Apple has released the fifth developer beta of macOS Sequoia, which lets users test out features coming to the best MacBooks and Macs this fall. The update introduces a handy new feature called Distraction Control for Safari, which is also available in the latest developer betas of iPadOS 18 and iOS 18.
What’s so special about Distraction Control? It temporarily removes distracting elements from websites, such as pop-up ads. It’s not an ad blocker, so you don’t have to feel guilty about removing ad views from a website. Distraction Control lets you manually select which elements you want to hide on a website, and the changes last across page refreshes/reloads as long as the element you’ve hidden hasn’t changed. This way, you can enjoy a more enjoyable web browsing experience with fewer distractions.
Using distraction control on Safari is a relatively simple process. Below, I'll show you how to enable distraction control and how to use it.
How to Enable Distraction Control in Safari for macOS Sequoia
Before you begin, you'll need to make sure your Mac can install and run macOS Sequoia. Here's a list of compatible Macs:
- MacBook Air: 2020 and later
- MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
- Mac mini: 2018 and later
- iMac: 2019 and later
- iMac Pro: 2017
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later
- Mac Studio: 2022 and later
Finally, we recommend backing up your Mac. Either Apple's built-in Time Machine feature or a reputable third-party service like Backfire are suited to the task. Check out our guide on best cloud storage solutions for more recommendations.
Downloading the developer beta requires creating an Apple developer account through Apple Developer. portalStandard accounts cost $100/year, but there is a free tier that only gives you access to beta software and not the developer tools available to paid members. It may be best to wait for Distraction Control to arrive as part of the macOS Sequoia public beta. Public betas typically follow shortly after the developer beta is released and provide a more stable environment to test upcoming features.
Now that all that is done, here's how to enable and use Distraction Control in Safari for macOS Sequoia.
1. Open Safari
(Image: © Apple)
To start, Click on Safari to open it. You'll find Safari in your Mac's Dock, usually at the bottom of the screen. Conversely, you can find Safari in Launchpad, which is also in the Dock.
2. Click on the Page Menu icon
(Image: © Apple)
With Safari open, Click on the page menu icon located to the left of the website URL.
3. Hide distracting elements
(Image: © Apple)
In the drop-down menu, Click Hide Distracting Elements.
4. Choose what you want to hide
(Image: © Apple)
Following, Select an element on the page that you want to hide. This could be an ad banner, pop-up, or something else. The item you select (highlighted in blue) will automatically disappear. You can do this on as many items as you want.
5. Select “Done”
(Image: © Apple)
Click Done if you are happy with the changes or click Cancel to return to the page.
And that’s how to enable distraction control in Safari for macOS Sequoia! This is a great option if you don’t like seeing a bunch of distractions on a page, but don’t want to use an ad blocker. Keep in mind that the changes are temporary, and you can always revert the pages back to their original form.
For more macOS Sequoia guides, be sure to read our articles on how to record audio in macOS Sequoia Notes and how to set up iPhone mirroring in macOS Sequoia.