How to Block JavaScript on Your IPhone or Android (and When Needed)
Much of the Internet today would have changed a lot if it weren’t for JavaScript, the programming language that allows you to add interactive elements to your favorite websites. Features such as chat windows, audio and video players, and infinite scrolling are just a few examples of what JavaScript has added to our lives.
When should you disable JavaScript?
Not everyone wants to run websites with JavaScript enabled. The dark side of these features is additional tracking, automatic video playback, a lot of annoyances that change the scrolling behavior, and more. By disabling JavaScript, you can disable infinite scrolling on most websites, which is very important if you’re trying to cut down on screen time. Other benefits of disabling JavaScript include reducing tracking, blocking ads, and bypassing paywalls so you can read articles online for free.
Even if you want to disable JavaScript, your options are limited because most websites rely on it so much. Some websites can break completely, while others can fall back to basic HTML, like Gmail does when you have a slow internet connection. We’ve already covered how to disable JavaScript in desktop browsers , but now it’s time to take a look at how to do the same on mobile devices.
Before we start, we must inform you that many popular mobile browsers do not allow JavaScript blocking. For example, Firefox on Android or iPhone does not have this feature. That being said, the two most popular browsers on iPhone and Android – Safari and Google Chrome – allow you to disable JavaScript, so here’s how to do it.
How to disable JavaScript in Safari on iPhone
To turn off JavaScript in Safari, open Settings on your iPhone. Then go to Safari> Advanced and disable JavaScript . Now you can open Safari and see if your favorite websites are working smoothly. If you are not happy with what you find, go back to Safari preferences and turn it back on.
How to disable JavaScript in Chrome on Android
If you’re using Chrome on Android, open your browser and tap the three dots icon in the top right corner. Then you can go to Settings> Site Settings> JavaScript . Disable JavaScript here to get rid of it in Google Chrome on Android. On the same page, you can click Add Site Exception , enter a URL and click Add to enable JavaScript to run on specific websites.
Unfortunately, Chrome on iPhone does not allow JavaScript to be disabled.