Firefox Now Lets You Block Some Ads on iOS Devices

Mozilla has introduced a new feature in its Firefox browser for iOS devices, known as Ad Blocker, which aims to minimize the number of third-party ads and ad-related trackers encountered while browsing. This feature is currently off by default, but users can enable it via the Settings Browsing Ad Blocker option.

Ad Blocker is designed to work on iPhones running iOS 15 or later and iPads running iPadOS 15 or later. Mozilla's spokesperson confirmed that the feature will be rolled out gradually, so not all users may immediately see it. The browser, launched in 2004 and owned by Mozilla, is less popular than competing browsers like Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge. However, Firefox users appreciate its privacy protections and customization options.

While ad-blocking is not new to other niche browsers such as Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Avast, and DuckDuckGo, Firefox users now have the option to employ this feature. Ad Blocker utilizes Apple's WebKit Content Blocker technology and EasyList, a filter list utilized by browsers and ad-blocking extensions, to identify and block various ads. This can result in a cleaner browsing experience by removing clutter from web pages.

However, users should note that some ads will still persist, such as search results from Google featuring merchant ads for products like air conditioners. Additionally, Ad Blocker will not obstruct sponsored shortcuts or sponsored content displayed by Firefox when a new tab is opened. Another privacy feature integrated into Firefox is Enhanced Tracking Protection, which blocks trackers and limits tracking across the internet.

To report any issues encountered while using Ad Blocker, users can visit Mozilla Connect. Mozilla emphasizes that advertising plays a crucial role in supporting publishers, creators, and websites relied upon by the open web community. Although ads can occasionally disrupt the browsing experience, Ad Blocker strives to address this concern while maintaining the balance between user experience and the revenue necessary for maintaining the internet.