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How to Block Ads with uBlock Origin

Tap through each step to see how to set up an ad blocker and browse without the clutter.

  1. Install it from your browser's extension store

    On Firefox, search for "uBlock Origin" in the add-ons store and install the full version. On Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers, Google's Manifest V2 phase-out means you install "uBlock Origin Lite" instead, a lighter version with a reduced feature set.

  2. Browse normally

    No extra setup is required -- installing it is usually enough to start blocking most ads automatically.

  3. Check how many ads were blocked

    Click the extension icon to see how many ads and trackers were blocked on the current page.

  4. Whitelist sites you want to support

    For a site you want to support, you can add it to an allowlist so its ads still load and it keeps earning ad revenue.

  5. Why it helps

    Browsing without pop-ups and auto-playing video ads feels noticeably cleaner, and pages often load faster since fewer ad scripts have to load.

If pop-up ads are wearing you out

Rather than closing pop-up after pop-up or waiting through a pre-roll video ad, an ad blocker filters most of that out before it ever loads, making browsing and video watching noticeably more pleasant.

Why the Chrome experience changed

Chrome and other Chromium browsers moved to a newer extension platform (Manifest V3) that limits how ad-blocking extensions can filter content, which is why the full uBlock Origin is no longer available there and Lite is the current option. Firefox still supports the older platform, so the full-featured version remains available there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is uBlock Origin free?

Yes, it is completely free, open-source software with no paid tier -- all features are available at no cost.

What if blocking ads makes a site look broken?

Add that site to the allowlist, or temporarily disable the extension for that page, and it should display normally again.