How to block an app depends on your device and what you want to stop
Blocking an app means preventing it from running, sending notifications, or accessing your data — but the method changes based on whether you use iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac. On most phones, you can restrict an app without deleting it. On computers, blocking is less common because apps run differently, but you can prevent them from launching or receiving permissions. The fastest route is usually your device's built-in settings, not a third-party tool.
The outcome of blocking varies by method. Hiding an app removes it from view but lets it run in the background. Disabling an app stops it completely. Turning off notifications silences alerts but leaves the app running. Screen Time and parental controls add scheduling, so you can block apps only during certain hours.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can hide apps, turn off notifications, or restrict them in Screen Time without deleting them.
- Android phones let you disable apps in Settings, turn off notifications, or use app locks for individual apps.
- Windows computers don't have a native app blocker, but you can uninstall programs or use parental controls to restrict access.
- Mac users can delete apps or use Screen Time to limit when and how often an app runs.
- Third-party app blockers exist for phones but work best when combined with your device's native controls.
Blocking apps on iPhone
iPhone offers three ways to block an app without deleting it: hiding it, turning off notifications, and restricting it in Screen Time. Hiding an app removes it from your home screen and app library search, but the app stays installed and can still run in the background. To hide an app, press and hold its icon, tap Remove App, then choose Remove from Home Screen.
To stop an app from sending notifications, open Settings, tap Notifications, find the app, and toggle off Allow Notifications. The app will still run but won't interrupt you. For stronger control, use Screen Time: go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, add the app, and set it to zero minutes. This prevents the app from opening at all until you change the limit. You can also use Downtime to block all apps during certain hours, which is useful if you want to restrict access only during work or study time.
Blocking apps on Android
Android phones let you disable apps, turn off notifications, and use app locks. Disabling an app is the strongest option: go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager), find the app, and tap Disable. The app will no longer run or send notifications. Note that some system apps cannot be disabled, only hidden.
To turn off notifications without disabling the app, open Settings > Notifications, find the app, and toggle off notifications. Many Android phones also include a built-in app lock or app protection feature — check your phone's settings under Security or Biometrics. Some phones let you lock individual apps behind a fingerprint or PIN, which prevents them from opening without authentication. This approach keeps the app installed but requires extra steps to use it.
Blocking apps on Windows
Windows does not have a built-in app blocker for individual programs, but you can prevent apps from launching by uninstalling them or using parental controls. To uninstall an app, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the program, and click Uninstall. This removes it completely from your computer.
If you want to keep the app installed but restrict access, use Parental Controls (available in Windows 10 and 11). Create a child account, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, and manage app restrictions for that account. You can also use third-party software like Cold Turkey or Freedom to block apps during set times, though these require installation and setup. These tools are more flexible than parental controls because they work on any account and let you set custom blocking schedules.
Blocking apps on Mac
Mac does not have a native app blocker, but you can delete apps or use Screen Time to limit them. To delete an app, open Finder, go to Applications, find the app, and drag it to Trash. Some apps leave behind files in your Library folder, but the main program is removed and no longer appears in Launchpad or Spotlight search.
For more control without deleting, use Screen Time: go to System Settings > General > Screen Time, click App Limits, and add the app with a zero-minute limit. You can also set Downtime to block all apps during certain hours. Third-party tools like Cold Turkey also work on Mac if you need scheduled blocking, and they offer more granular control than Screen Time because they can prevent you from disabling the blocker during a session.
Using third-party app blockers
Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, and AppBlock let you block multiple apps at once and schedule blocking times. These tools work on phones and computers and are useful if you want to block apps during work hours or study sessions. However, they require installation and setup, and they work best alongside your device's native controls rather than replacing them.
On Android, app lockers like AppLock and Norton App Lock add a layer of security by requiring a PIN or fingerprint to open specific apps. On iPhone, third-party blockers are limited because Apple restricts how much control apps can have over the system, so Screen Time remains the strongest option. On Windows and Mac, Freedom and Cold Turkey are more powerful than built-in tools because they can block apps system-wide and prevent you from disabling the blocker during a session. Most third-party blockers cost between $5 and $15 per year or offer a free version with limited features.
What happens when you block an app
When you block an app, it stops running and cannot send notifications or access your data in the background. However, the app remains installed on your device, so you can unblock it later without downloading it again. Blocking does not free up storage space — only uninstalling does that.
If an app is blocked and another app tries to use it (for example, a messaging app trying to open a photo editor), you will see an error or a prompt to choose a different app. Some apps may not work properly if they depend on a blocked app, so test your device after blocking to make sure everything else still runs. For example, if you block a keyboard app, text input in other apps may fail until you unblock it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block an app without the person who uses the device knowing?
On iPhone and Android, hiding an app or turning off notifications is not obvious, but disabling an app or using Screen Time shows up in settings. On shared devices, parental controls on Windows and Mac are designed to hide restrictions from child accounts. If you need to block an app secretly, a third-party tool like Cold Turkey can run in the background, but this approach raises privacy concerns on shared devices.
Will blocking an app free up storage space?
No. Blocking an app stops it from running but leaves it installed. Only uninstalling removes the app and frees up space. If storage is your goal, uninstall instead of block.
Can I block an app on someone else's phone?
Only if you have access to their device and their password or biometric. On iPhones, you can set up Screen Time restrictions if you know the passcode. On Android, you can disable apps in Settings if you have device access. Parental controls on Windows and Mac let you restrict apps on child accounts. Without access or permission, you cannot block apps remotely.
What if I block an app by mistake?
You can unblock it the same way you blocked it. On iPhone, remove the app limit in Screen Time or unhide it from the home screen. On Android, go to Settings > Apps and tap Enable. On Windows and Mac, uninstall the blocker or remove the app limit. The app will start working again immediately.
Do app blockers work if I restart my device?
Built-in blockers like Screen Time and app disabling survive restarts. Third-party blockers like Freedom and Cold Turkey also survive restarts because they run as background services. However, if you uninstall a third-party blocker, it stops working. Some blockers let you set a PIN to prevent uninstalling during a blocking session.