WARD

Safari content blocker

Block ads
in Safari.

Turn on Ward in Safari settings. Safari applies Ward's rules on your device. Ward can report whether the extension and rules are enabled, but Safari does not provide a blocked-request count.

Set up Safari Test one URL

Protection

What Ward blocks

Safari blocking works on its own. The other layers are optional and have separate requirements.

Safari Content Blocker

Blocks requests that match Ward's installed rules. Safari applies the rules on your device.

Safari tells Ward if the extension is on. It does not provide a blocked-request count.

Set up Safari

Advanced extension

Removes supported page elements and runs script fixes in Safari. It needs All Websites permission and the Advanced blocking switch.

Optional. Safari's Content Blocker works without it.

Advanced setup

Ward All

Unavailable until Apple approves network filtering and Ward's server is ready. Safari blocking works without it.

Why unavailable

Setup

Set up Safari

Enable Ward in Safari settings, then return to the app to check its reported status.

iPhone and iPad

Turn on the Content Blocker

  1. Open Ward → Safari blocking for the current setup steps.
  2. In Settings, open Apps → Safari → Extensions → Ward on iOS 18 and later. Older iOS versions use Settings → Safari → Extensions.
  3. Enable Content Blocker, return to Ward, and use Protection check to verify status. Reload Safari tabs you already had open.
Mac

Turn on Ward in Safari

  1. Open Safari and choose Safari → Settings → Extensions.
  2. Select Ward and enable its Content Blocker. For the optional Advanced extension, grant All Websites access only if you want its page-level features.
  3. Return to Ward and open Protection check. Reload Safari tabs you already had open.
Ward All is not available yet. Apple approval for network filtering and a Ward server are still needed. Safari's Content Blocker works independently.

Status and test

Check Safari status

Ward reports whether Safari has enabled the extension and installed its rules. Safari does not report how many requests it blocked.

Manual test

Test one ad-script URL

Open the test page in Safari to request the page and one known ad-script URL. A failed request can also be caused by the network; it does not prove Ward blocked it.

Open test page