Introduction
Browsing without images can save bandwidth, speed up page loading and reduce distractions. Brave, built on Chromium, offers several ways to disable or block images on desktop and mobile. This article explains each method in detail so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Overview of Methods
Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Built-in Content Settings | Use Brave’s Site Settings to block images entirely. | Simple, no extension required. | Applies globally or per site only. |
Command-Line Flag | Launch Brave with a flag disabling image rendering. | Applies to all sessions. | Requires modifying shortcuts or terminal commands. |
Browser Extension | Install a Chrome-compatible extension that blocks images. | Flexible, whitelist support. | Extra install potential privacy/privacy trade-off. |
Mobile Settings | Use data-saving or accessibility features on Android/iOS. | No desktop dependency. | Limited control compared to desktop. |
Method 1: Using Brave’s Built-in Content Settings
Step 1: Open Content Settings
1. Click the Brave menu icon (three horizontal lines or dots) in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings.
Step 2: Block Images
1. In the Site Settings list, find and click Images.
2. Select Don’t allow sites to show images.
3. Optionally, add exceptions under Allowed to show images for sites where you do want images.
Considerations
- This change applies globally unless you whitelist specific sites.
- Some web pages may break or look incomplete without images.
Method 2: Launching Brave with a Command-Line Flag
Windows
1. Right-click your Brave shortcut and select Properties.
2. In the Target field, add a space then:
--blink-settings=imagesEnabled=false
3. Click Apply and launch Brave via that shortcut.
macOS
1. Open Terminal.
2. Run:
/Applications/Brave Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Brave Browser --args --blink-settings=imagesEnabled=false
3. Brave will start with images disabled.
Linux
In a terminal, launch:
brave-browser --blink-settings=imagesEnabled=false
Advantages and Drawbacks
- Advantage: Enforced at render level, no in-page request for images.
- Drawback: You must always use the modified shortcut or command.
Method 3: Installing a Browser Extension
Recommended Extension
Use an extension like Image Blocker from the Chrome Web Store. To install:
- Visit Chrome Web Store.
- Search for “Image Blocker” or similar.
- Click Add to Brave and confirm installation.
Configuring the Extension
- Open the extension icon next to the address bar.
- Toggle image blocking on or off globally or per site.
- Access advanced settings to whitelist certain domains.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Granular control, easy on/off toggle, whitelist/blacklist support.
- Cons: Depends on third-party code, may affect performance slightly.
Method 4: Mobile Browsing Without Images
Android
1. Open Brave and tap the three-dot menu.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Data Saver or Site Settings > Images.
3. Enable Blocked under Images.
iOS
1. Tap the Brave menu icon.
2. Navigate to Settings > Brave Shields.
3. Toggle Block Media Elements or use Disable Image Loading if available.
Notes
- Data Saver on Android may compress or disable images to save bandwidth.
- Mobile UI may vary slightly by version.
Testing and Verification
After applying any method, visit a media-rich site such as https://www.wikipedia.org or a news portal. If images are disabled correctly, you should see empty placeholders or no space where images normally load.
Potential Caveats
- Some websites rely on images for navigation or essential content (e.g., CAPTCHA). You may need to re-enable images temporarily.
- Disabling images does not block CSS backgrounds or inline SVGs in all cases.
- Extensions may introduce privacy or performance trade-offs.
Conclusion
Brave offers multiple approaches to browsing without images: built-in settings, command-line flags, extensions and mobile options. Choose the method that aligns with your convenience and control needs. With images disabled, you can experience faster page loads, reduced data usage and a more text-focused browsing environment.
Be the first to leave a comment