Applies to: Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, and iPhone/iPad — current stable channel. No flags or extra software required.
Chrome blocks pop-ups by default. That is usually a good thing. But sometimes a site you trust needs a pop-up to work. A bank login, a document download, a payment confirmation — these all use pop-ups.
This guide covers every way to allow pop-ups in Chrome. Desktop, Android, iPhone, and Chromebook. All in one place.
To enable pop-ups in Chrome:
- Click the three dots in the top right corner, then select Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- Select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects.
Pop-ups are now allowed in Chrome. For mobile, iPhone, or single-site instructions, see the full steps below.
The Quickest Method: Use the Address Bar
This is the fastest way. No need to open Settings at all.
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears on the right side of the address bar. It looks like a window with an X.
- Click or tap the pop-up blocked icon in the address bar.
- A small menu appears. It shows the blocked pop-up link.
- To open the pop-up just this once, click the blue link at the top.
- To always allow pop-ups from this site, select Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [site].
- Click Done.
That’s it. Chrome adds the site to your allowed list. You will not be asked again.
Use this method when you are already on the site that needs pop-ups. It is the most precise option because it only allows that one site.
Pop-Ups Still Blocked After Enabling This?
If you turned on “Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects” globally but a specific site is still being blocked, check your per-site exceptions list first — it overrides the global setting. A site can end up on your “blocked” list from an earlier visit, and that specific block takes priority even after you’ve allowed pop-ups everywhere else.
- Go to
chrome://settings/content/popups. - Scroll to “Not allowed to send pop-ups or use redirects.”
- If the site is listed there, click the three dots next to it and choose Remove (or switch it to Allow).
This is the most common reason people say “I enabled pop-ups but it’s still not working” — the global toggle and the per-site list are independent, and the more specific per-site rule always wins.
How to Allow Pop-Ups on Chrome for Desktop (Windows and Mac)
Use this to change your pop-up settings from the Settings menu.
Allow all pop-ups (all sites)
- Open Chrome. Click the three dots in the top right corner.
- Click Settings.
- In the left sidebar, click Privacy and security.
- Click Site settings.
- Scroll down to the Content section. Click Pop-ups and redirects.
- Under Default behavior, select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects.
Pop-ups are now allowed on all sites.
Tip: You can also get there instantly. Type chrome://settings/content/popups in the address bar and press Enter. It takes you straight to the pop-up settings page.
Allow pop-ups for one specific site only
This is the safer option. You keep pop-ups blocked everywhere else.
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- Scroll down to Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects.
- Click Add.
- Type the website address. For example:
https://www.example.com - Click Add.
Only that site can now show pop-ups. All other sites remain blocked.
Pro tip: To allow pop-ups across an entire domain and all its subdomains, use the pattern [*.]example.com. This covers app.example.com, login.example.com, and the main site.
Block pop-ups for one specific site
If you have turned pop-ups on globally but want to block one site:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- Scroll to Not allowed to send pop-ups or use redirects.
- Click Add.
- Enter the site address. Click Add.
How to Allow Pop-Ups on Chrome for Android
- Open Chrome on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Site settings.
- Tap Pop-ups and redirects.
- Toggle the switch to on (blue) to allow pop-ups. Toggle it off to block them.
Allow pop-ups for one site on Android
This is the quickest way when you are already on the page:
- Visit the page where the pop-up is blocked.
- A bar appears at the bottom of the screen saying Pop-up blocked.
- Tap Always show.
Chrome adds that site to your allowed list.
How to Allow Pop-Ups on Chrome for iPhone and iPad
Chrome on iPhone works slightly differently. The toggle is called Block Pop-ups. Turn it off to allow pop-ups.
- Open the Chrome app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Content Settings.
- Tap Block Pop-ups.
- Toggle Block Pop-ups to off (grey). This allows pop-ups.
To block pop-ups again, go back and toggle it back on (green).
Allow pop-ups for one site on iPhone
- Visit the page where the pop-up is blocked.
- A bar appears at the bottom saying Pop-up blocked.
- Tap Always Show.
How to Allow Pop-Ups on a Chromebook
Chrome on Chromebook works the same as Chrome on desktop.
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three dots in the top right corner.
- Click Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- Select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects to allow all pop-ups.
- Or click Add under the allowed list to allow just one site.
How to Manage Your Pop-Up Exceptions List
Over time, your allowed list can fill up. Some sites may no longer need access. It is good practice to review it occasionally.
- Go to
chrome://settings/content/popups. - Scroll to Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects.
- Click the three dots next to any site.
- Choose Remove to delete it, Block to block it, or Edit to change the address.
Remove any site you do not recognise. Malicious sites sometimes trick users into clicking Allow. Cleaning the list keeps your browser safe.
