plus for Safari permanently, the last thing you need to do is emptying the Trash. To completely empty your trash can, you can right click on the Trash in the dock and choose Empty Trash, or simply choose Empty Trash under the Finder menu (Notice: you can not undo this act, so make sure that you haven’t mistakenly deleted anything before doing this act. If you change your mind, before emptying the Trash, you can right click on the items in the Trash and choose Put Back in the list). In case you cannot empty the Trash, reboot your Mac.
Download Mac App RemoverTips for the app with default uninstall utility:
You may not notice that, there are a few of Mac applications that come with dedicated uninstallation programs. Though the method mentioned above can solve the most app uninstall problems, you can still go for its installation disk or the application folder or package to check if the app has its own uninstaller first. If so, just run such an app and follow the prompts to uninstall properly. After that, search for related files to make sure if the app and its additional files are fully deleted from your Mac.
Automatically uninstall Adblock Plus for Safari with MacRemover (recommended):
No doubt that uninstalling programs in Mac system has been much simpler than in Windows system. But it still may seem a little tedious and time-consuming for those OS X beginners to manually remove Adblock Plus for Safari and totally clean out all its remnants. Why not try an easier and faster way to thoroughly remove it?
If you intend to save your time and energy in uninstalling Adblock Plus for Safari, or you encounter some specific problems in deleting it to the Trash, or even you are not sure which files or folders belong to Adblock Plus for Safari, you can turn to a professional third-party uninstaller to resolve troubles. Here MacRemover is recommended for you to accomplish Adblock Plus for Safari uninstall within three simple steps. MacRemover is a lite but powerful uninstaller utility that helps you thoroughly remove unwanted, corrupted or incompatible apps from your Mac. Now let’s see how it works to complete Adblock Plus for Safari removal task.
1. Download MacRemover and install it by dragging its icon to the application folder.
Adblock Or Adblock Plus Safari
2. Launch MacRemover in the dock or Launchpad, select Adblock Plus for Safari appearing on the interface, and click Run Analysis button to proceed.
3. Review Adblock Plus for Safari files or folders, click Complete Uninstall button and then click Yes in the pup-up dialog box to confirm Adblock Plus for Safari removal.
The whole uninstall process may takes even less than one minute to finish, and then all items associated with Adblock Plus for Safari has been successfully removed from your Mac!
Benefits of using MacRemover:
MacRemover has a friendly and simply interface and even the first-time users can easily operate any unwanted program uninstallation. With its unique Smart Analytic System, MacRemover is capable of quickly locating every associated components of Adblock Plus for Safari and safely deleting them within a few clicks. Thoroughly uninstalling Adblock Plus for Safari from your mac with MacRemover becomes incredibly straightforward and speedy, right? You don’t need to check the Library or manually remove its additional files. Actually, all you need to do is a select-and-delete move. As MacRemover comes in handy to all those who want to get rid of any unwanted programs without any hassle, you’re welcome to download it and enjoy the excellent user experience right now!
This article provides you two methods (both manually and automatically) to properly and quickly uninstall Adblock Plus for Safari, and either of them works for most of the apps on your Mac. If you confront any difficulty in uninstalling any unwanted application/software, don’t hesitate to apply this automatic tool and resolve your troubles.
Download Mac App Remover
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