The iOS 9 Content Blocker thread

[Abazigal]

How will that happen, other than creating paywalls or going out of business?

Websites like Daring Fireball and Macstories have managed to remain financially viable without throwing ads in my face.

It can be done. Many just chose not to from the get go. They made the wrong choice from the start, and are simply paying the price of their folly now.

 

[GrumpyTrucker]

I like iMore but I do find the number of ads on their site ruin my experience and enjoyment. And they aren't the only ones by any means. I know it's how some sites make their money but I don't think it should ever be done at the expense of the user experience. Sometimes I find it hard to find the content on some of these sites between all the ads.

I tried Crystal then tried Blockr. I actually prefer Blockr at the moment but I'll keep an eye on Crystal, see if it adds configuration options along the way.

 

[TeeRav19]

Why would you whitelist your favourite sites? Makes no sense, you'd want no adverts on the sites you visit the most.

Can someone explain what 'whitelisting' is?

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Given the amount of content blockers coming out for iOS 9, I figured having a wiki thread to list them all here and post impressions will be useful for all of us to keep us all informed.

Note: iOS 9 Content Blockers only work with 64-bit devices. The following iOS 9-capable devices do not support Content Blockers: iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPod Touch 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad "3", iPad "4".

Here are all the content blockers I'm aware of so far:

• Crystal [App Store – free for now]
• Blacklist
• Freedom
• Adamant
• Silentium
• Blockr
• Purify
• 1Blocker
• AdBomb
• Hide & Seek
• Peace (App Store link)

Open Source (For people with 32-bit iPhones and a penchant for DIY)

• BlockParty (Github, App Store offering to come)
• Adios (Abandoned, Developer joined Purify)

Please add more as you discover them to the list and link to their sites or twitter for more info. Also post impressions!

TIP: In Mobile Safari tap and hold the Reload arrow to get an option to reload the page without Content Blockers.

That"s a long list.

 

[SMIDG3T]

Can someone explain what 'whitelisting' is?

So for some reason, the guy I quoted would add his favourite sites to the Ad Blocker and doing so would still show the site as normal, so everything popup and advert would be there.

 

[chabig]

It looks like content blockers are not used in the News app. That kills its utility for me. I will stick with web browsing in Safari.

 

[definitive]

Purify is made by the same guy that does ublock.

just to clarify on funkymonkeyboy's post:
Purify is made by same guy who works on uBlock, not uBlock Origin.

Crystal's dev mentioned that there are other features planned/in the works. One of which is whitelisting. Hopefully there will be more in-depth info available later on like in 1Blocker, where you can see how many types of ads/trackers/etc. the app is able to block.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Crystal is no longer free. The price is $0.99 USD. Still a very reasonable price for anyone who missed it being free on opening day.

 

[Zorn]

Can someone explain what 'whitelisting' is?

So for some reason, the guy I quoted would add his favourite sites to the Ad Blocker and doing so would still show the site as normal, so everything popup and advert would be there.

Whitelisting is allowing a specific site to get through your adblocker, so that you still see the ads. The thinking is that if you really like a site, and you want to support them financially (via their ads), you can allow their ads.

 

[thatJohann]

So far Blockr is the best.

 

[Hallo78]

How does a content blocker work?
Is there any chance, that a content blocker can contain a virus and every password and so on could get hacked?

 

[Mercifull]

How does a content blocker work?
Is there any chance, that a content blocker can contain a virus and every password and so on could get hacked?

No, Content Blockers on iOS 9 can't even track what websites you visit let alone what you type into any form fields.

 

[gbill2004]

Do any of these work with the iPhone 5?

 

[Apple_Robert]

How does a content blocker work?
Is there any chance, that a content blocker can contain a virus and every password and so on could get hacked?

It blocks popups, stationary ads, tracking scripts that you don't readily see, and a few other things. A content blocker from the app store does not have access to your personal information. Stick with buying apps from the app store and you should be fine.

 

[CaptMarvel]

How does a content blocker work?
Is there any chance, that a content blocker can contain a virus and every password and so on could get hacked?

I sure hope not...*uninstalls*

 

[Apple_Robert]

Do any of these work with the iPhone 5?

You have to have a 64 bit phone, (per App store rules) unless you compile your own app.

 

[dugbug]

So for some reason, the guy I quoted would add his favourite sites to the Ad Blocker and doing so would still show the site as normal, so everything popup and advert would be there.

because you want to support them

Can someone explain what 'whitelisting' is?

whitelisting means "don't block this site". It could be done for two reasons:
1. You want to support the site so it does not go under and their ads/trackers are reasonable
2. The content blocker does not work with the site

 

[PCtoMAC1]

So far Blockr is the best.

I'm not sure about that. "Peace" is currently rated #1. Thinking about that one.

 

[bandofbrothers]

Soon good discussion in https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-ios-9-content-blocker-thread.1916783/

I'm using Crystal which so far has been exemplary

 

[ericg301]

honest question - do any of the blockers work in iOS chrome? i thought chrome had switched over to safari-web view a while back? or at least is there a way to run a share sheet extension to "clean up" a page after it's loaded in chrome?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Crystal is free with good feedback mechanism. It has no whitelist nor does it work with parental controls.

Purify and 1blocker solve those shortcomings but are paid. 1blocker has a free-to-try model so you can try one facet of it.

Purify needs a feedback extension. It does however work great.

I have had sites fail with all of them but very few

A lack of in app feedback ability in Purify is a big negative, especially for the price of the app, in my opinion.

 

[ericg301]

honest question - do any of the blockers work in iOS chrome? i thought chrome had switched over to safari-web view a while back? or at least is there a way to run a share sheet extension to "clean up" a page after it's loaded in chrome?

 

[zhenya]

It looks like content blockers are not used in the News app. That kills its utility for me. I will stick with web browsing in Safari.

Seems like this is somewhat the point of Apple providing content blocking...block ads on competitors sites, allow ads in your own apps using your own ad service...

 

[Steve121178]

Why would you whitelist your favourite sites? Makes no sense, you'd want no adverts on the sites you visit the most.

And how long do you expect those sites to stay operating once their revenue dries up?

 

[msephton]

It looks like content blockers are not used in the News app. That kills its utility for me. I will stick with web browsing in Safari.

Where are you seeing ads in News?