Filtr: A New Tool for Blocking Ads in iPhone and Mac Apps

A new tool for blocking ads and tracking on Apple devices has entered the market. Kaylee Serena Calderolla, the developer behind the popular Safari ad blocker Wipr, has introduced Filtr—a solution that operates at the OS level to block ads in iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps.

Unlike traditional ad blockers that work only in browsers, Filtr utilizes the URL filtering feature introduced in iOS 26 and macOS 26. This technology blocks access to specific domains at the network level, making it effective for most applications. The tool does not require access to user data or collect activity information.

Filtr operates using a continuously updated list of ad domains. When loading content, the system checks it against a local pre-filter and, if necessary, a cloud-based list that updates automatically. Requests to the cloud list are routed through Apple’s servers, ensuring additional privacy. However, the tool does not block ads hosted on apps’ own domains, such as Facebook* or Google, to avoid disrupting their functionality.

Filtr is priced at $5 per year or $25 for a lifetime license. It is available as an add-on to the main Wipr app, which costs $5 and works across all Apple devices. According to the developer, implementing URL filtering was challenging due to limited Apple documentation, but the results met expectations.