Following Apple's introduction of new URL filtering capabilities in iOS 26 and macOS 26, an independent developer has released Filtr, a device-level ad-blocking tool. Unlike previous solutions that were primarily limited to browsers, this tool can cover most iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps.
Coverage extended to applications
Filtr is maintained by developer Kaylee Serena Calderolla, who previously released Wipr, a Safari ad-blocking tool. The new tool changes this by allowing blocking to occur not only within the browser but also in more application scenarios across Apple's main devices.
According to the report, after users enable this feature, many apps will stop loading content in the areas where ads were previously displayed, and some areas will only have grayed-out placeholders. This not only reduces ad display but also decreases the chances of ad tracking codes reaching users.
Relying on Apple's URL filtering capabilities
Calderolla stated that Filtr is one of the first applications to utilize this URL filtering feature. She noted that Apple's public documentation is limited, making development difficult and requiring users to explore many implementation details independently.
Filtr relies on an ad-blocking list maintained by the developers. A pre-filtered list is stored locally on the device and automatically updated via Wipr. If a request is suspected of triggering a blocking rule, the system quickly checks the list on the server.
The developers stated that these query requests are forwarded through Apple's servers, thus preventing app developers from directly knowing who is requesting these block lists. With this design, users typically only need to complete the setup once, and subsequent adjustments are generally unnecessary.
Ads on some platforms still cannot be blocked.
The report also noted that these tools are not effective against all ads. If the ad and the app content come from the same domain or the same network, Filtr usually cannot block them directly, which could cause the app itself to malfunction.
This means that users may still see ads on platforms with strong proprietary advertising systems, such as Facebook, Google, and Reddit. In contrast, if users switch to the mobile web versions of these services, the browser's Wipr may continue to block ads.
The pricing plan has been announced.
In terms of pricing, Wipr is priced at $5 on the Apple App Store and is compatible across Apple devices. Filtr is offered as an additional feature for $5 per year, with a one-time lifetime purchase option available for $25.
