Filtr Expands Ad Blocking Beyond Safari on iPhone and Mac
News Desk
06 June 2026, 11:43
A new privacy-focused tool called Filtr is bringing system-wide ad blocking to Apple devices, allowing users to block advertisements across many iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps rather than limiting protection to web browsers.
Developed by Kaylee Serena Calderolla, creator of the Safari ad blocker Wipr, Filtr uses a new feature introduced in iOS 26 and macOS 26 that enables developers to filter internet traffic at the device level.
How Filtr Works
Filtr is built on Apple's new URL Filters technology, which allows developers to block connections to specific websites and domains across the operating system.
Unlike browser-based ad blockers, Filtr can prevent many ads and tracking requests from loading inside apps as well as websites. The tool uses regularly updated blocklists to identify advertising domains and stop content from loading before it reaches the device.
Operating at the network level, Filtr helps reduce exposure to online tracking technologies commonly used by advertisers.
Focus on Privacy
According to Calderolla, Filtr does not collect personal user data. Apple's URL Filters framework also does not require access to personal information to function.
Requests used to verify blocklist entries are routed through Apple's infrastructure, helping protect user privacy while allowing the service to operate largely in the background.
Not Every Advertisement Can Be Blocked
Filtr is most effective against ads delivered through third-party advertising networks. However, advertisements served directly from a platform’s own domains may still appear, meaning complete ad blocking is not guaranteed.
Pricing and Availability
Wipr is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac for $5. Filtr is offered as an additional premium feature, costing $5 per year or a one-time lifetime payment of $25 through an in-app purchase.
