Introduction
The Brave browser is known for its privacy features and speed, but sometimes you may need to control whether websites can run JavaScript. JavaScript powers interactive elements on many pages, yet it can also introduce security or performance concerns. This article explains, in detail, how to enable or disable JavaScript in Brave on desktop and mobile, and how to manage settings per site.
Why Control JavaScript
Security: Disabling JavaScript can reduce exposure to certain exploits or malicious scripts.Performance: Pages with heavy scripts may load more slowly or consume more resources.Privacy: Some scripts track user behavior blocking them can improve privacy.Compatibility: On rare occasions, JavaScript can conflict with extensions or built-in features.
Enabling JavaScript in Brave (Desktop)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open Brave and click the
three-dot menu in the top-right corner. - Select
Settings from the dropdown. - In the left sidebar, click
Privacy and security . - Choose
Site and Shields Settings . - Scroll down to the
Content section and clickJavaScript . - Ensure the toggle next to
Allowed (recommended) is turned on.
After completing these steps, all websites will be permitted to run JavaScript by default.
Enabling JavaScript in Brave (Mobile)
Android iOS
- Open the Brave app on your device.
- Tap the
three-dot menu (Android) or theSettings gear icon (iOS). - Select
Settings from the menu. - Tap
Site Settings . - Choose
JavaScript . - Toggle the switch to
Allowed .
Disabling JavaScript in Brave (Desktop)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open Brave and access the
three-dot menu . - Click
Settings , thenPrivacy and security . - Go to
Site and Shields Settings gtJavaScript . - Switch the toggle to
Blocked .
With JavaScript blocked, many interactive elements on websites will be disabled, so use this setting carefully.
Disabling JavaScript in Brave (Mobile)
Android iOS
- Open Brave and tap the
menu icon . - Navigate to
Settings gtSite Settings gtJavaScript . - Toggle off the switch to block JavaScript.
Managing JavaScript Per Site
Rather than a global on/off, you can allow or block JavaScript for specific domains. This is ideal when you trust certain sites but want to block scripts elsewhere.
Option | Description |
---|---|
Allow | JavaScript runs without restrictions on the specified site. |
Block | No scripts will execute on that domain. |
Custom | Configure exceptions, such as allowing pop-ups or third-party scripts selectively. |
Configuring Exceptions (Desktop)
- Open Brave settings and go to
Site and Shields Settings gtJavaScript . - Under
Customized behaviors , clickAdd next toAllowed to use JavaScript orNot allowed to use JavaScript . - Enter the site’s address (for example, example.com) and click
Add .
Configuring Exceptions (Mobile)
- In Brave mobile settings, navigate to
Site Settings gtJavaScript . - Tap
Add site exception . - Choose
Allow orBlock and enter the domain. - Confirm to save the rule.
Troubleshooting
- If scripts still run when you’ve blocked JavaScript, clear your browser cache and restart Brave.
- Ensure no extensions or Shields settings are overriding your JavaScript preferences.
- On mobile, update the Brave app to the latest version if site settings do not appear.
Further Resources
For more information on Brave’s privacy and content controls, visit the official Brave Help Center: https://support.brave.com.
Conclusion
Controlling JavaScript in Brave gives you greater privacy and performance management. Whether you need a global off switch or fine-grained per-site control, Brave’s settings are flexible and easy to configure. Follow the steps above to tailor your browsing experience exactly to your needs.
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