Firefox on iOS now blocks ads and trackers without extensions
Mozilla has rolled out a built-in ad blocker for Firefox on iOS, leveraging Apple's WebKit Content Blocker and the EasyList filter. The feature is off by default and can be enabled in settings, blocking most third-party ads and trackers to reduce data usage. Ads served directly by websites and sponsored content in Firefox's new tab page will still appear.
The feature relies on Apple's WebKit Content Blocker framework rather than a separate extension, meaning iOS users can activate it without downloading anything extra. Mozilla tested the capability over several weeks before today's official rollout, and the toggle sits in the browsing settings menu, where users can also switch it on mid-session from the site menu.
The blocker uses the EasyList filter, a widely adopted community-maintained list of ad-serving domains. However, the protection is partial: first-party ads, search result promotions, and Firefox's own sponsored shortcuts on new tab pages remain visible. Rival browsers including Brave, Vivaldi, and Opera already ship similar built-in blocking on iOS, making this a competitive parity move for Mozilla.
This move could shift how iPhone users experience mobile browsing, potentially reducing data consumption and page clutter for those who enable it. Since the feature is off by default, its impact depends on user awareness and adoption. It may also pressure other browsers to offer comparable built-in protections, though the partial blocking of first-party ads and sponsored content means users will still encounter commercial material. The broader effect could be