The simplest way to block sites on iPhone is through Screen Time, Apple's built-in parental control tool

You don't need an app or a third-party service. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Restrictions (or Content & Privacy Restrictions on newer iOS versions), and add websites to a blocked list. The blocked sites won't load in Safari or any other browser on that device. This works whether you're blocking sites for yourself or setting limits on a child's phone.

The catch: Screen Time blocks are device-level, not account-level. If someone knows your Screen Time passcode, they can unblock sites. And if they switch to a different browser like Chrome or Firefox, the blocks don't carry over — those apps have their own filtering systems that Screen Time doesn't control.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPhone and blocks sites across Safari without needing a separate app.
  • You set a four-digit passcode to prevent someone from unblocking sites without your permission.
  • Third-party browsers like Chrome and Firefox are not blocked by Screen Time restrictions, only Safari is.
  • If you're blocking sites for a child, you'll need their Apple ID password to prevent them from turning off Screen Time entirely.

Setting up Screen Time blocks in Settings

Go to Settings and scroll down to Screen Time. Tap it, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions (the name varies slightly by iOS version, but it's always in the Screen Time menu). You'll see a toggle for Content & Privacy Restrictions — turn it on. You'll be asked to create a four-digit passcode. This is separate from your phone's lock screen passcode and is what prevents someone from removing the blocks.

Once that's on, scroll down to Restricted Websites. You'll see two options: Limit Adult Websites or Always Allow / Never Allow. If you choose Limit Adult Websites, Apple's filter attempts to block adult content automatically, though it's not perfect. If you want full control, choose Never Allow and then tap Add a Website under that section. Type in the full domain — for example, reddit.com or instagram.com — and it will block that site.

You can add as many sites as you want. Each one you add goes into the Never Allow list. If you later want to unblock a site, go back to that same screen, tap Edit, and swipe left on the site name to delete it. You'll need to enter your Screen Time passcode to make any changes.

Why third-party browsers bypass Screen Time blocks

Safari respects Screen Time restrictions because it's Apple's own browser and is deeply integrated with iOS. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other browsers are not. If someone opens Chrome and tries to visit a blocked site, the block won't trigger — Chrome has no way to check your Screen Time settings.

This is a real limitation if you're trying to enforce blocks on a device you don't control. The only way around it is to delete the third-party browsers from the phone entirely. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then App Limits, and set a limit of zero minutes on any browser you want to prevent access to. That will remove the app from the home screen and app library, though someone with your Screen Time passcode can still reinstall it.

Setting up blocks if you're managing a child's phone

If the iPhone belongs to a child and you want to manage Screen Time from your own phone, you can set up Family Sharing. Go to Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing, and add the child's Apple ID. Once they're in your family group, you can manage their Screen Time restrictions from your own device without needing to touch theirs.

From your phone, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap the child's name. You can now set content restrictions, app limits, and website blocks from here. The child can't turn off Screen Time or change the passcode because you control the family group. However, they can still use third-party browsers unless you've deleted them or set app limits on those browsers to zero minutes.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked site

When a blocked site is accessed in Safari, the browser shows a message saying the site is restricted and asks for the Screen Time passcode. The message doesn't explain why the site is blocked — it just says "This website is restricted." If the person enters the correct passcode, they can view the site that one time, but the block remains in place for future visits.

This is different from a hard block. Someone with the passcode can always get around the restriction temporarily. If you need a stronger block — for example, if you're concerned about someone with access to your passcode — you'd need to look at a third-party app like Bark, Net Nanny, or 1Blocker, though these require a paid subscription and more setup.

Blocking sites on a shared family device

If multiple people use the same iPhone, Screen Time blocks apply to everyone on that device. You can't set different restrictions for different users. If you want one person to see blocked sites and another not to, they need separate phones or separate user accounts, which iOS doesn't support in the traditional sense.

The workaround is to use a second Apple ID with its own Screen Time settings, but this gets complicated with iCloud and app purchases. For most households, it's simpler to either set one consistent set of blocks that works for everyone, or to use parental controls through Family Sharing so each person has their own device with their own restrictions.

Removing or changing blocks you've set

To unblock a site, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Restricted Websites. Tap Edit in the top right corner. You'll see your list of blocked sites. Swipe left on any site name and tap Delete. Enter your Screen Time passcode when prompted, and the site is unblocked immediately.

If you've forgotten your Screen Time passcode, you'll need to reset it through your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, and at the bottom you'll see "Change Screen Time Passcode." Tap it, then "Change Passcode," and you'll be asked to verify with your Apple ID password. After that, you can set a new four-digit code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block sites on my iPhone without using Screen Time?

Yes, third-party apps like 1Blocker, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, and Bark offer website blocking, though most charge a monthly fee. They work by routing your traffic through their servers and filtering at that level, which means they block sites across all browsers, not just Safari. Screen Time is free and built in, so it's the first option most people try.

If I block a site, can the person using the phone see that it's blocked?

Yes. When they try to visit the site, they'll see a message saying it's restricted and asking for the Screen Time passcode. They won't see a list of all blocked sites unless they go into Settings and look, but they'll know a specific site is blocked when they try to access it.

Does blocking a site in Screen Time also block it in email or messaging apps?

No. Screen Time blocks only prevent the site from loading in Safari and other browsers. If someone receives a link in Messages or Mail and taps it, the block may or may not trigger depending on whether the tap opens Safari or the app's built-in browser. For a more complete block, you'd need a third-party filtering app.

What if someone deletes Safari from the home screen to avoid the blocks?

Deleting Safari from the home screen doesn't remove the app or disable the blocks. Safari is a system app and can't be fully deleted. They can still access it from the app library or by swiping down and searching for it. The blocks remain in place.

Can I block sites on my iPhone if I don't have a passcode set?

You can set up Screen Time blocks without a device passcode, but it's not secure. Anyone with access to your phone can go into Settings and remove the blocks. It's recommended to set both a device passcode and a Screen Time passcode for any blocks to be meaningful.