Pop-Ups Still Not Working? Try These Fixes
You have changed the setting but the pop-up still will not open. Here is what to check.
Check your extensions
Ad blockers and privacy extensions block pop-ups independently from Chrome’s built-in setting. Chrome’s setting and the extension setting are separate. Both need to allow the pop-up.
- Type
chrome://extensionsin the address bar. - Look for ad blockers, privacy tools, or anything related to content blocking.
- Disable them one at a time and test the pop-up again.
- If disabling an extension fixes it, check that extension’s settings and add your site to its whitelist.
Check the exact URL in your allowed list
The URL you added must match the site exactly. If you added https://example.com but the pop-up comes from https://app.example.com, it will still be blocked.
Use [*.]example.com to cover all subdomains.
Check if you are confusing pop-ups with notifications
Notifications look like pop-ups but are handled separately. If a site sends a notification banner to your desktop, that is not a pop-up. It is a Chrome notification.
To manage notifications: go to chrome://settings/content/notifications. You can block or allow notifications per site there.
Clear your cache and reload
Sometimes old cached data prevents new settings from taking effect.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac).
- Select Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
- Reload the page and try again.
Check if it is a redirect, not a pop-up
Some sites use redirects to open a new tab rather than a pop-up window. Chrome blocks both with the same setting. Make sure redirects is allowed in addition to pop-ups. The Pop-ups and redirects setting covers both.
Disable Chrome’s sync temporarily
If you use Chrome across multiple devices, synced settings can sometimes overwrite local changes. Sign out of sync, change the pop-up setting, then sign back in to see if the issue resolves.
What About Pop-Up Ads That Still Appear?
If you are getting pop-ups you did not allow, that is a different problem. Chrome’s pop-up blocker is on, but something else is causing them.
Common causes:
- Notifications you subscribed to. A site may have asked you to allow notifications. You clicked Allow and now it sends banners. Fix this at
chrome://settings/content/notifications. - A malicious site in your allowed list. Check
chrome://settings/content/popupsand remove any site you do not recognise. - A bad extension. Some extensions inject ads. Go to
chrome://extensionsand remove anything unfamiliar. - Malware on your device. If the problem persists after all the above, run a malware scan. Chrome has a built-in tool on desktop: go to Settings > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer.
Should You Allow All Pop-Ups or Just Specific Sites?
Allowing all pop-ups globally is not recommended. Most pop-ups from unknown sites are ads, scams, or malware traps.
The better approach:
- Keep the global setting on Block (the default).
- Use the address bar shortcut to allow specific trusted sites on demand.
- Review your allowed list every few months. Remove anything you do not use.
Sites that legitimately need pop-ups include banks, university portals, government services, PDF downloaders, and some payment platforms. Allow those individually.
Pop-Up Settings by Browser (Quick Reference)
| Browser | Settings path | Quick shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects | chrome://settings/content/popups |
| Microsoft Edge | Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects | edge://settings/content/popups |
| Firefox | Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Block pop-up windows (uncheck, or use Exceptions) | about:preferences#privacy |
Useful if you’re switching browsers or troubleshooting the same site across more than one — the underlying setting name and location differ slightly even though the behavior is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups by default?
Chrome blocks pop-ups to protect you from ads, scams, and malicious content. Most pop-ups on unknown sites are not useful. The default is safe for most people most of the time.
Will allowing pop-ups for one site affect other sites?
No. Adding a site to your allowed list only affects that one site. All other sites remain blocked.
Why is the pop-up blocked icon not appearing in the address bar?
If the icon is not visible, the site may not have tried to open a pop-up yet. Trigger the action that opens the pop-up first. The icon appears only after Chrome actively blocks something.
Chrome says pop-ups are allowed but they still do not open. Why?
An extension is likely blocking them. Disable your ad blocker or privacy extension and test again. Extensions run separately from Chrome’s built-in settings.
Is there a shortcut to the pop-up settings page?
Yes. Type chrome://settings/content/popups in the address bar and press Enter. It opens the pop-up settings page directly.
Can I allow pop-ups on mobile Chrome but block them on desktop?
Yes. Chrome’s settings are per-device. Changing a setting on your phone does not change it on your computer unless Chrome Sync applies the change. If they are different, check your sync settings.
What is the difference between pop-ups and redirects in Chrome?
A pop-up opens content in a new window. A redirect sends you from one URL to another, often opening a new tab. Chrome treats both as the same kind of unwanted behaviour and blocks them with one setting.
I allowed pop-ups but now I am getting spam. What do I do?
Go to chrome://settings/content/popups and remove any site from your allowed list that you do not recognise or trust. Also check chrome://settings/content/notifications for unwanted notification permissions.
