You're trying to access some important information from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on your iPad, but those pesky pop-up blockers are getting in the way, right? It's a common frustration, especially when official websites rely on pop-up windows for essential functions like displaying documents, forms, or login prompts. Don't worry, we're going to get those pop-ups working for you!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to allow pop-ups from the IRD on your iPad, whether you're using Safari (the default browser) or Google Chrome.
Understanding Pop-Ups and Your iPad
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly understand why pop-ups are often blocked by default and why you might need them for sites like the IRD.
- Why Pop-Ups are Blocked: Most browsers block pop-ups by default because, historically, they were often used for intrusive advertisements, malware, or phishing attempts. This is a security measure to protect your Browse experience.
- Why You Need Them for IRD: Government and financial websites like the IRD often use pop-ups for legitimate reasons. This could be to open a tax form, a payment confirmation, a secure login window, or even a help document without redirecting you entirely from your current page.
Now, let's get those settings changed!
Step 1: Identify Your Browser
Before we begin, tell me: which internet browser are you using on your iPad to access the IRD website?
Are you using:
- Safari (the blue compass icon, typically the default browser on iPads)?
- Google Chrome (the red, yellow, and green circle icon)?
- Something else entirely?
Knowing this will help us target the right settings. Once you've identified your browser, proceed to the relevant section below.
Step 2: Allowing Pop-Ups in Safari (Default iPad Browser)
If you're using Safari, the process involves adjusting your iPad's main Settings. It's important to note that Safari on iPad does not currently allow you to enable pop-ups for only a specific website. You'll need to temporarily disable the general pop-up blocker, complete your task on the IRD website, and then re-enable it for security.
Sub-heading 2.1: Disabling the Safari Pop-Up Blocker
-
Go to your iPad's Settings:
- Tap the grey gear icon on your iPad's Home screen. This will open the Settings app.
-
Scroll and Select Safari:
- In the left-hand menu of the Settings app, scroll down until you see "Safari" (it has a blue compass icon). Tap on it.
-
Find the "Block Pop-ups" Option:
- On the right side of the Safari settings screen, under the "General" section, you'll see an option labeled "Block Pop-ups."
-
Toggle it Off:
- Tap the toggle switch next to "Block Pop-ups" to turn it off (it will turn grey when off).
At this point, pop-ups are now allowed for all websites in Safari on your iPad.
Sub-heading 2.2: Accessing the IRD Website
-
Open Safari:
- Go back to your Home screen and open the Safari app.
-
Navigate to the IRD Website:
- Go to the official IRD website (e.g., ird.govt.nz if you're in New Zealand, or the relevant tax authority website for your region).
-
Perform Your Task:
- Now, attempt to perform the action that required the pop-up (e.g., logging in, viewing a statement, submitting a form). The pop-up window should now appear.
Sub-heading 2.3: Re-enabling the Safari Pop-Up Blocker (Crucial!)
This is a critical step for your security. Once you've finished your task on the IRD website, you should immediately re-enable the pop-up blocker.
-
Go Back to Settings:
- Tap the grey gear icon again to open the Settings app.
-
Navigate to Safari Settings:
- In the left-hand menu, tap on "Safari."
-
Toggle "Block Pop-ups" Back On:
- Find the "Block Pop-ups" option and tap the toggle switch to turn it on (it will turn green when on).
You're done! Your iPad is now protected from unwanted pop-ups again.
Step 3: Allowing Pop-Ups in Google Chrome (If You Use It)
If you prefer using Google Chrome on your iPad, the process is slightly different as the settings are within the Chrome app itself.
Sub-heading 3.1: Disabling the Chrome Pop-Up Blocker
-
Open the Chrome App:
- Tap the Google Chrome app icon on your iPad's Home screen.
-
Access Chrome Settings:
- In the bottom-right corner of the Chrome browser, tap the three horizontal dots (More menu).
- From the pop-up menu, tap on "Settings."
-
Navigate to Content Settings:
- On the Settings screen, scroll down and tap on "Content Settings."
-
Find "Block Pop-ups":
- Within Content Settings, tap on "Block Pop-ups" (or "Pop-ups and redirects" on some versions).
-
Toggle it Off:
- Tap the toggle switch to turn "Block Pop-ups" off (it will turn grey when off).
Pop-ups are now allowed for all websites in Chrome on your iPad.
Sub-heading 3.2: Accessing the IRD Website in Chrome
-
Return to Chrome:
- Go back to the Chrome browser.
-
Navigate to the IRD Website:
- Go to the official IRD website (e.g., ird.govt.nz).
