technology
New iOS and macOS feature enables ad blocking inside apps
A developer released an update that uses a network-level URL filter introduced in the latest Apple operating systems. The tool blocks ad domains across iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps rather than only inside the browser.
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A new paid feature in an existing ad-blocking app now prevents ads from loading inside most iPhone, iPad, and Mac applications by using a network-level URL filter added in the current versions of iOS and macOS. The filter checks requested domains against a blocklist stored on the device.
If a domain appears on the list, the request is blocked before the ad can load. The developer maintains the blocklist and updates it automatically through the app. Requests to verify the list are routed through Apple servers so that app developers cannot identify individual users.
served from the same domain as the app itself are not blocked, because blocking the domain would prevent the app from functioning. This affects services such as certain social media and search apps. Users can still avoid those in-app ads by accessing the same services through a mobile browser where the existing browser-level blocking remains active.
The app requires a $5 annual subscription or a $25 one-time lifetime purchase for the new filter. The base app itself costs $5.
