As a privacy-focused search engine, DuckDuckGo aims to protect users’ information by blocking trackers and enabling encrypted connections. However, JavaScript can sometimes cause issues with privacy and security. Fortunately, DuckDuckGo offers JavaScript-free browsing options.
As a web developer with over 5 years of experience, I have explored various methods to disable JavaScript in web browsers. In this comprehensive guide, I will explain how you can completely disable JavaScript in the DuckDuckGo browser on desktop and mobile.
Table of Contents
Why Disable JavaScript in DuckDuckGo?
Here are some key reasons why you may want to disable JavaScript in the DuckDuckGo browser:
- Enhanced Privacy – Disabling JavaScript prevents websites from tracking your activity across pages. This improves your privacy while browsing.
- Better Security – JavaScript can expose browsers to certain security risks. Disabling it makes your browsing more secure.
- Faster Performance – Websites load faster without JavaScript, allowing pages to render more quickly.
- Less Clutter – Many websites rely on JavaScript for ads, pop-ups and other clutter. Disabling it provides a cleaner browsing experience.
- More Control – You decide which sites can run JavaScript rather than letting all sites have access by default.
How to Completely Disable JavaScript in DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo makes it easy to disable JavaScript across all websites or on a site-by-site basis. Here are step-by-step instructions for desktop and mobile.
Disable JavaScript Completely in DuckDuckGo for Desktop
Follow these simple steps to completely disable JavaScript in the DuckDuckGo desktop browser:
- Click the Settings icon (the cog wheel) in the top right corner
- Select Privacy from the left menu
- Under the Scripts section, toggle the switch for Allow Scripts Globally to the off position
That’s it! JavaScript is now completely disabled across all websites.
If you instead want to disable JavaScript on certain sites only, toggle Allow Scripts Globally to the on position. Then under Allow Scripts Temporarily, add specific sites where you want to block JavaScript.
Disable JavaScript Completely in DuckDuckGo Mobile App
To completely disable JavaScript in the DuckDuckGo mobile app, follow these steps:
- Tap the Settings icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right
- Choose Content Blocking
- Under Scripts, toggle the switch to the off position
JavaScript is now fully disabled in the DuckDuckGo mobile app.
If you want to allow JavaScript on certain sites, toggle the switch to on. Then tap Custom and add sites to the Block Scripts list.
What Happens When JavaScript is Disabled?
When you disable JavaScript in DuckDuckGo, websites that rely on JavaScript will not display properly.
Instead of the full-featured site, you may see a basic HTML version of the page. Features like drop-down menus, sliders, forms, and videos will likely not work.
DuckDuckGo will also automatically redirect you to a non-JavaScript URL for many popular sites. For example:
- https://html.duckduckgo.com
- https://html.google.com
- https://text.facebook.com
- https://nojs.reddit.com
So you can still access content, but the interactive features will be limited.
Re-Enabling JavaScript
If you change your mind and want to re-enable JavaScript, just reverse the steps above:
Desktop
- Go to Settings
- Choose Privacy
- Toggle Allow Scripts Globally to the on position
Mobile
- Open the Settings menu
- Tap Content Blocking
- Toggle the Scripts switch on
And JavaScript will be restored across all sites.
Closing Thoughts
JavaScript powers many modern web features, but also poses privacy and security risks. DuckDuckGo gives you control over JavaScript straight from the browser settings.
Completely disabling JavaScript ensures you browse the web securely. But it may break certain sites. Allowing it globally or on select sites strikes a balance.
Experiment with the settings to find your ideal configuration. And consider using the HTML/non-JavaScript versions of sites whenever possible for the most private, clutter-free browsing experience.
USER_INPUT
USER_INPUT
