# BlockBear! — Block ads and save data

> Simple, effective ad blocker for faster, private web browsing. (iPhone/iPad app by TunnelBear, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockbear/id1023924541 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [TunnelBear, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/555344986)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 2,782 App Store ratings · 437 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 19 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-09-18
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockbear/id1023924541/reviews.md

## What is BlockBear!?

Rawr! BlockBear is a really simple and ferocious adblocking app that allows you to browse the web ad-free and reclaim valuable screen space. 

BlockBear:
• Blocks ads (popups, text ads, banners) and removes website clutter
• Loads many websites 3-5x faster saving time and bandwidth
• Protects your privacy from widespread online tracking (cookies, beacons, scripts, etc)
• Lets you choose to block any combination of ads, online tracking and social buttons with a simple switch
• Helps you to conveniently whitelist your favourite websites from within Safari using the BlockBear Safari extension
• Includes 100% more bears than competing ad blockers

Yeah, you could download another adblocker… but then you wouldn’t have a bear.

## Key features

- Blocks all ad types
- Removes website clutter
- Speeds up website loading
- Saves bandwidth
- Protects privacy from tracking
- Customizable blocking options
- Safari extension for whitelisting

## What do users think of BlockBear!?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Effective ad blocker
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🐻 Cute bear theme
- 🔒 No data collection
- 💰 Free app

**Cons**

- 🐛 Blocks legitimate links/content
- 🔍 Ineffective at blocking some ads
- 🗓️ App not updated in years
- ⚠️ Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Whitelist functionality not working as expected
- Causes Safari pages to load blank
- Blocks YouTube ads inconsistently

**Most requested features**

- Dark mode app icon
- Ability to easily enable/disable on specific sites
- Integration with other browsers (e.g. Chrome)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 437)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockbear/id1023924541/reviews.md

### 5/5 — I like it

*2026-08-07, version 1.3.1*

Is it useful tools I like using and it is also good yay

### 5/5 — Efficace

*2026-08-04*

M’en sers depuis 5 ans et pas déçu, fonctionne très bien sur Safari, aucun effet de chevauchement et surtout, c’est gratuit.

### 5/5 — Amazing app!

*2026-07-15, version 1.3.1*

This app is great!

### 5/5 — Highly Recommended

*2026-07-09*

Great app! It works perfectly and is easy to use..

### 5/5 — Block Bear works

*2026-06-21, version 1.3.1*

Block Bear works finally something that got rid of the annoying full screen scrolling ad on Facebook!!!

### 5/5 — Just came across this site two days ago

*2026-06-18, version 1.3.1*

It’s early days but it’s looking very hopeful already for been the best site yet

### 5/5 — Gotta say

*2026-06-18, version 1.3.1*

Probably Make block ads to the disable Adblocker Ads

### 5/5 — Does the job

*2026-06-17, version 1.3.1*

Simple to use and gets the job done without constantly telling you it’s doing it. Fabby!

### 5/5 — It was good

*2026-06-03, version 1.3.1*

Love it

### 5/5 — No pesky privacy invading system access like other add blocker.

*2026-05-17, version 1.3.1*

Adblock and it’s sinking plus now require that the user allows the extensions to access all content of web sites you visit. Including passwords and credit card details. 

Thankfully Block Bear hasn’t yet gone down that path. Hopefully it stays like this. A lightweight privacy respecting ad blocker that simply does what it’s supposed to do. 

Please don’t change this attitude devs. Big thanks.

## Frequently asked questions about BlockBear!

### What does BlockBear! do?

BlockBear! is an adblocking app designed to provide a cleaner and faster web browsing experience. It blocks various types of ads, removes website clutter, and helps protect your privacy from online tracking.

### How does BlockBear! improve browsing speed?

By blocking ads and other non-essential website elements, BlockBear! reduces the amount of data that needs to be downloaded and processed. This allows many websites to load significantly faster, often 3-5 times quicker than without the app.

### Is BlockBear! free to use?

Yes, BlockBear! is a free application. It does not have any associated costs for download or use, and it does not display ads within the app itself.

### Can I choose which ads to block?

Yes, the app allows you to choose to block any combination of ads, online tracking, and social buttons with a simple switch. This gives you control over your browsing experience and what content is filtered.

### How can I whitelist a website with BlockBear!?

BlockBear! includes a convenient Safari extension that allows you to easily whitelist your favorite websites. This means you can disable ad blocking for specific sites you wish to support or that may have issues with ad blockers.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.1 — 2018-02-13

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

• Fixed an embearassing bug that caused BlockBear to ask you to download block list updates, even when none were available.

### 1.3 — 2018-01-24

• BlockBear is now feeling at home on iPhone X
• Chased away a few pesky bugs

### 1.2 — 2016-11-29

-Your Bear has learned the force… touch controls
-Bear witness to an improved Blocklist
-Diligent removal of ticks and bugs from Bear fur
-11% more Bears

### 1.1.2 — 2016-07-26

• Minor tick and bug removal
• 1.02% more bear puns

### 1.1.1 — 2016-04-06

• Better whitelist handling, adds subdomains automatically. Fixes sites like idownloadblog.com
• Minor UI bug fixes

## Apps similar to BlockBear!

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Shortcuts for Action Button 15](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortcuts-for-action-button-15/id6450391244) | 4.3 (113) | Free | Productivity |
| [Adblock Plus for Safari & Apps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adblock-plus-for-safari-and-apps/id1028871868) | 4.3 (19,279) | Free | Productivity |
| [Paste – Limitless Clipboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paste-limitless-clipboard/id967805235) | 4.2 (1,310) | Free | Productivity |
| [Turn Off the Lights for Safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/turn-off-the-lights-for-safari/id1273998507) | 3.9 (38) | Free | Productivity |
| [AdBlocker Ultimate](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adblocker-ultimate/id1113503428) | 4.0 (8) | Free | Productivity |
| [AdLock: Ad Blocker & Privacy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adlock-ad-blocker-and-privacy/id1506604517) | 4.4 (2,108) | Free | Productivity |

## More apps by TunnelBear, LLC

- [TunnelBear: Secure VPN & Wifi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tunnelbear-secure-vpn-and-wifi/id564842283)
- [RememBear: Password Manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remembear-password-manager/id1145554431)

All apps by TunnelBear, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/555344986

## Related topics

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*