A new tool called Filtr is bringing system-wide ad blocking to Apple’s ecosystem, working across iPhones, iPads, and Macs in a way that goes well beyond the browser.
According to TechCrunch, Filtr is the first third-party tool to take advantage of a new Apple feature introduced in iOS 26 and macOS 26 called URL filters, which lets developers block specific websites and domains at the network level rather than only inside Safari.
Filtr is built by Kaylee Serena Calderolla, the developer behind Wipr, a popular Safari ad blocker. While Wipr handles ads in the browser, Filtr extends that protection to other apps on Apple’s platforms, preventing ad networks from loading their content and the tracking code that often comes with it.
The tool works by consulting a blocklist maintained by Calderolla. A “pre-filter” list lives on the user’s device and is kept current through automatic updates pushed through the Wipr app. When the device encounters a domain that might be on the blocklist, it checks against a fuller list hosted on Calderolla’s servers, with Apple acting as a proxy so app developers cannot see who is making the request. Because of the architecture, most of the time the filtering happens locally and has no noticeable effect on browsing speed.
Unfortunately, Filtr still has limitations. Ads served directly from a website’s own domain, such as those in the Facebook, Google, and Reddit apps, may still appear, since blocking them could break the apps entirely. The level of protection depends on whether the ad network and the content host are on separate domains.
Wipr is available as a universal app on the Apple App Store for a one-time purchase of Php299. Filtr is offered as an add-on subscription, priced at Php299 per year or Php1,499 for a lifetime license.