- Mozilla is slowly rolling out a built-in ad blocker for Firefox on iPhones and iPads, no extension needed.
- The tool works with an EasyList-powered filter to stop ads, trackers, pop-ups, and overlays before they load.
- The blocker will not stop ads on search pages like Google or Bing, and some users want it fixed.
Mozilla wants Firefox users on iOS to see fewer ads. The company has begun rolling out a built-in ad blocker for iPhones and iPads.
Users no longer need a separate extension to cut down on ads. The tool is still experimental, and Mozilla is releasing it step by step rather than all at once.
How the New Blocker Works
The blocker relies on a filter list built from EasyList. This list helps Firefox spot and stop many ads before they even load. According to Mozilla, the tool works at the network level. That means it can catch ads from third-party advertising networks and exchanges. It also blocks ad-related trackers that follow users around the web.
The system does more than stop plain banner ads. It can also block third-party ads that websites serve directly. On top of that, it stops pushy formats like pop-ups and overlays that cover the screen. These are often the most annoying types of ads people run into.
Since the feature is new, not everyone has it yet. Mozilla is using what is called a progressive rollout. This means the company is releasing the tool to small groups first. Neowin reports that Mozilla published the update through a support page over the weekend, rather than a big announcement. Mozilla is also asking early users to report problems. That includes ads that still show up, and websites that stop working properly.
The urgency of updating Firefox has been underscored by a recent zero-day, CVE-2026-10702, which Mozilla patched in Firefox 151.0.3. The flaw, which affects Firefox versions 147 through 151.0.2, could be triggered simply by visiting a malicious webpage, with no user interaction required, and also affects Tor Browser builds based on vulnerable Firefox versions.
This is not Mozilla’s first move here. Back in June, Mozilla confirmed a built-in blocker was on the way for Firefox on iOS. At the time, the company said it was testing the EasyList system. The goal was to block ads without forcing users to add an extension.
Turning the feature on takes just a few taps for those who have it. Users can open Firefox, tap the menu, and go to Settings. From there, they scroll to Browsing and switch on the ad blocking option. TechRadar notes that the toggle sits under a section simply labeled Browsing, and can also be flipped from the site menu while browsing a page.
Why Some Users Are Not Fully Happy
Not every ad gets blocked, and that has caused some grumbling. The biggest gap is search engine ads. Firefox will not block ads shown on results pages from Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Sponsored posts on Firefox’s own Home and New Tab pages stay untouched too.
The Register points out that this gap might connect to money. A large share of Mozilla’s income reportedly comes from search deals, especially with Google. The outlet suggests that leaving search ads alone protects that revenue stream. Mozilla has not directly confirmed this reasoning.
The company has been upfront about the tool’s limits. Per its FAQ, cited by The Register, Firefox blocks many third-party ads and related systems, but not every single one. Some websites show ads via methods the current filter can’t catch yet.
This mix of praise and complaints shows up in early reactions online. Some Firefox fans like the built-in option and say it beats installing extra tools. Others argue the feature should work for every ad, including search results. A few users also feel it should turn on automatically, instead of staying off until a person switches it on manually.
Early testers report mixed results. Some say ads dropped noticeably, and pages loaded faster. Others still see certain ads slip through. BeEncrypted security researchers found out that different sites use different ad delivery methods, so no filter list can catch everything right away.
What Comes Next for Firefox Users
Firefox has lagged behind on iOS ad blocking compared to other platforms. Apps like Brave already offer stronger built-in tools. At the time of writing, Mozilla has not said when the rollout will reach every iOS user. The company also has not confirmed if search ads will ever be included.
For now, Mozilla appears to be treating this as a work in progress. The company is testing the waters and gathering feedback from users first. How fast the tool improves will likely depend on how well this early testing phase goes.
Firefox users on iPhones and iPads can expect more updates as Mozilla expands the rollout. Whether the blocker eventually covers search ads or turns on by default remains unclear. For now, users who want it need to switch it on themselves, and expect a few ads to still slip through.
Share this article
About the Author
Farwa is an experienced InfoSec writer and cybersecurity journalist skilled in writing articles related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, Big Data, Cloud security, VPNs, IAM, and Cloud Computing. Also a contributor on Tripwire.com, Infosecurity Magazine, Security Boulevard, DevOps.com, and CPO Magazine.
More from Farwa SajjadRelated Posts
Suspected Chinese Hackers Exploit Critical VMware vCenter Flaw Across 47 Countries
Several servers across 47 countries record a compromise via an exploit of Vmware vCenter directory-t...
WhatsApp Tests On-Device Scam Alert without Reading User Messages
WhatsApp is testing a new tool called Scam Alert that spots scam messages right on your phone. The t...
Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Claims that iCloud Private Relay Leaks User IP Addresses
A law firm sued Apple, saying its Private Relay tool did not protect user privacy as promised. Exper...
Hackers Exploit TrueConf Servers to Distribute Malware Through Fake Software Updates
A hacker group named Head Mare broke into TrueConf video meeting servers and swapped safe installers...
New NatJack Attack Exposes Hidden Weakness in How Networks Handle Internet Connections
Security researcher Malcolm Stagg has uncovered NatJack, a new class of attacks that exploits a fund...
Germany Warns Companies Over Missing Security Contact Files on Most Websites
Germany’s cyber agency BSI wants every website to publish a security.txt file so researchers c...
