The fastest way depends on your phone type

You can block a website on your phone in three ways: through your phone's built-in parental controls, through your browser settings, or by installing a blocking app. The method that works best depends on whether you want to block sites on just one app (like Chrome or Safari) or across your entire phone, and whether you're blocking for yourself or for someone else's device.

If you want to block a site everywhere on your phone — in the browser, in apps, even in email — use your phone's system-level controls. If you only care about blocking it in one browser, the browser's own settings are faster. If you need to block many sites or want scheduling (like blocking social media after 9 p.m.), a dedicated app gives you more control.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can block sites through Screen Time settings, which blocks the site across all apps and browsers on that phone.
  • Android users can block sites through Digital Wellbeing, Google Family Link, or by changing DNS settings in Wi-Fi — each method blocks differently depending on what you're trying to do.
  • If you only want to block a site in one browser, Safari and Chrome both have built-in blocking features that take two minutes to set up.
  • Blocking apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or AppBlock let you schedule blocks (for example, blocking news sites during work hours) and block across multiple apps at once.
  • System-level blocks on your phone require a passcode or Screen Time password to remove, so the person using the phone cannot simply turn them off.

Blocking a site on iPhone using Screen Time

Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You'll need to enter a Screen Time passcode if you haven't set one yet — this is the password that prevents someone from turning off the block. Tap Allowed Apps, then scroll down and toggle off any app you want to block entirely (like Safari or a social media app). If you want to keep the app but block specific websites within it, go back and tap Content Restrictions instead.

Under Content Restrictions, tap Web Content. Choose Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. If you pick Limit Adult Websites, tap the + button under "Never Allow" and type the full web address of the site you want to block — for example, reddit.com or twitter.com. If you pick Allowed Websites Only, you're saying only the sites you list can be visited; everything else is blocked. This second option is stricter and useful if you're setting up a phone for a child.

The block applies across Safari, Chrome, and any other browser or app on that iPhone. The person using the phone cannot remove the block without the Screen Time passcode.

Blocking a site on Android using Digital Wellbeing or Family Link

Android phones have two different blocking systems depending on what you're trying to do. If you're blocking on your own phone, use Digital Wellbeing. If you're blocking on someone else's phone (like a child's), use Google Family Link.

For your own phone: Open Settings, search for Digital Wellbeing, and tap it. Tap App Timers or Focus Mode. App Timers lets you set a daily time limit on specific apps; when the timer runs out, the app closes. Focus Mode lets you silence notifications from certain apps during set hours. Neither of these blocks websites directly — they limit how much time you spend in an app. If you want to block a specific website across your entire phone, you'll need to change your DNS settings instead (see the section below).

For someone else's phone: Install Google Family Link on both your phone and theirs. Open Family Link, select their account, tap Controls on Google Play, and toggle on "Manage apps and games." Then tap App Filters to block entire apps, or tap Screen Time to set daily limits. Family Link does not block websites within browsers — it blocks apps. To block websites on a child's Android phone, you'll need to use a third-party app like Bark or Qustodio, or change the DNS settings on the Wi-Fi network they use.

Blocking a site in Chrome or Safari only

If you only want to block a site when you're using one specific browser, you don't need to change your phone's settings. Both Chrome and Safari have built-in blocking features.

In Safari on iPhone: Open the site you want to block, tap the address bar, then tap the "aA" icon on the left. Tap Settings for This Website, then toggle on "Block Pop-Ups." This blocks pop-ups from that site but not the site itself. To block the site entirely in Safari, you'll need to use Screen Time (see above) or a third-party app.

In Chrome on iPhone or Android: Open the site, tap the three-dot menu, tap Info, then tap Block. Chrome will block notifications from that site, but again, this doesn't block the site itself — you can still visit it. To block the site entirely in Chrome, use your phone's system settings or a third-party app.

Neither browser has a native "block this website" feature built in. If you want to block a site in your browser only, you'll need to install a browser extension (on Android) or use a dedicated blocking app.

Changing your DNS to block sites across all apps

A DNS change blocks a website across your entire phone, in every app and browser, without needing to install anything. The downside is that it only works when you're on that specific Wi-Fi network, and it requires you to manually change your network settings.

On iPhone: Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find your network, tap the info icon, scroll down to DNS, and tap Configure DNS. Choose Manual, then tap Add Server. Enter the DNS address of a blocking service. Common options are Cloudflare for Families (1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3) or OpenDNS (208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123). These services block adult content and malware by default. If you want to block a specific site, you'll need to log into the service's website from a computer and add it to your block list.

On Android: Open Settings, tap Network & Internet, tap Wi-Fi, find your network, tap the gear icon, tap Advanced, scroll to DNS, and enter the same DNS addresses. The block applies only on that Wi-Fi network. When you switch to mobile data or a different Wi-Fi network, the block no longer works.

Using a blocking app for more control

Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, AppBlock, and Bark give you features that your phone's built-in tools don't: scheduling blocks (block Reddit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays only), blocking across multiple apps at once, and detailed reports of what was blocked and when.

Freedom and Cold Turkey work on both iPhone and Android. You install the app, create an account, and add the sites or apps you want to block. You can set a schedule (block this site every weekday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or block immediately. The app runs in the background and enforces the block. Most of these apps cost between $5 and $10 per month, though some offer free versions with limited features.

Bark is designed for parents monitoring children's devices. It blocks sites, limits screen time, and sends you alerts if your child tries to visit a blocked site. It costs around $10 per month and works on both iPhone and Android.

The advantage of these apps is flexibility and scheduling. The disadvantage is that they require you to keep the app installed and active, and on some phones, the system can close them in the background if you're not using them regularly.

What to do if you forget your blocking password

If you set a Screen Time passcode on iPhone and forgot it, you'll need to reset your phone or use Find My iPhone to erase it remotely. Go to iCloud.com, click Find My, select your phone, and choose Erase This Device. This removes the passcode but also erases everything on the phone, so only do this if you have a backup.

On Android, if you forgot a Family Link PIN, open Family Link, tap your account, tap Parental Controls, and follow the steps to reset it. You'll need to verify your Google account. If you set a DNS block and forgot which DNS addresses you entered, go back to Settings, Wi-Fi, your network info, and DNS — you can see what's there and change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone remove a block I set on their phone?

Not without the passcode or password. If you set a block through Screen Time on iPhone or Family Link on Android, the person using the phone cannot turn it off without entering the passcode you created. If you used a blocking app, they can uninstall the app unless you've locked that down too through parental controls.

Will blocking a site stop it from sending me notifications?

Not always. Blocking a website in your browser stops you from visiting it, but the site can still send you notifications through email, text, or push notifications from an app. If you want to stop notifications, you'll need to unsubscribe from the site's mailing list or turn off notifications in the app's settings separately.

Does blocking a site on Wi-Fi also block it on mobile data?

No. If you change your DNS settings on Wi-Fi, the block only applies when you're connected to that Wi-Fi network. When you switch to mobile data, the block no longer works. To block a site on mobile data, use Screen Time, Family Link, or a dedicated blocking app instead.

Can I block a site on someone else's phone without them knowing?

You can install Family Link on a child's Android phone and manage blocks from your own phone, and they won't be able to remove the blocks without your PIN. On iPhone, you would need access to the phone itself to set up Screen Time. You cannot remotely block sites on someone else's iPhone without their knowledge.

What's the difference between blocking a site and blocking an app?

Blocking a site stops you from visiting it in a browser. Blocking an app removes the app from your home screen and prevents you from opening it at all. Some blocking tools do both; others do only one. Screen Time on iPhone can do both. Digital Wellbeing on Android limits app time but doesn't block websites.