arjpar/WebShield: A new wide-spectrum content blocker for Safari designed to be performant, efficient, and effective.

https://testflight.apple.com/join/1t5HfEGS

WebShield is a wide-spectrum content blocker, akin to uBlock Origin, specifically for Safari.

WebShield can block ads, trackers, cookie notices, and more. You can also import custom filter lists. WebShield supports Safari’s Content Blocking API as well as scriptlets & extended css for more advanced, targeted blocking.

These requirements are tentative and due to change. I will try to support older OSes as much as I can.

• macOS 14 or later
• iOS 17 or later
• visionOS 1.3 or later

1. Download & install WebShield from TestFlight
2. (macOS) Open Safari and navigate to Settings > Extensions; (iOS) Open Settings > Safari > Extensions
3. Enable all “WebShield” extensions
4. (macOS) Go to Websites (in Safai Settings) > “WebShield Advanced”
5. (macOS) Change “For other websites” to “Allow”
6. (iOS) Go to “WebShield Advanced” (in Settings > Safari > Extensions)
7. (iOS) Change “All Websites” to “Allow”

An App Store release will happen when we reach a stable level of maturity.

For developers and advanced users who want to build from source:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/WebShieldApp/WebShield.git

2. Open the project in Xcode and build the app for your platform.
3. Follow platform-specific steps for enabling the extension in Safari.

Note: Detailed installation instructions will be added once the project reaches a stable release.

There will be documentation on usage soon.

We welcome contributions to WebShield! Here’s how you can help:

1. Bug Reports & Feature Requests: Use the GitHub Issues to report bugs or request features.
2. Code Contributions: Fork the repository, create a feature branch, and submit a pull request.
3. Documentation Improvements: Found a typo or have better wording suggestions? Feel free to submit a PR!

For detailed guidelines, please see our CONTRIBUTING.md file for details on how to get started.

This project is licensed under the GNU GPLv3 License – see the LICENSE file for details.

If you need help or have any questions, you can reach out through:

WebShield draws inspiration from privacy and performance-focused projects like uBlock Origin. This project wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of filter list maintainers who work tirelessly to keep the web clean. I’m deeply grateful to stand on the shoulders of these projects and their contributors. Special thanks to AdGuard, whose tools — particularly SafariConverterLib and Scriptlets/ExtendedCSS — have been instrumental to WebShield’s development. I’d also like to thank @0xCube for our ongoing collaboration and the valuable connection between our projects.

If you would like to donate to me to support this project here are a few links:

WebShield is and will always remain free, with all core ad-blocking functionality available to everyone. We believe in keeping the web clean and accessible, without hiding essential features behind paywalls.

As an independent, self-funded project, WebShield relies exclusively on user donations to sustain its development. This funding model is intentional—it ensures our incentives align perfectly with our users’ interests. By choosing this path over revenue from ads, tracking, or deals with ad companies, we maintain our independence and stay true to our privacy-first principles.

WebShield+ offers a tiered support system: the more you contribute, the greater your influence on WebShield’s future development. Your level of support directly correlates with the weight your voice carries in shaping our roadmap and future features.

For a modest contribution (starting at $1 either monthly or as a one-time payment), WebShield+ offers:

• Early access to release candidate versions and experimental features
• Direct communication with the development team
• Influence on WebShield’s roadmap (scaled with contribution level)
• A special badge on Discord
• The satisfaction of supporting a truly independent ad-blocker

I develop WebShield as a full-time student, dedicating and paying with my free time to create the best possible ad-blocking experience for Safari users. While supporting the project is entirely optional, every donation directly funds our continued development and independence. This user-supported model allows us to maintain our unwavering focus on privacy and performance, free from the compromises that come with alternative funding sources.

Our commitment to providing a powerful, free ad-blocker for all Safari users remains unchanged. We believe in creating a product valuable enough that users choose to support it, rather than forcing their hand through paywalls or compromising with “acceptable ads.”

Together, we can redefine ad-blocking for Safari, prioritizing user privacy, performance, and a cleaner web experience for everyone.

Happy browsing! 🛡️

Keep your files stored safely and securely with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD. With over 69,505 ratings and an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, this product has been purchased over 8K+ times in the past month. At only $129.99, this Amazon’s Choice product is a must-have for secure file storage.

Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Order now for just $129.99 on Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!