-
Perform Your Task:
- Attempt to perform the action that required the pop-up. The pop-up window should now appear.
Pro Tip: If you encounter a pop-up that is blocked, Chrome often displays a small icon in the address bar (a square with a red 'x' or similar). Tapping this icon can sometimes give you an option to allow the specific pop-up that was just blocked, without needing to go into settings.
Sub-heading 3.3: Re-enabling the Chrome Pop-Up Blocker (Highly Recommended!)
Just like with Safari, it's a best practice to re-enable your pop-up blocker in Chrome once you're done with the IRD website.
-
Access Chrome Settings Again:
- Tap the three horizontal dots in the bottom-right corner of Chrome.
- Tap on "Settings."
-
Navigate to Content Settings:
- Tap on "Content Settings."
-
Toggle "Block Pop-ups" Back On:
- Tap on "Block Pop-ups" and then tap the toggle switch to turn it on (it will turn blue/green when on).
Your Chrome browser is now back to blocking unwanted pop-ups.
Step 4: What if Pop-Ups Still Aren't Working? (Troubleshooting)
Sometimes, even after adjusting settings, things can be a bit stubborn. Here are some extra troubleshooting steps:
Sub-heading 4.1: Refresh the Page or Restart the Browser
- Refresh: After changing pop-up settings, sometimes the current webpage needs a refresh to register the change. In Safari, pull down on the page to refresh. In Chrome, tap the refresh icon in the address bar.
- Close and Reopen: Fully close the Safari or Chrome app (double-press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom, then swipe the app preview off the screen) and then reopen it.
Sub-heading 4.2: Check for Browser Updates
- Ensure your Safari browser (which updates with your iPadOS) and your Chrome app are up to date. Outdated versions can sometimes have glitches.
- For Safari: Go to
Settings>General>Software Update. - For Chrome: Go to the
App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and check for pending updates for Chrome.
- For Safari: Go to
Sub-heading 4.3: Clear Website Data (as a Last Resort)
- Sometimes, cached data or cookies from a website can interfere. Clearing this data might help, but be aware it will log you out of websites and remove any saved preferences for those sites.
- For Safari: Go to
Settings>Safari>Clear History and Website Data. Choose "Clear History and Data" only if you're prepared to log back into all websites. - For Chrome: Open Chrome, tap the three dots >
Settings>Privacy and Security>Clear Browse Data. Select "Cookies, Site Data" and "Cached Images and Files" and then tap "Clear Browse Data."
- For Safari: Go to
Sub-heading 4.4: Contact IRD Support
- If all else fails, it's possible there's a specific technical requirement or known issue with the IRD website and iPad pop-ups. Reach out to IRD's technical support for guidance. They might have specific instructions or workarounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to allow pop-ups on iPad for a specific website in Safari?
Unfortunately, Safari on iPad currently does not allow you to enable pop-ups for just one specific website. It's an all-or-nothing setting. You must temporarily disable the main pop-up blocker in Settings, visit the site, and then re-enable it.
How to turn off pop-up blocker on iPad Safari?
Go to Settings > Safari and toggle the "Block Pop-ups" switch to off.
How to allow pop-ups in Chrome on iPad?
Open the Chrome app, tap the three dots (More menu) > Settings > Content Settings > Block Pop-ups and toggle it off.
How to block pop-ups again after using the IRD website?
For Safari, go to Settings > Safari and toggle "Block Pop-ups" on. For Chrome, open Chrome, tap the three dots > Settings > Content Settings > Block Pop-ups and toggle it on.
How to know if a pop-up is legitimate?
Legitimate pop-ups often come from secure, trusted websites (check for "https://" in the URL). They usually relate directly to the content you're trying to access (e.g., a login window, a form). Suspicious pop-ups often have unusual URLs, grammatical errors, or try to trick you into downloading something or revealing personal information.
How to identify a malicious pop-up?
Malicious pop-ups might claim your device is infected, offer free prizes if you click, or try to force you to download software. They often appear aggressively and are hard to close. Always be cautious!
How to clear Safari cache and cookies on iPad?
Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This will remove all Browse history, cookies, and cached data.
How to clear Chrome cache and cookies on iPad?
Open Chrome, tap the three dots > Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browse Data. Select "Cookies, Site Data" and "Cached Images and Files" and tap "Clear Browse Data."
How to check for iPadOS updates?
Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Your iPad will check for and prompt you to download any available updates.
How to update the Chrome app on iPad?
Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and then scroll down to see if Chrome has any pending updates.
