Apple has rolled out a new feature called Distraction Control in Safari, available with macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18, and iOS 18, designed to give users more control over distractions while browsing. Unlike typical ad blockers, Distraction Control allows users to choose exactly which on-page elements they want to hide—whether it's a sidebar, pop-up, or embedded video. This feature empowers users to customize their browsing experience by clicking a few options and temporarily hiding distracting content.
How to Use Distraction Control on Mac
Getting started with Distraction Control is simple:
- Open Safari and navigate to the desired page.
- Click the Page Menu in the address bar.
- Select Hide Distracting Items from the dropdown.
- Click on the unwanted elements, then select Done to confirm or Cancel to reverse any changes.
Apple even added a fun animation effect, making items disappear in a burst of particles. For additional control, users can restore hidden elements anytime by selecting Show Hidden Items in the Page Menu, which returns selected elements without reloading the page.
While Distraction Control can reduce visual clutter, it doesn’t replace full ad blockers, as dynamic content may not stay hidden. However, when combined with Safari’s Reader Mode, it provides a much cleaner, focused browsing experience on both Mac and iPhone.
