How to Allow Pop-Ups for One Site Without Turning Off the Blocker

Pop-up blockers are one of the browser’s best defences against scams and junk ads, so they are on by default. But some perfectly legitimate sites still use pop-up windows: online banking statements, school and payroll portals, government forms, airline check-in and print previews. When the browser blocks them, the button you clicked seems to do nothing. The fix is to allow pop-ups for one site only, so the blocker keeps protecting you everywhere else. Here is how in every major browser.

This is an independent guide, not affiliated with Google, Microsoft, Mozilla or Apple.

First: make sure it is the real site

Before allowing anything, check you are on the genuine website. Type the address yourself or use a bookmark you created, rather than a link from an email, text or ad. A site that shows virus warnings, prize messages or a phone number to call should never be allowed pop-ups; see remove fake antivirus pop-ups and scareware instead. If you are not sure about an address, read how to check if a link is safe.

Google Chrome (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)

Quickest way: when Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon with a red cross appears at the right end of the address bar.

1. Click the blocked pop-up icon.
2. Choose Always allow pop-ups and redirects from the site, and click Done.
3. Reload the page and try again.

From Settings:

1. Click the three dots > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings.
2. Click Pop-ups and redirects.
3. Next to Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects, click Add and enter the site, for example https://www.examplebank.com.

Microsoft Edge

1. Click the three dots > Settings > Cookies and site permissions (on some versions, Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions).
2. Click Pop-ups and redirects.
3. Next to Allow, click Add and enter the site’s address.

Edge also shows a blocked pop-up icon in the address bar; click it and choose Always allow pop-ups and redirects from the site.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the menu button (three lines) > Settings > Privacy & Security.
2. Scroll to Permissions. Next to Block pop-up windows, click Exceptions.
3. Type the site’s address, click Allow, then Save Changes.

When Firefox blocks a pop-up, a yellow bar appears under the toolbar; its Options button also lets you allow that site.

Safari on a Mac

1. Open the site in Safari.
2. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences) and click Websites.
3. Click Pop-up Windows in the left list.
4. Find the site on the right and change it from Block and Notify to Allow.

The When visiting other websites menu at the bottom sets the rule for every other site; leave that on Block and Notify.

iPhone and iPad (Safari)

Safari on iPhone and iPad does not have a per-site list.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Safari (on older iOS versions, Settings > Safari).
2. Turn off Block Pop-ups while you use the trusted site.
3. Turn it back on as soon as you are done.

Many banks and services also have their own app, which avoids pop-ups altogether.

Android (Chrome)

1. Open the site in Chrome, tap the site settings icon at the left of the address bar and choose Permissions or Site settings.
2. Set Pop-ups and redirects to Allow for that site.

Alternatively, go to three dots > Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects to see and edit the list. If you are getting unwanted ads on Android rather than missing pop-ups, see how to stop pop-up ads on Android.

Still not opening?

If the site is allowed and nothing happens:

• Extensions: an ad blocker or privacy extension may block the window too. Pause it for that site, or see how to manage and remove extensions.
• Downloads instead of pop-ups: if the site is trying to download a statement or form, the issue may be the download itself; see downloads not working or blocked.
• Old cached page: clear the site’s data as shown in how to clear cache and cookies, then sign in again.
• Outdated browser: some portals need a current browser; update your browser and try again.

Pop-ups vs notifications: not the same thing

Allowing pop-ups for a site does not let it send notifications to your desktop. Notifications are a separate permission, and they are the source of many fake virus alerts. If you see ads appearing in the corner of your screen even with the browser closed, follow stop website notifications. If the browser keeps opening new tabs to strange sites on its own, the cause is usually an extension or settings change, covered in our guide to pop-ups and redirects.

Common sites that need pop-ups

You will most often need to allow pop-ups for:

• Online banking and credit card sites, for statements, tax forms and secure messages.
• School, college and learning portals, which open assignments, quizzes and video lessons in new windows.
• Payroll, benefits and government services, for payslips, tax documents and application forms.
• Travel and ticketing sites, for boarding passes and printable tickets.
• Online meeting and webinar links, which sometimes open the meeting in a separate window.

In each case, allow only the main address of the service, such as https://www.examplebank.com, rather than a long link you received in a message.

Keep your allowed list short

Every few months, open the pop-up settings and remove sites you no longer use. A short list of trusted sites keeps the blocker doing its job, and makes it obvious if something unfamiliar ever appears there.