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Safari does not have one universal “trust this site” switch. On a Mac, open Safari > Settings > Websites, choose the specific control—such as Pop-up Windows, Camera, or Location—and set the option beside the site. On iPhone or iPad, Apple documents a separate switch for pop-ups: Settings > Apps > Safari > Block Pop-ups.

Choose the specific Safari setting the site needs

Safari keeps website controls separate by behavior or permission. Allowing a site to show pop-ups does not also grant camera, microphone, location, download, or notification access. Change only the control needed for the task.

On Mac, the available controls include pop-up windows, camera, microphone, screen sharing, location, downloads, notifications, autoplay, content blockers, and Reader. Choices depend on the control; Apple documents options such as Ask, Deny, and Allow for camera and microphone.

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Change a website’s settings on Mac

  1. Open the website in Safari if you want to adjust the active site.
  2. For a shortcut, click the Page menu button in the Smart Search field and choose Website Settings, if available. The controls shown depend on the site.
  3. To review the full set of site controls, choose Safari > Settings > Websites.
  4. Select the relevant setting in the left column, such as Camera or Pop-up Windows. Scroll the list if needed.
  5. Choose the desired option beside the website. To change the default for sites without a customized choice, use When visiting other websites.

Apple describes the Mac panel as a way to “Choose how you work with individual websites.” See Customize settings for each website in Safari on Mac and Change Websites settings in Safari on Mac.

Allow pop-ups for one website on Mac

  1. Open the website in Safari.
  2. Choose Safari > Settings, then click Websites.
  3. Click Pop-up Windows in the left column.
  4. Choose Allow from the menu beside the website.

Change the site’s own entry when you only need pop-ups there. When visiting other websites applies to sites without a configured choice, so changing it affects more than the one site. Apple notes that some websites require pop-ups, but they can also be distracting or malicious. See Allow or block pop-ups in Safari on Mac.

Turn pop-ups on or off on iPhone or iPad

Apple’s documented mobile control is not the Mac per-site Websites panel. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Apps > Safari, then turn Block Pop-ups on or off. This switch changes the pop-up behavior in Safari rather than configuring a single website. Apple’s cited mobile instructions do not establish an equivalent per-site control for every permission available in the Mac panel.

Apple also lists Fraudulent Website Warning in Safari settings. Do not treat the pop-up switch as a way to dismiss security warnings. Details: Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari.

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Understand what can sync between Apple devices

Some Mac Website settings may be shared when you are signed in to the same Apple Account, have iCloud set up for Safari, and have two-factor authentication turned on. Page Zoom sharing is limited to another Mac or an iPad. Camera and microphone settings are privacy-sensitive and are not shared across Apple devices. See Apple’s Website settings guide.

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What to do if pop-ups seem suspicious or keep appearing

  • Do not interact with a pop-up or webpage that imitates a company, asks for personal or financial information, or appears to take over the screen unless you are confident it is legitimate.
  • If a site needs a permission for a particular task, allow only that permission; a pop-up request does not establish a need for camera, microphone, location, or other access.
  • If unwanted pop-ups persist, Apple advises updating the device and investigating unwanted software rather than engaging with the page.

Apple’s safety guidance is in Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari.

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