Question 1

What is PureSurf and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

PureSurf is a Safari ad blocker extension management app for iOS devices. It helps you enable, update, and maintain Safari Content Blocker rules to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy. The app provides one-tap enablement, automatic rule updates, and local statistics tracking without collecting your browsing data.

Question 2

Is PureSurf free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes! PureSurf is completely free to download and use. There are no hidden fees, subscriptions, or premium features behind a paywall. We believe in providing quality ad blocking tools to everyone without cost.

Question 3

What iOS devices and versions does PureSurf support?

Accepted Answer

PureSurf is fully compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 14.0 or later. The app is optimized for all screen sizes and provides the same ad blocking functionality on both device types. iOS 14+ is required because Safari Content Blockers were significantly improved in iOS 14, allowing for more effective ad blocking.

Question 4

How do I set up PureSurf?

Accepted Answer

Setting up PureSurf is easy:
1. Install and open the app
2. On the home page, tap "Enable Extension" to go to Settings → Safari → Extensions
3. Toggle on "PureSurf - Block"
4. Return to the app and tap "Update Rules" to download the latest blocking rules
5. For automatic updates, follow the "Background Refresh" guide to enable background app refresh in your device settings

Question 5

How often are the blocking rules updated?

Accepted Answer

With Background App Refresh enabled, PureSurf automatically updates its blocking rules every 24 hours. You can also manually update the rules at any time by tapping the "Update Rules" button in the app. Keeping your rules updated ensures the best protection against new ads and trackers.

Question 6

How can I verify if PureSurf is working?

Accepted Answer

To check if PureSurf is working properly:
1. Open Safari and visit test pages like https://ads-blocker.com/testing/ or https://blockads.fivefilters.org/
2. These pages will show you which ads would normally appear and which are being blocked
3. You can also visit your favorite websites and notice the absence of ads and faster loading times

Question 7

Does PureSurf collect my browsing data or personal information?

Accepted Answer

No. PureSurf does not collect your browsing history or any personally identifiable information. All data is used only for blocking rule updates and local statistical estimates. All information is stored locally on your device only, ensuring your privacy is protected.

Question 8

Why does the app show estimated blocking counts instead of exact numbers?

Accepted Answer

Due to iOS Content Blocker mechanism limitations, it's not possible for any app to accurately count each individual blocking event. PureSurf uses an industry-standard estimation method based on rules, time, and fluctuation coefficients to provide meaningful statistics while maintaining good performance. This approach is both performance-friendly and commonly used in iOS ad blockers.

Question 9

Can I whitelist certain websites where I want to see ads?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can whitelist specific websites through Safari settings. Here's how:
1. Go to Settings → Safari → Extensions → PureSurf - Block → Website Access
2. Choose which sites to allow or block
3. You can allow all sites, restrict to specific sites, or block specific sites

Question 10

Will PureSurf slow down my device or browsing speed?

Accepted Answer

No, PureSurf is designed to be lightweight and actually improves browsing speed by blocking resource-heavy ads and trackers. The app uses iOS native Content Blocker technology for efficient performance. By preventing unnecessary ads from loading, PureSurf reduces data usage and makes web pages load faster.

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