Safari's Distraction Control: Hide Annoying Cookie Pop-ups Easily

Apple's Distraction Control Feature in Safari

Apple has recently introduced an innovative feature in Safari known as “Distraction Control”, aimed at improving user experience by minimizing browser distractions. This new feature is now available with the rollout of the fifth iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia developer betas, which launched on Monday.

Functionality of Distraction Control

The Distraction Control feature allows users to remove various distracting elements from their browsing experience, such as cookie preference pop-ups and other unwanted items residing on web pages. According to a MacRumors report, users can access this feature from a menu option where they can choose to “Hide Distracting Items”.

Sleek Animation Effects

Once the user selects the items to hide, they disappear from the web page with a smooth and visually appealing animation effect. This transition not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the browsing experience but also allows for a clearer focus on the main content of the page.

Limitations of the Feature

It’s essential to note that Apple has specified in a pop-up message featured in the MacRumors video that “hiding distracting items will not permanently remove ads and other content that updates frequently.” This indicates that while the feature can temporarily hide distractions, it may not completely eliminate ads. Moreover, the parts of websites that users choose to hide do not sync across different devices, according to the MacRumors coverage.

Changes to the Photos App

Aside from introducing the Distraction Control feature, the latest iOS 18 beta also reflects some modifications in the Photos app. One significant change is the removal of the newly designed carousel view feature, which was previously introduced.

Conclusion

With the launch of Distraction Control in Safari for iOS 18 and its associated platforms, Apple continues to focus on enhancing the browsing experience. This thoughtful addition aims to provide users with greater control over what appears on their screens, minimizing unnecessary distractions. Keep an eye out for more updates as Apple refines this feature in its upcoming releases.