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Filter updates in 1Blocker

A detailed tutorial on how 1Blocker delivers filter updates

Delivering a high-quality content-blocking experience is a crucial part of 1Blocker, so we put a lot of effort into providing a well-balanced and effective set of filters. Those filters reach you through several channels, and here's how they are delivered.

Filter updates with 1Blocker Premium

  • With Premium, filters are updated in the background several times per week.

  • Filters are also updated every time you launch 1Blocker on iOS, macOS, or visionOS.

Filter updates in the free version

Background updates are a Premium feature, but free users still receive filter updates: the latest filter version is included with every 1Blocker app update on the App Store. We don’t follow a fixed release schedule, but we aim to ship at least one app update every month.


Background updates on iOS and visionOS

Successful background updates depend on the following:

  • Background App Refresh must be enabled in iOS Settings → General → Background App Refresh, as well as in iOS Settings → Apps → 1Blocker. Without it, the system will not let the app check for filter updates.

  • Keep 1Blocker in the background. Please don’t force quit it. Closing the app completely signals that you want it fully stopped, so iOS stops scheduling background work for it.

  • Avoid Low Power Mode. It turns off Background App Refresh, which in turn deactivates background filter updates.

  • Keep your device on Wi-Fi and power. Leaving it connected to Wi-Fi and to a charger when possible gives background updates the best chance to complete. Under those conditions, iOS allocates more resources to background tasks.

  • iOS decides when background tasks actually run. The system may occasionally delay or skip an update, based on how it schedules background work across all your apps. Launching 1Blocker updates the filters right away.

Background updates on macOS

  • The 1Blocker Actions Safari extension must be enabled in Safari → Settings → Extensions. It handles background filter updates right inside the browser, so no other setting is needed on the Mac.


Checking your filter version

The filter version currently installed is shown at the bottom of the app’s main screen.

Updating External Filters

External Filters are part of the background update process. On iOS, macOS, and visionOS, they receive updates in the background and when you launch 1Blocker. You can also update them manually in the app.

More information here: External Filters

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